I will interdisperce the Blogs with sections of one of my novels Street Politics Book 1-The Starts of the Fight Back.
The story itself follows the campaign to elect Jon Caser to the office of Suraban City Leader, and takes the story from the inception, when The Black Fairy says, 'If you talk the talk, then walk the walk' to the end of the first six speechs Jon makes to the people in Suraban.
I am also in the processes of writing Steet Politics Book 2-Visits, Obstacles and Tribulations.
Here they visit the power houses of the continent Suraban is on, Echo County, Darrumith and Portguule, Local Visits important to the Campaign and Tybian finds his mum and boy does she answer his questions with more questions.
All of my work including Street Politics Book 1 are available at www.sf-darravon.com/MainPage.html
Thats all for now and here is the first section of Street Politics Book 1 - I had better warn people, this is a work in progress, but i want my work out in the public domain.
Street Politics
Nibs sat in the private common room, at the Academy of the Street, reading the Forum Boards and came across a thread titled ‘Politics for the Street – Suraban’, she opened the thread and read the first message –
‘Is my reading and understanding of Digital System News and the Street Reports right in that Suraban City Government was a major supporter of the efforts of Wacker to seize the area. As the articles state that without the city government’s approval no one can throw the switches that cut off the electric and water supplies. I think most of the readers already know they were behind the news blackout that descended over the entire few weeks. Thanks to Digital System News and the independents for keeping us up to date on the effort (I wish I had been able to help, but I had work over that period).
‘If so then I think someone needs to stand for election, I bet they would win with a considerable majority over the other candidates.’
The message was signed, The Devil Politician.
She quickly read the replies and one from the Devil Politician had a couple of links to the articles he had been talking about which she browsed and quickly read.
The jist and her own personal knowledge told her that the Devil Politician had got it right, she hit the reply button logging in as the Black Fairy and wrote the following reply –
‘I agree with you on the mood very much on the street, not only in Suraban but around the rest of the planet.
‘I think it is time for the street and those cultures who owe loyalty to the street to stand up and say we are here and you will take notice of us. We are the people who pay your prices and provide you [The Corporations] with the money to operate.
‘I have always said if you talk the talk then walk the walk. We here [The Black Fairy and friends] will do what we can to support and get you elected.’
‘Black Fairy’
The signature at the bottom of the post was a stylize image of Blackie.
She sent it along with the forum board link to Nicole’s, Jane’s and Richard’s NetMail accounts and she saved the post page so she could post in the near future. With in the message she sent she included the link to the thread and articles.
Fifteen minutes later Tammeria was sat across the room from her when her tablet made the sound which indicated her GhostNet NetMail account had a NetMail. It quickly made two more sounds as two more NetMails arrived. She opened her GhostNet NetMail and the NetMails were from Richard, Nicole, and Jane.
She opened Richard’s and noticed he had CCed it Nicole and Jane.
`Now that is a good idea, I’m very willing to put my hand into my pocket and donate a large sum to the fighting fund and I would also be willing to put boots on the pavements as well.`
The NetMails from Jane and Nicole said similar. Nicole’s asked ‘Have you posted your reply yet?’
She sent back to Nicole, ‘I have now,’ and she opened the saved forum posts and hit the post button.
“What you doing Nibs?” asked Tammeria looking up from reading something on her PDU.
“Sending a post to a BlackNet Forum thread about the Wacker War, Suraban City Government and the upcoming elections for the leader,” she replied. The screen changed to show the delivered posting. “Someone posted about the street putting a candidate up for the upcoming Suraban City Government elections. They are due to be held early next year.”
The door opened and in walked Sandra, Tina and Amy.
Amy’s bump was large but she did have only a couple of months to go before they were due.
Nibs smiled at the fact the Vixens were going to have two children. She knew Sandra wanted at least two and she thought Abs and Tina felt the same way.
“Busy hun?” asked Sandra and she gave Nibs a kiss on the head as Amy moved to one of the sofas.
