By Jorge-Ben Georges
Senior Investigative Reporter, The Red Sun News
Part 2: History Lessons and a Historic Offer
QUESTION FOUR: THE SECRET PROCESS
After spending about fifteen minutes pouring over my notes, I settled on the remaining questions that I would ask 1031 after the break. During the break, as I was having a snack and making my notes, Lare Cuff stood, still and smiling, answering my polite questions with equally polite, single-sentence responses.
When I was ready to resume, I got up from the table and walked towards the circular chamber door, which once again disappeared as if into mist and I walked through. XN-1031 was sitting exactly where I had left him. It was impossible to tell whether he had moved at all while I was away.
I sat back down on the plush mat in front of 1031 and asked him if he was ready to resume the interview. He replied with a simple “Yes”, and spoke no more.
“Alright 1031, let’s pick up where we left off. You say you and other Xandrians know the reasons why the Firmament High Council and the Chaos Academy won’t publicly disclose the process for recruiting and selecting Chaos Brokers. I also understand that you can’t disclose anything about the Broker selection process. My question is, can you at least shed some light on the reason for keeping these processes secret, even if you can’t discuss the processes themselves? This seems fairly important to the matter at hand…” I trailed off.
1031 took a couple of seconds before responding, perhaps giving me the opportunity to refine my question further. “We cannot disclose any information we know about the process for recruiting Chaos Brokers, or anything else related to the origins of Brokers. This is due to contracts held by the Xandrian High Repository with both the High Council and the Academy. The Consensus voted on whether to nullify said contracts and reveal what we know to strengthen our claims for the High Council and Altareth Union Bosses, but the decision was made to fulfill these contracts and remain bound by their constraints.”
1031 paused again, an invitation for me to chime in. This time, I remained silent. 1031 resumed, “The High Repository is allowed to say, however, that we are intimately familiar with both the Chaos Battle technology used by the Academy Brokers, having spent decades developing this technology with the Clausius and Massieu, as well as our own parallel Xandrian battle tech. Thus, we also fully understand and agree with the reasons for the Academy and Council to install the secret process for selecting and managing Chaos Brokers. We know why Brokers seem to “appear out of thin air” onto their Brokerage House ships and seemingly have no history beyond their call sign and relationships with their House’s Agents.”
I took a moment to digest the implications of what 1031 has just confirmed, before he continued: “In fact, this knowledge and our history of collaboration with the High Council puts Xandrians in a unique position to balance the need for secrecy in the process for Academy’s Chaos Broker selection and the process for Xandrians to become fully licensed Brokers using our own technology — which lacks the limitations of the Academy Brokers’ tech but can only be used by Xandrians. Thus there exists a built-in failsafe to limit the propagation of Xandrian Battle Tech to unauthorized hands.”
QUESTION FIVE: ABOUT THE “FAIRNESS” OF XANDRIAN BATTLE TECH
I gave myself a few seconds to think while scribbling notes. “Ok,” I said, “Let’s for a moment accept your argument. Would this not mean that Xandrians would in fact have an unfair advantage over other species of the Firmament? By your own account, no other species has the ability to use the official battle tech, and that implies they cannot become Chaos Brokers or direct Agents in battle. This means that Xandrians would be the only known species to be able to voluntarily become Chaos Brokers. How is that fair?”
1031 responded without hesitation, “A fact you just stated is incorrect. The opportunities the Xandrian people have to become Chaos Brokers and direct Agents in battle are due to our ability to develop technology that allows for this, safely. Our technology is inherently attuned to Xandrian biology, as I mentioned prior, so we cannot share it with other species, even if Consensus agreed to do so. As I also mentioned, the upside to this limitation is that the Xandrian battle tech will remain limited to Xandrians, and bound by the rules deemed fair by the Consensus as well as the High Council — we are fully willing to be guided by reasonable constraints requested by the Council.”
I interrupted 1031, asking, “What fact did I get wrong, then?”
He replied, “You implied that no other species has the ability or possibility to become Chaos Brokers voluntarily other than Xandrians. This is not true. If a species is able to replicate the Xandrian research and build parallel technology that allows them to safely direct Agents in battle, then by all means, these species should be given leave to become licensed Brokers as well.”
1031 paused. This time I knew that the pause was for impact, as the absolute silence descended on us like a warm blanket before he continued.
“It is simply that no other species has been able to do so yet. If in the future one does, then they should be given the same rights as Academy-recruited Brokers. The Xandrian people would offer to help any such species, if it were not for constraints imposed by our contracts with the High Council and the Academy.”
QUESTION SIX: THE PADOCCIA INFLUENCE
His logic was simple, but I could find no flaw in it for the moment. So I used his response to redirect to my next question, “That leads to the related question of your relationship with the Padoccia Trade Union. Given your close business relationship, including the fact that we are right now in the Padoccia HQ, what safeguards exist to ensure that you will not help Padoccia — or my Brillouin people in general — develop Battle Tech? Further, what assurances do we have that Padoccia won’t control Xandrian Brokers and their Houses by proxy?”
