The United Divided 2

NinjaCow64 · May 5, 2023

Shadowbound said:
Just to be specific, I need finished proficiencies for @Caesar of Bread , @Belgarion95 , @Immaculate and @NinjaCow64 .

Your whole finished summaries are due today, but that's what I need. If you don't provide them I will pick for you.

Could I have a time? I live in Australia, I don't know when your day ends lol.

I should be able to get them done in the next 16 hours at the longest.

NinjaCow64 · May 9, 2023

@Belgarion95 @Shadowbound Either of you feel free to veto this - I just felt like adding more spice to the East Coast Demarchists because I really like the West Coast Autonomy and I feel like their ideology would be very popular among a subset of East Coasters.

Opposition Faction
Name: Shining Collective
Party: East Coast Demarchist Party
Tags: Demarchist, Populist

Various Far-Left revolutionary movements proliferated under the brutal repression of Julian Cole. Most were snuffed out, but during the 60s and 70s the Demarchist Shining Collective became dominant. This was due in large part for their willingness to employ experimental body mods smuggled in from California and China.

Due to the extreme circumstances in the East, the neural implants they used blurred the lines between each others’ minds to the point of near hive mind status. Government infiltrators foolish enough to install these implants would quickly be rendered brain dead via psychic assault from the other Shining Collective members, those who refused the implants would be always kept at arms length from the rest of the movement. This made the group virtually impossible to infiltrate and made them a very effective revolutionary force, even in spite of high rates of attrition due to complications from the experimental body modifications

Their legendary status and high effectiveness led to great prestige in the various Leftist groups, essentially causing the radical leftist wing of the Nationalist movement to revolve around them.

The Shining Collective secured major successions for helping victorious unity government achieve power (AI rights, rights relating to body modifications) in exchange for partial disarmament (some body modifications simply could not be removed and this is America, right to bear arms yada yada).

The Shining Collective “hive mind” could not be fully disentangled, although some elements broke off from the group and moved to the United Western Autonomies, many remained on the East Coast believing in the promise of the Shining Collective - that one day Demarchism will reign supreme from coast to coast; and then the globe.

Groups of Shining Collective live in small communities and collective houses in various major cities. Only the truly ideologically committed, desperate or mad are willing to undergo the extreme body modifications required to fully join the Shining Collective and the claims by Coleist news outfits that the Shining Collective kidnap children and force them to join the collective are pure nonsense. Many more Demarchists are willing to install less extreme body modification that allows for a lesser connection to the Collective. These are the people who make up the bulk of the East Coast Demarchist Party, which has seen only extremely limited electoral success.

The East Coast Demarchist Party and the Shining Collective are publicly committed to peaceful advocacy for Demarchist ideals, although it is an open secret that if the Coleists attempt to unleash the atrocities of last century that the Shining Collective will be the tip of the harpoon that will send them back into the pages of history once more.

Shadowbound · May 10, 2023

NinjaCow64 said:
Could I have a time? I live in Australia, I don't know when your day ends lol.

I should be able to get them done in the next 16 hours at the longest.

I'm very flexible right now.

We are in the last stretch as I'm writing update zero. I am still waiting on @Caesar of Bread's proficiencies and this is their final warning.

Caesar of Bread · May 10, 2023

Military - 2
Economy - 2
Politics - 2

1. Tech (New Seattle) - Focus on designing new scientific things to get people jobs
2. Food (Spokane) - Start more fisheries
3. Armaments (New Washington) - Build tanks/bombers
4. Engineering (Portsmouth) - Start building housing in Portsmouth

Majority: Social Democrats (center left, democratic and peaceful)
Opposition: Republicans (center right, nationalist and war hawks)
Minor Opposition: Barbecue Party (center, i just want to grill), Libertarians (libright, democratic and war hawks), Communists (authleft, nationalist and peaceful), Anarchists (libleft. peaceful and democratic)

Shadowbound · May 12, 2023

UPDATE ZERO

The empire, long divided, must unite; long united, must divide. Thus it has ever been.

In the 22nd century, North America is divided between an array of regional powers and lesser states. The continent is part of a grand battleground between world powers in Europe and China, who seek to spread their influence and control over some of the still-rich regions open to them. Many of the continent’s struggles are their own, however; East of the Mississippi, there is no final settled status quo following the breakup of the United States, while in the West demographic changes and state collapse have given rise to powerful criminal networks masquerading as states, fundamentalist religious movements, and radical techno socialist demarchism.

The first and most prominent regional power is the United States of America, the remnant of the federal government on the East Coast. It has fallen far from its previous heights. Decades of military dictatorship have crippled its republican institutions: the Americanist caucus leading the government has weak democratic credentials, composed of the civilian sycophants and enablers of the former regime. Supporters of the former regime, Coleists, are burrowed deep into the government and in the private sector’s Military Industrial Complex, a rough coalition of major defense contractors and militarists. Outside mainstream politics, the East Coast Progressives advocate for the country to abandon its imperialist revanchism and focus on its current territory, while the Shining Collective is a demarchist sect focused on the elimination of the self in response to the personalist authoritarianism of the Cole era.

Spoiler QUEST: Truth and Reconciliation :

To the east of them is the Midwest, divided into two coalitions. The southernmost is the self-conscious corporatist state Reva Aztara. Their central committee, the Social Directorate, has looked to consolidate power in recent years with the support of the Circuit Clubs, who provide it with grassroots support. Their efforts are viewed skeptically by those who benefitted the most personally from the anti-government revolution decades ago, the Great Stewards, and by the pro-Californian Andranistas. In the western edges of their territory, where settled populations have retreated in the face of climate change, reactionary nomadic groups ascribing to the Neo-Israelite philosophy fill the vacuum.

Spoiler QUEST: JOHN BROWN’S ARMY :

Their northern neighbors are the Articles of Confederation, better known as the Neoconfederates. A reactionary throwback to the early US political systems, the right-wing militias and smaller municipalities of the coalition are dominated by oligarchs in the major cities of Chicago and Detroit. These two urban poles compete for dominance over the confederation while suppressing constitutionalist reformers who threaten their oligarchic rulers. Their joint authority is enforced by the Marshalls, who’ve spread out a massive law enforcement and intelligence network. The entire political system is directly challenged by the Dark Green Army, a secretive sect of misanthropic environmentalists operating out of the former Canadian province of Ontario.

Spoiler QUEST: THE TALE OF TWO CITIES :

Emerging from the American southwest, the El Norte is dominated by the People’s Cartel, the Saints, which filled a vacuum along the US-Mexico border during repeated instances of state collapse. They’ve formed an alliance with Norteno nationalists and the ex-CIA Continuity Network to claim political power for themselves. How much it is a real state and how much it is just a shell is up for the debate: the active citizen movement would see meaningful state reform, while the remaining English-speaking population is disenfranchised and disaffected.

Spoiler QUEST: FAIR COMPETITION :

In the Far West, a novel experiment in political and social organization is championed by the Unified Western Autonomy. Mass, public participation in the democratic process is a step beyond anything the old United States could accomplish, albeit mediated by machine intelligence, but is prey to the same factionalism. The Malibu Consensus, the mainstream political principles that guide the autonomy, is chiefly upheld by the Pure Mind and Unified Purpose cliques but undermined from within by Transcendent Spirit, which seeks an expanded role for machine intelligences in decision-making. The People’s Republic of China is an unexpected player who see the Autonomy as the bastion of its influence in North America. The country embraced Chinese wealth long ago, to their prosperity, even if there is some disquiet. Outside the Consensus an array of smaller autonomies struggle on, some of them nascent hive minds, some small anti-capitalist groups, and others prominent personality cults around charismatic figures.

Spoiler QUEST: WHITE GOLD :

The Cascadian Federation is the last bastion of the liberal democratic values that defined the previous United States, attracting breakaways in northern California and former Canadian British Columbia to its federation. The Social Democratic Party and Republican Party swap government and opposition every election, continuing a liberal status quo enforced by the business interests in the Chamber of Commerce. Outside the revolving door of government, the Barbecue Party represents the interests of the poorer, mostly Mormon interior, who focus on social conservative ideas very distasteful in the urban metropoles. Relatively stable and prosperous compared to some of its neighbors, it nonetheless has its own nascent demarchist movement.

