opnet [OpNet] Dead SOMA Dealer at the QF?

[Preston]

Well, the investigation has finally pettered out. Not the one concerning Charr, but the one concerning the person called Victim #1. I will refer to this person as a he not as a mode of gender identification, but out of procedure.

The story of Victim #1 is convuluted and sad. He was, at one time, very involved in the SOMA trade through his family connections. While involved this person witnessed horrific things. They did horrific things. I'm not here to be their apologist.

He left the trade, his family, and his homeland seeking to put that world behind him. He failed. International law enforcement tracked him down and arrested him. Once arrested, this individual chose to help said law enforcement infiltrate his families organization and bring the SOMA trade to a halt.

Events were arranged for him to build his old contacts and regain the confidence of his family. He was preparing to do another round of this at the Quantum Fountain when Charr arrived. What happened next is history.

I don't know if Charr knew before hand, or even at the event what the man's purpose was. I don't think he cared.

What I do know is that the person didn't know enough, at that time, to bring down the SOMA trade. Hurt it, yes, but actually bring it to a stop, no.

So, Charr got the self-satisfaction of "avenging" novas victimized by the SOMA trade. In satisfying his urges, he brought to an end a cooperative efforts of novas and humans working together to put a permanent stop to it.

I came up the the ranks of the Boston PD through Narcotics, and any addictive substance will always hold a place of hate in my heart. To add to that misery, we have criminals willing to butcher and maim others to get their drug.

SOMA is the worst of all worlds.

It represents the destructive forces of addiction and the self-destruction that brings.

It represents one person/persons preying on another.

It represents the loss of potential of a New Race of mankind. Our race. Novakind.

When I held Victim #1, I wept. The horrible things he had done; the noble endeavor he became a part of ...lost. The lost possibility of novas and humans to work together for their mutual benefit and survival. Charr robbed us of that.

I am not going to go into the whole mess of chosing a packed club to launch an attack in.

Are we safer because of Charr's efforts?

Or, are we at even more risk?

[David 'Dr. Troll' Smith]

Quote:

Preston:
So, Charr got the self-satisfaction of "avenging" novas victimized by the SOMA trade. In satisfying his urges, he brought to an end a cooperative efforts of novas and humans working together to put a permanent stop to it.

Preston, you do realize you are putting the most positive spin possible on Charr's motivation? Consider:

• The soma-dealer wasn't attacked at or during his employment, where other dealers would end up dead.
• I'm not aware of Charr leaving a trail of dead dealers in his path... so was there something special about this one?
• Oh, yeah, there was. He was working against other dealers. Or put another way, he was a "rat".
• The Project has strong, but circumstantial, evidence that parts of the Teragen are involved in the Soma trade.
• And as you said, he "...brought to an end a cooperative effort ... to put a permanent stop to it."

Put together, you have to wonder who he was "avenging" and who he was "protecting".

[Uhuru Kenyatta]

Well, this certainly sheds new light on the situation.

First, Dr. Troll, I hate to disagree so strongly, but I think you're missing the point. If you look at this from the perspective of a Nova Vigilance operative with incomplete information:

The Quantum Fountain is a novaphile hangout, everyone there wants to be a nova very badly. A SOMA dealer (we'll assume for the moment that they did not know that he was a double agent) there, doing his best to become influential and extend the reach of the SOMA trade.

As for your other points: What NOVA based organization would EVER endorse the use of SOMA!?! What if I claimed that elements within Project Utopia were responsible for the soma trade in the first place? How ridiculous does that sound? I won't believe that the Teragen have anything but enmity for soma dealers.

Now, from the other side of things, you are entirely right that we haven't heard about a string of dead soma dealers at Charr's (or even NV's) hands. And the only special thing about this one is that he was a fake. This positively stinks of a setup. And the only two possibilities here are that someone from the Soma dealer side figured it out, or someone from the sting operation is a turncoat.

