Battles Which Could Not Be Won

[Zinn]

"No. I've been unable to do much of anything for a very long time. They don't let us check the internet in Red Infinity prisons. I'm sorry, I didn't explain. Ariel. It means 'lion of god' in a language called Hebrew. It's a dead language that people who follow the Jewish faith use for their prayers. it was used conversationally in Israel, which, as you know, has been a charred hole in the ground since the wars. My parents were secretly religious, although not secretly enough I suppose. They're both dead now, courtesy of the League of the Godless. I myself am not religious at all."

Zinn's eyes opened wide. "You have tylenol? We've had a medicine shortage in London for several years."

[Lemminkainen]

I hold baby Caelin in my arms, and walk him around the rebel hide out.
"Ohh...you are soo cute..." I look at Zex.
"I think he is hungry, what should we feed him? I mean...like...what do babies like to eat?"

[Mikhael Nadyezhda (Mischa)]

"That sounds like a great idea, we really need to get in touch with the other rebel groups!"

It's good to see his spirit hasn't been broken by Red Infinity, on the contrary, he seems to be charged from it. His organizer side is showing through.

[Simona Weil]

"We utilize the black market to get those sorts of things. It is dangerous and illegal, not to mention expensive...but we always have arms we can trade....Sasha is a weapons dealer."

I give her a tylenol.

"You are Jewish? My parents were agnostic jews so I know little about it...my grandmother was very pious though...she was killed by the League of the Godless.
I myself was agnostic for most of my life, until I...converted....."

My religious life is complex, born into a non practicing Jewish family and then becoming a christian. None of the other anarchists understand why I am a christian, so I just keep it to myself.

"A wise woman said truth exists in paradox. My beliefs embody that statement."

[Lady Violet]

"Special accomodations...I am afraid not. I was told that we must provide you with three gallons of kerosene a day, but beyond that I regret I know little of your other needs. Please fill me in and I will gladly take care of them, Miss Valatovich."

I smile kindly. It is strange how no one knows of her, yet she is such a bright asset to Red Infinity.

[Valodya Bassarov]

"Yes, well the Green Party has its HQ in Tempere Finland...and the anarchists are based in Capital City. Who should we visit first, comrade? Perhaps the anarchists. I think we could even convert Simona to revolutionary socialism someday. She is not like the other anarchists."

Bassarov smiles brightly. Planning things makes him feel alive. He was so dead and depressed in the Ministry of Terror prison. But now, he has been unleashed once again, and is ready to mobilize the masses.

[Erin Valotovna]

"That is all I required in terms of special needs. I require no food and only one hour of rest per day, but I do have a sentient mind and enjoy free time if that's okay. WHere will I be working?"

[Zinn]

"Paradox indeed. I'm not Jewish, although if my parents were here, they'd state otherwise. I don't believe in anything at all, unless I have concrete evidence. I've seen and experienced some things that in my opinion if god did exist, god is dead. I suppose living in a Communist society has succeeded in one way, but not the way the government would like. I admire people with strong religious beliefs though. It takes courage and strength. The League of the Godless is quite a fearsome organization."

Zinn takes the tylenol and holds it in her hand. "Where I come from, this is worth three days of food. Thank you very much."

Zinn takes the tylenol.

[Lady Violet]

"You passed our stingent back ground check, and you will be an intern in the office of Lin-Sat. His office is located one floor above my own. I imagine you will do light paper work and data entry. It should not be too difficult, mostly secretarial."

I walk her to the door of my office.

"You will work 7-3pm each day, and when you are done, you will be allowed to do whatever you please with your free time."

[Erin Valotovna]

"Thank you Lady Violet." With that done I go up to the next floor to locate my new office.

[TheWyrm]

She is very fascinating... I listen to her and Simona's conversation for awhile.

"So are you somewhat of a nihilist, then? I don't really know where I fall religiously, it doesn't matter much to me anyways. If Red Infinity finds me, I'm probably going to be killed, if I convert to a religion, they'll probably torture me before I die. I choose a quick death."

[Cardinal Salvador Christianos]

Where am I?

Groggily I sit up in the strange bed I now find myself in. I look around and recognise nothing. I then shake my head and stand and try to locate some food.

[Simona Weil]

"The religious are amongst the most persecuted in the world today. Maybe that is why I stand by my faith. I was never one to "fit in." I think religious rebels have it worse than the political ones. We are occaisionally shown mercy, just to be made fools of. To show the world how other political ideals are archaeic and useless...."

I sigh and sit next to Richie.

"Wyrm, you did send that e-mail to Dinari, didn't you?"

[TheWyrm]

"Oh uh, yes of course Simona..."

I scratch my head and look away.

"I'll be back in a second.. There's something I forgot to uh, check..."

I sit down at my computer, and type out "Email Dinari", saved as reminder.txt.

I walk back into the living room.

[Zinn]

"I'm far from a nihilist. I don't believe that violence is the best way to facilitate political change. While it is necissary sometimes, I think there are better ways. I'm a writer after all. I think that life has meaning and purpose. It's just hard to find sometimes. There's a banned writer named Nietszche who once said that nihilsim is like suicide and mass murder all at once. I agree. The human soul thrives on meaning. Apathy is living death."