@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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[impede]

We can't declare that there's no proof until we're certain of it.

[Ren is right that there isn't any apparent proof that they've seen and that Grey hasn't utilized it, but that says nothing overall. They don't know for sure about this. They can't declare it without proof supporting that.]

Delafield-Chapin will be a flash in the pan. She'll be better served if she doesn't pose a threat to the fragile stability of this city and world during a time of upheaval.

[variate]

[ the truth of the matter is that they didn't even have proof right now, so even if one of the Displaced let it slip, he wonders what the ripples would look like. it was like trying to explain to someone that there was a Metaverse. ]

Right now there's not much that we have. It would have to come from somewhere else.

She'd be a casualty. That's not good for her or us.
It would be too close to a mistake waiting to happen, but even then, if the public likes her, do you think our vote will counter the majority of this city?
We'd need another plan.

[impede]

I believe her association with our ideals will mean we could easily sink her. Yes, some people like her, but not everyone. If we reject her platform as little more than stealing from us, she would find it difficult to garner support.

My concern is that her platform feeds into the egotism of the Displaced. They'll be quick to follow her.

[variate]

A politician shouldn't mirror our ideals, anyway. Even if some of the Displaced might take to it.

[ just like a politician shouldn't have mirrored the Phantom Thieves'. there was support here and there (with Yoshida), but the sorts of things the Displaced were after ... it didn't translate well.

plus, they really varied depending on the person. ]

Maybe a few of us could get in contact with her. It might not take much to convince her.

[ there's no way they could come to a consensus with everyone. ]

[impede]

You and Tsera will handle it.

Be sure that you keep her from getting Delafield-Chapin killed, even if a martyr might benefit us at this point.

[variate]

If I can help it, no one will get killed.

[impede]

For the most part, you've been quite good at that in the past.

["For the most part." Reassuring, right? It's not like it was Ren's fault that Okumura died.]