As far as I can tell, Nova Vigilance was used as a tool by the soma dealers. I'm quite certain blood will follow. And if Nova Vigilance isn't careful about who they go after this time, God help us all.

[David 'Dr. Troll' Smith]

Quote:

Uhuru Kenyatta:What NOVA based organization would EVER endorse the use of SOMA!?! ... How ridiculous does that sound?

Yeah, I know how absurd it sounds. Why, if you assume even a minimal amount of ethics... oh, wait, that's a baseline concept, isn't it?

We have seen Terat elites target other novas for death, thus ending their evolution while they are weak and making sure they never join the Teragen. If the Teragen is willing to put up with Epoch then why the surprise to find someone dealing soma? Maybe even harvesting corpses? BTW, there is a rumor here at the Project that one of the terat "clicks" is called the "Harvesters".

But that is just rumor. I'm a Utopian doctor, and the evidence that the Teragen occasionally uses Soma on some of their captives is VERY strong. Soma isn't the kind of drug you use on others if you are 'just' an addict. However, it isn't a big step from using to dealing. For that matter, it isn't a big step from using to doing the occasional "favor" for your dealer.

Quote:

Uhuru Kenyatta:I won't believe that the Teragen have anything but enmity for soma dealers.

Don't make this into more than it is. This is that point in the conversation where Terat's claim that the Teragen isn't a unified group. I said elements of them.

[speculation Mode On] It could have started very small, a user or two joins the Teragen. Then maybe they start to deal. Then maybe they even start handing over enemy novas to their dealers, and perhaps doing favors for them. Or maybe someone found it takes money to stay in the shadows... or that after you start ignoring all baseline laws and ethics it get easier.[speculation Mode Off]

Quote:

Uhuru Kenyatta: Now, from the other side of things, you are entirely right that we haven't heard about a string of dead soma dealers at Charr's (or even NV's) hands. And the only special thing about this one is that he was a fake. This positively stinks of a setup. And the only two possibilities here are that someone from the Soma dealer side figured it out, or someone from the sting operation is a turncoat.

A few paragraphs ago you were shocked they could be in bed together, now you figure one group is supplying information to the other? Charr isn't the easiest guy to get a hold of, how do you figure the soma dealer(s) knew how contact him? For that matter, if some cop from the sting operation was a turncoat, wouldn't he be more likely to be working for the dealers?

Just because someone is a Terat doesn't mean they can't be addicts, or pushers, or just plain evil. If they leave dead bodies where ever they go that should be a clue. Historically, this wouldn't be the first time this sort of thing as happened. The left wing drug dealing revolutionaries in South America were opposed by right wing anti-revolutionaries... who in turn started dealing drugs. The drug trade is very corrupting, for people who are already outside of all ethics and morality, I guess it isn't a big step.

[H. 'Machine' Mann]

Quote:

Originally posted by David 'Dr. Troll' Smith:
Yeah, I know how absurd it sounds.

You sir, have crossed the line.

You are not welcome in New Orleans and after I speak with the Governor I think you will find your welcome in the state of Louisianna to be unseasonably chill. Further and for your own benefit I most strongly suggest, should the need arise to enter the sphere of my influence, you conduct yourself with the utmost care and display far more character than you've shown here. You may wish to take all due precautions and ensure you are there by invitation from the highest authorities as well.

I have the deepest respects for the goals of Project Utopia if not always the means and methods employed. That such as you would be employed as a representative of the Project speaks most clearly to the unfortunate fact that any great endeavor nowever noble will eventually overlook and even attract the ethically challenged such as youself.

You sir, are a scoundrel. Good day.

[Alex Craft]

"BTW, there is a rumor here at the Project that one of the terat "clicks" is called the "Harvesters"."

For the love of God. Could your innuendo get any more crude?

And that was some nice speculation there. I particularly like the bit suggesting that drug dealers have converted implicitly large portions of the Teragen into their private army.

[Uhuru Kenyatta]

I will admit, it's possible that Terats may be involved in the Soma trade. Unlikely, but possible.

