(IC)Six Hobbits Driving

Something more important than local silliness has finally come up. I resigned all of my titles and posts. I am now officially on my own. Well, not really. I have my lovely, strong boy. We also have a few companions.

Poor Faramir, he's missing one of his silly games brought to life. We have a wizard, a bard, a fighter, a ranger, a rogue, and somehow the ranger acquired a squire. Now, we just need a cleric. Somehow, I think I know someone that could fulfill that role.

I wonder which of us gets to be the Hobbit thrown into the volcano? We are on a ring quest after all. All of our respective people have wished us well, granted us special equipment, and sent us on our way. We have the horrible artifact and the insanely powerful bad guy. The goal is for our people to distract the bad guy long enough to get the artifact where it needs to go.

First stop, enemy territory. Hopefully the enemy doesn't notice us, doesn't think we're an issue or decides that our quest is more important than their immediate need for blood. I bet they'd like a world to conquer. Kinda hard to conquer oblivion...

(IC)Cult of Personality

If those in our company think they are superior to those so employed, all they have to do is compare this evening's events. Our CEO is cultivating himself a cult of personality. Grandiose speeches that whip the young into a violent frenzy, blaming others for your own plots, using an outside group to distract those same young people and to gain power, etc... sound like anyone? These are tactics used by despots throughout the centuries. Pol Pot scapegoated the intellectuals, McCarthy the "reds," Hitler and Medieval Christianity the Jews, Nero the Christians, and so on.

We are even more animals than most people. That little piece of the mind that some refer to as the "reptile" portion of the brain, where fight or flight and the animalistic instincts reside, is an active portion of us. Existence for us is a constant fight against this thing taking us over and turning us into nothing more than ravenous beasts. It is our burden, our curse. By feeding into these baser instincts, the CEO undermines the attempt of all within that meeting to avoid an animalistic state. He undermines our very Humanity.

As we have learned from the like's of Hitler and Pol Pot, even destroying and disgracing a cult of personality doesn't stop it. Neo-Nazis the world over still worship their Fuhrer. Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge have an active say in Cambodia's coalition government. All we can hope to do is re-direct this foul force, minimalising it's negative impact. Perhaps weeding out the worst of the worst would be best.

God of power and mercy, maker and love of peace, to know you is to live,and to serve you is to reign. Through the intercession of St. Michael, the archangel, be our protection in battle against all evil. Help us to overcome war and violence and to establish your law of love and justice. Grant this through Christ our Lord.

(OC) I Was Made a Kindred

Here is a parody song that pretty much portrays Reginald's view of Kindred society.

I Was Made A Kindred
Original music and lyrics: Traditional (I Was Made a Christian)
Parody Lyrics: Erin Ruston

I was made a Kindred
When my soul was tak'n,
One of Caine's cursed children,
And an heir of Satan.
In the name of Kindred
I am damned now,
Evermore remember
My Clan's oath and vow.

I must, like a Kindred
Keep all evil rites,
Shun the faith of Jesus,
Block Him all my nights.
Called to be a Kindred
I will seek my gain,
Avoid His assistance
See what I attain.

All a Kindred's curses
I will claim for mine;
Unholy work and war,
Heaven I resign.
My Sire, Clan, and Sect,
Give me spite, that I,
Still exist a Kindred,
And a Kindred die.

(IC) War

The conglomerate that I belong to is about to enter direct conflict with an independent corporation. This will not be what most people will think of when the term corporate warfare is said. Yes, there will be manipulation and theft of each others' resources. Yes, there will be political games. Unfortunately, there will also be bloodshed; ambushes in the night, house fires with the occupants at home, car bombs, etc.

Open conflict like this will weaken both sides and open us up to far worse. Third parties will take advantage of the situation and invade our territory. If they are smart, they will wait until the dust has settled and attack the weakened victor. Some of them will be that smart. Others will just enter the ensuing fray to ad to the chaos.

My only hope is that "collateral damage" can be avoided. This is a vain hope. None of our companies place much value on the individual passerby. They just don't like press. This means that more people will die, as witnesses will be removed. If only there were a way out, a way to return to my old life. It was secretive and weird, but I didn't have to worry about being forced to kill innocents.

I'll just do my best to be aimed at those who deserve to meet their Judge.