Spoiler QUEST: THE ALTERNATIVE APPROACH :

Finally, outside the United States, the corporate state of Aztlan has emerged out of former Mexico. Once just a dominant cartel, the new rulers have established themselves as a plutocratic upper class over the urban centers, dominating a weak underclass of civil servants and administrators. Their will is enforced by two separate organizations, the Ocelomeh and Cuahmeh, who once had a strict division of authority but now boast rival paramilitary formations, intelligence services, and hierarchies. Both groups are united to keep down the rural countryside which clings to concepts like the dignity of work and Mexican nationalism. Like in El Norte, a class of pseudo-philosophers focused on neo-indigenous ideas exists, with some influence among the middle managers of the corporations, but unlike their Norteno counterparts they are nowhere near actual political power.

Spoiler QUEST: POWER STRUGGLE :

Outside the regional powers of the continent, an array of breakaways and minor states cling to existence. Some of them are wealthy, many are poor. Some benefit from a degree of domestic stability but most do not. By and large they are pawns in the games of larger powers and buffeted about by forces beyond their control.

Over the 21st century, Canada has split into several parts. Economic struggle, foreign invasion, and anti-refugee populism saw secession of Quebec from the confederation in 2050, establishing its own independence. A generation later Quebec is finalizing the process to join a new, larger union: the sole non-European member of the European Union, it is a powerful bastion for Brussels’ influence on the continent.

Spoiler QUEST: QUEBEXIT :

Separated from the mainland by Quebec’s secession, the maritime provinces have organized their own Atlantic Union. Closely dependent on the United States for financial and security assistance the Atlanticist leadership succeeded in preserving some independence. Failed experiments in economic protectionism were phased out for a new economic model that established the Maritimes as a financial center and tax haven, attracting foreign capital flows to a relatively stable western state outside the European financial system.

Canada itself, stripped of Quebec and the Maritimes, struggling the loss of British Columbia in a peaceful secession to Cascadia and the loss of southern Ontario to a not-so-peaceful invasion by right-wing militias, has reformed itself into a fragile confederation in the Great Plains. But the center of the country is drifting inexorably north, to the unfrozen Arctic where settlement and investment is picking up and disrupting that same fragile political structure.

Spoiler QUEST: THE NORTHERN FRONTIER :

In the former continental United States, outside the major post-Federal powers, the Southern Union is a would-be, a has-been, a never-gonna. Its secession from Washington, after the government’s military power was exhausted in the Midwest, kicked off a generation of interethnic warfare between pro- and anti-government militias that broke the back of the nascent state. Peace came only with the humiliation of foreign intervention, as Balkan peacekeepers from the European Union man a demilitarized zone between segregated parts of a country that is now effectively divided into two.

Spoiler QUEST: WHISTLING DIXIE :

Spoiler QUEST: WADE IN THE WATER :

In the West, the State of Lincoln is a union of several post-American states committed to principles of minimal government. It has become a haven for utopian technophiles looking for a more conservative futurist vision than demarchism, but the weak government has also struggled to contain the same Neo-Israelites that trouble its eastern neighbor.

Spoiler QUEST: ON THE ROAD AGAIN :

The Republic of the Rockies is an ambitious name for an even smaller nation, nominally the former state of Colorado but in practice a city-state centered on Denver. Its key role as a commercial hub and savvy leadership have kept it independent, albeit dominated by powerful business magnates.

Spoiler QUEST: SUCCESSION :

It is bordered by the Mormon State of Deseret, which has come under the control of Fundamentalist Church of Latter-Day Saints. The burdens of government, and time, have moderated their positions over the century and given rise to a new generation of militants who advocate an ambitious campaign to forcibly convert both the living and the dead across the American West.

The collapse of the United States dramatically changed the situation for the native American tribes marginalized by the English-speaking majority, but nowhere else more than in Sequoyah, the former state of Oklahoma, where those tribes had enough contiguous territory and population to establish their own independent state following the collapse of the Southwest Union.

The Mexican breakaway of Pacifica is, like El Norte and Aztlan, a cartel state powerful enough to achieve international recognition. Unlike them however it has not been able to forge a national identity or effective government. The cartel leadership mimics the functions of a government from their fortified complexes, but the region is largely a lawless wasteland where their authority is contested by newer, more ruthless criminal groups.

Spoiler QUEST: THE CHURN :

Central America has become a series of failed states as the majority of the population fled to escape climate change, including the nominal governments that now exist in exile. What remains is the domain of gangs and warlords, without recognition or much in the way of governance, ruling over small villages.

Yucatan is a different story, here indigenous leaders have created an ecosocialist state distinctly different from the morass that is Central America.

Panama’s importance in international trade means it was not allowed to degenerate into warlordism, at the price of its freedom. A Chinese-backed provisional government, enforced at the barrel of a gun, maintains control over the canal.

Spoiler QUEST: PANAMA INTERVENTION :

The Caribbean, ravaged by super storms and rising sea levels, was easy prey for major international corporations that wished a legal haven from the chaos of America or the stifling regulatory states in China and Europe. The Caribbean Council is an international institution that these corporations use to manage the indentured native populations on the islands from the strongholds of their floating cities and rigs.

The exception to this trend is Cuba, which contested corporate control of the Caribbean as a bastion of nationalist power. It’s an important military, economic, and political power in the region but the strain of their attempted hegemony was too much for it to bear. Today, the ruling Communist Party is engaged in an armed struggle with a former leader, Marco Zayata, that continues to ravage the island and put Cuban ambitions to bed.

Spoiler QUEST: CUBAN CIVIL WAR :

Colombia has maintained some semblance of government but is rapidly on the way to its own state failure. The government and military are both culprits of a systematic looting of the country, funneling as much wealth as possible abroad. The liberal opposition protests but are just as complicit in the state of the country and unwilling to put their own necks on the line to preserve it.

Venezuela, meanwhile, has gone through state failure and re-emerged. Rejecting centuries of European colonialism, but embracing the trappings of Californian demarchism, the new government is a chaotic mess working to rebuild the country from next to nothing.

Spoiler QUEST: THE INFINITE REVOLUTION :

NOTES

Stats here

I'm going to set 5/20/2023 Midnight EST as the deadline for orders for Turn 1.

Since it's fun, I'm putting in a lore request. I'll provide a small bonus to whichever player(s) provide the best flag, or other national symbol, for their nation or faction.

For turn one, players have one major action that they can use. Players also have a minor action that they can take in a controlled quest, but as no one controls a quest that isn’t on the table. Using your major action, select an appropriate proficiency and either engage with an existing quest or create a new one to influence the continent. You can use proficiencies you don't have a bonus for, you just don't get a bonus. Completed quests can create trends in existing quests.

Please send orders via CFC PM or by updating a Google Word document that you share with me. Don't post publicly in the thread.

Keep track of the factions you, and others, need to deal with. Make sure the factions supporting your government (confidence 4 or 5) are stronger than factions opposed (confidence 1 or 2). Factions are aware of actions you take and respond appropriately.

Shadowbound · May 21, 2023

The deadline is technically past, so we're now in the danger zone for folks like @Caesar of Bread and @Immaculate because I can post the update at any time without your orders.

J.K. Stockholme · May 21, 2023

Flag of El Norte

Spoiler Rio Flag :

Many flags were bandied about representing Northern Mexico and Norteño nationalism during the Frontera War. The "Flag Astride the Rio Grande" or the Rio Flag was prefered by the Cártel de Los Santos, and thus was smoothly made the flag of El Norte upon the Norteño Revolution's triumph in 2058.

The Rio Flag is a variant on the flags of the historical states of Texas and the Republic of the Rio Grande, with several modifications to suit the particular political symbolism of the Norteño Revolution. Instead of Rio Grande's three stars and Texas' lone star, the flag of El Norte features two stars, one for each side of the Rio Grande, symbolizing the unity (and perhaps hybridization) of America and Mexico in El Norte. The particular shade of red is neither from Texas nor the Rio Grande, instead the hue used by the Flag of Hispanicity, specifically the Americas variant.

Meanwhile the vertical stripe, a different colour in both the Texas and Rio Grande flags, was swapped for black, possibly representing either a nod to the Saints' use of black (much like other Mexican cartels), or merely a common symbol of Norteño freedom fighters, inherited from Chicano power movements.

