Spaceport Strike! - Part Seven: A Government Afraid of Its People
- Location
- Phoenix, Arizona
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Spaceport Strike!
Part Seven: A Government Afraid Of Its People
After the tour, you depart amicably from the camp of the Laborers and collect your weapons from the Laborers who were keeping an eye on them. Laura promises that she'll see to it that word's spread around about what you've done. She can't and doesn't want to promise any immediate results or guaranteed outcomes, but you hope that you've made a good enough impression to mend some of the damage done by Hellas and whatever's been going on with the Garrison to the reputation of MPA forces in the region. It's starting to get late into the afternoon by the time you depart, though, and so rather than pulling your comrades aside, you simply drop by each of them as you walk and ask their opinion about what just happened.
First up is Janice, taking the lead in your party's trek towards the repurposed courthouse being used by the Watson Council. "Well, ma'am, I think there's nothing wrong with the Laborers on a personal level - I just think that their ideas are doomed and that they'll react poorly when they fail. Trying to establish a democratic anarchist commune in Mariner City is easier said than done. Stadium managed to make a socialist state, sure, but that's because they were more then willing to crack some heads to impose their system of governance - The monopoly of force must be held by the state, even a socialist one. The Laborers are basing their whole idea off of the time that they disrupted the monopoly of force, to win elections, which then could also be disrupted by someone choosing to disrupt their monopoly of force and doing a militant strike or sit-in or whatever - What're they going to do then? Murder them? For, what, being Station socialists, or University-style technocratic socialists? Can't imagine the MPA's going to hold truck with that, just like we didn't stand for Hellas's plan to get rid of the Laborers. Are they just going to rely on their opposition being too weak to take action?"
She shrugs. "It's a bad assumption to make. They're relying on reform through direct action, not outright revolution, as you folks would say, right? It's, ah, utopian - Their only stated demand with regards to governance is new elections, not the establishment of an anarchist polity, that's just their post-election plan. And if they don't win those initial elections, if they've misjudged their popular support - Well, we're back at square one, aren't we, but now with a disgruntled political minority of militant anarchists. My personal bet is that they'll just hold the Spaceport hostage again until they get a result they like. However, assuming the best case, they just do their level best to stonewall the Council both politically and with direct action until things fall apart again so they can establish their commune. In all of those cases, we're the ones left to clean up the pieces." You nod, listening carefully to her critique. "Thank you, Janice - You're somewhat more read up on the theory about this sort of thing than I thought you would be, no offense." She shrugs, looking away. "Gotta know who you're working with, right? Even if I don't necessarily agree with some socialist or anarchist ideas in practice - I can understand the principle behind them, at least."
Dropping back slightly, you step beside Bill, who's keeping an eye on your surroundings to make sure you stay on the right track. "Any thoughts about the Laborers, Bill?" He glances over at you and shrugs. "Their heart seems like it's in the right place, but, well…if they get what they want, I've no doubt that they'll be turned into a puppet or some kind of sphere outlier - Either by University or the MEF at worst. We've already got enough issues with smuggling through University territory as it is - An independent commune like what they described even further outlying, one that preaches anti-UN sentiment while holding the Spaceport itself, is going to be a political nightmare for the MPA and a hub for every insurgent movement from MBC's border to Rocabarraigh. It's made even worse by the fact it's on the border of Stadium and University like this, too - Makes a perfect way for insurgents to get into Stadium's core territory, get out of Stadium's core territory, head up to the MEF, or down from the MEF." You nod - This has mirrored at least some of your own thoughts on the matter. "Thanks, Bill - I appreciate you giving me your opinion." He nods. "Don't think anything of it, just doin' my part." You slow down even further, heading back towards the back half of the group.
Sister Galle is in third place, so to speak. She's not heavily armed or armored enough to be the rearguard, and her suit means she can't exactly overtake Bill, so she's here almost by default. "Oh, hi, Rosalind!" She waves to you as you maneuver yourself to be by her side. "Here to ask what I think about the Laborers?" She grins. "I heard your conversations with Bill and Janice a bit, and I got the gist." You nod, not interrupting her - She seems to be on something of a roll already. "So, uh - I disagree with both of them, honestly. The Laborers are doing the right thing - Maybe not in the best way, sure, and maybe it'll be hard to do it, but that's what we're supposed to be doing. They're taking direct action against an unelected, anti-union, corrupt government and occupation force - The only reason the MPA wouldn't be funneling them support if this was the MEF or the old MUC is that this time it's our unelected regional government and our occupation force. They don't even want to secede or anything - They're willing to let bygones be bygones, so long as they get to self-organize under their principles. Now, I know I get a bit overexcited sometimes, so I do want to see all the proof and investigate everything - But just from what the Garrison seemed like, what the FLA said, and what the Laborers said, I can't see myself really changing my mind. Even if the Laborers and their solution aren't perfect, we ought to help them make it better - because they're genuinely doing the right thing here." You listen carefully and nod again, before replying. "I get where you're coming from, Galle. Your honest opinion means a lot to me." She nods, then waves goodbye to you as you drop back towards River.
