[Forum Game] Fallout Realism Vault 191 Part 2: The People's Commune

[aedan777]

From the Office of the First Citizen​

The new districts incorporated from the Wasplands, Districts 6 through 9, have been under military rule for several years now. Conditions have stabilized in the districts and continued military occupation appears to be building resentment. As such it is decreed by the First Citizen that an end to military oversight of the new districts is coming in the imminent future. The first step of the transition to civilian rule is the conductance of elections in the new districts. Citizens wishing to run for office should contact local members of the People's Party to receive approval, with elections to occur on September 1st of this year.

 

[Olligarchy]

Name: William Henry Lee or simply 'The Wanderer'
Age: Early to mid 30s
Political Party: N/A
Profession: Wanderer
Bio:
William Henry Lee was born roughly three and a half decades ago to the somewhat 'forced' union of a former Vault Dweller and a bandit somewhere that had once been Arizona. He was raised by his formerly Vault Dwelling mother Sarah and grew up in a small town surviving on the outskirts of the wilderness, taking potshots at passing by radroaches with his shotgun.

Classically, on his 18th birthday the town he was living in was attacked by a surprisingly large bandit force led by his old man, resulting in the place being levelled and William being captured by his father whom was hoping to raise the boy to be his heir. Things started out rough between the two, and only got rougher when in a fit of anger Williams father caved in his mothers skull with the butt of his club, causing William to go into frenzy and gun down his father and two other bandits, before disappearing into the wilderness with his old mans coat in tow.

Hunting down the remains of the bandit infestation systematically, William made a bit of a name for himself until one day he simply disappeared, having taken to wandering the continent with his Pup called Cub in tow. He has recently arrived near the outskirts of NYC and means to take a look at what's going on in these parts...

 

[chopak]

Name: Jeremy Kristoff Greywall
Age: 35
Political Party: People's Party
Profession: Ex-Slave, now local politician
Bio: Enslaved by Wasps when Subtown in Hudson Yards was seized. He was forced to work as mechanic and scrap collector for his masters and lived in constant fear for his life. When the Commune came and liberated him he was in awe. The ideas of freedom, equality and revolution really got to him and he joined the Party as soon as possible. During the military occupation, he proved himself to be a strong Commune supporter and helped solved growing conflicts between military administration and locals.
Now that the end of military rule has been anounced, he seeks to better serve both the Commune and his own District.

 

[XVG]

Revolutionary Comrades!

Firstly I wish congratulate the Manhattan Popular Council on the bloodless and swift seizure of power from the bourgeoisie-capitalist mobs that had taken over the former Wasp territories. Indeed now it is time for proper socialism by the book, free of Foucalt’s licentious influences, free of capitalist slavery and free of ideological decay to prosper. We wish all our best, and adequate, support and goodwill to the Manhattan Popular Council, and hope they will succeed in their struggle for socialism. We can already see that the wicked Commune is trying to extract economic warfare upon the nascent Popular Council, which we completely condemn. And if the revisionist scum dares to even consider attacking this young and pure socialist state while it is still seemingly weak, we will promise to avenge with a fury never seen before.

Furthermore, the quickly and rapidly changing and evolving military-political situation in the freed territories and districts occupied by the so-called Commune revisionist organization was forced me to consider organizational changes long overdue. Thus the CGRIA leadership will pass from the military council to actual military leaders. I announce the promotion of Comrade-Sergeant “Zhu” Andrew to the rank of Comrade-Major and commander-in-chief of the CGRIA, and Comrade-Staff-Sergeant Jade Wu to the rank of Comrade-Lieutenant, deputy commander-in-chief. The military council will remain responsible for directing political and ideological, as well as long term goals, of the CGRIA, but operational, strategical and tactical decision-making will be moved to the military structure. These changes will ensure that the quality and strength of our anti-revisionist struggle is upheld. Victory is closer than ever.

Chairman Cao
Grand Central People’s Anti-Revisionist Popular Council
Military Council of the Grand Central Revolutionary Insurrection Army

 

[baboushreturns]

The Rise of the Vaulters First Party​

In the years following the collapse of the Wasps tensions have been brewing on Statton Island. Nova Roma's Prefect a man who had taken the name Caligula in the early days of his reign has done well to live up to the name. During his tenure as Princeps Nova Roma has seen purges unrivaled in its history. Generals, beurocrats and priests alike have not been safe from Caligula. It is said that these purges are part of a wider effort to clean up corruption and restore the morality of the Nova Roman state however in reality the greatest outcome of these purges has been increased fear and resentment directed towards the state. Among this backdrop a new secret society was formed among the remaining elites of Nova Roman society. It's membership drawn exclusively from those of Vaulter descent, this shadowy group has grown in power over recent years as Caligula's purges and his decadence have grown. On January 15th, 2327 the rest of the Tri-State Wastes would come to know of this group as news of a coup first began to spread across the city.

At 5 A.M. that morning the Pitt Ambassador to Nova Roma was awoken by an aid who informed him that the Compound had been sorrounded and it's generator lines had been cut by Roman troops who had sorrounded the compound. Fifteen minutes later the sounds of a sporadic firefight could be heard emanating from the Princeps Palace and almost three hours later Caligula's dead body along with those of several of guards could be seen adorning several crucifixes in Staton Island's harbor. Around 11:30 the Pitt ambassador reports that power was restored to the Compound and that the temporary blockade had been lifted. At 12:00 sharp on the 15th Nova Roma radio released a broadcast from a "representative of the Vaulters First Party" in which they claim responsibility for the coup. The messenger goes so far as to decry Nova Roma as a "failed experiment" which he then follows up by declaring the formation of a new nation on the island. The National Vaulter's Republic. Established by the heirs of the Vault. For the Vault and by the Vault. He preaches a message of racial superiority naming all Wasters as subhumans and echoes the age old sentiment of many Vaulters in highlighting the genetic purity of those who had ascended from the Vaults. The speech concludes with the speaker praising the Vaulters First Party as the savior of humanity and the sound of cheers.

In the weeks following the coup reports of forced segregation of Vault families and Waster families filter out of Statton Island. In the DCC newspapers report of a new apartheid on the island. Perhaps the most important piece of news to come out in the weeks following the coup is the announcement that a new leader has finally risen to guide the new "Republic", known only as the Commander she is said to have united the island behind her vision.