Kyzarc Fotjage · May 24, 2023

Spoiler Articles of Confederation Flag :

The flag of the old Three-Percenter militia group has been adopted by the Articles of Confederation as being 'representative enough', being the only national militia that retained any significant influence in the early years of the Confederacy before being essentially broken up and folded into the state militias (though the term 'militia' is less than accurate these days given their size and organization). The three nowadays has taken to symbolize the cities of Chicago, Detroit, and Toronto, being the three real urban centers of the Confederation, and the three founding states of Michigan, Ohio, and Illinois. The classic red, white, and blue colors and the stars and stripes, of course needs no explanation, as the Confederates would shoot anyone who claimed they were less than the truest of patriotic Americans. Noone was stupid enough to propose any further alterations to Old Glory and the old 52-star flag is still used in many households to signal their patriotism.

Caesar of Bread · May 24, 2023

The Chambers of Tension: New Seattle, 2100

The Vice-President, Robin D'Angela, is a Belluvian and has been attacked by the Chamber of Commerce. Calling her a communist, the Chamber has tried to go against Belluville's radicals. But the government is on the Belluvian side. Demarchy is on the rise for jobs relating to the cabinet and senate positions, and that's a good thing. Progress leads to success! Ad astra!

Shadowbound · May 25, 2023

Do you maybe want to send orders?

Shadowbound · May 26, 2023

UPDATE ONE
2101

"They are many and we but few," said Yuan-te to his brothers. "We can only beat them by superior strategy."

The start of the 22nd century saw regional powers across North America stretch their wings, working to subvert neighbors and spread their influence to greater or lesser success. It represented an inflection point as many of these polities reached, or believed they had reached, a mix of domestic stability and state capacity that let them project power beyond their borders.

The United States began with a philosophy of go big or go home. It reached out to the European Union about taking over peacekeeping duties in the Southern Union, its neighbor, where the EU headed a UN peacekeeping mission. This was an uphill struggle for Federal diplomats as the Europeans remained skeptical of their intentions and the government in Atlanta was vehemently opposed. The latter was the key obstacle: Southern Union representatives did their best to torpedo a tentative deal that would begin to incorporate federal troops into the joint UN peacekeeping effort, leaving the State Department with little to show so far.

Spoiler :

Across the Appalachians, their rivals in Reva Aztara looked inward, moving quickly to suppress a developing axis of domestic discontent. The formidable Aztaran military operated in the region under strict rules of engagement throughout this year, relying on aggressive counter insurgency tactics to contain the separatist movement. Their successes were mixed: while they managed to prevent the insurgency’s growth, the military lacked the finesse to address the core problems and was unsuccessful in identifying any weak points at which it could deal meaningful blows to the JBA.

Spoiler :

Out West, the low-key power struggle within the Denver-based magnates that controlled the Republic of the Rockies saw a sudden conclusion. An intensive blackmail and influence campaign from an outside power amassed a portfolio of compromising material that saw the leadership of the digital currency focused Last Bank of America achieve hegemony among the city-state’s leadership, and firmly tied the LBA to the Midwestern-based Neoconfederates. This has also invigorated the High Castle, the informal group that controls the Republic’s government, and seen it act with renewed uniformity under the new leadership.

Spoiler :

El Norte also looked to expand its influence in the southwest, establishing clandestine contacts with the leadership of Deseret, particularly their Mormon Church. Their under the table methods weren’t the best way to make the kind of concessions they offered, but using the ex-CIA Continuity Network to make the contacts provided an opening, albeit it means the influence operations were bilateral as Mormon agents became increasingly prominent and vocal in the Network.

Spoiler :

Aztlan went in a different direction: south and east, not north and west. Aztlani agents were active in Central America throughout the year. They made offers, carrot and stick, to regional leadership across the region, aligning warlords where cooperative or deposing them and replacing them with their seconds in command where they were not. The disunited gangs were easy prey to these straightforward tactics and swiftly succumbed. By the end of the year Aztlan was clearly dominant. They were able to provide a high level of coordination between local actors that’s been missing for decades and exert more actual control than the de jure governments have since the 20th century. This puts them in a position of immense leverage over these weak national governments but still leaves the question of what meaningful gains can be extracted from the impoverished region.

Spoiler :

Technologists within California-based Kraznova invested heavily into a spin-off of their mainstay Nexi neurotech platform, looking to break into lower-cost markets with a new product, the Spark. A mandate for a design with low cost and minimal surgical requirements saw product designers turn back to older, haptic feedback methods that interacted with existing biology. Most of the advances came from a renewed understanding of malleable neural processes, building interface models that could quickly be picked up by low proficiency users. The Spark would be a wild success in field trials; the Panamanian government was particularly enthusiastic in its adoption, securing its political legitimacy by providing real quality of life improvements (funded by deep Chinese pockets) combined with a constant stream of state propaganda (again, China) to an ambivalent population.

Spoiler :

NOTES

Stats here

I didn't get any orders from @Caesar of Bread this turn, despite waiting another few days. If we don't have any by the next deadline, I will need to find a replacement.

Deadline for the next update will be 11:59PM EST Saturday, June 3rd. That means I plan to work on it Sunday.

Please feel free to join us on the IOT discord server, where we have a dedicated channel for the game.

Immaculate · May 28, 2023

Screen Shot 2023-05-28 at 12.16.06 PM.png

Shadowbound · Jun 9, 2023

UPDATE TWO
2102

"I would rather betray the world than have the world betray me."

Peace is a fragile thing; already the rising regional powers of North America begin to clash among themselves. This threatens the tentative domestic stability they had achieved as they neglect brewing issues at home, but, perhaps, those who kept themselves concerned with internal affairs were no better. Chaos is the natural state of man.

The United States, turned inwards, looked to reverse the mid-21st century privatization of the invaluable Postal Service. Congress rubber stamped a compensated nationalization proposal and the government began buying up public shares at market prices. The process itself has been very straightforward and all that remains are a few hold outs off the main markets.

Spoiler :

In the Southern Union, however, their efforts to expand peacekeeping stalled. Atlanta raised numerous objections to the details of US involvement with the peacekeeping effort, blocking proposed officers and representatives for their involvement with the Coleist regime, meaning the limited gains the US had secured last year were not yet realized and their involvement remained only nominal.

Spoiler :

Borders in the Midwest between the three major conglomerates never fully settled, instead existing as tenuous armistice lines since the 2080s. Detroit-based Omni Military Products began to stoke the tensions in the region, directing client militias along the border with Aztaran, at the instigation of the Detroit-based faction in the Confederation. The Neoconfederates, despite apparent Aztaran advance warning, had surprise early successes that forced Chicago to endorse the offensive after the fact as Neoconfederate fighting vehicles secured the southern shore of Lake Erie up to the border with the United States.

Winter brought an end to the fighting as the region turned to mud, inhibiting mechanized movement until it dries out in the spring. While northern Ohio was relatively underpopulated and less prosperous compared to the Aztaran power base along the Ohio River, the conflict has badly weakened the authority of the Central Committee and bolstered Detroit’s influence within the Neoconfederate diarchy.

Spoiler :

Where the sword failed, the plow may succeed. Reva Aztara’s central committee this year directed significant economic resources to invest in their Appalachian borderland while their military scaled back operations. It’s been a long time since the region saw significant outside investment, since their natural resources were depleted a century ago, and the availability of lucrative government-sponsored jobs has done a lot to undercut JBA recruitment.

Spoiler :

Along the coast of the shattered nation of Venezuela, loose affiliations of pirates claiming affiliation with the Bolivarian Navy began to become more aggressive, attacking corporate shipping and operations as far north as Cuba. They were emboldened by a new source of arms and buyer for their stolen goods as operatives of the Norteno People’s Cartel spread their influence, establishing a direct challenge to corporate rule of the Caribbean.

Spoiler :

Continuity Network operatives continued to work to expand their influence through the Mormon church, making slow gains albeit dampened by the clandestine nature of their work bringing them into conflict with extremist Danite infiltrators. The Danites, it seemed, had their own sympathizers in the Church and were much less amenable to Norteno influence.