River's focusing on watching your group's back as you go, keeping an eye on windows, alleys, and various other potential vectors of attack on your team as you walk. It's easy to forget that in some parts of Mariner City, this would be an absolute necessity - But here, at least, it's more optional. "Hey, River." She glances over at you, raising an eyebrow. "I wanted to ask your opinion on everything that just happened - Everything the Laborers talked about." She shrugs. "Pretty simple, in my opinion - Just like Hellas was, just like the Council seems to be, they've got their own idea of what's best for the people and they want to impose it on them. I doubt the thought that they wouldn't win an honest election ever crossed their mind. Their steward seems better than Hellas, at least - She seems to actually view the people under her command as people. But I wouldn't want her and her ideas running a district. She and hers were willing to start this whole thing, even if Hellas was the one who escalated it, because they were getting investigated. Maybe it's out of their principles - Maybe it's because there's actually some ties."
She shakes her head. "I don't think there are ties, personally - At least not ideological ones, she didn't give off the vibe of a plant or an infiltrator. But she was really anti-UN, and she's clearly still in the…partisan mindset, though I'm not sure that's the best way to say it. When you're in a war with that mindset…you don't get to pick and choose your allies - You work with whoever will see your goals accomplished, even if when your common enemy is defeated, you both know that you'll turn on each other." She taps her patch. "That's the way it worked in the Civil War, at least - We worked with reformists, with Nomad-trained cadres, with cultists, anyone who'd be willing to fight with us against the regime." She chuckles, bitterly. "Didn't work out well for us, though." You listen, nodding. "I wouldn't have thought about it that way, River - Thank you." She shrugs. "It is what it is. Now, I think we're getting close - You'd better go get back up to the front." You glance forward, and hurriedly up your pace to get back to the front, waving to River as you go.
The former courthouse that houses the Watson Council is a stately building, in an area that seems to be in somewhat better repair than much of the rest of the center of the district. People walk the streets more openly here, and your group mingles in with a small, but steady flow of pedestrians going about their days. As you enter the square housing the courthouse, it houses, frankly, the largest gathering of people you've seen thus far in the Watson District - All engaging in an open-air swap market of sorts. People carry around baskets and chatter between stalls, the level of hubbub on the level that you'd expect from one of the common areas of Station or Stadium. Patrols of men and women wearing badges walk around in pairs and trios, stiffly separate from the crowd, distinct even though they lack a clear uniform beyond the badge - Their demeanor is enough to set them apart. They noticeably don't carry firearms, but instead, have truncheons hanging from their belts.
Your pace slows down slightly, so as not to force your way through the crowd or draw undue attention, but with your uniforms, you definitely feel eyes on you, both civilian and what you assume to be the Council's militia. Trade pauses as you pass by, civilians drawing out of your way and clearing a path. Regardless of the atmosphere, you do get a glance at what's being traded back and forth - It seems to be mostly consumer goods, of the non-essential variety. You see furniture, decorations, clothes, books, drinks - One stall is even advertising chocolate from the Garden District. This is clearly an organized phenomenon, one that seems to have been happening for quite a while…though not so frequently that the militia is used to it, you think, glancing at a pair of them passing by you.
Before long, you reach the steps leading up to the Courthouse and start ascending. Militia stand by the doors, but they don't move to prevent your entry into the Courthouse or question you. One of them even offers you a semi-nervous salute, prompting the other guard to do the same. Seems they might have been forewarned of your arrival. The lobby of the Courthouse is manned by further militia, but none of them are willing to make eye contact or seem inclined to disrupt you and your group's progress. Helpful signage points you in the direction of the Council's chambers, however, and so you head up some stairs into the second floor of the building, followed by your team. Once there, it's only a minute or two before you stand in front of the doors of the Council chamber, once more guarded by two militiafolk. One of them coughs and awkwardly steps aside, while the other opens the door for you hastily, allowing you entry.
As you enter, you immediately note the shape of the room and the makeup of the Council. The room is circular, with a semi-circle table sitting in the middle, presumably where the panel of Judges would've sit pre-collapse. There are a few other tables and chairs scattered about the corners of the room, but the vast majority of chairs have been pulled behind the semi-circle to allow for the Council to all sit together. An empty floor is in front of the Council's table, slightly lower than the rest of the room. It's accessible by a series of small steps - It is presumably to allow for whoever's speaking to them space to present, gesture, or simply to intimidate them. A holdover from pre-Collapse, you're sure, but this is the room the Council chose to use…or chose to use for this.