“Could we ask the same question of Academy-trained Brokers?,” asked 1031, “What is preventing a Licensed Chaos Broker from making alliances with the Padoccia Trade Union, Myakon or Dagna Ro? Or with another organization in the Firmament on a planet outside the purview of the Altareth Union Bosses?”
The interface behind transformed to show transactions between Padoccia Trade Union and well-known Academy-trained Brokers (whom I shall not name here — however, the notoriety of some of these Brokers is widespread, given their “donation” of Win Conditions during the Xandrian Challenge and the subsequent reveal of the incentives offered by Padoccia for said donations).
“The answer to my rhetorical question, Jorge, is that the only safeguards that exist are the High Council’s and Academy’s rules governing licensed Chaos Brokers, and the moral choices of the Brokers themselves. The Xandrian people are willing to submit to the High Council for accountability and subscribe to the same rules and standards as other Licensed Chaos Brokers. As for moral choices, that is subject to the individual Broker, so Xandrian Brokers should have the same moral choice, should they not?”
I almost blurted out a question asking what Xandrians defined as morals and how their “Consensus” measured moral standards, but held my tongue.
Once again, 1031’s logic was…very sound. At that moment I realized the value of the saying “be careful what you wish for”. This morning I could have wished for nothing more than to get the chance to interview a Xandrian handler face to face. And now I realized that perhaps someone like High Regent Dusana was far better suited for this conversation than I.
It dawned on me also that this might be the very reason I was chosen to be the communication channel for the Xandrian High Repository. I am just the kind of gullible idiot with a big megaphone who will happily spread their gospel in the name of investigative journalism. That does not change anything. I’ll do my job as I should.
QUESTION SEVEN: OF RHODIAN EVOLUTION
“I am almost done, 1031. Perhaps you can briefly describe your relationship with the Rhodian? I have it on good authority that some of the prominent Brokers on the Chaos Broker Council have raised the question of how voluntary the relationship of the Rhodian with the Xandrians is. Did they willingly submit to the tests required to perfect your Xandrian battle tech?”
“I assume that the Chaos Broker Council does not have access to the chapters of the Book of Chaos chapters that detail the origins of the Rhodian?,” asked 1031.
“I cannot say for sure, but I can find out”.
“I think it’s safe to assume that they don’t, else this question would not have been raised by the Broker Council. While I respect the Academy’s methods — releasing Intel Packs and associated Chapters of the Book of Chaos to the Brokers as part of their career progress — in this case Consensus deems it appropriate for me to share the basics of the Rhodian origin, with the sole aim that the Chaos Broker council have the appropriate information to make their decision.”
1031 paused as the interface undulated to show a computer-generated simulation of a waste management planet, seemingly focused on electronic and digital waste. The simulation showed as the first waste ships arrived with massive bulk loads of digital waste — digital device parts, android parts, and raw materials compressed into unrecognizable forms.
The simulation sped up to show the passing of years, with huge amounts of waste piling on top of existing mountains of congealed circuitry, until the simulation paused to show a dropship beaming down actual persons to the surface — Xandrians, by their cloaked appearance. More Xandrians arrived, set up camp and scouted the wastes. The simulation focused on a group of Xandrians using massive devices to scan and beam some sort of radiating energy that pulsed the atmosphere and colored it purple.
The simulation sped up to show the first simple digital lifeforms emerging, rapidly evolving to more complex lifeforms. A basic society structure formed, with parental relationships where the digital beings were clearly able to reproduce digitally. The beings looked strikingly similar to Rhodian Agents such as Gillie the Grizzled and Son of the Least Objectionable.
“You have witnessed a brief summary of the evolution of the Rhodian civilization on the planet Molta, used for centuries as a digital waste dump. Due to our…sensitivity…to digital beings, we sensed that there was more to Molta than a simple wasteland. Our scouts proved us correct — using ancient Xandrian technology, we stimulated and accelerated the development of the Rhodian lifeforms, which separated into two main branches — the ones you know as Bots and Mechs.”
“I was just thinking that the Rhodian in the simulation looked similar to Agents like Gillie the Grizzled…,” I commented.
“Gille the Grizzled is a Mech-type Rhodian, in the Common language. The Rhodian have their own name for the Mech and Bot sub-species. Rhodian such as The Marshal of the Unforgiving and Son of the Least Objectionable are Bot-type Rhodian. It’s true that we helped some of the exceptional Rhodian displaying signs of Elemental DNA prove that they did, in fact, possess such DNA. But it is solely their ability that has helped these Rhodian individuals pass through the Chaos Battle School and become licensed as Chaos Agents.