Having said that, it's just as possible that members of Project Utopia, the Directive, and the Boston PD are involved with Soma.

,,

Quote:

A few paragraphs ago you were shocked they could be in bed together, now you figure one group is supplying information to the other? Charr isn't the easiest guy to get a hold of, how do you figure the soma dealer(s) knew how contact him? For that matter, if some cop from the sting operation was a turncoat, wouldn't he be more likely to be working for the dealers?

Umm...you haven't given this much thought, have you? Soma comes from dead novas. Nova Vigilance doesn't like groups that persecute novas, and really doesn't like groups that kill novas. So if you want to kill a Soma dealer without getting your hands dirty, you send them an anonymous message. They do a bit of investigation (enough to know that, yes, this really is a Soma dealer) and then Charr (or similar agent) becomes involved, with the expected messy results.

As for sending an anonymous message, I can think of a dozen ways without giving away any hint of my identity. And for Charr being hard to contact:

Hey Charr, are you really that hard to contact?

I'm not going to say that Charr's actions were justified (I still don't know why he killed/injured the other forty or so people, they couldn't have ALL been customers). But that doesn't mean the Teragen were trying to stop this man from cracking a Soma ring.

[Charr]

Moi?

[ronin]

To say nothing of the fact that playing step-and-fetchit for SOMA dealers is counter to everything the Teragen espouses, from their unwillingness to serve baselines to their overarching goal of nova independence. Possible that a member of the Teragen is working in the SOMA trade? Of course. Possible. Not likely. Barely even plausible.

You've crossed a line, Troll. I'm beginning to wonder if perhaps you aren't involved in dealing SOMA.

[David 'Dr. Troll' Smith]

Quote:

Uhuru Kenyatta: I will admit, it's possible that Terats may be involved in the Soma trade. Unlikely, but possible.

Oh, it's against the rules, is it?

Quote:

Uhuru Kenyatta: Having said that, it's just as possible that members of Project Utopia, the Directive, and the Boston PD are involved with Soma.

No. Those groups have rules against being a drug dealer/user, or a serial killer, or a canibal (etc). If found out they'd be kicked out. Presumably then they would have to either operate independantly or join the Teragen. Think about it. If you are a serial killer, or soma user, which group do you think would accept you?

Quote:

Uhuru Kenyatta: Nova Vigilance doesn't like groups that persecute novas, and really doesn't like groups that kill novas.

You mean elites like Epoch? Geryon has publically stated (and shown) that he won't kill other novas (although he will certainly maim). This is a claim that stands out, because the rest of NV (for the most part) hasn't stated such.

Also, what makes you think NV was involved? This could be Charr out there by himself, or working with/for a different branch.

Quote:

Uhuru Kenyatta: So if you want to kill a Soma dealer without getting your hands dirty, you send them an anonymous message. They do a bit of investigation (enough to know that, yes, this really is a Soma dealer) and then Charr (or similar agent) becomes involved, with the expected messy results.

Sure. And if that "investigation" turns up a dozen other soma dealers (including the guy dumb enough to send the message), obviously NV will leave all the other dealers alone because they weren't part of the original message.

If you are a dealer, and want someone dead, then you don't involve a group of novas you don't know anonymously. You go to one of your customers, or your boss, or your inforcers, and you explain the situation. That explaination might be as simply as "here are three free hits of soma, deal with the situation" or it might be as complex as "he is going to turn us in".

Quote:

ronin: To say nothing of the fact that playing step-and-fetchit for SOMA dealers is counter to everything the Teragen espouses, from their unwillingness to serve baselines to their overarching goal of nova independence.

What do baselines have to do with any of this? Soma is a drug by novas, for novas, we may not like to admit it, but I see no reason why novas aren't running it.

[Preston]

As a point of clarification:

There are novas involved in the SOMA trade, and I don't mean just as victims or users.

Doctor Smith is not one of them, as far as any of my investigative talents have been able to discern.