Spoiler :

The Corporate Caribbean, already feeling pressure from the growth of piracy out of Venezuela, came under attack from another avenue. The aggressive cartel-corporate state of Aztlan began aggressively leveraging financial levers, pressuring insurance companies and buying up loans in addition to straightforward public trades, to expand its influence in the region’s corporate council. Pressured from two sides, and skeptical of their investments in a region facing significant local headwinds from a disgruntled population, many of the corporate backers have been happy to sell out, setting Aztlan on track to gain control of another swathe of territory.

Spoiler :

The toss and turn of gang politics in the chaotic country of Pacifica continued. Los Alfas, a band of cyber brigands and outlaws that constituted the main opposition to the ruling Cartel, overplayed their hand and were decimated in a series of brutal massacres by the ruling faction. Described as “Godfather-esque” in its execution, this action has seen the Sinaloa Cartel has once more consolidate uncontested control over the country.

Spoiler :

The UWA supplemented Chinese propaganda and investment into the tiny country of Panama. Already one of the first adopters of the new neurotech platforms, Panama is now transitioning to a fully demarchic society. Chinese influence has happily receded as they have concentrated on securing and refurbishing the Panama Canal Zone, the main value.

Spoiler :

Cascadian leadership moved forward with an ambitious jobs and investment program, building public works across the country. This public works program will only provide a short-term boost to employment and investment but it will do a lot to reinforce the popularity of the ruling party.

Spoiler :

This threat, directly or indirectly, comes from the continued growth of the Bellevue Autonomy. Business leaders were increasingly concerned as a larger and larger portion of society dropped out of the capitalist economy, especially as many continued to participate in the democratic process advancing a disparate range of socialist candidates. The left-wing of the ruling Social Democratic party has been particularly friendly to them, headed by Vice-President Robin D'Angela. Republicans in Congress have called for investigations into D’Angela’s ties to anti-democratic factions, reflecting business concerns and highlighting growing polarization across Cascadia that may bring down the liberal bastion.

Spoiler :

NOTES

Stats here

Deadline for the next update will be 11:59PM EST, June 17th, 2023. We will continue with our smooth biweekly schedule.

I got three flag submissions for this round and I'll award the prize to J.K. Stockholme for his Norteno flag. He gets an additional economic capital added to his bank.

For the next update, I'm looking for profiles of faction leaders. These can be any faction in your nation.

Crezth · Jun 18, 2023

Amani Bello: The New Era of Reform or a Radical Challenge to Stability?
The Cincinnati Enquirer

In the annals of the Reva Aztara Combine (RAC), the rise of Amani Bello to the paramount position of the Party General Secretary and Chief Commissar of the Central Committee signals a seismic shift in the political landscape. Championing a powerful blend of "woke autarchy" and "diligent reform," Bello has emerged as a divisive figure, hailed by her supporters as a beacon of social justice and feared by her detractors as a radical reformer.

Bello's ascent comes on the heels of a long-standing tension within the RAC, a dichotomy marked by the conservative Great Stewards and the reform-oriented Social Directorate. The Great Stewards, a propertied capitalist class, are the institutional mainstay of the RAC. They are the custodians of stability, proponents of the status quo that has brought about economic prosperity, despite its accompanying disparities. On the other hand, the Social Directorate, Bello's power base, leans towards a populist form of political activism, clamoring for an authentic realization of the Combine's foundational principles of collectivism and wealth distribution.

Two hot-button issues exemplify the widening chasm between these factions: the "Universal Basic Income (UBI)" policy and the "Land Redistribution" initiative.

The issue of Universal Basic Income (UBI) has long been a cornerstone of the RAC's social policy. As it stands, every citizen receives a set amount of income from the government, ensuring a minimum standard of living and providing a safety net against poverty. Yet, the current implementation of UBI has faced criticism for its regressive tax base and inadequate support structure.

Amani Bello's advocacy for an expanded UBI is hailed by her supporters as a decisive move towards social justice and a practical application of collectivism. She envisions a robust, more generous UBI that goes beyond providing a basic safety net, aiming to offer a transformative uplift for lower-income families. Moreover, Bello argues that a restructured UBI could be instrumental in addressing pressing issues such as healthcare access and new job training, both of which have become increasingly critical in the changing economic landscape of the RAC.

Detractors, largely from the Great Steward faction, see this as an ill-conceived venture. They argue that an expanded UBI might disrupt the economic equilibrium, create unsustainable fiscal burdens, and foster a culture of dependency. They caution that the costs of an expanded UBI, if not managed prudently, could lead to a situation where the taxes necessary to fund the program end up being regressive, hurting the very demographic it aims to support.

These conservatives emphasize the need for targeted welfare policies, investing in upskilling programs, and creating more quality jobs rather than extending what they perceive to be a blanket handout. The contrasting viewpoints on UBI present a microcosm of the broader ideological divide between Bello's reformist faction and the Great Steward conservatives, a clash between visions of social justice and fiscal prudence.

Similarly, the "Land Redistribution" initiative, a key plank in Amani Bello's platform, and a particularly contentious issue within the Reva Aztara Combine, seeks to recalibrate the balance of power between two distinct, often opposing, factions in society: the small family landholders and the large corporate landowners.

The small family landholders, a result of the original land redistribution rules following the establishment of the RAC, have been generally prohibited from expanding their holdings. This was done to protect the integrity of the original redistribution and to prevent the re-emergence of a landed gentry. However, it has also limited their economic mobility and potential for growth.

The large corporate landowners, on the other hand, secured their positions of wealth and influence early in the RAC's formation. These entities provided significant support for the Combine's establishment and were, in return, grandfathered into the new system. Their large land holdings, often seen as a vestige of a pre-Combine era, have allowed them to amass significant wealth and power. To Bello's supporters, these corporate landowners are viewed as "useless rent-gatherers who must be expunged."

Bello's "Land Redistribution" initiative aims to dismantle this imbalance and bridge the wealth disparities that have been a defining feature of the RAC's economic landscape. She envisions a more equitable distribution of land and wealth, which her supporters believe will correct historical injustices and move the Combine closer to its original ethos of collectivism.

The Great Stewards, however, are deeply skeptical of such a radical proposal. They argue that it threatens to destabilize the Combine's economic stability and progress by undermining the property rights of these large landowners. They assert that these rights and the potential for wealth accumulation they offer are necessary incentives for entrepreneurial risk-taking. Such risk-taking, they argue, has been instrumental in driving the economic successes of the Combine.

This clash over land redistribution highlights the broader ideological divide within the Reva Aztara Combine. The crux of the matter lies in the interpretation of the RAC's founding ethos. The Great Stewards believe in a balanced approach, recognizing the need for wealth accumulation as an incentive for innovation and economic development. Conversely, Bello's Social Directorate perceives the prevailing dominance of the Stewards as a distortion of the RAC's intended collectivism, hence advocating for a radical restructuring of the system.

As Amani Bello steps into the limelight, the impression she leaves behind is one of division rather than unity. The movement she heads - a hodgepodge of traditional and modern theoretical perspectives - introduces a new and potentially destabilizing narrative into the RAC's political fabric.

Under Bello's stewardship, this fresh wave of activism has attracted those disenchanted with the current order, offering lofty promises of an equal and prosperous future. Yet, this drive for radical change also threatens to undermine the established systems and processes that have sustained the Combine's stability and progress.

Bello's rise and the impact of her movement leaves us to ponder: Will her vision, cloaked in popular slogans and utopian dreams, lead to the rejuvenation of the Combine, or will it trigger unintended consequences that destabilize our long-standing social and political institutions? The balance of time will eventually tip towards an answer.

Short Bio: Amani Bello, a Life of Struggle

Amani Bello, the rising political paramount of the Reva Aztara Combine, has etched a trajectory that could only be described as meteoric. Born into a troubled household, with a single mother who was ultimately compelled to become a ward of the state, Bello's formative years were marked by challenges and hardships. Yet, her past is a testament to resilience and ambition, forged amidst adversities.

Bello found her calling in the military, where she navigated through its complex hierarchy with calculated determination. Her disciplined, macho, and no-nonsense demeanor quickly earned her the respect of her peers and superiors. Unfazed by the trials of military life, she climbed the ranks swiftly, displaying a knack for leadership and strategic planning. Her keen intellect and exceptional analytical skills set her apart and fueled her ascension.

