The last of the day’s sun cast long shadows aboard Tanner Settlement. Administrator Golan stared out from the main observation deck, his hands clasped behind his back. People passed behind him as he gazed out into the inky darkness, while above several large ships slowly edged through Tanners docking port.
From the corner of his eye he noticed another person approaching, the stations rotation making the evening shadows track this figure as he strode past. He was tall, and wore the uniform of an Enforcer. Some of the crowd recognised who he was, and made obvious attempts to move out from his path.
The figure paused, and made a short nod of acknowledgement towards Golan. Without looking away from the viewport, the Administrator greeted his guest.
“Enforcer Zaan! It is good to see you. Come, walk with me. I must congratulate you on a job well done.”
Golan gestured to a nearby pathway as Utopian citizens went about their business.
A group of young children rushed past laughing, followed by their fretting parents who made hurried apologies to the pair for the disturbance. The chaotic scene amused Golan who smiled warmly, while Zaans expression remained cold.
As the family left their view, Golans smile became weaker as he threw a sideways glance at Zaan.
“Do you think they are happy, that family that passed us?”
Zaan turned his head and responded in his usual flat tones. “They live in Utopia, a paradise made real. Why should they feel dissatisfied?”
Golan spoke softly as he gazed into the distance. “I wonder sometimes if we have overstepped our remit, that our actions keeping Utopia pure force us to become the very thing we crusade against.”
The Enforcers jaw tightened as he responded. ”Humanity is weak without guidance, and to flourish sometimes we must be ready to use methods that seem brutal. I know recent events weigh heavily on you but it is a burden we must all carry.”
As he continued, Zaans face darkened.
“In our service to Utopia we have seen misery, apathy and despair. They eat into individuals and society like parasites, ever hungry for a new host to infect. We must be both the sword and the shield of Utopia, protecting the weak against our enemies that would destroy us both morally and physically.”
Golan hesitantly looked to the ground.
“If we take the easy path, if our resolve falters we become no better than those who exist outside Utopia. We saved those who saw enlightenment and chose to walk the Path, the others made their choice and have been cast out into the wilderness. Your empathy was always your greatest asset, but it is also your greatest weakness. Purge your doubt, as it is a weapon for your enemies. Already the filth infest HR 17, my undercover Enforcers report slaves and drugs are being sold openly there.”
The Administrator straightened, and a warm smile returned to his face. “I admire your zeal, Enforcer. The special operation units can return to standby status as we refocus our energies. Your work is done for now.”
Zaan swiftly nodded to the Administrator before returning to his patrol.
As he walked away, Zaans expression hardened as another patrolling Enforcer flanked him. Without emotion, he relayed his orders.
“Administrator Golans resolve appears weak. Investigate him.”
Zaan paused at the edge of a small park, and gazed at the bustling crowd spread out around him. As he scrutinised each person in turn, he mentally recited the Enforcer tenet:
I will find your weaknesses and purge them.
Without weakness you shall find Paradise.
Without weakness you shall be free.
From the corner of his eye he noticed another person approaching, the stations rotation making the evening shadows track this figure as he strode past. He was tall, and wore the uniform of an Enforcer. Some of the crowd recognised who he was, and made obvious attempts to move out from his path.
The figure paused, and made a short nod of acknowledgement towards Golan. Without looking away from the viewport, the Administrator greeted his guest.
“Enforcer Zaan! It is good to see you. Come, walk with me. I must congratulate you on a job well done.”
Golan gestured to a nearby pathway as Utopian citizens went about their business.
A group of young children rushed past laughing, followed by their fretting parents who made hurried apologies to the pair for the disturbance. The chaotic scene amused Golan who smiled warmly, while Zaans expression remained cold.
As the family left their view, Golans smile became weaker as he threw a sideways glance at Zaan.
“Do you think they are happy, that family that passed us?”
Zaan turned his head and responded in his usual flat tones. “They live in Utopia, a paradise made real. Why should they feel dissatisfied?”
Golan spoke softly as he gazed into the distance. “I wonder sometimes if we have overstepped our remit, that our actions keeping Utopia pure force us to become the very thing we crusade against.”
The Enforcers jaw tightened as he responded. ”Humanity is weak without guidance, and to flourish sometimes we must be ready to use methods that seem brutal. I know recent events weigh heavily on you but it is a burden we must all carry.”
As he continued, Zaans face darkened.
“In our service to Utopia we have seen misery, apathy and despair. They eat into individuals and society like parasites, ever hungry for a new host to infect. We must be both the sword and the shield of Utopia, protecting the weak against our enemies that would destroy us both morally and physically.”
Golan hesitantly looked to the ground.
“If we take the easy path, if our resolve falters we become no better than those who exist outside Utopia. We saved those who saw enlightenment and chose to walk the Path, the others made their choice and have been cast out into the wilderness. Your empathy was always your greatest asset, but it is also your greatest weakness. Purge your doubt, as it is a weapon for your enemies. Already the filth infest HR 17, my undercover Enforcers report slaves and drugs are being sold openly there.”
The Administrator straightened, and a warm smile returned to his face. “I admire your zeal, Enforcer. The special operation units can return to standby status as we refocus our energies. Your work is done for now.”
Zaan swiftly nodded to the Administrator before returning to his patrol.
As he walked away, Zaans expression hardened as another patrolling Enforcer flanked him. Without emotion, he relayed his orders.
“Administrator Golans resolve appears weak. Investigate him.”
Zaan paused at the edge of a small park, and gazed at the bustling crowd spread out around him. As he scrutinised each person in turn, he mentally recited the Enforcer tenet:
I will find your weaknesses and purge them.
Without weakness you shall find Paradise.
Without weakness you shall be free.