Great update!
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEt41bYQBgE
The sound of a buzzsaw cutting through mechanical salvage made it clear that the Supreme Leader was working, and not to be disturbed. However, leadership duties must always take priority, so Kotlanov walked into the room (a former barracks once used by the American soldiers who ran this base) with confidence. He had just returned from Valdosta: His first experience with the wasteland. He had heard the stories of course. Of Yang's rebels overthrowing the soldiers. Of brave comrades fighting raiders who had attacked the fortress. But what he saw on the way there made it all starkly real... and what he saw when he got to Valdosta somehow only made it worse.
Wen looked up from her work, removing her goggles. She was young, but to call her inexperienced was a grave mistake. Her skill at repairing the ancient machinery may have won her renown, but it was her organizing abillities that had gained her the position of Supreme Leader.
Wen: "Valdosta Group, please Report."
Kotlanov: "We have found the edge of the world..."
Kotlanov's voice now shook more than he expected. The third generation son of Soviet nationals who had been detained on suspicion of espionage, he was now a trained soldier of the revolution. The blaster he held in his hand had saved his life... and taken the life of at least two of the raiders that had attacked them near Clyattville.
Wen: "What do you mean? There is no edge to the victory of the proletariate, mearly temporary setbacks, and together, we will overcome them. I read your report. We all mourn the deaths of our comrades by Clyattville, and we must ensure that they did not die in vain."
Kotlanov: "Valdosta... Empty, all of it. There was nothing alive there. Not even flies... Not even radroaches. Even the vegitation was wilted. You don't understand... not until you've been there. The place felt... haunted.
Storms of radiation from Atlanta had scoured it clean. We were lucky not to be caught in one ourselves. I fear future parties may not be so lucky. I fear our comrade's deaths may indeed have been in vain, and it is by luck alone that we do not count ourselves amongst their number."
Wen: "The graves of the bourgoise world, scoured by the fires of its peridition. But fear not. Once we find Hazmat gear, or make our own, we will be able to clear Valdosta safely. For now, you will be relocated to Madison. There are large quantities of salvage there. Enough to build a new city. We shall call it Jiangrad, in the Soviet manner, in honor of our glorious founder."
Kotlanov bowed, and began to leave.
Wen: "Oh, and one more thing: I need your advice."
Kotlanov turned.
The supreme leader spoke
Wen: "The proper punishment for one who exceeds their rations is re-education through hard labor, such that the offender may understand the magnitude of their crime, and realize what their life would be like without the revolution"
Kotlanov: "As is just."
Wen: "But what if the offender is a child?"
Kotlanov: "Should The Party decide?"
Wen: "700 people, at last role call? People who don't know the specifics of the case? Su Chang is an orphan, less than 5 years of age. His parents died due to disease. He stole rations like sweetrolls to feed his baby sister, Ah Chang (OOC:
http://babynames.net/boy/chinese is usefull). By law, he has comitted a crime against the revolution, and members of The Party are calling for his punishment."
Kotlanov's mind flashed to the children of those who had died in the Valdosta expedition.
Kotlanov: "But... That's just unreasonable... A five-year old child cannot survive hard labor, much less an infant.
Wen: "But to let theft of rations go unpunished is to permit bourgoise values to return. Each must give according to their abillities, and each must recieve according to their needs. Otherwise there will be hoarding, and we shall starve. I agree with you, the law must be changed, but the child cannot be pardoned."
Kotlanov: "I agree with you, thieves must be punished, but how?"
Wen: "Here is my solution: The children will owe a debt to the party. They have taken more than their share, but they do not yet understand why this is a crime, nor can they yet return that debt.
(OOC:
Supreme Leader's Challenge) When they reach the age of 16, both guilty children shall complete one months of hard labor for each portion of rations stolen. After that, their standing within The Party shall be restored, and their names cleared. Until then, we shall see to it that they are not mistreated. They shall be taught as any other child would, except that the importance of this additional obligation shall be impressed upon them. Orphans comitting such crimes is a failiure of our society as a whole, to provide the proper education that the New Man requires to build this New World. We cannot rely on the prewar institution of the family, when so many of our young comrades are left without fathers and mothers"
Kotlanov nods.
Wen: "This is an official decree of the Supreme Leader, affirmed by trusted comrades who have shown true leadership in the name of the revolution."
(Kotlanov invoulentarily cringed at this discription of himself. If he had shown true leadership, they wouldn't have lost a third of his force to raider scum.)
Wen: "As such it is final, and will not be voted upon. Case closed. Depart to Madison immediately under the command of comrade Xun Fan, who will lead salvage efforts there."
Kotlanov: "Glory to the Revolution!"
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OOC: Orders to come. Suffice to say that I'm going south, not north, at least for now.
And yes, I am aware that I am effectively setting (significantly delayed) hard labor as a punishment for stealing snacks. Welcome to semi-extreme ideology in a world of extreme scarcity