As Bello transitioned to politics, she maintained her unique brand of leadership, blending military precision with political acumen. She entered the arena of the Party, where she applied her formidable strategic understanding to maneuver through the party ranks. Bello's rise was quick and consistent, her ascent to power catching the attention of both her supporters and rivals.

In the Social Directorate, she has emerged as a leading figure, rallying a faction around her with an agenda steeped in "diligent reform." Despite criticisms and pushback, Bello's unwavering pursuit of her vision has positioned her as a central player in the ongoing political narrative of the Reva Aztara Combine.

While her past may be shrouded in adversity, Amani Bello's future looks bright as she embarks on a path to reshape the Combine's political landscape, her journey characterized by determination, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of progress.

Shadowbound · Jun 23, 2023

Update Three
2103

There are 5 principles of war. Fight if you can fight. Defend if you can't fight. Flee if you can't defend. The remaining two options are either to surrender or to die.

2103 sees the ceasefire in the Midwest firmly broken, as the modern day three kingdoms battle once more for supremacy over the American heartland. This may just be a prelude to a growing instability: alliances are made and armies mobilized in California and the Caribbean. Europe and China both call for peace but their motives are cynical, their diplomatic stances just posturing as they move to strengthen their positions on the continent. The questions of the day won’t be settled by a General Assembly resolution.

Reva Aztara launched its reprisal against the Neoconfederates for their attack on Ohio the previous year, who found themselves distracted in the north. Aztaran mechanized formations, hastily assembled, moved not against occupied Ohio but against the Neoconfederate capital at Chicago. This coup de main was frustrated by state militias which among other things successfully held the Quad Cities and prevented the Aztarans from cutting off Chicago from the west, while the direct thrust at Chicago slowed. The Aztarans are held off for the moment, but Chicago can expect little aid from Detroit, who are in a much worse situation.

Spoiler :

Chicago’s oligarchs had been massing forces here for an attack on the United States in the coming year, beginning with a sabotage and partisan campaign by Neoconfederate agents. These agents promptly discovered massing Federal forces who weren’t waiting on a sabotage campaign, but instead coordinated with the Aztarans. The Federal offensive was named “Operation Blizzard”, with three axes of advance, struck against Detroit’s territories in Ontario and northern Ohio. Confederate Marshalls did their best to disrupt this advance from behind federal lines, already prepped for a similar mission, but the Federal government remained the strongest military power on the continent and it scored solid successes, especially as Neoconfederate forces weren’t available from further west (in the Siege of Chicago). Former Canadian Ontario, and occupied Ohio, were overrun. The Neoconfederates were savaged in their retreat across the provincial border to Michigan and lost much of the heavy equipment they had stockpiled for their planned attack in the coming year. Detroit is now wide open to further federal offensives and many of its loyalist formations have disintegrated.

Spoiler :

Detroit has dramatically changed its tune in regards to Chicago. At the end of last year they were riding high off the success of their Erie offensive, now they’re emphasizing the close bonds between the two cities and Detroit’s importance for the Confederation in the desperate hope that Chicago will scrape together enough forces to rescue them.

Spoiler :

The war to their south has made the Quebecois uneasy about their southern neighbors and silenced many Euroskeptics who, while protective of Quebec’s unique American French culture, see the warring Anglo powers as a far greater threat than European cultural hegemony.

Spoiler :

Executive orders and war-time measures were sufficient to cow the last remaining holdouts controlling the postal services. The United States reclaimed control of the iconic American institution.

Spoiler :

Appalachia remained mercifully distant from the fighting as, strange as it sounds, the federal government and Reva Aztara cooperated against a common enemy. Aztaran efforts in the region made slow progress.

Spoiler :

El Santos Cartel agents finalized ties to their new Venezuelan associates, bankrolling and supplying them as they prepped for a new campaign against the wealthy corporate powers in the Caribbean. A daring raid on the international floating city, Colossus, heralded their new activities, and now many Caribbean operators are being coerced into protection and partnership agreements with them, especially with the Cuban navy distracted by its civil war.

Spoiler :

This sets the People’s Cartel into near direct opposition with Aztlan, however. The latter’s hostile takeover of the Caribbean quickly became a firesale as investors pulled out of Colossus and other corporate entities, easily giving them up to the first bidder. Aztlani executives now control a majority of the Caribbean Council, though this also means they will bear the brunt of any future pirate activity.

Spoiler :

That wasn’t the only move Los Santos made in the Caribbean this year, as Norteno media abruptly began pushing favorable Spanish-language coverage of the deposed Cuban President and his fighters, legitimizing their struggle against the rest of the Cuban government. Cuban censors were quick to crack down but were caught off guard as pro-Zayatista narratives continued to spread through the population, creating a boost in popular support that threatened to halt the government’s progress on quashing the rebellion.

Spoiler :

Finally, China completed its efforts to establish a stable political system in Panama, assisted by its Californian allies. While the local government is solidly demarchic, and more pro-Californian than Chinese, the People’s Republic of China remains the major stakeholder in the management of the canal itself, giving them power projection through the Caribbean.

Spoiler :

The People’s Liberation Army Navy was immediately active in the Caribbean, conducting anti-piracy patrols, humanitarian relief efforts, and freedom of navigation exercises. The latter was directed against the Cuban Navy, which was focused on interdicting support for Cuban rebels. Chinese vessels operated close to the Cuban coast throughout the year, single and in groups, and not always with the awareness of the Cuban government. Their motivations became clear when European investigators published a report in coordination with the Cuban government accusing China of providing illicit support to the rebels: one which China denies vehemently even as it is obviously doing so.

Spoiler :

Aztlan’s eyes weren’t solely on the Caribbean: their narco-elite had always struggled for international and personal recognition in the eyes of the world. Aztlani executives purchased their way into the uber-wealthy Bohemian Grove, an eclectic and secretive social club of the world’s billionaires. They may, within living memory (and present) be ruthless cartel leaders, but money talks and they had a lot to throw around. By the end of the year they have won over many of the exclusive socialites who closely overlap with some of the world’s most influential people, giving Aztlan a new avenue with which to project influence.

Spoiler :

The Unified Western Autonomy invested heavily into its remaining lithium and rare earth reserves, establishing a demarchically-organized mining corporation known as Communevada in coordination with its Chinese partners to exploit them. Returns were sufficient to please Chinese investors who began to expand their interaction with other demarchic cooperatives, but the escalating mainstream cooperation with the People’s Republic was seen as a betrayal of the revolution by minority autonomies outside Consensus.

Spoiler :

Cascadia looked to build up its military strength, launching a massive recruitment campaign for the federation’s military. Manpower isn’t the be all and end all of war, especially modern war, but attracting new talent has enabled the Cascadians to fill out a number of new military formations that they’re stationing along their southern border as the Army of Northern California.

Spoiler :

President Hargreen fulfilled her campaign promises to provide jobs, though economists note that the state-directed investment will only have a temporary impact on Cascadian gross domestic product, offsetting growth with higher interest rates. Nonetheless, it has strengthened the Social Democrats’ popularity at a time when they are contemplating the potential loss of support from big business.

Spoiler :

NOTES

Stats Here

Deadline for the next update will be 11:59PM EST, July 1st, 2023. We will continue with our smooth biweekly schedule.

I only got one submission for this round so I'll award Crezth's Reva Aztara with a bonus point of military capital. But I liked it, just so everyone knows.

For the coming turn, I'm looking for some pop culture. Funny memes, music, full sensory nonpornographic experiences. Anything consumed by the unwashed masses of your nation.

J.K. Stockholme · Jun 27, 2023

Cities of El Norte

El Norte's urban centres, though a little denser and inhabited by new people, remain anchored to their histories before the Frontera War. The cities of the former Southwest Union carry the burden of sprawl. Over-building during the American Century created vast car-dependent megalopolises that spent most of the Sino-European Century building upwards in density and inwards in transit to atone for their urban errors of the past. This pattern represents another expression of Texanization, as the formerly Mexican cities in El Norte's south eschewed suburbs for density, settling onto maps with a slimmer figure.