Nor do I believe (though this is only an educated hunch) that there are known members of the Teragen involved in the trade, from the production angle.

Beyond that, I believe the good Doctor has some points. In a society were each governs themself, why wouldn't they accept (if not embrace) a SOMA dealer? The already have a nova serial killer. If a nova has no other use and would be culled from the group anyway, why not use them as a mind-altering drug?

[Zima]

"Presumably then they would have to either operate independantly or join the Teragen. Think about it. If you are a serial killer, or soma user, which group do you think would accept you?"

If one is dealing soma, one is already part of an organization.

[David 'Dr. Troll' Smith]

I said soma user. And a nova who is a soma user has a relationship problem with his dealer. If he doesn't have powerful friends, he could end up on the menu. Note that this is true even (or especially) if the dealer is another nova.

[Zima]

Mm.

Speaking from very personal experience, the kind of relationship you are suggesting is uncertain at best. In the case of nova 'clients,' it is always extremely risky. At times the payoff is worth the risk, but one would have to be, as you say, a fucking idiot to waste a nova contact on a minor hit. I do not touch soma, but I much doubt that those who do play a substantially different game.

Yes, and Terats are bad business in general. As you have pointed out, they have a dismaying lack of respect for ... systems already in place.

[H. 'Machine' Mann]

Well put Zima.

Would-be demogogues see only opportunities that can be exploited. Rarely do they grasp the simple economic principles governing the interactions. Scoundrels will go to great length to direct attention away from their perfidy.

My sympathies lie with those who fail to see through the cloak of lies and half-truths, to align themselves with ethically bankrupt individuals believing they espouse the same beliefs, or that the enemy of their enemy must be their friend. You may argue that it is their own doing that proves their undoing but I still sympathize with them. Ignorance in matters such as these is often synonymous with innocence.

Deceit no matter the nobility of the cause disgusts me. It is for the weak and those lacking in character.

[David 'Dr. Troll' Smith]

Quote:

Leonid 'Zima' Lov: ...one would have to be, as you say, a fucking idiot to waste a nova contact on a minor hit. I do not touch soma, but I much doubt that those who do play a substantially different game.

Why do you call it a "waste"?

[Preston]

Quote:

Originally posted by H. 'Machine' Mann:

Quote:

Originally posted by David 'Dr. Troll' Smith:
Yeah, I know how absurd it sounds.

You are not welcome in New Orleans and after I speak with the Governor I think you will find your welcome in the state of Louisianna to be unseasonably chill.

Woe, Mr. Mann. I am under the impression that New Orleans, and the State of Louisiana for that matter, is still part of the United States of America. Dr. Smith is still a US citizen.
What you are suggesting would have the FBI falling down on your city and state like the proverbial ton of bricks. It is a violation of Dr. Smith's civil rights.

Now, keeping out Project Utopia as an offical corporate entity is a different matter.

[H. 'Machine' Mann]

No, Mr Preston. I am suggesting the climate of Louisianna will not be to the liking of the individual and strongly recommend he should consider traveling elsewhere. Which of course is what you wanted to ascertain is it not? You should know me better after our correspondence.

We each have responsibilities and I take mine quite seriously. Enough so to view mischief of this variety attempted within the sphere of my influence in the harshest of lights.

[David 'Dr. Troll' Smith]

Quote:

H. 'Machine' Mann:
We each have responsibilities and I take mine quite seriously. Enough so to view mischief of this variety attempted within the sphere of my influence in the harshest of lights.

And what mischief would that be? Saying that a group of people who quite openly don't have problems with murder probably don't have problems with drug use?

I also said I don't have direct evidence for this (and security would stop me from talking to much about the indirect). But how long do you have to smell smoke before someone says "fire"?

[Zima]

Wasteful because nova tools are few and volatile. In all such situations, one can only push so hard before losing control of the subject. Using such a tool - and risking its usefulness - to kill one human would be most foolish. More than foolish.