 

[Maxwell500]

Vice-Chairman Cao, the 'Great Successor'​

Name: Peng Cao (born John Lin)
Age: 43
Political Party: Grand Central People’s Anti-Revisionist Popular Council of Mao Zedong Thought Proponents
Profession: Vice-Chairman of the Anti-Revisionist Popular Council
Bio:

Most details are sketchy on Peng Cao aside from his official biography but there are certain aspects that can be identified: he was born in 2284 to wastelanders as John Lin; his father, Christopher Lin, was a close friend of Chairman Cao who had died during John's teenage years at the hands of raiders.

Following his death the young John and his mother took over the family's small shop in the Grand Central, the former falling under the influence of Chairman Cao, coming to regard him as his adoptive father. He similarly during that time grew close to Cao's daughter, Bao, and the two began a romantic relationship.

Upon the foundation of the 'Red Dragon' in 2313, John began working for Cao in a variety of duties: notably doing the business' "books" and handling the behind-the-scenes matters such as stock, etc. It was during his work that he also fell in line with Cao's political views, quickly becoming a loyal Maoist and one of Cao's biggest supporters.

When the Anti-Revisionist Popular Council was formed with Cao as its Chairman, John was named as Vice-Chairman. The same year he married Cao's daughter and changed his own name to Peng Cao, tying himself further to the Chairman.

In his capacity as Vice-Chairman he has overseen the bureaucratic machine that has started to form, handling the behind-the-scenes matters leaving the Chairman free to continue his campaign against the revisionist forces of the Commune.

Now however, as Chairman Cao grows older, the Vice-Chairman Cao has increasingly stepped forward, and has been hailed as the 'Great Successor'.

 

[XVG]

March 2327

Plenary Meeting of the People’s Anti-Revisionist Popular Council of Mao Zedong Thought Proponents
​

1. Assigns Cde. Peng Cao as 1st Vice-Chairman
2. Appoints Cde. Bao Cao as Chairwoman of Secretariat
3. Confirms appointment of Cde. Zhu Andrew as commander of the GCRIA and vice-chairman of Military Committee
4. Assigns Cde. Jade Wu to Military Committee
5. Renames the Body to "People’s Anti-Revisionist Popular Council"
6. Endorses further co-operation and aid offered to the Manhattan Popular Council
7. Endorses and reaffirms commitment to anti-revisionist struggle and upholding the ideas of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism
8. Orders the formulation and review of a party ideology, task given to Cde. Peng Cao

 

[Maxwell500]

PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL
​

ON THE IDEOLOGY OF MAOISM
​

15 March, 2327
​

Comrade Mao Tse-tung is the greatest Marxist-Leninist of all time. He has inherited, defended and developed Marxism-Leninism with genius, creatively and comprehensively and has brought it to a higher and completely new stage.

Mao Tse-tung’s thought is Marxism-Leninism in which society has collapsed and revionist, false ideologies have risen. It is a powerful ideological weapon for opposing imperialism and for opposing revisionism and dogmatism. Mao Tse-tung’s thought is the guiding principle for all the work of the Party, the army and the country.

Therefore, the most fundamental task in our Party’s political and ideological work is at all times to hold high the great red banner of Mao Tse-tung’s thought, to arm the minds of the people throughout the country with it and to persist in using it to command every field of activity. The broad masses of the workers, peasants and soldiers and the broad ranks of the revolutionary cadres and the intellectuals should really master Mao Tse-tung’s thought; they should all study Chairman Mao’s writings, follow his teachings, act according to his instructions and be his good fighters.

---​

The most important theories put forward by Comrade Mao Tse-tung can be identified as the following: the Theory of the Mass Line and the Protracted People's War.

The Mass Line is the primary method of revolutionary leadership of the masses, which is employed by the most conscious and best organized section of the masses, the proletarian party. It is a reiterative method, applied over and over again, which step by step advances the interests of the masses, and in particular their central interest within bourgeois society, namely, advancing towards proletarian revolution. Each iteration may be viewed as a three step process:

i. Gathering the diverse ideas of the masses.

ii. Processing or concentrating these ideas from the perspective of revolutionary Marxism, in light of the long-term, ultimate interests of the masses, and in light of a scientific analysis of the objective situation.

iii. Returning these concentrated ideas to the masses in the form of a political line which will actually advance the mass struggle toward revolution.

This we can also sometimes term as the method of "from the masses, to the masses."

Underlying the theory of the mass line is the concept that class struggle persists even after the revolutionaries have triumphed over the capitalist state and after socialism has been established. The revolution must remain decisive and effective in eradicating bourgeois elements of society throughout the whole process of striving for communism.

Protracted People's War is a struggle undertaken by the exploited masses to wage war against the ideology of the state and the state itself. It can be stated in three principles:

i. Fighting the bourgeoisie on its own terms will lead to failure. The people's army must militarily engage the state via guerrilla warfare.

ii. Because state power is transferred gradually and not all at once, a system of dual power in which the proletarian vanguard controls a part of the nation while the state controls the other will arise.

iii. Military power must be combined with revolutionary propaganda, material aid for the party, and other phenomena that lead to the continued strengthening of the revolution in general.

---​

It is thus clear that through strict obedience of the aforementioned, and through following the principles set forth by Comrade Mao Tse-tung in his 'Quotations from Chairman Mao Tse-tung', that the People’s Anti-Revisionist Popular Council can achieve victory and vanquish the revionists.

SIGNED AND AUTHORED BY,
Cde.

First Vice-Chairman​

 

[Door to Darknes]

Name: Jeremey Finkern
Age: 42
Political Party: None for now
Profession: restorator and searcher for lost technology
Bio: Jeremey Finkern is a former vault dweller from Vault 120 on the east coast.
Trained to be an engineer, Jeremey was to curious for the Vault he lives in.
After he learned everything he could with the age of 22, used an old and formerly sealed maintenance tunnle
to escape with some of "his" belonging - money, jumpsuit, tools, a stolen pistol and
a pipboy with holotapes from blueprints and books.
Of course the wasteland was completely different then he imagined - his money was useless,
the jumpsuit became dirty soon, but his tools and the pistol kept him alive. He was able to work as a mechanic and earned enough caps to get him enough material to build his own equipment -
A simple rifle, ammunition and an armor that allowed him to search the ruins nearby.
20 Years have passed since then. He roamed the east coast in search for shelter, technology
and time to study it without the brotherhood to interfere. He now stands infront of the gates
of NYC and just want to search for new treasure... but might he find a home as well?