The suburbs of Texas were dealt a special blow due to climate change. In the warmer world of 2100, Texas is hit multiple times a year by monster hurricanes that make the region's lowlands unusable for a quarter of the year. The Southwest Union and its successor in El Norte let the flood plains depopulate and prioritized adaptation efforts between the three corners of the Texas Triangle, plus Salamanca, which was renamed to honour El Norte's founding father. Fortunato Salamanca's other great urban legacy was in the expansion of Juárez (which absorbed his place of birth, El Paso), into which he invested tremendously, building a drug palace of Versailles that began the palace-building tradition of the drug capos.

Despite its large cities, a significant part of the gross domestic product of El Norte moves into and through the drug palace economy. After Salamanca's death, the drug capos dispersed from Juarez to invest lavishly in their own home towns, commissioning opulent palaces and public works, choosing artistic styles to contrast with each other in an aesthetic and architectural contest for prestige and vulgar popularity. Every time a capo dies, the economy of El Norte exhales in one place to inhale in another, as a new capo becomes a home town hero.

Spoiler Major Cities Map :

Crezth · Jun 30, 2023

Emergency! Extra! State Og Report!
S T A T E O.G.
June 30, 2100

Dear beloved State Og devotees,

Let's address the plasteel elephant in the room. Our previous report, while certainly riveting, was concocted by a rogue faction within our State Og Committee for Marketing (a.k.a. the Committee for Perplex Relations). Their gibberish was promptly shoved into the shredder and then into the ever-ravenous mouth of our shredder-cleaning intern. Now that we've dealt with that unsightly mess, let's buckle down for a steely dive into the amazing wonders our mad scientists have been cooking up.

The Indestructible Iron Resolve Collection

Is it a shirt? Is it a power tool? It's both! The "Iron Resolve" clothing line, brought to you by Aztara's Robotic Tailoring Arm (RTA-731) is a beacon of industrial chic. Our bestseller - the UtiliKilt - features a built-in torque wrench. Just a quick word of warning - the wrench is not to be used while the kilt is being worn. We're still managing the lawsuits from the last demo.

The Roaring Echo of 'Resilience'

Ayo Oni’s “Resilience” is doing what no album has done before – breaking first-day streaming records, and causing simultaneous eardrum damage. She flawlessly amalgamates the soothing sounds of hydraulic press, angle grinder, and the anguished shrieks of a squashed weasel. Critics call it “auditory acupuncture.”

Eden Park - A Soap Opera

In a juicy revelation, Elina Zamora and Damian Cortez from ‘Crystal Dawn’ are reportedly not sharing the same force field off-screen. Their synchronized unblinking gaze from the popular series seems to have evaporated into thin plasma. We're investing in 4D tissues for the entire nation. And therapy meth.

Aztaran Cybernetics - Unveiling the Unseen

Forget smartphones. They're too smart for their own good. Aztaran Cybernetics' latest device is a “Relatively Intelligent Device” that promises to keep your intelligence intact while performing the functions of a regular phone. Side note: It can double as a blunt weapon during home invasions, and can survive pressure up to 4000 feet below the ocean surface. Each is guaranteed a minimum 10 year full-replacement warranty for most forms of failure. Safety, meet convenience!

'Westward Bound' - Frontier Redux

The reboot of ‘Westward Bound’ now features rabid radioactive rabbits, telepathic tumbleweeds, and horses that gallop sideways. We're excited for this new blend of frontier life and hallucinogenic visions. Giddy up, sideways!

Revolutionary Tastes - With Nia Reyes

Watch Nia Reyes munch on battery-acid pickles, soot-flavored ice cream, and lightly grilled plutonium in her new series ‘Revolutionary Tastes.' The show's motto - "It's not food poisoning if it's intentional!" If your stomach can survive this, it can survive anything!

GreenGear Motors - Vehicles that Purr

Their latest electric vehicle, "The Rover," runs on revolutionary electromotive technology and sounds like a well-fed kitten. Please note, the kitten sounds are simulated. No kittens were harmed in the making. Purr-fect for those who want a whisper-quiet getaway!

‘Beyond the Stars’ - Sci-fi Extravaganza

Get ready for anti-gravity hairstyles, physics-defying costumes, and more cosmic drama in the latest season of ‘Beyond the Stars’. Brace yourself for the revelation that the galaxy is, in fact, an oversized intergalactic gumball. Now, that’s a theory that really sticks!

Ramiro Rios - A Wordsmith’s Tale

In his latest novel, 'The Day We Rose,' Ramiro Rios tells a tale of triumph over adversity, with a generous sprinkling of cyborg mutinies, an amorous affair with an AI, and two chapters written entirely in Morse code. It's the only book where you'll need a cryptographer, a therapist, and a romance expert to get through!

Cincinnati Conversations - Double-Time

Gabriela Vega, in last night’s ‘Cincinnati Conversations,’ was revealed to be a robotic impersonator. The real Vega has been vacationing at Neptune Beach, sipping "intergalactic" margaritas. Now, that's a plot twist! We hope the Robo-Vega got a taste of those sapphire skies!

Eden Animation - Reinventing Tedium

Eden Animation's new series ‘Unseen Protectors’ is about Aztaran cadets with invisible uniforms. Not only are the characters naked, but the script, plot, and storyline are also transparent. If it weren't for the disembodied voices, we'd think our screen had short-circuited. "Enjoy" the magic of 4D invisibility and the lowest bore of automatic screenwriters money can buy!

Mateo & Bella - Tinseltown Tidbits

This new rom-com out of Eden Park stars the power couple to end all power couples - because they control the city's power grid. If the sparks don't give away their secret relationship, the sudden blackouts will. Love is literally electrifying!

Zara Valencia - The Fashion Maestro

Eden Park Fashion Week saw Zara Valencia's 'Eden Collection' bring together industrial-chic and biohazard suits with a hint of lead-based face paint. Stay fashionable; stay radioactive! After all, why just look killer when you can be literally radioactive?

Isaias Soto - The Master Filmmaker

Isaias Soto’s ‘The Unbroken Circle’ tells a heart-wrenching tale of a hamster who becomes an influential figure in the early RAC days. The only film where the leading man's wheel running has Oscar pundits in a frenzy. The sequel, 'The Wheel Keeps Turning,' promises even more cardio.

Endure Athletics - RAC's Personal Trainer

Their new home workout system, 'The Aztaran 300,' makes you fit enough to outrun your nutritional deficits and the occasional radioactive wolf. Remember, fitness is not a choice; it's a survival strategy! Start bench-pressing those ration cans.

'Cincinnati Hustle' - Reality TV Reimagined

Watch budding entrepreneurs hustle in 'Cincinnati Hustle'. Spoiler: In the end, they all become subsidiaries or registered trademarks of the Reva Aztara Combine! What a twist! Everyone's a winner when everyone is in the same conglomerate!

InfiniCorp - Virtual Reality for All

Tech giant, InfiniCorp’s VR headset promises 'An immersive experience like no other.' It simulates a world where everything is not run by a corporate syndicate. Dreamy, isn't it? Enjoy the matrix, lest the matrix enjoy you!

Leandro Castillo - The Art of Provocation

Leandro Castillo's 'Collective Vision' forces you to question if his modern art installation is indeed art or a 3D rendering of a toddler's crayon scribble. Don't worry, the toddler was paid in gluten-free low-carb soy-cookies.

Rosa Mendoza - The Comedy Queen

In her special, 'The Irony of Unity,' Rosa Mendoza makes us laugh, then cry, then laugh again. She artfully pokes fun at our post-dystopian lifestyles while helping us realize that laughter is the best medicine. Well, that and our delightfully mandatory happy-pills. This just in - laughter side effects include tears, snorting, and in some rare cases, happiness!

Remember, under the Reva Aztara Combine, every day is an 'all you can eat' buffet of resilience! Now, carry on with your lives. Stay productive!

Disclaimer: State Og assumes no responsibility for any information that may or may not have been fictionalized during the creation of this newsletter. Consumer discretion is advised.

Belgarion95 · Jul 9, 2023

What's up with the kids these days?

You see the device in front of you – it reminds you of a silver scarab, about the size of a quarter with many fine, sharp arms. You pick it off the rounded black table, swallow the lump in your throat, and place the scarab on the back of your neck. For a moment you feel pain, but that’s gone as soon as its registered. Then, there is only the uncanny sensation of burrowing.