[H. 'Machine' Mann]

As it seems to have escaped you, please allow me to point out that mishief is a polite euphemism for what I would less tactfully label blatant opportunistic manipulation.

Listen carefully to Zima. He has a far deeper understanding than you give him credit for.

[David 'Dr. Troll' Smith]

Quote:

Leonid 'Zima' Lov: Wasteful because nova tools are few and volatile. In all such situations, one can only push so hard before losing control of the subject. Using such a tool - and risking its usefulness - to kill one human would be most foolish.

That reasoning only works if you are a baseline sending out a rare nova agent to do something he doesn't want to do. If you are well stocked with novas and/or are a nova getting another nova to do a favor, then it isn't relevent.

It also isn't all that relevent if the nova agent is being sent to do something he likes.

[Charr]

Stocked with novas. My, my. What an interesting thought. Now who can we think of that's possibly considered "stocked" with novas. Especially ball-less little wonder novas that are just so sure their little chimp masters know what's best that they don't even question the orders they get.

Who in the big wide world could ever have that many novas?

Heh.

[Ghostwriter]

That was about as subtle as a sledgehammer, Charr.

[Jordan]

But no less true Regan.

[Charr]

Quote:

Regan 'Codex' McLachlan sez:
That was about as subtle as a sledgehammer, Charr.

Stop being a hater. Novas have spent years trying to get a yoopee to admit what Dumb-n-Green just spurted with only a stroke or two required. Knowing a brain drain would finally shoot their mouth off if you gave them enough rope is pure fucking patience and genius in action.

Every zip infesting this planet thinking they've got something to say is reading and prepping their own personal microscopes for an extended proctology vacation up the yoo-pee collective ass. It won't matter what he meant, only what they think it might mean.

Skillz, Innocence.

Mad...

Fucking...

Skillz!

[Jager]

Quote:

Originally posted by Charr:

Who in the big wide world could ever have that many novas?

Heh.

Hmmm ... if a few Utopian novas went missing, who would ask questions? How about every conspiracy theorist between here and Neptune?

Who has that many novas who could go unquestioningly into that dark night, and either not mind novas becoming addicts, or even consider it beneficial ...

China, for one.
Population ~2 billion. Verified number of novas - unknown, but if you use the one in a million pop-science formula, them-thar is alot of novas.

Hmmmm... and I seem to recall this scandal at the turn of the century involving Chinese prisons being used as organ banks for the rich and powerful within the country.

If the Teragen/Utopians can stop the "You Suck! No, you suck!" round robin circle-jerk, we might be able to concentrate on the real problem. The killing and maiming of novas for profit.

[Charr]

Quote:

Originally posted by Jager:
The killing and maiming of novas for profit.

Already working it, big fellah. Sit back, sip that latte and wait for the news.

[David 'Dr. Troll' Smith]

Quote:

Jager: Hmmm ... if a few Utopian novas went missing, who would ask questions? How about every conspiracy theorist between here and Neptune?

If you've seen the number of paparazzi staked out in front of my house you'd realize that "clandestine" isn't a viable mode even for the novas who aren't in T2M. It's one of the harder lifestyle adjustments to make.

That's an interesting theory regarding the creation of non-Teragen soma. It makes a lot of sense.

[Jager]

Dr. Troll, in reality there are not that many hardcore terats. Hardcore defined in this case as being willing to risk their lives and kill for the cause.

Then, they would have to keep their activities hidden from their own membership, because do you really think Geryon and NV would sit back and let this go on?

Dealing with Epoch is one thing, because (my theory) he is challenging and killing other novas for his own, nova, ends. They may not like it, but they can follow and accept the reasoning behind it. After all, Epoch places his own life on the line to achieve his agenda.

Now, I don't put harvesting novas for the creation of a nova-addictive drug in the same category as that.

Now, terats as end users ... yes, I can definitely see that. It would fall into the mind-altering experience that could draw some thrillseekers and experimenters in.

Charr, sorry, but I won't be sitting back on this one. I have friends on the other side of the Bamboo Curtain.