 

[Cleeque]

Foucalt signs the order to end military occupation of districts 6 through 9
​

Years of warfare finally came to an end with the surrender of the Waspmen Militias and the subsequent trials of the senior masters and officers, however, the troops remained. Hundreds of soldiers were allowed to remain within the occupied districts to contribute to the gradual return of peace and order to the commune as well as oversee the transition to civilian rule, but, in truth, most of the soldiers were permitted to see to themselves as long as they hung around. However, when the order was posted to withdraw all forces from the Occupied districts was posted on the Barracks of Major Varley's regiment, there was grumbling and even talk of how the High Command was showing weakness. This was odd, for, the soldiers had just won a war and crushed a formidable enemy, as well as freed hundreds of slaves across Manhattan.
It was mainly due to the aura of uncertainty in the weeks following the victory over the waspmen. The men wondered, what now? What was to happen next. Everyone knew the economy in many of the waster districts was stagnating, and finding jobs and occupations was hard. It was hard for them to be themselves again in the eyes of their friends and family. No man ever returns from war, not really. War changes a man to view the world in a different way. When they were lying on the cracked concrete fighting waves and waves of slavers and slaves, they found the true face of humanity, and they gradually got used to the atmosphere of camarederie and duty that perpetrates the military.

The same was true of Major Reynold Peyton-Varley, who, as he walked across the ruins of New York, and as he looked at his men, he didnt know what to do. The military was always a stronghold of conservatism and patriotism, a society that reflects the values of duty, manliness, and order. So, when they head of the coup of Nova Roma which was carried out by disgruntled officers who longed for the old communalist atmosphere of the vaults where they didnt have to think of the endless needs of the wasters, and, god forbid, the ghouls, many of the Vaulters and officers, including Varley, wondered, is this new liberal, some even used the term 'democratic' revival of Foucalt's was the right course. Naturally, this was not discussed over a hushed whisper. The officer circle was made up of fervent communists who all respected and loved the wisdom and charm of their great leader, but nonetheless, the atmosphere was tense.
Reynold, unlike most, was determined to not watch idly as his beloved motherland disintegrated. He was cunning, and knew that there was a slight political Vacuum in the southern reaches of the People's Commune, and he decided to heed the call of patriotism, and instead of fighting against this streak of democracy, he decided to go with it. He would run for General Secretary of One of the Districts.
'Hell, it's worth a shot' he thought.
The next morning he assembled all his fellow officers, soldiers, staff - all soon to be veterans, all brothers in arms, all his most trusted friends.
"Soldiers, Officers - Comrades! Soon, you will all be once again in the arms of your wives, in the clutches of your children. You will all return home, return to your occupation, your jobs. But, you will all return new people - you have seen what few others have - you have seen the true nature of mankind. You have seen war, and you have won it. You can all return home with your souls lighter, for you have fulfilled your civic duty to your Motherland, to your Party, and to the Working Class."
"But, that is not what is on our minds. On our minds is what will we see when we come back. Will we see a rising, prosperous motherland, heading proudly into the bright future of Communalism, or a nation just out of a war having survived an invasion and succesfully turned it around, or simply, a stagnating economy? The world is still being shaken by upheaval. We have all heard of the bickering of the fascists out in the ocean, as well as the big mouth of that fat fool, Ciao, and some of us assembled here, feel their duty to their motherland is not yet complete. Some, want to affect the politics of the commune to ensure the survival of our people."
"I am one of those men. I feel that, when the proletariat calls you must answer! Comrades, I have decided to join the world of politics, and, run for the post of General Secretary of District Three! I will run as the candidate of all those who wish to preserve everything the revolution has given us, everything we have fought for in these wars, and everything that, you, men who have offered your life to the socialist cause, deserve. Many of you will retire into district three, with its river coastline and great UN building, the cite of the trials of the slaver dogs. And, to all those, I say, that if you find it in your heart, please, men, cast your vote for Reynold Peyton Varley."
In the days that followed, the camps were pulled apart and the soldiers returned to their home district, and Reynold made all the necessary arrangements for candidacy, for the Secretariat of District Three.​

 

[Door to Darknes]

The red jewel of the east?

Jeremey walks across the bridge that connected the remaining city with the northeast side of Manhattan. Jeremey heard numerous rumors about this place. Some came across to call it the red jewel of the east, a resort for order, stability and prosperity for an society of mostly equal men. Or that it is a red beast in it's cave, waiting to tear all the wealth, life and freedom the wasteland has left apart. Basicly it's always those two sides. Fear them as the communist enemy or love them as the savior.

Jeremey looks to the other side and see the watchman at the guardpost. Instinctively he looks at his hunting rifle, before he raise his eyes again for the guardpost. He himself isn't quite sure about this place. As a Vault Dweller he heard stories that the chinese communists launched the first nukes and overall did great harm. But was it true? And if so, were these people like those communists?
"It doesn't matter" he reassure himself with a thought "i have to go there and see. If i want to search Manhattan as well, i have to stay there for a while."

As he walks infront of the entrance a guard blocks his way inside, hold his hand up. "State your name and business here, traveler." says the guard. "Jeremey Finkern. I'm here to search for work as a mechanic and engineer." The guard nods, before he points to Jeremeys backpack. "Show us the content." Jeremey nods as well, removes his backpack and reveals the content - Holotapes, some food and a bottle of water, as well as his tools and some spare parts. The guard begins to count in his head before he tells Jeremey the toll he has to pay for it. Jeremey nods again and gives the guard the caps. "Welcome." is the last reply of the guard before let him pass.

Jeremey walks through and takes a good look at the city beyond.
"Well red jewel" Jeremey mumble to himself "show me what you've got." before he is looking for the administration to gain at least a temporary residence permission.

 

[chopak]

((@baboushreturns , Since now we have three Jerem(e)ys I've decided to change first name of my character to Kristoff to avoid possible future confusion))

"...it is decreed by the First Citizen that an end to military oversight of the new districts is coming in the imminent future. The first step of the transition to civilian rule is the conductance of elections in the new districts. Citizens wishing to run for office should contact local members of the People's Party to receive approval, with elections to occur on September 1st of this year..."