Tina walked to the small kitchen and poured out three coffees, she brought them back and placed one in front of Amy and called, “Sandra your coffee is here.”
“Thanks Tina,” came Sandra's reply. A couple of seconds later she walked out asking, “Hun do you know where the book on shield designs has gone?”
“I think Hell Bright borrowed it she was researching the origins of the embossed stone she found at the archaeological site she’s been looking at,” Nibs replied.
“I remember her asking me now,” said Sandra as she slipped over the back and sat beside Nibs.
“Where’s Daraus?” Nibs asked.
“I think he’s been with Fran forming an education program for Dantone. I think Daraus is also creating one for Bobby as well,” replied Amy. “I only know as Paul headed back to Fran's after the medical appointment.”
Nibs nodded her head in recognition and went back to reading forum boards and the news sites.
*****
Someplace in North Suraban.
“Jon I’ll say this your posting about politics has brought back a few replies from some of the notables including the Black Fairy, Nicole and Jane.”
“Damn!” Jon said. “What do the replies say?”
Fred read the four replies.
“Damn that is support for you I would have never thought that posting would lead to those replies,” he said. He walked back into the kitchen of his, Cath's and Fred’s two bedroom apartment. He made two coffees from the kettle that had just boiled and took them out into the living room. “What’s the time table on the election?”
Fred looked up and asked, “You thinking of standing then?”
“Well the Black Fairy did say if you talk the talk then walk the walk.”
Fred sat and thought about what he had just said. “Yeah, he did. You think you’re up for it though, these things can get pretty ugly.”
“If they want ugly, I think the street can dish ugly a whole lot more viciously than they can dish back, just think about it, who does the dirty work for the corporations, governments etc,” he said and took a sip from his coffee.
“True,” said Fred.
A knock came from the door and it was followed by Cath’s voice calling, “Jon, Fred you in?”
“Coming Cath,” Jon said and got up after putting his coffee down, he walked to the door and opened it.
Cath walked in carrying her NetDeck bag and a bag of groceries. “I bring munchies.”
“Hey Cath,” said Fred as Cath walked in and after placing the groceries bag down she gave her second partner a hug and a kiss on the lips.
Cath turned and also gave a hug and a kiss to Jon, her first partner. “What you two been up to then?”
“Thinking about standing for Leadership of Suraban City Government,” Jon said in a matter of fact way.
Cath’s eyes opened widely and she said, “You ok Jon?”
“Yes I am perfectly ok Cath. I started a thread on BlackNet about The Wacker War and the fact the City Government colluded with Wacker over their take over. The news blackout from the news agencies, mean some one very high up was heavily involved,” he replied.
“Some of the major notables have posted replies and the one from the Black Fairy said, ‘If you talk the talk then walk the walk’,” said Fred and he took a mouthful of coffee.
“Oh yeah, I’ve just been given a job offer the guy wants three trustworthy individuals to run the Demology Café, it’s a well known Street gathering place in the Harliquanis Shopping Mall. The contract is ongoing. It looks like the owners are involved in some major operations along with the GYPS in the South East,” said Cath.
“Harliquanis Shopping Mall, that’s where Githage is and isn’t it very close to Face Design and Risers?” asked Fred.
Cath thought about what she had seen and the quick research she had done before she had gotten the groceries. “Yeah it is,” she replied.
“I hope you said yes,” said Fred. “That café is used by the Gangrels and Giths prodomently and to a lesser extent the Street scene.” Fred stood and carried the groceries into the kitchen.
A few minutes he walked back out and went back to his seat.
“I did, they want to see us tomorrow morning and we start on the Moroth following, for the first couple of weeks we will shadow them as they run the café and then after that we’re in charge until they return,” said Cath.
Jon smiled at his two partners and thought, ‘Yes I am going to accept the challenge from the Black Fairy, I am going to walk the walk.’ “Guys, whose up for getting me elected the leader of Suraban City Government?”