[Ghostwriter]

David, I have to disagree with you. While I'm sure there are Terats who indulge in soma, none of the intelligence operations I've been running have come across producers of the vile substance from that particular organisation.

Just because my instincts have become heightened doesn't mean my intelligence has gone down the drain.

*sigh* Now where did I put that protein bar...

[David 'Dr. Troll' Smith]

Quote:

Jager: do you really think Geryon and NV would sit back and let [harvesting novas for the creation of a nova-addictive drug] go on?

Quote:

Regan 'Codex' McLachlan: David, I have to disagree with you. While I'm sure there are Terats who indulge in soma, none of the intelligence operations I've been running have come across producers of the vile substance from that particular organization.

My original evidence was only that they were trafficking in it. Then I was having a talk with Ashnod on this subject (among others). Basically I told her that it was obvious that the Teragen "party circuit" was involved because of the baselines that show up in the morgue. It got a little heated.

Quote:

Ashnod: You poor, deluded fool. You continue to think like a baseline. Tell me, has it never even occurred to you that a species capable of forcing reality to conform to its wishes would also be capable of creating soma without killing a nova to do so? Or are you so determined to save face here that you ignore possibilities outside the scope of what you have been told?

Now I think they are making it, just not from dead novas.

[Ashnod]

My words were hypothetical, Dr. Smith. How long are you going to insist they are instead admissions of truth?

[Jordan]

Fanatics are found everywhere Ashnod. The "good" doc here is just one in a long list of Utopian fanatics to grace our presence.

[David 'Dr. Troll' Smith]

• Baseline "party palls" associated with terats turn up in morgues, on a regular basis, from using soma.
• NV is unlikely to like *anyone* harvesting novas for soma, even other terats.
• Charr runs with NV, and his taking out a soma dealer rat, and ONLY that rat, seems very odd.

So on the face of it we have someone from NV supporting the soma trade.

Quote:

Ashnod: My words were hypothetical, Dr. Smith. How long are you going to insist they are instead admissions of truth?

Your words square the circle. They explain the unexplainable.

[Ashnod]

Quote:

Originally posted by David 'Dr. Troll' Smith:

• Baseline "party palls" associated with terats turn up in morgues, on a regular basis, from using soma.
• NV is unlikely to like *anyone* harvesting novas for soma, even other terats.
• Charr runs with NV, and his taking out a soma dealer rat, and ONLY that rat, seems very odd.

So on the face of it we have someone from NV supporting the soma trade.

Quote:

Ashnod: My words were hypothetical, Dr. Smith. How long are you going to insist they are instead admissions of truth?

Your words square the circle. They explain the unexplainable.

If you wish to use a deliberately deceptive snipe as the basis for your theory, by all means go right ahead. I find it highly amusing that for all your supposed intelligence, you are moving forward with that path only after it was suggested in jest.

Do not, however, parade my words around as though I was handing you evidence.

[Alex Craft]

Of course, one could argue that the group of baselines that hangs around on the Pandemonium party circuit would have some overlap with baseline soma users in general, given the rumors that soma can spark eruptions.

[David 'Dr. Troll' Smith]

Quote:

Ashnod: Do not, however, parade my words around as though I was handing you evidence.

Fair enough. It's a theory.

[Jager]

Codex, you haven't been turning over the right rocks. There is something there if you are really willing to stake your life on it.

As for the rest ... Ashnod, if you would just break down and admit that the Teragen is EVIL, the good doctor will be happy, and we can get back to the business of discussing things in a calm and rational manner.

People would rather feel that they right than know the truth.

[Ashnod]

Quote:

Originally posted by Jager:
As for the rest ... Ashnod, if you would just break down and admit that the Teragen is EVIL, the good doctor will be happy, and we can get back to the business of discussing things in a calm and rational manner.

People would rather feel that they right than know the truth.

Shshshshshshshshshshshsh! You are giving away the secret, hon.