The message from First Citizen Foucalt which was broadcasted on Red Star Radio got stuck in the Kristoff Greywall's head. The military rule was about to end. It meant two things: first - with the soldiers moving out from the new districts, crime was sure to ramp up, and second - the District General Secretary posistion will be vacant and open for taking. District 8 was small and sparsely populated, so probably no one skilled from upper Party echelons will apply for the position, seeking rather more prestigious posts in old districts 2 to 5. That left Greywall's home district either to imcompenent random dignitaries or worse, former Wasps slavers that still lived under the radar in the District and wanted to regain some of the lost influence.

There was only one solution to the problem. Kristoff would have to run for the office himself. He formally applied in local People's Party office and met with his closest friends Jess and Mikael to get their help in election.


- You? The District General Secretary? Come on Kristoff, don't make me laugh! You were a slave just a few months ago! That Party membership got to your head.
- I remind you that you were a slave at that time as well, Mikael. And it was Party that freed us both.
- Well yeah, but so what?
- The Party is all about equality and freedom. If you were a slave or free man or vaulter does not change anything. We all are part of the proletariat.
- Bullshit Kristoff, you drank too much moonshine.
- You still have the slave mentality. You think you are inferior and should be ruled over. I will not allow ex-Wasps to rule over the district again. I heard one of them already applied.
- But who would vote for you?
- Most of the district citizens are former slaves. If we gather them up and make them go to elections they will support fellow freed slave. I know what they, what we, went through and what they,we, need.
- I'll vote for you Kris, I remember how you helped me that time with the soldiers.
- Thank you, Jess. Mikael, do I have your support as well?
- Whatever. At least you're one of us and not some stuck up vaulter. You won't completely mess up the Yards.
- Thanks. Now we need to convince the rest of the District.

 

[Door to Darknes]

It begins with a Red Dawn
one month later in district 8


Finally Jeremey has passed a long way.
It wasn't easy to gain the residence permission. Besides the long line that kept ihm waiting for a couple hours, the questioning thereafter felt like a little inquisition, although the immigrations official tried to be as friendly as possible.

"Where are you from?"
"Are you affiliated with any organisation, known groups or state?"
"Do you have any religious or criminal ties? Please be honest"
"What is you relationship with our glorious ideology, comrade?"

Jeremey remained honest, seemingly to the displeasure of the official. He had only known communism through the stories of his vault and wasn't quite convinced of it but still reassured him that he was willing to learn and integrate. Luckily Jeremey, his vault heritage and his atheistic believe gained him a chance, although under one condition - he should stay for atleast 5 months at a guest family in district 8 that shall teach him communism and see if Jeremey was fitting into society.

That's how he got to know family Jefferson. Ibrahm, Sophia and their zwei kids, Lidia (8) and Bill (12).
As former slaves that were forced to recycle metal scrap, their lives became quickly better after their liberation
through the commune and as a result they tended to be a little more patriotic then the average.
They took Jeremey inside their homes with kind and wide open arms, helped him as best as they knew themselves to deal with the new political and economical system, although they didn't understood everything themselves. That was the time that Jeremey also learned why this district was so poor and sparsely settled. The slavers, the liberation war, the recent "terror" caused by the now leaving military forces.
He used one of the cellars of the apartment compund to build himself a little workshop. Nothing more then some work desks, his tools and some lights that were powered by tiny fission batteries, but enough to let him help the Jeffersons. He dismantled the broken devices the Jeffersons had scavenged and gained better spare parts to sell the locals or hand it over to the Worker's Scrap Collection Company for further distribution.

Of course it wasn't much more then a start, but still was a help. Jeremey had the proper knowledge to
dismantle the devices correctly and really determine what the best and most useful parts are and thus gained
more high quality stuff. In the last week he even accompanied Ibrahm Jefferson on his sales with the locales.

In two weeks, his trial time will be over and then he can move freely inside the commune - almost freely.
Then he wanted to get in touch with the Worker's Scrap Collection Company himself and try to negotiate
a workshop for himself and the permission to specificly search and repair old world technology.
Hopefully his skills and the work for the Jeffersons are enough proof of his capabilities for that.
And well.. if he gets the permission, why not study the technology before handing it over ... wouldn't bother anyone, would it?


((Thanks Chopak, i didn't realize that, thus thanks you very much!))​

 

[baboushreturns]

The 32nd Year of Revolution 2327
​

2327 would be remembered as a year of transition for the Commune, in Districts 6 through 9 military occupation would finally come to an end, ushering in a year of peace that had not been seen in the country for the at least nine years. Throughout the Commune a new generation of politicians, forged in the furnace of war rise to the forefront of the Commune's political scene. In the streets there would still be the age old scramble for food, and the threat of organized crime but all in all a sense of calm settles over the country and many people just take the moment to breath.

Abroad the powers that be on the east coast continue to their shuffle for supremacy. From up north news spreads that the power of the Institute has been shattered. In a crushing peace deal signed with the Kingdom of Springfield the Institute has been forced to surrender most of central Massachusetts as well as grant independence to her former subjects in Rhode Island and Connecticut. The peace has led to a DCC, Institute Detente while the Kingdom of Springfield has moved closer to the Pitt. Meanwhile from Long Island news has spread that another Vault has opened, Vault 105 was supposedly a normal vault once, however its entire population was found dead inside the Vault and inland tribes from Long Island have since moved in to claim the place. Finally, in more local news the oligarchs in Yankee City have issued a decree banning all non-humans from the city. Several hundred ghouls have been forced out as a result of the decree and while the King may grumble in Harlem there is little to be done for those displaced.

Throughout the year the First Citizen in tandem with President Coughlan attempt to solve the issues plaguing the Commune's economy and treasury. The first solution brought forth by the Office of the First Citizen was the introduction of a People's Production Exchange. Based out of the First District, the Exchange offers citizens of the Commune a chance to invest in government run businesses. This allows investors to reap benefits when the company does well but also helps support the economy of the Commune. In some cases throughout the year the government begins paying its employees in stock options instead of money which leads to a good amount of disatisfaction. All in all the idea is a failure, the Exchange is privately decried by hardliners as the seeds of a capitalist system, and while some people do take the opportunity to invest and some money is made throughout the year the vast majority of the people living in the Commune don't have spare money to spend on toiletries much less stocks.