The divisions in the Council are visible simply from their seating arrangements, with three clear groups distinguished, and only a few stragglers sitting between their clearly defined lines. On the left are men and women wearing clothes you'd associate with the sort of traveling merchants who would occasionally come to town before Station annexed Cu Sith Gorge and expanded the rail line. Their clothes are pressed and as nice as they can make them, but they still have patches and signs of clear use. On the right sit a group you've seen occasionally in the Depot, or during the war - Those with access to actually nice clothing. They wear the sorts of suits and dresses that actually match up to the quality you'd see in pre-Collapse photos of wealth and refinement. Typically, these were visitors from ODIN, University, or MBC, but here, they seem to be as local as the rest. The central group wears more militaristic clothing - Things you recognize as clothes often worn by off-duty military personnel when they expected to be called into duty at any moment. A few carry weapons or bear patches on their clothes, indicating either unit or allegiance - You're not sure which. They all ceased talking as soon as the door opened, so you're not sure what might have been being discussed before you arrived. Given the reaction to you thus far, as well as the expectant looks all of them have been giving you and each other, you suspect it was your imminent arrival.
Well, you'd hate to disappoint. You gesture forward, and your team hesitantly follows you down the steps into the open floor. The Council seems to wait, though they murmur to each other softly. You step forward and introduce yourself. "I am Conductor Rosalind Beriel, present on behalf of the Martian Popular Authority. I and my team have come to resolve the ongoing crisis in the Watson District, to ensure that the principles of the MPA are upheld, and that reconstruction can resume." The murmuring increases, enough that you can hear some of the whispers.
"...Hellas…she…Well, I mean…principles...Crisis…Laborers…"
You cough and draw their attention back to you. "If the Council could introduce themselves, we can begin the initial interviews regarding what has occurred?" A middle-aged woman stands sharply, from the central section. "Ahem. I am Councilwoman Rosa Lederberg, and the Council has decided to, ah, remain together, to present what has occurred - I trust you will find it accurate to our reports on the matter." She glances around the room, and nodding hastily follows, from all sides. "I will introduce myself first, I am the representative of the section of the Council in charge of law enforcement and internal security within Watson District." She nods to the left, and a young man rises, eagerness clear in his face and voice.
"I am Councilman Alex Byrd, and I represent those council members on the Committee for Work Assignment and Supply Distribution." He nods across the table, and an older woman rises, somewhat languidly. She seems almost too old, frankly, with long grey hair tied up in a bun and her entire face somewhat wrinkled. "And I'm Marie Dollfus. I'm the one in charge of the people who are in charge of handling all the other administrative work that goes into running the District." Both of the other two glare at her, and she rolls her eyes. You make a mental note of this and turn towards Byrd.
"Councilman Byrd, I assume you are the one responsible for organizing the marketplace outside, then?" He coughs and shakes his head. "No, ah, that particular…honor belongs to Councilwoman Lederberg." He nods to her, sounding strained at the words 'honor'. She smiles slightly, either not noticing or not caring about the strain. "Indeed, Conductor, it is one of the finest triumphs we've accomplished as part of reconstruction - The establishment of a flourishing central market, under socialist principles-" This seems added to her sentence almost as an afterthought. "-has enabled us to vastly simplify the administrative workload related to the distribution of non-essential goods and services. We have reorganized many of the businesses and organizations that formerly produced such goods into cooperatives, which now engage in trade to stimulate the flourishing economy of the Watson District. Once this unfortunate labor dispute crisis is resolved, we hope to begin exporting our fine products to other Districts in need of our goods, in exchange for their luxury goods and materials, to further accelerate reconstruction." Both of her fellow Council members grimace at this, though she doesn't seem to notice.
"Mmm. Interesting." That's all you have to say on the matter, before turning to address the general Council as a whole once more. "Alright, then. Let's hear your report on the situation."
Alex Byrd and Marie Dollfus nod, seeming grateful to get back on track. Byrd starts. "It all started when we discovered the leadership of the Laborers had been subverted by a dangerous anti-MPA radical - Their new Steward, Laura Brashear. While we'd known she was in town, her…rapid rise to power, as well as her restructuring of the Laborers, worried us." Dollfus interjects. "Not to disparage Steward Brashear's service to the cause, or whatever - We know she served as a partisan and fought in the Unification War, this isn't about that. It is about her actions in Watson District, no more, no less." Byrd nods to her. "Indeed. Anywho - She began to use her position to spread her ideas amongst the workers of the Laborers, and soon, anti-UN propaganda was popping up all over the district. The Enforcers tried to handle these vandals but were often set upon by packs of these belligerents. Even when they did successfully take in vandals, there were often large protests regarding their imprisonment - Agitated into action by the Laborers, no doubt." Lederberg nods, though Dollfus seems more neutral on the topic, and Byrd pauses in his speech.
