@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

[impede]

Yes, but there are those among us who have similar sway, at least with the criminals. In some private conversations, I've come to realize that Durcell, while a shamelessly known element, will also be difficult to control once they gain even the slightest bit of power.

[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.

[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.

[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?

[impede]

And how do we keep them from doing that? Will we police our own, locking them away and stripping them of their neural implant until they behave? Tell me: what did you have in mind?

[unwings]

Of course not. I'd meant it as a supportive role, not an authoritative one. What I had in mind was communication and cooperation between Displaced to approach issues together, though it's becoming apparent that may be asking too much of this community.

In the handful of weeks since I've arrived, I've witnessed this group devolve into debilitating infighting at least twice. Is that typical?

[impede]

Just twice?

[That's a "yes."]

[unwings]

[ oh boy. ]

At least.

Not reassuring.

Any discussion of cooperation is moot until the community's willing to work together. Let alone much else in realm of organization.

[impede]

I don't have time to deal with cooperation. The election is in four days.

Our personal stances and voices will matter. Take a stance and see what it does.

[unwings]

I have. Taken a stance and seen what it does, after.
Thousands died and I broke Heaven.

Stances taken prematurely or out of a lack of better options often cascade into much larger problems.

At any rate, as an stranger in this dimension, I'm not sure I truly have a right to engage in their democracy.

[impede]

["Broke heaven." If this were an anime conversation, a !? would appear over Akechi's head. Truly curious. But he doesn't ask yet, instead rolling with it.]

As a stranger in this dimension, you're here against your will. I'm sure right or wrong doesn't have much of a role in what we do, at least to further ourselves and our goals.

But it sounds as if you have good experience in not trusting your judgment.

creeps back late, hello i suck

[unwings]

Why? What makes you sure right and wrong don't play a role?

I'd hope I've screwed up enough by now get it right, but that's rarely the case with anyone.

no worries, i semi-hiatused to app u sam

[impede]

It's not as if people asked us to come here. Should we act as if we're interlopers when we had no choice in the first place?

Mistakes will be made. But I'd argue that not making a choice in the first place is the truest folly of all.

come to me sweet sammy boi

[unwings]

I'd consider us more refugees than interlopers.

A wrong choice can be just as harmful as inaction, depending on the situation. My kind generally makes a point not to interfere with human governance.

[impede]

Regardless of how you define what we are, we're still stuck here with no sign of an end. Our only "freedom" arrives in randomized removals from this world, without any way of knowing if we'll return. We're forced to be citizens whether we like it or not. With that comes a choice. As it is, I don't believe it's time for us to use our political clout beyond this choice, even when I believe it's possible that we could.

As for that lack of interference, that just sounds like some bullshit excuse.