Foucalt also helps endorse the expansion of the Commune Security Force throughout the year. As many as thirty five new officers join the organization by year's end, many of them ex-slaves recruited in the new districts to help keep the situation there calm. These new officers do their jobs well and mostly through the efforts of grizzled veterans like CSF Colonel Taggert the year passes by relatively peacefully in Districts 6-9.

[-2 Influence Foucalt, +35 CSF Agents]

When Foucalt announced the end to the occupation of Districts 6-9 it would be Grand Marshal Daniels who would have to carry out the directive. The Marshal makes a good show of the operation and through the use of their ties with the state intelligence and policing agencies the military manages to make the transition smooth as the former Occupied Zone becomes an integrated part of the Commune for the first time. Meanwhile the soldiers on their part are happy to be back in their old garrisons closer to the night life in Harlem and their homes than they were before.

[+10 satisfaction in Districts 6-9]

Working with the Office of the First Citizen, Jimmy Coughlan spends much of his time throughout the year meeting with various merchants and envoys from the DCC. Due to his efforts several low interest loans are made with a couple large DCC corporations which in turn help replenish the Commune's foreign currency reserves and keeps the economy from descending into freefall.

Coughlan also orders the construction of a fertilizer plant on the topside of District 4 which utilizes biological waste and turns it into fertilizer for the farms in District 2. The plant itself is rather cheap and the rewards of the plant numerous, in District 4 the factory brings in many much needed jobs to the Community. In District 2 the fertilizer is used on the farms which in turn leads to better harvests throughout the year and more food for the Commune. All while putting less stress on the Commune's sanitation and waste management systems which have been aging or are in some places non-existent. However schemes to trade the fertilizer for cheaper food from importers, the most major of which being the DCC comes to nought as there is little need for imported fertilizer there.

[Debt grows slightly, Inflation rate decreases and the food situation moderately eases, +1 influence Coughlan, +5% satisfaction District 4]

Inside District 2 General Secretary de Groot puts forward an ambitious land reclamation scheme, which would totally rework District 2 so that it could become an even greater powerhouse of agriculture and industry within the Commune. Old buildings are marked for destruction the spaces they formerly stood on being reassigned as farm fields. However for all of his planning the General Secretary's plans come to nought when a note arrives from the Office of the First Citizen vetoing his plans. Perhaps in a more passive sign of protest against the veto a letter arrives several months later at the First Citizen's office from People's Commission of Agriculture in District 2. The letter underscores the importance of expanding existing farms within the Commune and establishing new ones in order to make the nation independent from the food shipments which keep it functional and keep the economy in chains. The letter details plans for a grand section of farmland stretching from the former Riverside Park in District 5 to Central Park in District 2. The letter is also signed by Secretary de Groot and many wonder how this letter is going to be perceived inside the Vault.

[Tension between District 2 and the Office of the First Citizen Increasing]

Groomfield and the Directory perhaps sided with General Secretary de Groot's outlook on the situation as Groomfield in coordination with de Groot sets his teams to work on some of the secrets of mechanized agriculture. Unfortunately for Groomfield and de Groot the Directories efforts on this project largely are of little help. The teams don't find any literature on the matter in the books salvaged from the New York library and while teams are sent abroad, they come back with little useful information. In the DCC and the Institute most farmers use brahmin to run their plows and aside from the use of fertilizer and clean water in most areas that is about as advanced as it gets. What sets the Commune and other areas apart however is just how much land is set aside for agricultural cultivation.

Police Colonel Taggert spends his time assisting the First Citizen in his efforts to expand the CSF in District 9 throughout the year. Taggert targets former slaves as well as former Commune veterans for recruitment and many are happy to join. Efforts to recruit a few ex-Wasps to the force prove to be much less successful however and although two or three of them do join many ex-Wasps see these men as traitors and they all face ostracism in one form or another from their own communities. That said all in all the effort is a success and by the end of the year Colonel Taggert has around 30 dedicated cops under his command. Together they keep the streets safe, well for the most part. Throughout the year arrests have shown that the drug trade has grown considerably within the formerly occupied zones. With a lack of jobs and with the fear of martial law now well passed some individuals without other means of gainful employment have taken to making home brewed jet and hydra. Perhaps picked up from recipes handed down to them by the Luciano Family.

James Stanton, once a boxer now known as a war hero and as the man who killed Lazarus decides to run for General Secretary in District 6. With support from the Society for the Preservation of our Heroes and money from veterans all across the Commune, Stanton crushes his opponent (a local ex-slave). In his first few weeks in office Stanton hands his cannery off to an associate and studies the situation in the District closely. He finds that the people of his District suffer mostly from unemployment as well as the rising wave of urban crime. His aids also inform him that the ruins of the former headquarters for American Airlines would be a good place to find salvage should the protectron robots there be disabled.

[James Stanton, +1 Influence, Secretary General of District 6]

James isn't the only fresh face in the Commune's political spectrum this year. Peyton Varley a 5 year veteran of the People's Guard resigns from his post this year opting instead to settle back down in District 3. A hardline Communist, a vaulter and a veteran Varley is the man traditional Communists have been searching for and throughout the year support for his Candidacy comes flooding into District 3. Running on a platform of a return to hardline Communism as well as increased support for the District's veterans Varley easily wins himself the seat and is happy to find himself in control of one of the best managed Districts within the Commune.

[+2 Influence,General Secretary of District 3]

Perhaps the only Arab in all of New York Hussain Bin Rasheed Al Maktoum is an ambitious man. Unlike others who wait for jobs, Hussain inherited his. As the owner of Maktoum's Essentials, Hussain and his family have always lived on the fringe of the Commune society as the operators of an unlicensed business. As with most unlicensed home run businesses in the Commune Maktoum Essentials is largely ignored by the police as they usually turn a blind eye to such operations. However Maktoum is an ambitious man and in the summer of 2327 he along with his wife and family clear a small lot in District 3 and begin the construction of a new store there. The store soon begins to compete with the District's H&S Department Store for customers and when the store's manager begins to notice a difference in numbers he files a complaint to the local police captain who gives Maktoum a warning. For the remainder of the year the second store remains closed and Maktoum tries to regain his losses while betting on a good relationship with the new General Secretary of the District to see him through.

In District 8, yet another fresh face joins the Commune's political scene. Kristoff Greywall an ex-slave and known Commune collaborator runs unopposed to become the first freely elected General Secretary of Hudson Yards. Kristoff finds himself in charge of a sparsely populated area but one that is flush with potential. Home to one of the centers of New York's pre-war railway system District 8 could once again become a center of urban infrastructure, perhaps not just for the Commune but all of Manhattan. Meanwhile Kristoff's constituents have just about one thing on their minds, jobs.