Lederberg speaks up. "We began an investigation into the Laborers, seeking to ensure that they had not been infiltrated by MUC insurgents or MEF infiltrators - With the aid and permission of the Garrison as a whole, of course." Interesting that she didn't say Captain Hellas, there. "But when we did, they began to engage in strike action, demanding that we halt our legitimate investigation and for the dissolution of our entire body, among other things, though I imagine you're aware of that, though." This is phrased carefully, but it confirms your earlier suspicion - They are aware of your actions at the Garrison. Lederberg pauses. These pauses, the switching of speakers - This is clearly practiced. They must've known you were coming and had time to get their story straight. Unfortunate, but you can't do anything about it now.
Dollfus speaks next, still not affecting much interest in proceedings. "We sought a peaceful resolution to this, but unfortunately, due to the actions of ex-Captain Hellas, such was impossible. He brought in foreign itinerants to…well, put it politely, scab - Less politely, to use as a deniable way to attack the Laborers. We nearly had a riot when they first tried to force their way into the Spaceport. Enforcers had to break up the brawl, but we didn't end up arresting anyone - Hellas demanded we release any refugee detainees, and the Laborers…well, they demanded the release of their captured people 'or else'." She uses air quotes. "The situation had escalated beyond our ability to de-escalate, and by this point, it was clear that the Laborers had been infiltrated or were rapidly radicalizing into anti-MPA sentiment." She nods to Lederberg, who begins speaking once again.
"Either way, the outcome is the same - As the barricades went up and we began to get reports of the Laborers breaking open old arm caches and rallying public support behind them, it became clear we were at risk of a full uprising if we didn't get help immediately. Thus, we sent our reports to the MPA requesting immediate support. And now, we're here." She finishes speaking with a nod. Interesting - Practically no mention of the FLA as an organized entity, merely as 'foreign itinerants'. Do they not know you visited them? Or do they not know they're organized in such a manner?
After a moment of thought, you speak once more. "Thank you for your report, Councillors." They nod, glancing to each other. After another moment of silence, Dollfus speaks up. "So - Let's hear the verdict, Conductor. Are we being dissolved, or do we keep our positions for another day?" Lederberg and Byrd glare daggers at her, and she waves dismissively at them. "Come on - We were being obvious about the tension here. We're all in suspense here, Conductor, because we got word that you had ousted Hellas, and as much as he deserved it, we're all worried that we're next - That this is a clean sweep by the MPA, regardless of who did what." You raise your hands.
"Hold on. No - This Council is not being dissolved - Yet." You take slightly more pleasure in the flicker of relief vanishing from the eyes of some of the Council than is theoretically necessary. "Paul Hellas was removed from his position for various violations of MPA law, which I am not going to disclose at this time - It will be released in the future." The very nebulous future - You'll need to carefully maneuver how you announce what he was arrested for. "Unless all of you have committed some violation of MPA law that would necessitate your removal from your positions, I would not dissolve this Council...yet." Lederberg speaks up, a slight tone of anger in her voice. "What do you mean, yet? If we haven't done anything wrong, why would you dissolve the Council?" You hold up a finger, and she silences herself.
"It is my job to mediate and resolve the labor dispute currently ongoing to a satisfactory conclusion. That means ensuring that this district does not become a warzone unless there is no other option. I understand that many of you have objections to the idea of being dissolved, but it is also my understanding that one of the primary demands of the Laborers is the holding of elections for the Council. Therefore, a theoretical resolution of this dispute, under my authority, may include those elections being held - Therefore dissolving the Council as it currently exists." Much of the Council frowns and grumbles, but none seem willing to risk your displeasure by openly challenging you. Good. You're somewhat stretching your legal authority here - You certainly had authority over Captain Hellas as a member of the MPA's military structure, but a civilian provisional government is slightly more of a grey area. However, you've correctly judged the atmosphere of the room - These people are afraid of you and your threat to their authority. Scared people can do dangerous things - But they can also be manipulated into working with you. You've shown them the stick, now to show the carrot.
"However, I do think there is room for compromise - But first, I need to truly gather all of the facts on the situation. I and my team will be conducting individual interviews with each member of the Council regarding their duties and the current situation." Rather than the united front you were met with earlier, your display of authority seems to have somewhat shaken the Council - Most of them nod and mumble vaguely affirmative statements, though Lederberg and much of her segment only respond with frowns. "Now, then. Let's get started, and whichever members I don't get to this evening will be finished at a later date."
As it turns out, you and your team only have time to interview one-third of the Council before you have to return to the Garrison for the night. Which third is it?
[] Alex Byrd and the Committee for Work Assignment and Supply Distribution
[] Rosa Lederberg and the Enforcement Task Force
[] Marie Dollfus and the Administrative Oversight Committee
QM's Note: Thanks for reading, and I hope you all enjoyed! Feedback, reactions, and votes are always appreciated.
