@goro.akechi

[impede]

[In truth, Akechi wishes he could do a video of some kind to make his point. He's much better when he has an audience, and words don't cut it. Part of the appeal of being the second coming of the Detective Prince had been his looks. But that's fine. He'll manage without that. Besides, he does truly require the assistance of the other Displaced, even if the very idea of it feels like a betrayal to himself.]

Oh, hello.

While we're discussing theories, I'm here to point out a stone that's been left unturned for some time. For reasons that are ultimately beyond me, we've failed to step into a political sphere. Before you jump to comment about how that would expose us, that's not what I'm saying. Exposure could do us some good, but I understand that it's far from what anyone prefers. Well, especially since we all believe we'll be little more than rats to be experimented on. Or perhaps because we already think we are!

But such pessimism isn't why I'm here.

No, I have a proposal. We need to align ourselves with politicians. Several months ago, I joined Katelin Jovavich's campaign. At the time, she seemed like a done deal. Unfortunately, her political savvy has … failed her. But she's still full of information, such as the identity of one JPG. Said set of acronyms showed up in a report that my partner [Bad username or site: ren @ amamiya] turned up as his payment for working for Cassius about a mysterious lab explosion, one that had ties to an alternate world where all of the (present at the time) Displaced turned up in during December.

No, no, now isn't the time to litigate the "Cassius" aspect of that information. As Ren pointed out at the time, one person was already taking the deal, so any stands we could've made were null and void.

While I do intend to leave Jovavich's campaign soon, I believe now is the time to get someone in there with the ability to get her to talk. I know her movements well enough. Consider this a request for help.

And beyond that: consider a political career. I do believe that Joseph Lynch is quite promising, if a bit unimaginative. Perhaps that could appeal to someone else.

The important point is not to let a potential opening go to waste any longer. I believe this group has done it for far too long.

So, what do you say? Surely one of you has lofty political aspirations.

Comments

@kate.bishop

[fledges]

What exactly do you mean by a political career? Are you trying to get one of us in office, or are you aiming lower?

[impede]

All political careers start somewhere, don't they?

I don't want to limit the creativity of the people around us.

For my part, I'm little more than a Personal Assistant for Jovavich's campaign. Hardly lofty, but it's a place to start. And, as I said, I have a good understanding of her movement.

[fledges]

Do you mind catching me up?

[impede]

Where would you like me to begin? I have a general read on the political situation here, but I have had more reason to follow it than anyone else. Would you like to know more about the candidates, who's likely to win, their platform, or would you simply like to know about Jovavich's ultimate failure when put on the big stage?

I can recount it all quite happily.

[fledges]

I'll take as much as you want to give me.
I went
missing for a while, so I'm behind.

[impede]

The current sitting governor in New Amsterdam is Lydia Gill-Jade. She's the type of politician that other politicians find it easy to compete with, but she had corporate backing and likely had to do little to maintain her position. She announced that she would be leaving office.

There are three candidates vying for her spot.

The first is Katelin Jovavich. A child prodigy by all rights, I believe that may be where some of her failings come to light. [If only he had an ounce of self awareness in saying this.] She joined Pulsar right after she completed her required through 18 education and has been with them since. Her platform is not directed at New Amsterdam but her assumed eventual political career in New Beijing. Her hope is to radically alter the colonies system by sending out engineers to ensure that the colonies will function properly.

Right now, the colonies act as a means of hope but provide little outlook. The recent Mars circumstances have brought the lack of philanthropy behind Jovavich's message to light, and when challenged for it on the debate stage, she floundered. The colonies function poorly because of the number of unskilled workers sent out on subsidies to keep them running.

Jovavich is the candidate that the corporate world has chosen to back. When Gill-Jade announced that she would not run again for a second term, her E-Mail to her supports advised them to funnel their resources into Jovavich's campaign. As I'm certain you've noticed, the corporations of this world aren't shy about their corporate interests and ties to politics, but they do seem to not announce it so openly. We weren't meant to see that E-Mail—but, once again, were offered a favor by Cassius in seeing it in the first place.

Jovavich also has ties to JPG, whose name was mentioned in a separate E-Mail referring to some project she has on Jupiter. JPG is tied to Project Spinetail, which connects to Zerzura, an odd world we all visited a few months back. Which was likely before your return!

All in all Jovavich's weakness as a candidate is that she's a single-issue politician, but one with a great deal of backing. That single issue could have been mined quite well in showing that she wouldn't utilize the poor and forgotten of New Amsterdam to do her bidding like the United Nations has to get people to head out to the colonies, but she floundered. What good she's done here in the city seems largely coincidental, and perhaps even decided by her Campaign Manager.

Now, I'll proceed in a moment, but I wanted to give you a chance to ask questions.

@ren.amamiya

[variate]

[ he's been summoned. ]

An insider, to start.

[ he remembers. ]

@tsera.vel

[bivariant]

I've navigated royal court before.
Politics isn't my forte, but if anyone wants anecdotes - I've got them in spades.

[impede]

And you think they'll apply here?

[impede]

Don't tell me you're suddenly volunteering. The corrupt world of politics doesn't appear to suit your tastes.

[bivariant]

I'll poach off your post all I want, pal.

Why aren't you volunteering yourself for the prime position? You've done a lot of the work, some might say you deserve it.

[impede]

Why would we only have one?

[variate]

They'd kick me out.

[ they would, it's true. ]

[gravemistake]

I'm gonna run for president

[bivariant]

That's not what I said. Positioning multiple political candidates means access to a lot of different places and the ability to foist them off one another, of course. I'm looking directly at you, right now.

From assistant - to young, strapping candidate for local office or whatever this government has, why don't we start with you?

@angela.roberts

[unlucky7]

Candidate Reyes! Explain what policies you'll implement to prevent future kidnappings by mercenary units!

[gravemistake]

Murder is now legal but only if they try to kidnap you first

My other policy platform is that it should be a god given right to wear jeggings to work

[unlucky7]

With the legalization of murder, I'm also going to need to know your healthcare policy.

Will you be setting an example by wearing jeggings on your campaign tour?

[impede]

Which president? There are a few choices.

[gravemistake]

Right yeah I'll have my wonk get back to you on that. The important thing to know is that I'm always wearing jeggings

[gravemistake]

I plan to win all elections and become Mega-President, obviously

[unlucky7]

A bold move. I can endorse that.

[gravemistake]

I knew I could count on you.

[unlucky7]

If you become president, can I join the secret service?

My credentials are as follows:
1) I look great in jeggings.
2) I'm very good at punching people.

[impede]

You're right. No point in thinking small.