[+1 Influence, General Secretary District 8]


Perhaps the last thing of note to happen within the Commune during the year, is the immigration of Jeremey Finkern, to the Commune. Arriving in mid-February he spends a little under six months there before he manages to get himself employed at the Worker's Scrap Collection Company after impressing one of the managers with his knowledge about pre-war tech. After working there for several weeks he is quickly set up with an interview at the Collective which results in them offering Finkern a spot on their engineering team at the end of the year.

[Job offer from the Commune Scientific Collective now partially headed by @Terraferma]

Meanwhile in south Manhattan things continue to grow starker for the people living there. Chairman Cao recedes from the public eye over the course of the year and many rumors circulate about the old man being ill. These rumors perhaps become a bit more believable when Peng Cao is announced as his successor in mid-June. However this does not mean the work of the Grand Central Revolutionary Insurrection Army has come to an end. Throughout the year Commune scouts report that South Manhattan is being transformed into a literal fortress as trenches, tunnel networks and other fortifications go up across the area. The Manhattan Popular Council also continues its process towards militarization with the establishment of the first legal militia within its territory. Peng aids in these efforts by helping aiding the council with his helpful expertise and keeping it secure from any external plots or threats. Peng also orders a small recon team to Liberty Island where they find an old Nova Roman listening post. It appears to be unmanned for now and Peng's scouts manage to get halfway up the Statue of Liberty before they believe the walkway to be too unsafe to climb further. However while it is business as usual for the militias living standards for the people of the Manhattan Popular Council are simply horrific. Without enough food, clean water or firewood tens of children freeze to death over the winter. Come spring two hundred fifty more refugees are arrested trying to head north and an equal number head out into the sea in hopes of getting picked up by a Riker's Island river patrol.

[People's Militia founded in South Manhattan with 30 men, Refugee Crisis deepens as the people continue to starve, -10 men GCRIA]

Xzavier d'Aquirre, Governor-General of the Cape Maye Colony tries to get a better look into local South Jersey politics as his first order of business as Governor. Sending emissaries out to the local tribes he finds the South Jersey to be a rather peaceful is fractious place. The area around Cape May and the peninsula it sits upon is mostly uninhabited but is claimed by the Snooki Tribe which is based out of Tuckahooe up north. Meanwhile several tribal Confederations call the rest of the shore their home. Several work closely with the Mafia families up north and sell members of other tribes or in desperate cases members of their own tribes into slavery. The slave trade as well as fishing, small scale farming and several cottage industries keep the area afloat. Further inland things get even more complex but the Governor-General's scouts are forced to turn back by bad weather early in the season.

The Wanderer takes to wandering throughout 2327, searching in the areas just outside the Commune namely the Kingdom of Savoy and South Manhattan he seems some of the best and some of the worst places to live within the New York. He enjoys the Savoy nightlife, getting into several bar fights and dancing at a few clubs until he gains the notice of King Eugene who summons him to his office with an offer.

[Quest from the King offered]

 

[Terraferma]

Personal Message For Jeremey Finkern
From: Roger Groomfield, Commune Scientific Collective

Greetings Comrade, congratulations on your hiring and assignment. As you can see, these are good times for the Commune...to a degree. We have ended the military occupation of our brothers and sisters in Districts 6 through 9 and while we have won the war and the peace, much remains to be done. The team has been working within District 2 to no avail with regards to improving our food supply for our growing proletariat. I will be heading over to District 3 and 5 to work on another project and for first assignment given your technical marks and background you will continue efforts in advancing the people's cause for expanding our food.

Once I finish the tasks at hand in the other districts I will swiftly return to you to continue progress and to aid you in whatever you have achieved, or not achieved. Worry not my friend, we will solve this. One way or another. May the following year be a prosperous one.

 

[Door to Darknes]

It was in the morning dawn as Jeremey opens the door to the plan office of his new workplace.
It felt like a piece of the old world. Sure the walls were cracking, the floor was broken partially and some devices lookes rather rusty. Still, with the glowing lights, the working terminals and the overall cleanliness of this place you could at least get the feeling a piece of civilization has finally returned.

As he entered the room his Coworkers already looked at him. One, an elderly men with his red suspenders, a white shirt and an party badge stood up and quickly went to Jeremey, ready for an handshake.
"Ah, you have to be Comrad Finkern!"
Jeremey nod while taking a short look at the offered hand.
"Yes i am.... and you are...?"
"Comrade Foley. Peter Foley, i am the senior engineer here."
As Foleys smile grew and he repeatedly offered his hand, Jeremey finaly took it
and shook.
"If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask me."
Suddenly he pulled Jeremey closer and whispered while pated his back.
"But do us all a favor and don't rise to quickly.. there are others with more
proven loyalty and skills that would get their share before."
Foley let go of Jeremey and returned to his workplace and Jeremey, while being a bit suspicious, does the same and takes place at a desk with his name.That was the moment he realized why Foley was so agressive - a letter of director Groomfield laid at his desk. After studying the content, he was quite thoughful. How should he raise food production if they already tried out numerous things? He took a good look at his Pip-Boy, searching through his blue prints and after a couple minutes he had two ideas. Quickly he reached for a pen and paper.

"Personal Message For Roger Groomfield
From: Jeremey Finkern, Commune Scientific Collective

Comrade Groomfield, thank you for this opportunity to learn and work with my new collegues.
I have though about a solution for the food shortage, but im afraid i have no immediate
solution for mechanize harvest. However i have an idea to reduce food spoiling. With help
from the Worker's Scrap Collection Company to collect the right construction parts and the
Worker's Building Corporation i might be able to build large cold storage rooms
for the H&S Stores or even ice houses that could store the food surplus out of old
installments from Supermarkets or Butchers Shops. I will talk to the H&S-D about the project,
as they knows the peoples consumption best. Lets hope that this will work out.

Best wishes and good luck for your project."

He laid the letter aside and took a second look at his Pip-Boy. If he could beat the deadline
far before, he might be able to try out his second idea - Mr Handys. To repair them
would be hard work, that was obvious, and would require many ressources, let aside the Mr Handys
themselves. But if some of his Coworkers would help the commune could gain wonderful assistence
for maintainence or even another form of "mechanized harvest" from them.. while also might turn
his problem with Mr. Foley into an advantage.