(IC) Oh the danger...

I'm sure most people have done things they know that they shouldn't. Well, I'm there. There is this absolutely powerful member of an unaffiliated company. You could say that he is a member of their board of directors, answerable only to their CEO. This particular company is more dangerous than most. Their dealings are far from legal.

This dangerous, powerful man is also absolutely gorgeous and was hitting on me. He usually does things for a reason, getting something for something. He also known for his rather rampant sexuality.

If this involved cheating on my boy, it wouldn't even be a question. It wouldn't happen. This powerful individual likes all sorts of activities and wouldn't blink twice at a ménage à trois.

Oh he's so beautiful... Imagine that you are a homely, pimply teenager and and Orlando Bloom was interested in you. I'm not homely, but this is as close to the scale of difference as I can get.

I wonder what my wonderful boy will say to the invitation...

(IC) Requital

Eternal yet short sighted
Blind and seeking their next mark
All they embrace is blighted
Cursed to perpetual dark

Floating through them like a dream
A light surrounded by murk
They sustain their plots and schemes
Building an illusive bulwark

Believing themselves all kings
Controlling a realm of gloom
Heedless of what the gleam brings
Ignorant of their own doom

OC Note: This is in the little notebook Reginald always carries on his person.

(IC) Redemption

(Written in Enochian.)

Ms. Smith hinted at redemption. Saying, "It really does exist." By "it," I shall assume she means the oft-rumored Golconda. From everything I've seen of her, I believe that she is telling the truth. She may have even found it for herself. If she is in this mythical state, than one of the tales floating around our society has been proven untrue. Golconda does not return you to your former state. You are not physically restored. You remain one of us, just peaceful and holy.

This may seem an absolutely wonderful thing. If you are a pacifist by nature and would never harm another, it is. This is the path for you. Should I run across such a creature in my existence, I will aim them in Ms. Smith's direction. At least they may find some peace before they are destroyed by the monsters in our society. Not everyone can be her and survive by sheer dint of one's age and power.

For everyone else, don't do it. Even attempting to follow her path is absolutely selfish. What is your one soul against all of those that you can save? You will do more good remaining active and destroying the evils that exist in this world. If you follow her path, you will take yourself out of action. You will become a hunted wanderer who's special ability is guilt. You will become nothing more than the eternal Jewish grandmother.

(IC) What Really Matters

(Written in Enochian.)

As much as I may wish to end my own existence, killing myself serves no purpose. I may hate what I have become, but I am by far not the worst of my kind. Unlike many of them, I see the people of the world as more than tools, sources of entertainment or sources of sustenance. One newborn babe is worth more in this world, than the greatest of my kind.

What most of my kind do not realize is that the swarming masses of this world ARE the world. Without them, their dreams, their faith, their innovation; the world itself is nothing. We are all figments of their imaginations. If they believe in something hard enough, it becomes true. The invisible web of the internet, the bombs made of atoms... these things are not their true power. Their belief is their true power. They believe in science. Thus, it works.

What I am and what I do makes me beyond redemption. My soul is lost forever to the One's light. I know this and own this. All I can do is attempt to balance the scales for my continued existence. I do this by giving charity, working to free the souls of the people from static oppression, teaching others of my kind responsibility in their actions, and by destroying the things that are committed to their evil. I must use this curse for the benefit of those who truly matter in this world.

(IC) A few prayers before I go off and possibly die...

Deus meus, ex toto corde poenitet me omnium meorum peccatorum, eaque detestor, quia peccando, non solum poenas a Te iuste statutas promeritus sum, sed praesertim quia offendi Te, summum bonum, ac dignum qui super omnia diligaris. Ideo firmiter propono, adiuvante gratia Tua, de cetero me non peccaturum peccandique occasiones proximas fugiturum.
Amen.
==========
Oh Divine One, let those that I face in parlay see that I bear them no ill will, that I am but their brother wandering lost in the dark night. Let them aid me in my efforts to rid the material and spiritual worlds of a terrible danger and affront. Let them see that my work is aimed only to provide safety to those who still slumber, that one day they will find Unity and truly bring forth an Awakening.
Amen.

