@goro.akechi | june 11, 2512

[impede]

Given the turmoil here in New Amsterdam, we have an opportunity available to us. I've covered such an opportunity before, but I've learned that it's an utter waste of time to convince any of you to enter politics. But voting? That seems to be far easier.

There is an election in just four days' time. Even if you're "new," so to speak, you aren't according to your newfound ID and the guidelines of the city. That means you have a choice.

I'm here to outline that choice. Hopefully, none of you will be foolish enough to vote like fucking idiotic idealists, but my hopes aren't particularly high. I've seen how the Displaced think.

That said, in alphabetical order we have:

Mia Ballo. A former cop for the NAPD. She's a fucking moron and her bullshit isn't worth your time. She wants to kill off all the plants in the city, even if they have economic value and are undoubtedly helping keep the poor fed. Ignore her futile attempts at a political future.

Amabel Delafield-Chapin. The first of two anti-establishment candidates. Unlike the other one (Durcell), Delafield-Chapin isn't in the big corporate pocket. But that means she's utterly inexperienced when it comes to leadership. She appears to be on our side, or inspired by us, but you can't ignore that the political world will eat her alive.

Simone Durcell. While they easily and carelessly set aside their position as the head of a Pulsar subsidiary, Durcell is a ruthless politician despite their lack of political experience. Durcell is heavily rumored to be in with the mob families in New Amsterdam, and I believe that we, as a group, have proof of that. The issue with Durcell is that they seem positively ruthless and opportunistic, so even if we have that evidence, it may be meaningless.

Joseph Lynch. Another man we have information on thanks to Cassius' intervention. Whether this would matter to the public means nothing. But for all of us, I believe we'd benefit from having him in office. He has a clean record and is the typical, uninspiring politician. What stands out most to me is that despite his long history with Ibis as their Public Relations director, the corporations were set to back Katelin Jovavich before her untimely demise. I don't believe this is simply because he's risky. There may be more there.

My proposal, then, is that we think intelligently. Many of you've shown that you're afraid of what might happen if people figure out who and what we are. If we back a candidate, especially a candidate with power and resources, we'll be able to protect ourselves.

Lynch and Durcell are the most promising. Delafield-Chapin may suit your ideals, but she's going to be useless to us in office. I won't even waste more words on Ballo. We have enough time to rally support around one of our chosen candidates.

Let's not be idiots about it.

Edit: Since I realize I overlooked the most important detail in my presumption that you all had eyes and ears, these four individuals are running for governor of New Amsterdam.

Comments

[realists]

No, this planet is incredibly human.

Less than half dozen other species, all of them Displaced. A few more not from Earth but still human or near enough that it isn't questioned.

[plainsimple]

But there are a few. I was beginning to wonder. What of you?

[realists]

Human, born on the planet Vallt. This poor dirt planet doesn't realize they have an (involuntary) alien invasion.

[plainsimple]

On the contrary. This planet has been blessed by the opportunity to have some variety. Meanwhile, we're the ones suffering from lack of familiar food, spices, drinks, sights, and the list goes on.

We can only help it.

[realists]

I've been looking for one cookie from home for months and nothing.

[sparklequeen]

I mean, when you say something like he's one the most promising, I wonder.

[sparklequeen]

I hadn't thought of that.

[ Look, she's used to being a monarch. ]

I don't want her or anyone else to get hurt because they're associated with us. I've governed before--it's not easy. And I'd love to help out, but I don't want to be seen as controlling anyone.

[bivariant]

It's okay, we all want things to work out for the better.

I think, despite that she's got good intentions, it's really dangerous for a novice to run this gauntlet on a platform sympathetic to us. I mean, look at Jovavich -- she was definitely killed and she had a lot more experience.

[ "i caused her death" is NOT what she'll be saying!!! ]

[bivariant]

We could just encourage her to drop out.

[plainsimple]

That may genuinely be one of the saddest things I've heard. I hope that you find something close enough, my dear.

[impede]

Don't take statements out of context.

[impede]

That may be a worthwhile strategy.

[impede]

You called an atrocity interesting. What more was I to take from it?

[unwings]

I agree, backing Durcell will complicate things more than it will help. That leaves us Lynch, by your summation. I'm unsure 'uninspiring' can be taken as a positive for a civic leader, but if he can be easily manipulated to back the Displaced, we should assume the same is true of anyone else who may approach him.

If we're going to cultivate political ties with local government, perhaps selecting a representative or council of Displaced to handle those interactions would be wise.

[variate]

[ when the Phantom Thieves had been the echo chamber of opinions, it had gotten ... disturbing. that popularity wasn't something that fit well when served back on a shallow platform. ]

Then that's a bigger problem. Those could easily get twisted.

[variate]

Sometimes you have to be an idiot, but there's a time and place.

[impede]

Her victory could mean our demise. With that, reputation will mean little. Hold on to the big picture for now.

[impede]

Yes.

A further problem lies in the inherent risk of it getting out that we're not a part of this world. I know that you all were willing to tell your stories within the simulation. I don't fault you for that. But it could tarnish our political reputations in time, especially if we seem like interlopers invading to get our own way.

[impede]

A council that may disappear at a moment's notice? I'd like to see how that would work. [No, he wouldn't.]

Lynch's exposure to us is unique, I think. Otherwise, Durcell would have more pointed attacks. They've done quite well in excoriating their other opponents.

[impede]

Our political future is at risk. Of course I expected a response.

But do you think I'm truly pleased by having to play teacher? And then deal with armchair psychologists like yourself?

[variate]

There's still no proof, even if someone comes out and declares it.
It would be worse if someone does and uses it against us. That card hasn't been played yet.

[ his thinking is going directly to Grey. ]

Public opinion can turn bad fast.
It wouldn't be good for Delafield-Chapin or New Amsterdam, either.

[unwings]

Anyone could be abruptly withdrawn at a moment's notice. One million, in the last attack. Work still needs to be done. [ like, death, he means. people dropping like flies around here, fam. ]

Is it better to allow our concerns to be aired to local leadership by anyone who may or may not have the political experience or diplomatic skill necessary for it?

[withmeinparadise]

me? armchair psychologist? good one.

dunno what you're into. don't really care. just seems like the political analyst doth protest too much.

[plainsimple]

Come now, surely you have better reading comprehension than that. I specifically said the 'details' were interesting, not the atrocity in itself. There's technology and capability there that's beyond that of anything I've seen in my universe, and it calls into question the reality of all of this - if one AI can create a simulation over one city, what can an entire AI force do, and is there a chance there still is one and we simply haven't been informed?

Reading only at a surface level serves no one, least of all you or me. You don't care for the latter, but it's quite clear you have a high opinion of the former.

[sparklequeen]

Yeah, I definitely don't want anyone hurt or killed because of us.

But I also don't like the idea of not doing BETTER because it's just the way it's always been.