((I've decided that there are going to be 4 "historical" posts providing a background for the world and the story of Franklin's prior years. Each one will feature a life decision before the story skips forward a couple years again.))
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2264
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Being born in the cities, you were aware of the National Guard at a very young age. They had been a fixture in the cities for a long time. When the cities were rebuilt, people were promised a new future. The outside was too dangerous but they they were promised bright new cities of artificial light.
After a while the land would be reclaimed and people would move back into the outside. But when the first land was detoxified, the government needed it for crops. And the farmers needed a place to live of course. And really the land should go to the people who deserved it the most, not a bunch of slum dwellers who contributed nothing to society. The years turned into decades and boys and girls became women and men who had never even seen the outside. Eventually the protests started. They never really had a goal, they just clogged the busiest corridors of the cities, creating an obstruction so their grievances would be known.
Protests lead to riots...
And riots lead to bloodshed...
Your grandparents can remember a time before the National Guard ran the cities. Your parents never could and by the time you were born they were a fact of life. But still... the Guard are all that stands between your city and chaos. Gangsters run amok in the old district. Bandits hide in the hills ready to attack the intercity convoys. "The Guard, First Line of Defense"
The guard only accepts recruits between their 18th and 19th birthdays. It's a matter of loyalty. It's a matter of commitment. It's a matter of being elite. The guard are the people who go on to become city security officers or join the military. At least you might see the outside before you die.
(...okay maybe these ones aren't looking too elite right now)
Of course for you, this is all ancient history. For you, the year is 2264 and like everyone your age you get an email reminding you that you can find out if you have what it takes to be in the national guard. What do you think of it?
A) The National Guard protects my city, I'm doing my part!
B) The National Guard are fascist scum, I'd rather join the rebels
C) Guardsmen, Rebels? Who gives a crap? The gangs in Oldtown, they really run this city
D) (Other suggestion)
Author
Topic: 23rd century botony! (A wild sequel appears!) (Read 21877 times)