A man is now in front of you. There was no transition, no opening of the door, no materialization of his being; he’s here now, giving you a broad, yet somewhat tentative, smile. It reassures you to know that he is nervous too.

“Hello, Mr. Bound!” he says brightly, “I’m Jose – are you feeling alright? Any pain, nausea, dizziness?”

“No, not at all.” You touch your neck, feeling only a smooth, metallic ovoid, seamlessly merging with your skin. “Are you sedating me? I thought this would be more painful. I didn’t consent to anything pharmacological.”

“No! Well, not really. The communication between the implant and your nervous system is near-instantaneous. Most users prefer as seamless a transition as possible.”

“I see.”

“You’re experiencing the Spark Platinum – far too expensive for the public market to stomach, but for temporary users like yourself, it’s usually the best option.”

You’re silent for a few seconds; Jose looks concerned. You try thinking your next question at him, but there isn’t any response.

“Are you alright? Has something I said disturbed you?”

“No, I just – I had heard that many young people in the Autonomy were basically non-verbal; that they communicated only through their thoughts. I wanted to try it out.”

Jose grins. “Very good! But we won’t be communicating neurally just yet. We’ve disabled that feature for you; it can be very disorienting, and in any case, requires a certain mental clarity for effective communication. It takes most users months to begin using the full potential neural interface.” Jose gestures towards the door. “Come – let us speak in comfort.”

You step into a speakeasy-chic space – lush burgundy couches, dark wood surfaces, burning oil suspended from the ceiling in glass dishes. An older man with a thick grey mustache plays a dimly-lit piano in the corner of the room. Behind the bar, where gleaming coppery fixtures provide a focal point for the space, a calm bartender carefully dries delicate glassware. You are the only people here, and you are almost maybe entirely sure this is simulated. You sit.

“Ask anything you like,” Jose tells you. “I’ll do my best to explain. I know our ways can feel impenetrable to outsiders, so I hope they appear clearer from within.”

“Well, here’s the subject – many parents are wondering whether its safe to give their children implants. Especially the low-latency devices, what we call 'brain-chips.' We hear the stories. Mute teenagers with unblinking eyes, profound sexual desensitization, mass suicides, and worse.”

“Worse than mass suicides?” Jose chuckles, his smile strained.

“Well, you understand what I mean.”

A waitress appears with drinks; you are not surprised to find that your cocktail suits you perfectly, both in taste and as an expression of your identity. Despite your awareness of it, you cannot help but feel more confident, more self-assured. You decide to just put it bluntly.

“No one wants to turn their child into a cult-controlled, automated terrorist. How can any parent who cares for their child allow them to be implanted? What’s up with the kids in California?”

Jose doesn’t respond for a moment. He sips his old-fashioned, considering. He looks up at you, his eyes just visible in the hazy ambiance; sympathetic, and just slightly offended.

“Let’s start here: implanted youth are living with sixth, seventh, and eighth senses. This is fundamental. Adults who are implanted must train themselves in neural communication by deliberate thought; young people do so intuitively. They send and receive a rich depth of information in the exact manner of their choosing, without moving, without lifting their fingers.”

“That’s understood, by myself and by parents – but when the result is mute automatons who can’t relate to their own parents, is that really an improvement?”

“Improvement is not the right word; please listen. It would benefit many parents to consider whether their kids are becoming defective, or if they're missing something essential. It is true that many young people do not speak aloud for long periods, though staring blankly into space is uncommon – most just close their eyes. Think of it like reading a book - not so unusual, eh? But in their minds, the latitude of behaviours is vast.

“The use of virtual chat rooms is incredibly widespread. Many resemble the room we’re in now, a fun backdrop of a beautiful past. Many imagine a sophisticated, luxurious future. Many are cozy; some are thrilling; others are entirely dark, exceptionally intimate spaces where only the only sensation is voice. And indeed, they are speaking neurally – language is far more precise than the sensations of the mind. But natural language is the appetizer, the shallow pools where minds first meet. Think of it – even the most profound conversations you’ve ever had are but small talk to neural natives.”

Uh huh, you think. “But isn’t it the content, rather than the medium, that underlies profundity? I have read books and watched films that, in their own way, have each touched the fabric of my soul.”

Jose just smiles. Suddenly, you are overwhelmed – you feel the weariness of long years, the pain of your husband’s loss, the final, treasured smile from his hospital bed, that same smile on your grandson’s face, his joy pure and undiluted. You double over, your face now inches from the dark grain of the table, inhaling the rich scent of its lacquer. It steadies you.

“Perhaps that is true – but how much richer is it to share another’s soul, than to simply touch? Stories, drama, rising and falling action – they are instrumental, a telescope used to glimpse a waterfall. What your mind is drinking now is the rushing waters themselves. Dorothy was very generous in allowing you this intimacy. Most people need many hours of conversation before they feel comfortable sharing even a sliver of their mind, much less their deepest hopes and sorrows. They are careful with whom they share.”

Suddenly, the bittersweet memories rush out – you are left suddenly empty, strangely alone. “But I am not sharing her mind,” you say, surprised by the viciousness in your tone. “An implant is manipulating my brain, forcing hallucination – surely you can see that?”

A gentle smile. “Is that what it felt like to you?”

You do not answer.

“No, it is much more than that – just as human speech is much more than the oscillation of gaseous molecules. And there is more. It is becoming more and more popular to share not only your emotions, but the sensations of your body – the joy of a free dance, from an artist at the peak of her career. The wild rush, from deep in your chest, as you hang-glide in the Sierra Nevadas. To these youths, the greatest influencers are passionate, talented icons at the heights of their mastery.”

You’re sweating, your mind already reeling, when suddenly you feel it – joy rushing into your lungs, salt spray on your face, fear for the great wave crashing over you, tenuous balance as your lean body deftly carves surfboard into open air, elation as you glide free, satisfaction at conquering nature. Jose looks at you, and in a moment of clarity you see it: envy. You wonder if the neural circuits of AI, whatever mysterious course it follows, has shared any part of this experience. You guess not.

As the sensation fades, a new one takes its place. This one is subtler; you have a feeling of drawing water from a very deep well, but the well is your own soul. You feel some confusion, then anger. Your mind roils, and then – aha! Your hand now moves manically, now gently, now with bold aggression. Alive, maybe for the first time. You realize your eyes were closed, and open them – somehow a pen has found its way to your hand, and in front of you, a beast that you cannot name and could never have imagined, sketched on a thick piece of cardstock.

You look up – Jose is smiling.

“Kenneth Hao is a favourite - #4 on the Nexii top-influencer charts! Many say that the channeling his mind is like flying through a field of blistering micro-meteor while having a debate with God. Or something like that, I suppose.”

“I didn’t think it was anything like that.”

“Well, you can see the limitation of the metaphor.”

You and Jose are both silent for a time.

“Mr. Bound, I know there was another question on your mind. One you were afraid to ask – why is it that other journalists haven’t taken this chance? Why is this story unwritten? Surely other minds have considered a first-hand investigation of implants, of Nexii, of Demarchist society? Why have I heard only rumors, or confused accounts? I think perhaps you may have the beginnings of the answer, but let me assure you – we are only at the beginnings.”

gay_Aleks · Jul 11, 2023

Watch This Space

gay_Aleks · Jul 21, 2023

[Seen on many walls in Mexico City]

PRONUNCIAMENTO:

The Aztlani entity is no more, as of time of writing.

Instead, in its steed, the National Front for Mexican Salvation declares that, today, on this new beginning, that the Mexican country, the Mexican nation is once more reconstituted.

Just like our forefathers in the 19th century – Miguel Hidalgo, Augustin Iturbide, many others – who died and bled for freedom from the repressive Spanish crown, now we wage yet again a struggle against the Aztlani compradors who have sold the Fatherland to the greedy cartels, to the private armies, to the secret policemen.

But not all Aztlani employees are created the same. For every tyrannical CEO, there are a three thousand clerks who make things work; who are the real backbone of that company. We wish to wage no blood vendetta to people making a living. We offer them an open hand to join and help create a new Mexico. But to those who sabotage, who resist: we shall show no quarter.

Viva la patria! Viva Mexico!