*****
Back at the Academy Nibs’ PDU vibrated as he was working on her second degree in Bio-Chemistry and how organic solvents affected the benzene ring. She turned off the burette and took out her PDU, she opened the NetMail and saw it was from the Devil Polition and read –
‘You said if you talk the talk then walk the walk, I am going to accept your challenge (I know it weren’t meant in that way) and stand for election. The election is on Seabeal 24th and the final day for candidates is Ickarn 28th.
‘I also have to make an admission, I have no idea what the hell I am doing. I just know what is right.’
Nibs quickly wrote a short reply –
‘The first job is to gather a team of trustworthy people around you and get your name known on the circles of the lobby groups. I’ll contact a couple a people in Suraban who should be able to help you.
‘The second job is for the Street to be told and for them to claim back their proxy votes, we need them to have them so we can win and put the government under pressure.
Suraban I think will become the next free city after Echo City.’
She stopped and thought about what she was saying and added –
‘Don’t do too much as I might organise a trip for a few people to meet you, if we are to support you then we need to know you.
‘I will contact you in the next couple of days about setting up a meeting.’
She then sent a message to Richard, Paul Atrun, Nicole, Jane and a few other people she knew would want to know about this turn of events.
*****
Nibs sat in the Year One Common room reading through the latest intelligence on the site the Academy had been employed to terminate.
Nicole and Jane both knocked on the door and waited for them to be allowed in.
She looked up and said, “Come in. I was half expecting a visit from you two.”
Nibs smiled and the pair walked in and took two arm chairs next to where she was sitting on a bean-bag.
“Ok, let me get this straight, Jon has volunteered to stand as an independent street candidate for election to the Suraban City Government’s Leader?” asked Nicole.
“Yes,” Nibs replied and took out her PDU and loaded the NetMail message, she passed the PDU to Nicole who read and passed it back.
“Right, your reply said what?” asked Nicole.
She looked at Nicole as if to say, ‘You know what my replies said’.
“I know, humour me,” responded Nicole with a slight laugh to her face.
She loaded the reply she sent to the Devil politician and again showed Nicole the NetMail.
Jane looked over and also read it and said, “How are we going to get the Street to claim back their Proxies with out the corporations hearing about it and looking at trying to stop it.”
“By word of mouth, Street News, BlackNet, GhostNet NetMails, by what ever means we can without going through the mass media.” She took back her PDU from Nicole. “I was thinking setting up a meet next week so we get to meet the guy and his immediate team, which from his listing on GhostNet is Cath his first partner and Fred his second, he list is religious views as being fucked up paygan. He also lists he won’t work for Rotork Theaban on the grounds they need to open up Naban to outside inspectors, he puts in brackets, Street Ghosts need only volunteer.” She stood up and asked, “Drinks?”
“Yeah, thanks, Cabilla for me,” replied Nicole.
“You got any of ‘your’ chai, Nibs?” asked Jane.
Nibs thought about the situation with the chai. “I think I have enough for a few more. I need to make some more up anyway.” She moved towards the drinks making tables as Jum walked in carrying a couple of large books on Construction Engineering.
“What you got there Jum?” asked Nicole.
“I’m thinking about starting my Mid Level Degree in Construction Engineering, but I’m torn between military fortifications or office complexes,” replied Jum.
“Talk to Jack Griffs he’s the Conspiracy’s resident Engineer, he built Echo Tech Tower Echo City and Suraban, was joint engineer with Toback Hicarn and Felicity Kendel of Spinnaya on Echo Tower Ajak-dak, Spinnayan, and Deebina Metro. He’s also been involved in the construction of numerous Echo Military and Echo Tech Military sites world wide,” said Nicole.
Jum stopped and sat down. “What else has he done then?”
“Let me think,” said Nicole.
Jane lent in and said, “Jack’s Engineers have also designed South Point Ship Yards as well as designed ATEC Archology Killeash. It houses in comfort 1.8 million people, 600,000 of them are employees of the ATEC companies based in the Archology. It dwarfs Echo Tower, but it goes down not up.”