 

[Olligarchy]

Somewhere near Yankee City, February 2327
For the Wanderer the howling of dusty winds was all. Even through the muting of the hood, hat and mask, the sound was low and echoing, drowning out all other sounds like the blanket of dust and radiation that had covered the Earth. Where once had been green, yellow and blue of every shade, now there was only a strange muddled mixture of orange, grey and brown. A colour so wasting and hued that even in the darkest of nights what had once been a fertile, if marshy valley could appear almost radiantly bright; mirroring the few remaining rays of the sun.

The world... had ended. Billions had died, only for the scant survivors to eke out on what remained of a hollowed out Earth, not eve knowing they too were doomed, along with their entire race.

The Wanderers thoughts of the destruction seen upon so long ago are broken by a muted sound of other boots. Halting and his hand instinctively falling upon the six-shooter upon his hip, he relaxes as he notes a small group... possibly a family halt in similar stance across what had once been a street in a massive city of old. Like always... meetings out in the Waste were tense affairs, with the family's father sporting some form of rifle, and the Wanderer being armed to the teeth with handguns and a heavy duty shotgun, but just as soon as the tension begun, it faded as the Wanderer removes his hand from his weapon and tilts his head in acknowledgement, if not greeting. He had no interest in knowing these people, and they no interest in him.

The Fathers stance too relaxes and he motions for his family to move past the Wanderer, whom eyes the slowly descending sun just above the once ever grand skyline, musing on if he'll reach his destination. Deciding to press on, he lifts the mask back up on his face and pulls on his goggles, allowing the sound of crunching concrete to drown out his thoughts and the numbness of his legs. He'd walked far today... as ever it had hurt at first, but the pain had eventually turned to a form of lightness, only to turn his legs to lead heavy and numb again.

It made no difference.

After hours.... it must've been hours, for he'd almost dreamt of his mothers face as he walked, the Wanderer finally leapt atop an old iron carriage, seeing the massive form of Yankee City in the distance. It had once been an arena where ancient warriors clashed in blood and battle, carrying a symbol of victory forth, but now it was last of what some would call Eastern Civilisation, maintaining its local hegemony with vast wealth and ruthless usage of its power. It had many enemies, enemies that were paying for the Wanderer being here, but the Wanderer felt no anger for the city he was about to ruin.

Only pity. A pity too drowned out by the howling wind that had consumed so many souls afore today, and would continue to consume them until the day of reckoning came again...

 

[XVG]

The office of Chairman Cao Jackson wasn’t the largest. It was rather modestly decorated, with some memorabilia and regalia saved from the Red Dragon accompanied with new additions, mostly books and flags, scavenged from the south during the great Wasp war. Hidden in the underground bunker in one of the vast networks created by Cao’s engineers, its exact location was only known to the party elite and the most trusted officers of the GCRIA. Combined with a number of meeting rooms, shelters and warehouses, it was one of the true nerve centers of the anti-revisionists. Chairman Cao sat at his desk; he hadn’t felt very good lately. For a man of his age, he had already accumulated a far higher radiation dose than what was healthy. On top of that, he seemed to have other issues, feeling constantly tired and needing more and more rest. For this reason he had been forced to delegate the leadership of military and political affairs, respectively, more and more to his most trusted underlings. A few rather violent sounding coughs alerted his daughter, chairwoman of the secretariat currently comprising of just her, who rushed to the room in a brightly flower-decorated mandarin dress. In her early thirties with dark hair, Alice Jackson or Bao Cao as she had been rechristened due to the new policy of endorsing a more Chinese connection was a rather stunning woman, with a warm smile and a high spirit. On top of that she was intelligent, and quite few of the feats of the Chairman could be attributed to her aid.

“Father, is everything alright?”

“Oh it’s nothing to worry about, my dear.” *cough* “Just the usual.”

Mrs. Cao walked to the desk, put a few books to the shelves and stored away the papers, then walking behind her father and putting her hands on his shoulders.

“You have been working too late again, father. It’s not healthy. You need more rest nowadays, you have to realize that. Thankfully we aren’t on the run anymore. Trust me father, John has everything under control. Didn’t you see the recent reports?”

“Yes, I did, dear. I did indeed. Hard to know where we would stand without my resourceful daughter and my efficient and ruthless son-in-law. Alice, I have high expectations of you two. I have laid the foundation ready for the true advent of socialism, but it will be the responsibility of my followers and successors to truly bring the revolution to the ground above.”

“Yes, father. But you really must rest now.”

With his daughter’s help and a cane, Chairman Cao withdrew towards his small private quarters in the backroom of the office, comprising of barely nothing else than a bed and a small table. Standing on the door he turned around and looked at her, with both a serious and humorous look at the same time.

“Comrade Bao, arrange a meeting with Comrade Peng and Comrade-Major Zhu for tomorrow. This will be important.”

 

[AzagalTheGreat]

((I will be forced to resign as I see an unability for me to work together with certain people who will remain nameless which would be counterproductive to the game. I loved the setting and hope you will host something like this in the future again.))

 

[King50000]

Taggert stood upon the grass of the old Washington Park, arms crossed across a bare chest, as he watched his newest recruits perform run laps in the corner of the park he had commandeered for use by the CSF. With only 30 agents to police the largest district in the former Wasp territory, including these new recruits, he had no choice but to have every man and woman under his command double up on duties, including himself. When he wasn't busy running operations for the district from his office in the pre-war NYU Law School, which he had re-purposed back to a center of law and order after its use by the Wasps as a pleasure palace, he was in charge of training the newest recruits.

The group Taggert was overseeing now was the last from the previous year, and would finish their basic training under him at the end of the week. Ten all together, the group was composed of four veterans from the war, three former slaves, and three former Wasps. While the veterans and former slaves seemed to get along well enough, it was clear from the beginning that the former Wasps would be outsiders among their new comrades. It had been his hope that more former Wasps would take up his offer and join the CSF. It offered decent pay, at least compared to the other jobs in the district or the lack-there-of, food, shelter out of the burnt out husks of their former homes and the refugee camps, and the chance to gain a voice in the running of their district. But even several years after the end of the war and the final withdraw of the occupation forces, the Wasps still held nothing but contempt and hatred for the Commune. It would take more then opening up the ranks to get them to accept the Commune.