----

from: luishermano@cuahmeh.int

to: ckopatxa@drop.in

If you are reading this, you are in danger. The National Front has betrayed us. We wanted to get ahead on the wicked militarists. But the joke is on us. Without our expertise, their little coup would’ve gone nowhere, but conversely, they promised us many men, to wage war on the private armies in the east. It was a match made in heaven, because they would surely get too confident and high on their own supply of Mexican nationalism.

But their leadership seems to have known better. Once they managed to get the Aztlani administrators on their side, by promising them higher wages, better conditions, etc – the middle classes always so prone to sell out for privileges – they leaked like a sieve info that they pieced together and attack us in our sorest spots.

Our secure location has been compromised, and our safehouses are exposed. Safety is a word of the past. We are forced to align, for the moment, with the National Front. There is no other way to maintain the continued existence of our organisation, much less, wrestle control from the hands of the traitors.

Our day will come, however.

-----

WE ARE AT WAR, SOLDIER.

[Pamphlet found in an eastward rural village]

Have you heard this? The “National” Front for “Salvation” has formed up its own national military. They call it the Nuevo Modelo de Ejército. They will conscript your sons, your daughters, your parents, your horses, your cars, everything. There is no pay in this sort of business. We have always taken care of our people while Aztlan lived on. It still lives on in our enterpreneurial business. Meanwhile, Mexico City wants you to die for China. Or perhaps China and Europe. Why would you do that? Do not join up for the Ejercito! Come where your skills can get renumerated.

----

22ND DECEMBER 2104, LE MONDE DIGITAL

Interviewer: Thank you, your Excellency, for consenting to this interview. The readers in Europe are starving for news from Mexico City, where the newest climactic events have taken up the imaginations of our readers by storm. Much misinformation has been spread around. May I begin with that?

Ambassador: By all means. Go on.

Interviewer: How true do you believe are the claims by some, that China is behind this new development?

Ambassador: While I wouldn’t deny the possibility of indirect Chinese involvement in the situation, as far as I am concerned – and I think 20 years of being a representative of the EU here count for something – the Chinese were likely uninvolved in this. While the speed at which events have moved at is quite peculiar, one must not forget that Aztlan has always been in what I considered to be a ‘managed’ chaos. Now they’ve reaped what they sowed.

Interviewer: Can you tell us more about the “National Front of Mexican Salvation”? People have called them variously socialists, anarchists – even, neofascists – amongst other things. While, of course in such a fluid situation, it can be hard to define what it is, but still.

Ambassador: Well, they are, in a lot of ways, successors to approximately three centuries of Mexican nationalism. When they do callbacks to Miguel Hidalgo or Benito Juarez, that doesn’t quite ring as empty as it might come from, say, an Aztlani executive. Of course, their forceful appropriation of property certainly helped in the past – and now, what we can see thorough the former Aztlani territory at a much greater scale. The leaders of the National Front have gathered the masses and called upon them to ‘take what is theirs’.

Interviewer: Would you say that they are anarchists – or even, demarchists, as some have claimed?

Ambassador: Not at all. Despite what certain outlets have claimed, this isn’t a revolution managed by a consensus mindset as it would be in California. Indeed, despite the claim to being the “Second Mexican Revolution”, many of the leaders of the NFMS have demonstrated an eagerness to compromise with low-level Aztlani administrators, and have shown a remarkable openness, so long as a “fair relationship” is being maintained.

Interviewer: What’s your thought on the rumours of Aztlani secret police involvement in this coup?

Ambassador: Likely, although unconfirmed. I believe we can infer that there must’ve been some sort of involvement. But the fact that activity from Cuahmeh appears to have dropped, well…

Interviewer: What do you think will be the consequences…

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[MSS FILE #2811-M-NA]

Name: Estefania Paris
Birthdate and Age: b. 17/09/2068 (35)

Birthplace: Acapulco, State of Guerrero, Mexico

Gender: Male

Current Location: Mexico City

Bio:

Born to a wealthy family that was a contractor to the Aztlan conglomerate in the Acapulco port, Estefania quickly appears to have developed a rebellious streak. As a fifth child of the family, he would’ve likely inherited a fairly small portion of the family business, due to the fact that the Paris family had a son and three more daughters. It is, uncertain, whether he sought out the National Front for Liberation and Labour (now the NFMS) or if he was actively recruited by it. What is clear, however, that by 2090, he was in intense communication with the Guerrero insurgents belonging to the NFLL. By 2093, he had abandoned his past life as a scion of a wealthy family, instead, taking to the rugged mountainous terrains of the state. While agriculture in Guerrero suffered immensely by the ravages of climate change, it was still rural enough to support the insurgency with new recruits.

Estefania soon became something of a de facto leader of the insurgency in the Guerrero state by 2095. His charisma, and also, more importantly, his connections with local – and international – crime have benefited the movement in a significant way. This did not go unnoticed within the NFLL, and he soon become part of the All-Mexican Military Council, which was the initial attempt to coalesce and organise a tighter, broader front against the Aztlani police forces. That failed, no small part because of the petty in-fighting amongst the various rural warlords, who wanted to be the first to enter Mexico City.

Therefore, the next five years were as much as consolidating hold in Guerrero as it was to cripple the standing of other enemies for the title of leading the NFLL. This is likely where the first contacts with the Cuahmeh likely began. Why exactly him, it must be owed to some kind of a belief that his class belonging in a bourgeois family would, in the end, even out and make him an useful tool to pacify the insurgency. This, of course, has to be situated within the conflict between the Cuahmeh and Ocelomeh for supremacy over the state apparatus.

The end-results of this bizarre cooperation are decidedly mixed. A bloody confrontation in late 2101 between the Ocelomeh and the NFLL should’ve, in theory, put an end to the whole insurgency. Instead, however, while Ocelomeh won the day, it was a much harder-fought victory than anyone in Aztlan could’ve expected, as the rebels were better armed than expected; and their retreat was well-organised and swift. It is still unclear if this was the work of Estefania or the Cuahmeh – or, perhaps, both.

If anything, the battle gave the NFLL further cohesion – and Estefania’s profile only rose. Now, he was the leader, and that is the point where the name of National Front of Mexican Salvation takes its beginnings.

The current events of 2103 are an outgrowth of all this. Estefania Paris proved to be a skillful leader – the ‘coup’ was intended to be a false flag for Cuahmeh to take control, or at the very least, convince the Aztlan corporate leadership to give the police forces extensive new forces to defeat their vicious enemies. Instead, what happened was quite the opposite. The comfortable battlefield under which the internecine struggles within Aztlan were waged suddenly totally collapsed, with Aztlan being sent into the dustbin of history. Today, Cuahmeh is a weakened and highly suspected appendage of the Mexican government; meanwhile, Ocelomeh has occupied parts of the east coastline and rues revenge and revanchism. Meanwhile, the former Aztlani bureaucrats exist as a new middle class, thinking it can swindle NFMS and the Ocelomeh and everyone to craft their own, comfortable world.

Who’s to say who will win?

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ACTUAL MECHANICAL STUFF:

Capital:

MILITARY:

Nuevo Modelo de Ejercito: Mechanized, 2 Military
Pacifican Guerrillas: Irregular, 1 Military

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POLITICAL:

Central American Coalition: Diplomacy, 1 Political
The National Front for Mexican Salvation: Administration, 1 Political

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ECONOMY:

Mexican Land Trust: Financial, 1 Economics

Expopriated Aztlani Tech: Technology, 1 Economics

Factions:

National Front for Mexican Salvation (Nationalist, Populist): The winners of the civil war, they serve to reunify Mexico but also to engage in equal-ish land redistribution.

Middle Class Aztlani Apparatchiks (Liberal): Swayed by the Second Mexican Revolution, many of these people have risen up from the bottoms they once were. They serve – or so they like to think – as a brake on revolutionary redistribution.

Cuahmeh (Militarist): Formerly an aspiring faction for the Aztlani ‘throne’, now they skulk and lie as they are forced into a painful compromise with the new regime.

Teopixqui (same as before tbf)

Ocelomeh (Militarist, Aristocratic): Previously a private army ruling with ease in Aztlan, now they are a bitter and well-armed opposition to the Second Mexican Revolution, compromised of loyal Aztlani mercenaries and executives who couldn’t, or didn’t want to, run away safely as many chose to do so.

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from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!

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