“I’ve heard of the ATEC Archology. It’s on the edge of Killeash and goes down 500 floors and then the power station is a geothermal which also provides the heating and cooling to the entire building and the Complex above ground,” said Jum.
Nibs thought said to Blackie, “Thanks.” She turned and walked back to the table. “Aren’t the Geothermal power plants the same as the ones powering Echo City?” she asked as she walked back.
“How the hell did you know what we were talking about Nibs?” asked Jane. “I know your hearing is good.”
“Look under the table,” she replied and pointed under the table in the middle of the seats.
Under the table was walls and what looked like windows and on the two of the sides was what looked like balconies. Sitting on an easy chair was Blackie, it looked like he was reading something.
“Look around the room,” Nibs said. “The local fairy community constructed it whilst we were on the first operation. Amy and Hell dug tunnels in the concrete, by using a directed rock to mud spell, all the fairies did was to dig it out and construct the roofs.”
Jane and Nicole looked down and saw clear runs through out the room to all the constructions under the tables around the edge and the large table in the middle of the room.
“What are you reading Blackie?” asked Nicole.
Blackie looked up and replied, “The original works of Yurri Neodawn a world famous poet from 13,000 years ago. The local fairies also added their collection of books and information to the store and spent a considerable amount of time helping the support staff transfer it into digital format.”
“Sorry, what are you reading it on, I meant?” asked Nicole.
“Oh this, something Ant and Ren thought up it uses a few nanytes, A few act as the screen, storage and the main processor and the rest are other functions. All I can do is access the Net; get books off the Academy server, and read lots.”
Nicole stared in shock at the ingenuity of the pair.
“Putting those two together was like putting two people who know what the other wants or needs. The FCSUs are finished and have a fifty kilometre range on the data streams. Which is encrypted under the same levels of encryption as my system back in Suraban,” Nibs said.
“Feck me!” exclaimed Jane.
Nibs put the tray down and re-took her seat on the bean bag. “Didn’t Jack also lead the construction team on the Echo City Domes?” she asked after taking a sip from her chai.
Jum sat back and thought about something and he took out his PDU and composed a NetMail.
“Where were we?” asked Jane.
“Talking about the street getting their proxies back from the control of the bodies, my reading on the laws governing proxies, is that if at any time an adult wishes to change his alligence all he has to do is contact the holding body and claim it back,” Nibs said. “I’ve not talked to Donna about the actual method of doing so.”
Nicole thought about something and said, “You spoke of a meet earlier, who would be at the meet?”
“Me, Sandra, and who ever,” she said. “Why you thinking of coming?”
“Yeah, if I’m to fund this I want to be sure of the person and the only way to do that is to meet them,” replied Nicole.
“If you’re going sis then I might as well, as I might think about getting back into the political and lobby circles. I think a few places need a shake up and being honest I think the street is the force to do that, remember the Low Level Degree by Sharra on the Street being an ethical corp,” said Jane.
“Yeah I do, Paul suggested I read it as he said it was an eye opener. It was, Sharra really did do a good piece of work,” Nibs said.
Jane took a mouthful and said, “The corps should look out, it’s not just the ethical corp they should fear, it’s the ethical politician as well. They think they have control of the country governments, they so haven’t.”
Nibs lent back and smiled and said, “I think I might write an article on the idea of the street standing ethical politicians and see how that goes down.”
*****
Sat in the main Year One Common Room was Nibs, Sandra, Richard, Nicola, Jane and Paul. On the wall was a digital screen that would allow the people to write on it and have it appear on the PDUs and Tablets.
At the top was the title, 'Suraban City Leadership Team'.
Paul sat looking at the board, and asked, “What are the various jobs that are needed?”
Nicole sat forward and took a mouthful of coffee, “The main back room staff are Campaign Manager, Deputy, Head of security, a net team, legal, press spokesperson and the security detail itself.”
Jane looked at the board and said, “On the advisers, which normally make up the Work Governance Cabinet. What are the positions now?”
