Austar Union
04-09-2005, 08:34
Some Background
Oregon Island; also dubbed 'Refugee Island' for obvious reasons. It had been created and designed for one purpose -- to set aside those who sought illegal residence within the Union, those who did not, or could not apply via conventional and law-abiding means. They would come with their creaky ships, with their hundreds upon hundreds worth of human-cargo; and those on board would have sought new life, new opportunities, and thus ultimate freedom from the bounds which held them back. Unfortunately for them, passage to the mainland would not come free. Freedom was a precious thing much adored and respected by the people of Austar Union. And during such time, the military and government forces of the late President Richard Hoffman were in a state of perpetual warfare against the forces of terrorism. Such was a time, when security of the state was needed, above all else. Finally, there had been found a major flaw in the system. Those who needed shelter from the lives they had previously weren't always true to their word, and took up their promises against the government, this nation. For the most part, intelligence resources were competant enough to filter the bad from the good. Those bad would be sent home, those good would have been cared for, provided for. And yet they knew, they knew, that there would have been the odd individual here, the odd individual there. But it would only take one to take damage to the people, to the ruling governments of this nation. That had to change.
So it did in the end. Laws had been decided to be tightened, and a new filtering system was engaged into action. On Oregon Island, just north of the Union's shores and just west of the penninsula -- facilities had been built and dedicated. And the new system was hence introduced. Refugees would be given a free lifestyle (within the laws of normal citizens) on the Island, in return for their cooporation in each matters. And whilst they lived there, they would be watched. Applications for citizenship were filled out and some were approved, some were denied. Those who were approved, naturally came to the mainland. Those who were denied, either had the choice to remain on the Island, to build a new society; or they could be returned to their homeland. Most, obviously, chose to stay and forge new lives. Unfortunately, the process was slow -- much slower than the boats came flooding in anyway. For every application approved, there were two hundred men coming ashore as 'new individuals'. In the meantime, time passed as it normally did and the island grew to be a city unto itself. This was before the government had changed their policy slightly, and eventually left the Island to Military Control. They were the security keepers, it was time to leave them to their duties. And with several million people now on the island, one could only wonder what rights these people had. Afterall, they were non-citizens; and had declared themselves non-citizens of their respective homelands -- not that they could claim citizenship in a previous land afterall, they would surely risk falling into dangerous fingers. Fingers which sought thier punishment.
Now, hundreds of years had passed, and generations of people continued to live on the island. Mostly, it was a crowded place, void of any living space at all. And anyone born here, were raised here -- also non-citizens. This wasnt the Union, this was Oregon Island. There were no civil freedoms, there were no political freedoms. This wasnt freedom at all; since the military had made their presence quite known. For 'security', they had claimed that such 'rights' be restricted. Individuals were searched without permission, children were removed from homes or parents considered a 'danger to society'. Not that the military forces had committed attrocities or the like, not that they shot people on command. Not that they broke any humanitarian law in existance. This was run by the military, and was treated as such; it was only natural. But still, the people on Oregon Island certainly had something to be angry about. And today was their day of defiance; On the Island of Discontentment.
Oregon Island; also dubbed 'Refugee Island' for obvious reasons. It had been created and designed for one purpose -- to set aside those who sought illegal residence within the Union, those who did not, or could not apply via conventional and law-abiding means. They would come with their creaky ships, with their hundreds upon hundreds worth of human-cargo; and those on board would have sought new life, new opportunities, and thus ultimate freedom from the bounds which held them back. Unfortunately for them, passage to the mainland would not come free. Freedom was a precious thing much adored and respected by the people of Austar Union. And during such time, the military and government forces of the late President Richard Hoffman were in a state of perpetual warfare against the forces of terrorism. Such was a time, when security of the state was needed, above all else. Finally, there had been found a major flaw in the system. Those who needed shelter from the lives they had previously weren't always true to their word, and took up their promises against the government, this nation. For the most part, intelligence resources were competant enough to filter the bad from the good. Those bad would be sent home, those good would have been cared for, provided for. And yet they knew, they knew, that there would have been the odd individual here, the odd individual there. But it would only take one to take damage to the people, to the ruling governments of this nation. That had to change.
So it did in the end. Laws had been decided to be tightened, and a new filtering system was engaged into action. On Oregon Island, just north of the Union's shores and just west of the penninsula -- facilities had been built and dedicated. And the new system was hence introduced. Refugees would be given a free lifestyle (within the laws of normal citizens) on the Island, in return for their cooporation in each matters. And whilst they lived there, they would be watched. Applications for citizenship were filled out and some were approved, some were denied. Those who were approved, naturally came to the mainland. Those who were denied, either had the choice to remain on the Island, to build a new society; or they could be returned to their homeland. Most, obviously, chose to stay and forge new lives. Unfortunately, the process was slow -- much slower than the boats came flooding in anyway. For every application approved, there were two hundred men coming ashore as 'new individuals'. In the meantime, time passed as it normally did and the island grew to be a city unto itself. This was before the government had changed their policy slightly, and eventually left the Island to Military Control. They were the security keepers, it was time to leave them to their duties. And with several million people now on the island, one could only wonder what rights these people had. Afterall, they were non-citizens; and had declared themselves non-citizens of their respective homelands -- not that they could claim citizenship in a previous land afterall, they would surely risk falling into dangerous fingers. Fingers which sought thier punishment.
Now, hundreds of years had passed, and generations of people continued to live on the island. Mostly, it was a crowded place, void of any living space at all. And anyone born here, were raised here -- also non-citizens. This wasnt the Union, this was Oregon Island. There were no civil freedoms, there were no political freedoms. This wasnt freedom at all; since the military had made their presence quite known. For 'security', they had claimed that such 'rights' be restricted. Individuals were searched without permission, children were removed from homes or parents considered a 'danger to society'. Not that the military forces had committed attrocities or the like, not that they shot people on command. Not that they broke any humanitarian law in existance. This was run by the military, and was treated as such; it was only natural. But still, the people on Oregon Island certainly had something to be angry about. And today was their day of defiance; On the Island of Discontentment.