The fact that some of their own have been permanently contracted as Chaos Agents is a great point of pride and aspiration in Molta now. I believe there is a popular motion picture on Molta depicting the journey of Son of the Least Objectionable from his odious Rhodian village to the heights of superstardom in the First Chaos World Invitational.”
I scribbled a note to track down a copy of said motion picture, and thanked 1031 for the comprehensive history lesson.
QUESTION EIGHT: MESSAGES AND OFFERS FOR THE CHAOS BROKER COUNCIL
“I have taken much of your time, 1031, and you have been more than forthcoming. So I’ll wrap up with an easy one.” “Ok,” he replied, eyes unblinking. “What message do you have for the Chaos Broker Council before their next vote? Why is participation in the Big Party important to the Xandrian?”
1031’s eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly, but given how still the rest of him was, the slightest movement was clearly visible.
“First, we want to thank Brokers Wheeto, Accelerator, Pmm5000, Wordmuncher, and their Agents for supporting us in the first Vote.
Second, we want to offer a token of gratitude comprising 10,000 BC and 1 ACT to each of the Brokers who voted in the favor of our people. Namely again, Wheeto, Accelerator, Pmm5000, and Wordmuncher — if they choose to accept these gifts, of course.
Third, as a further token of gratitude we will also offer 10,000 BC and 1 ACT to all Chaos Broker Council members who vote in favor of the Xandrian people in the next round of voting for our inclusion in The Big Party as equals.
Fourth, if any two Broker Council members from the same Accord vote in favor of the Xandrian people in the next round of votes, then the Xandrian High Repository will gift 50,000 BC to that Accord, to be distributed among Accord members per the wishes of the Accord’s leadership. On a related note, if all three Chaos Broker Council members from an Accord vote in favor of our people, then the gift to the Accord will be increased to 100,000 BC.”
“Is our offer clear to you, Jorge? Will you be able to convey it accurately to the Broker Council?”
“I believe so, 1031.” I replied, mentally exhausted from what felt like a mental duel lasting a century.
BREAKING: XANDRIANS UNDERWRITING CHAOS AGENT LOAN CONTRACTS
“Thank you,” resumed 1031, “Finally then, it has come to our attention that since the introduction of the automated Agent trading system came online for licensed Chaos Brokers to trade Agent contracts with the Chaos Battle School-run market, several Brokers have expressed their desire to be able to “borrow” Agent Contracts from the market. This will give Brokers an opportunity to evaluate the “fit” of Agents for their Brokerage House and Battle style before signing a permanent Agent Contract using an ACT.
There are several actuarial and other financial risks associated with allowing “Loaned Agent Contracts”, all of which are solved by having a financially sound underwriter for the Agent loans. As a show of gratitude and goodwill, the Xandrian High Repository has generated Consensus to underwrite all licensed Chaos Broker Agent loans from the Market.
The High Repository has submitted this proposal to the Chaos Battle School, which has accepted and forwarded the proposal to the Chaos Academy for final approval and implementation. It is expected that the Academy will sign off on the High Repository’s offer to underwrite Agent loans shortly, and the ability to execute such loans for Agent contracts should be available to all licensed Chaos Brokers soon.”
THE FLIGHT OF THE MESSENGER
“Any questions for me, Jorge, before we conclude?”
Neither of us spoke for a few moments, while I considered the information I’d just learned. Then I asked, “You mean you want to buy votes from the Chaos Broker Council?”
“The High Repository recognizes that, logical or moral claims aside, Chaos Brokers are economic creatures, and it’s only logical to offer economic incentives as long as they don’t violate stated rules or laws. The Brokers don’t know us Xandrians, so all they have to go on are their experience with us on the battlefield and whatever incentives we can offer them — be that logical or economic.
In conclusion, Jorge, our people have supported yours, and all other species across the Firmament for decades.
All we ask now is to reap the rewards of our technology while adhering to any rules asked of us by the High Council.
And all that takes, to use a word familiar to most species, is some faith, which I hope we have learned with our sacrifices to help Brokers train while asking for nothing in return.”
With a swift motion, 1031 rose. “Thank you, Jorge, for this opportunity. I look forward to future dialog.”
“Ah, my quota is up, is it?” I asked, rising from the mat while packing up my devices and finishing some final notes.
“Strictly speaking, you exhausted your quota a few questions ago. However, during our break I requested and received permission from the High Repository to offer you some leeway around relevant questions.
A display of…faith.”
1031 turned and glided into the adjacent chamber without a word, and the door closed behind him.
As I made my way up the famous corridor and elevator, accompanied by Cuff, my mind swam with all the information I would have to convey to you, Eager Reader. In a daze I left the Padoccia HQ in a sleek, Padoccia-provided self-driven vehicle towards my residence.
As I stepped into the vehicle, I received another message from my friend Sorith, “Hope you had fun. Fascinating times ahead.”
Could not have said it better myself, Patient Reader, as we head towards the second Council vote on the Xandrian Agenda.