Nicole looked at the current leaders Governance NetSite and said, “The current leader's group includes the following positions Finance, Education, Security, Youth, Work, City, Justice, City Services and Health. There are a few more but they require confirmation by other people.”
Nibs looked at the list and said, “Lets start with the back-room team.”
Sandra asked as she looked at the list, “Who though for the boss of the campaign and then the Head of Staff?”
“It's got to be someone committed, paranoid and a motivator,” replied Jane. “When both me and Nicole stood for the Echo County Prime Minister's position that was vital to the scheme, someone the leader can shout at, and trust enough to accept the same shouting back.”
Nibs sat back and thought through all the people she had met native to Suraban. “I think one thing must be made clear, everyone must have lived in Suraban for at least a year or have property within Suraban; otherwise it's a support role rather than being a face. I bet the other candidates bring in foreign help, especially from places like Killeash and Ajar-Dak.”
“Not forgetting Eban Protectorite city,” said Richard.
Sandra sat forward and said, “Robert.”
“Robert who?” Nibs asked.
“Trans Robert,” replied Sandra.
Nibs sat back and thought, 'He is hungry for knowledge.' She loaded his GhostNet page and scrolled to the operations completed. The page listed four operations, the first three were ones where he had apprenticed himself with Andres and Damien, the last was a full operation against. She clicked the line and opened the BlackNet Operation Information window. 'Ok, he hit the North Reaches Tech Centre for Blatturn Chemicals. Mission goals.' She read the two stated goals, both data thefts. “I agree, I see Robert being a no nonsense person the campaign will need.”
Nibs' PDU vibrated as Sarah buzzed him on GhostNet Messenger. “Hi Sarah, how can I help?”
“Jane said you were planning a session on selecting the Campaign team?”
“Hang on, I'll transfer you to the tablet and set up the Digital Board link to where you are.” Nibs tranferred voice link and activated the NetCam so she could see the group.
On the Digital Board appeared Sarah and her location. Sat in the room was Darla and Gaz.
“Hi guys,” said Darla.
“Hi Darla, where's Toma?” asked Sandra.
“Out running errands for us,” Darla replied.
Nibs sent a message to Yarosh and requested the Digital Board data be sent to Sarah, Darla and Gaz's PDUs.
A couple of seconds later Yarosh replied, `The connection is made and they've all picked up the board. The design of the system is everything is configured automatically to access the network from anywhere you have a connection.`
She smiled and said, “Hi Darla, you can see how far we've got.”
A couple of seconds later Gaz asked, “Robert Duval?”
“Yeah, he's a female to male trans-sexual, I know him from the Young Trans site I moderate for.”
Sarah looked like she was thinking about something, “That Robert.”
Nibs nodded.
“I agree. What we looking for in the way of staffing the positions? I can see from Robert Duval, we are going to bring in the new elements or something?” asked Sarah.
“A mixture of passion in certain positions, a want for a better Suraban in the Advisors positions and experience in the security positions,” Nibs said in reply.
“Ok,” said Gaz. “I can't think of a better person to be the Youth Advisor than either Sarah or Simon.”
Nicole replied first, “I agree with you Gaz, but I think make Simon the front man for the pair.”
“Thank you Nicole,” said Sarah playfully annoyed.
“It's better to keep you and the other members of the 12, unless they've been in the public eye, in the background. The people might start to fear if they knew more than the known longed lived people were alive,” Nibs responded in a 'don't even go there Sarah' tone.
Sarah laughed and said, “I know exactly where you are coming and going to Nibs and I agree with your human condition projections. I can now announce we now have an officially registered GYPS Units, The Rams, Hunters, The Maraudering Hammers, The Bitch Vixens and the Quantuns and we should be able to list sub units of existing units in the next few months.”
“That is excellent news,” said Jane and took a mouthful of chai.
“Back to the work,” said Nicole.
Nibs lent back and said, “Deputy Alli McGuier, with Tracy in the background.”
Sandra thought about what Nibs had said, “Yes, I agree she would bring the head for figures they are going to need.”