(IC) The Training Department and Corporate Threats

Somewhere along the line my boy and I ended up being the most experienced members of the company assigned a task with new recruits; a very ugly task. Our company is potentially under attack by another organization that's pretty universally disliked. Someone decided to take the corporate wolves' company model and our company model to make a new company of ugly stepchildren... cranky, ugly stepchildren. The new kids, the CFO's son, my boy and I have been tasked with finding these uglies, so that the CEO can have security handle them.

This IS a big deal, a very big deal. We are scouting out a corporate infiltration. We are not running in to be super heroes with guns blazing to save the day. My department has even deployed some experimental equipment to improve our chances of success.

First, we need to make sure that the new kids really understand what they are up against and what resources they have at their own disposal. Basic lesson plan outline...

1. Task specific dangers.
2. What you are capable of.
3. General physical threats and pitfalls.
4. Corporate lexicon.
5. Departmental stereotypes of one another and why they exist.

Really? Why did I have to be transferred from New York? I would rather have been left to my research and study than all of this insanity.

(IC) Corporate Cleanup

It took a little negotiating to get my companion's transfer to the area accepted by the local company. My division was fine with it, but the CFO had concerns. Apparently, the CFO's son had unpleasant dealings with a few of my companion's relatives. After an exchange in favors with the CEO, my boy was allowed to retain his employment locally. This shall forever be a tail of corporate corruption and greed.

Once this was accomplished, we ended up running into the CFO's son. We had ourselves an uncomfortable conversation, but there was no outright unpleasantness. Afterward, he followed us as we decided to see the sights of the city. Neither of us begrudged him, so allowed it.

I'd gotten word of what sounded like a fun party and decided to take a peek. It was a good thing that I had. We found the son of a member of the Board in a less than appropriate situation. Between us two and the CFO's son; we turned what could have been a media frenzy and possible police situation, into something remembered as a lame party and case of room service gone bad. This is where corruption paid to me rather than out.

I love my family, but why the hell do we have to be involved in this mess? I know its safer in numbers, but all we are doing is trading one kind of back stabbing for another. When the whole thing collapses, I will enjoy the show.

(IC) Upheaval

It didn't take too long to have a look at our company's new hires. They are a real mixed population example. I seriously doubt many of them will remain with the company long term. The CEO hired too many in too fast. Honestly, hiring anymore is a bad idea. This will assuredly cause the CEO's desired effect of chaos. I'm sure he has a plan to benefit himself from the chaos. Though, the company as a whole may suffer.

The troubles that the CFO has with my division came to a rather public head. Our division's security has been slashed and members of the team have been publicly punished. The CFO and I seem to get on personally, though. My department head has asked that I handle departmental public relations. I accepted, but I am entirely unsure if I should have.

As a result of our department's relationship with the CFO, I began an investigation of the issue and found the root cause. The employee in question had managed to get his new hire and the security team blamed by the company as a whole for his own actions. I discovered even more reason to be concerned with him and took it to our departmental head. She resolved the issue with the home office. The bad employee has been terminated and shall no longer be of concern.

I really do have a personal life and it has become rather interesting. Admittedly, it does involve fraternizing with someone who may be a corporate spy. Luckily, my involvement with him consists primarily of extra curricular activities. We share religious and sociological world views. They are somewhat counter to the company's view, but I believe in change from within.

I have also begun to perform again. It is my fondest hope to provide inspiration for people to throw off the shackles of their corporate and technological masters. This hope is beyond me, but others can be saved. People need to reach into themselves for their answers; seek their own transformation of the mind and soul. It cannot be provided for them by mass media or bread and circuses.

On a much brighter note, my beautiful boy has arrived. It was dreadfully lonely without him. I missed his solid presence amidst all of this newness and chaos.

(IC)Arrival in Las Vegas

The traffic here is terrible. I got through to my destination based on the pure size of my vehicle. They were having a company party when I arrived. I did not get properly introduced to the CEO until later.

My superior is harried and overworked. The local company is schizophrenic at best. The CEO apparently wants to start conflict and his CFO is a bit more philosophical. Unfortunately, the CFO doesn't like my division. This could present a concern.

As a result of the CEO's desire for conflict, I find myself with a writ to adopt and train a recruit. Several recruits have presented themselves. Yet, this is not something I have any desire to do. Our company is not a good place to work and my division is the strictest of them all.