22-11-2024, 06:54 AM
A Dream That Never Dies
[REDACTED], 5575
Xsampa, Unknown Location
Chodak always questioned everything. Often times, this got him in trouble with local law enforcement. While he was often let off the hook due to his age, it didn't stop a few close calls for "counter-revolutionary activity". Almost being branded a dissident earned Chodak social scorn. From friends and family. Except a select few. A small group. 5-7 people. All of them nearly the same as him. Dissidents or those disillusioned with the status quo. The recent threat of war seemed to be the final straw for a few. While Chodak always did the occasional prank on an authority figure, what Kelden proposed was insane. Taking everyone to seize a radio tower and broadcast a free message. It was suicide. The ISC would be on them immediately and the censors from the PCI would clamp down quickly.
"I know, I know. It's crazy, but now is the perfect time! We only have one shot. This radio tower is the best opportunity. We all want a free better Xsampa. The eve of war is the best time to give birth to an anti-war movement or even a movement against the regime. We can give a message to the people." Kelden finished, with a hint of desperation in his voice. Evidently this was something he had planned for a long time.
"On the contrary, we will all die or be in a work camp if- no, when we fail. The PCI will shut down the broadcast in a heartbeat and we'll all be on the ISC's hit list." Gonpo stated back. He managed to keep the group together for a while. More western minded than everyone else, but cautious. He and Kelden butt heads often on how the group should go. Even whether the group could become something official like a revolutionary group.
"Think about it for a second. We're all dissidents in waiting. I mean- you're a western liberal! We're all going to be sent to a work camp no matter what. We all want a better Xsampa. But sitting here and doing nothing? You won't get change like that. At the very least, we can inspire something bigger. Something greater than us. We can turn Party rhetoric against itself, and foster a genuine anti-establishment movement. We just need that radio tower. Please. Think about it Gonpo."
As Kelden left the room, Gonpo sat in silence, pondering. Chodak had a few reservations, but Kelden made a point. Sitting here wouldn't bring any of them towards freedom. Chodak left the roomed and went to bring his reservations to Kelden. This dream he had, maybe it had some merit to it. Following Kelden outside, Chodak expressed his worries, particularly about the PCI censoring the broadcast.
"I know, but that takes time. If it was a broadcast on the internet, sure, they could take that down in minutes but a radio broadcast? We'd have enough time for it to get to the outside world. Which means it can get to the people too. We just have to take control of the radio station long enough to share our vision. If we convince Gonpo, everyone else on the fence will follow. The PCI can't block something already said."
After a few minutes of back and forth, Chodak was convinced. Deep down, he knew this may have meant death but Chodak would die someday. Cutting it short for a chance at freedom was worth it. He would have to convince Gonpo or the group would be down a handful in seizing the radio tower. It was a dangerous dream, but a dream that would never die. Chodak was sure of that.
It took a few hours but Kelden was finally convinced. A plan was set out. They had a few guns, they could take anyone there hostage and broadcast their message. Kelden had a rough script ready for broadcast. They would have 10 minutes at best before the PCI shut down the broadcast and law enforcement came down on them. At worst, 5 minutes. The odds weren't ideal, but no situation ever is. They'd all surely die, but maybe they'd die free, as martyrs or even be spared and saved. Whatever would happen didn't matter. They all had a vision for a truly free Xsampa. This broadcast would be for the dream of a better world. It may die with them, or it may live long enough to convince the masses. It would all come down to the broadcast. They made sure to be well rested. Everyone knew tomorrow would be a busy day.
[REDACTED], 5575
Xsampa, Unknown Location
Chodak always questioned everything. Often times, this got him in trouble with local law enforcement. While he was often let off the hook due to his age, it didn't stop a few close calls for "counter-revolutionary activity". Almost being branded a dissident earned Chodak social scorn. From friends and family. Except a select few. A small group. 5-7 people. All of them nearly the same as him. Dissidents or those disillusioned with the status quo. The recent threat of war seemed to be the final straw for a few. While Chodak always did the occasional prank on an authority figure, what Kelden proposed was insane. Taking everyone to seize a radio tower and broadcast a free message. It was suicide. The ISC would be on them immediately and the censors from the PCI would clamp down quickly.
"I know, I know. It's crazy, but now is the perfect time! We only have one shot. This radio tower is the best opportunity. We all want a free better Xsampa. The eve of war is the best time to give birth to an anti-war movement or even a movement against the regime. We can give a message to the people." Kelden finished, with a hint of desperation in his voice. Evidently this was something he had planned for a long time.
"On the contrary, we will all die or be in a work camp if- no, when we fail. The PCI will shut down the broadcast in a heartbeat and we'll all be on the ISC's hit list." Gonpo stated back. He managed to keep the group together for a while. More western minded than everyone else, but cautious. He and Kelden butt heads often on how the group should go. Even whether the group could become something official like a revolutionary group.
"Think about it for a second. We're all dissidents in waiting. I mean- you're a western liberal! We're all going to be sent to a work camp no matter what. We all want a better Xsampa. But sitting here and doing nothing? You won't get change like that. At the very least, we can inspire something bigger. Something greater than us. We can turn Party rhetoric against itself, and foster a genuine anti-establishment movement. We just need that radio tower. Please. Think about it Gonpo."
As Kelden left the room, Gonpo sat in silence, pondering. Chodak had a few reservations, but Kelden made a point. Sitting here wouldn't bring any of them towards freedom. Chodak left the roomed and went to bring his reservations to Kelden. This dream he had, maybe it had some merit to it. Following Kelden outside, Chodak expressed his worries, particularly about the PCI censoring the broadcast.
"I know, but that takes time. If it was a broadcast on the internet, sure, they could take that down in minutes but a radio broadcast? We'd have enough time for it to get to the outside world. Which means it can get to the people too. We just have to take control of the radio station long enough to share our vision. If we convince Gonpo, everyone else on the fence will follow. The PCI can't block something already said."
After a few minutes of back and forth, Chodak was convinced. Deep down, he knew this may have meant death but Chodak would die someday. Cutting it short for a chance at freedom was worth it. He would have to convince Gonpo or the group would be down a handful in seizing the radio tower. It was a dangerous dream, but a dream that would never die. Chodak was sure of that.
It took a few hours but Kelden was finally convinced. A plan was set out. They had a few guns, they could take anyone there hostage and broadcast their message. Kelden had a rough script ready for broadcast. They would have 10 minutes at best before the PCI shut down the broadcast and law enforcement came down on them. At worst, 5 minutes. The odds weren't ideal, but no situation ever is. They'd all surely die, but maybe they'd die free, as martyrs or even be spared and saved. Whatever would happen didn't matter. They all had a vision for a truly free Xsampa. This broadcast would be for the dream of a better world. It may die with them, or it may live long enough to convince the masses. It would all come down to the broadcast. They made sure to be well rested. Everyone knew tomorrow would be a busy day.
"Yet I am here, and here I shall remain to behold the world in all it's beauty"
"The world is but a stage. Why cry, when you can laugh instead? For laughter is humanity's preserve. Laugh it all off, fret not, Let's just enjoy the moment."
"The world is but a stage. Why cry, when you can laugh instead? For laughter is humanity's preserve. Laugh it all off, fret not, Let's just enjoy the moment."