Richard looked at the list and said, “Head of Campaign Security and we hope Leader Security, I would say Damien, his deputy Simon Peters.”
“Why that combination and that way around?” asked Jane. “My inclination was to go with youth, how old is Jon?”
Nibs looked at the information in her research server and replied, “32.”
Jane nodded and continued, “With that I would say keep the team young.”
“Not with that position Jane,” said Richard.
During Richard and Jane's conversation Nicole was sat looking at the two names. She said after Richard had said, 'Not with that position Jane', “You need experience in that, the deputy and also one of the two NetRunners needs to be experienced in it. The other should be someone young and hungry for the position, they've got to be at the top of their game. I fully expect the candidates to launch corporate sponsored net attacks and for them to hire Street Ghosts as well.”
Nibs noticed Richard shook her head at what Nicole was saying, “I wouldn't be surprised, if the availability of Street Ghost Assets doesn't just suddenly dry up when dealing with the campaign.”
“I agree with Nicole on that point. Street help,” Nibs said and was interupted by Sarah.
“Street.”
“You read my mind Sarah,” Nibs responded with.
Sarah laughed at it.
“I'm stuck on Legal,” Nibs said and took a mouthful of chai.
Tammeria walked in and looked at the work on the board and asked, “What are you doing?”
“Sorting out the team Jon Caser is going to need to get him elected to the Leader’s position,” Nibs said.
Darla spoke first, “Ask the law firm that deals with my estate and moneys. They've been working for the Street for a good few years.”
Nicole asked, “What's the company name?”
“Grayson Lawyers Ltd,” replied Darla.
Nibs looked on the Net for any NetSites relating to the company. A few hits appeared, the second one was the most interesting. She opened the page and looked at the front page. A quick read she looked up and said, “I agree with you Darla, I think they would releash the chance and work. They might want to have one staff member be solely dedicated to the campaign.”
And a second Alan Fostron and his confidant/partner, in the legal business sense, Ishmal. They've both gotten heavy involved with Gangrel issues and also Brei is learning criminal law, to become the first properly dedicated proscuiter of the youth crimes,” said Sarah, she began to roll a cambar cigarette and continued, “He has been in a protacted battle with the city government over the treatment of the mother of two members of the Marauders. He's also been investigating some corruption on the Judge Bench. I know the Advisor for Justice.”
Nibs finished rolling a camber cigarette and lit it.
“We know, both me and Jane gave phone references for both Brei and Alex,” said Nicole.
“Who?” asked Jane, “I've been trying to think of people for the advisors, but I've fallen short every time.”
“Judge Harry Fritz,” replied Sarah.
“Why him?” asked Sandra and she took a draw on her cambar cigarette.
“Brei and Alex went before him for their adoption and every since he's been involved in the running of the youth centre, he's also advisor to the Central Investigations Office at the Youth Centre. He's also helping Brei and Alex with their College courses,” said Sarah. “Donna's last communication with me was along the lines of, they were hunting a peodiphile ring, and they and the Quantuns had during the previous week raided a centre for the production of Stardust for distrubution to the youth. I think they made 15 arrests and seized over 200million decks worth of Stardust. That’s the new drug of the CHMs, they think they gain super strength.”
“But in reality it boosts the heart and the adrenal glands, with the resulting results, a massivelly boosted strength, slight improvement in your toughness and a massive boost in your percevied speed. Echo County a couple of years ago had a problem with it. Emily made it her pet hunt, for the centres of production and the big dealers. We're still trying to work out where it came from in the first place.”
Sandra nodded and typed in a search term on her PDU.
In Nibs' head came Sandra's voice, “Interesting, I've started a search for information from the Intelligence system.”
“Good, I'm wondering myself where it originated,” she thought responded with.
After the following three hours they had the provisional team, dependent on people's answers and responces.
If you got through that, thank you. I hope I give you a taster, it gets more fun after that.
More information and the completed novel so far are available from www.sf-darravon.com/MainPage.html.
I have a lot more of my work there.
Signing off for now.
Nicki UK (Trans Authoress)
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