"They brought it on themselves," Taggert said to himself as he spat at the thought. "Against the Commune's technology and manpower they could only bring their ferocity and skill in battle. Wars aren't won by half-naked warriors high on jet and psycho, but damn if they didn't give us a hell of a fight."

After watching his trainees continue to run their laps for several more minutes, Taggert pulled up the whistle from around his neck and blew into it deep and loud, the signal to end the exercise and return to their starting positions in front of him. As they made their way to him, he could not help but think about what they each brought to the CSF.

The veterans were the first to make it to him, as always. During target practice they consistently scored the best against their fellow trainees, and as citizens of the Commune their whole lives they held a better understanding of its laws and regulations. Next came the former slaves. Though they had the most to improve out of all his charges, they had taken to the training with the most enthusiasm and constantly gave each assignment everything they had. And finally at the back came the Wasps. While they showed little enthusiasm for their assignments, and constant contempt for their fellow trainees and each other, they dominated in hand-to-hand training and held more knowledge on the layout and workings of the district and its people then Taggert could ever hope to know. None were the type of men, or women, that Taggert had trained alongside during his time at the PISB academy, but they would each do much to reshape and aid the new CSF in its mission in China Town and the East Village.

"Good work Ladies and Gentleman," Taggart spoke to the gathered officers, pausing his glance upon the sole female in the group upon the word gentleman. "You're not as useless now as when I first found you all on my doorstep, though that's more thanks to my own hard work then anything you lot have done." The joke got a laugh from the front ranks, the veterans all too familiar with drill sergeant berating and the former slaves quick to pick up. The Wasps remained quiet, stoic. "I've got more important work to do then babysit you all for the rest of the day, so hit the showers and spend the rest of the day as you wish. Tomorrow you'll each be assigned to a senior officer to shadow for the remainder of the week. They'll be scoring you in whatever duty they have at the time, just as I've been doing, so keep up the hard work.

"As a reminder for those of you whose skulls are too thick and need the info constantly bashed in, whoever has the top score at graduation will receive one of our few spare Red Menaces." As he said this, Taggert pulled out his own from its holster, the red tint of its painted metal gleaming in the sunlight. "Stocks are still low, so right now only former PISB agents like myself and those recent additions to the CSF who have scored the highest in their class are allowed to carry them. Until CSF HQ back in the Vault gets it in their mind to send more our way, the rest of you will be making due with standard 10mm pistols leftover from the Guard. It doesn't mean the rest of us are better officers then you, just that we're all better quality officers then the rest of you." With that Taggert let out a loud laugh and dismissed his trainees, all except the Wasps.

"Bloomberg, Rothschild, Morgan, I need to have a word with you all," Taggert called out to the Wasps before they could disappear into the former pleasure slave building. Noticing them exchange looks at each other before coming over, Taggert took a minute to examine all three of them as they made their way back to him.

Lorenzo Bloomberg was the biggest of the former Wasps, the biggest of all the trainees actually, standing nearly a head above the tallest of them. Coming from the Bloomberg clan, Lorenzo was trained from birth to be a raider and slave catcher, and had the scars across his body to prove his part in multiple battles. After their defeat in the war, many former Wasps turned to the Bloombergs for blame, as it had been "CEO" Mark Bloomberg that had led them into the disastrous war with the Commune after all. The whole clan had become ostracized from Wasp society under the Commune's occupation, though most were too proud or stubborn to forsake their name and leave for a different one. When Taggert made it known publicly that he intended recruit Wasps into the CSF, it was assumed the Bloombergs would be the absolute last to join up. It was not so with Lorenzo, who, though stubborn and proud like the rest of his clan, signed up after being kicked out of the building he had been squatting in by members of the Trump clan. When questioned why he would join the people that had brought his clan so low, Lorenzo stated only that he wanted to make the Bloomberg name great again and bring them back on top of the other clans, and was willing to risk ostracism and hatred from his own clan to do so. Whether or not this was even partially true, Taggert welcomed him aboard.

Giovanni "Gio" Rothschild was a lean and sly-looking man, and had lived and worked his whole life at Pier 25 as the Pitt's go to guy for the best slaves, if he were to be believed. Coming from the Rothschilds, he no doubt did work in the selling part of the slave trade, as the clan's fortune had been made exclusively upon selling to the Pitt and other mainland slaving communities, rather than catching slaves themselves. With the trade now over in Manhattan, and their fortune looted by Commune soldiers and freed slaves, the clan had to find new ways to make money. When questioned, all Gio would say was that he's an honest guy and wants to help rebuild society in the new districts. Rumors from the streets, however, paint the picture that Gio had been caught stealing food from other members of his own clan, rather than the others which was deemed acceptable by the remaining Rothschild leadership. Beaten to within an inch of his life, he was kicked out of the clan and shunned by the rest, leaving Taggert and the CSF as his only way to survive. Taggert, not looking to refuse any additional recruits, took him on, but kept a closer eye on him then the rest.

Savannah Morgan was a lithe and small-built woman, and was indistinguishable from any other former Wasp, save for a small bit of scar tissue under her right where a slave tattoo had once been. Savannah had not always been Morgan, she had been captured at an early age during a Wasp raid and made into a pleasure slave. Living for years for the Morgan clan, Savannah had some how captured the heart of a higher ranking member of the clan. Though not opposed to his clan's use of and love for slavery, the man had found himself disgusted at the thought of Savannah continuing to live as one, and so had used his position to free her, and marry her. Though it was a loveless marriage, Savannah had grown to become fond of her liberator, especially since he was the only thing keeping her from becoming enslaved once again. With the end of the war, and the death of her husband at its conclusion, Savannah found herself shunned from everyone, as the former Wasps looked down at her as merely an up-jumped slave, while the freed slaves saw nothing but another Wasp in her. When she came to apply for a spot in the CSF, Taggert knew at once her joining was sincere.

"Nice of you all to finally join me," Taggert spoke as they finally stopped in front of him.

"Yes Comrade Colonel," they bellowed as they saluted in front of him.

"At ease. I wanted to talk to you three privately about your assignments this week. They're going to be different than the others. We're going to make a move against the growing drug trade here in China Town and the East Village, and you three are going to form the core of my task force."


((OOC: Really glad this is alive once again
For some reason IRC isn't working for me, so if you need to talk to me just shoot me a PM.))