The Name's Oliver - Ben Oliver. Ch. 159: Duty vs Ethics, Pt. II

[Schipperke]

Hmm... Wonder what he's asked to removed from Riverview. What could be so dangerous?

I just caught up and I can't wait! Keep going please!!!!!
Also I agree with Sherry.. what's so dangerous?
 

Welcome to the story, Jocboos! 

Dangerous?  I'm not sure where that came from - did I say this mission was going to be dangerous?  It's more of a moral dilemma for Ben, I think. 

I have the next chapter written but the delay is coming from the fact that I am having a very frustrating time trying to learn how to use photobucket instead of the Gallery.  I downloaded some recommended Photobucket program that was supposed to make it faster to upload groups of pictures, and it proceeded to upload every picture in my computer!  Not that there were a lot of them, but I'd just as soon not fill up my free account with junk.  So I'm trying to delete those pictures, but the delete button isn't doing anything.  Sheesh.  Anyway, the pictures I wanted are there too - I think - but it may take me a while to find them.  I appreciate your patience. 

[Schipperke]

Duty vs Ethics, pt. II

Diary Entry

The next flight to Riverview wasn't for several hours, so I decided to drive instead.  It would get me there about the same time, and I hoped the hours on the road would relax me and give me a chance to come up with an idea as to how to tackle this assignment.  Besides, I had a new set of wheels that needed christening.



The new car purred contentedly as I made my way down Monte Vista's hill. 



I had never been to Riverview but had been told it was a farming community, nestled in the Simomon River valley.  It was one of the earliest Sim communities to be settled.  The situation I was assigned to deal with involved a group of people who had lived in Riverview since before the beginning of recorded history. 



The group in question called themselves “First Sim Nations,” or FSN.  They were described as very primitive people who shunned technological advances, preferring to live simply in the style of their ancestors.

I drove past vineyards, noticing in passing that the vines were lush and green, and I hoped that augured well for this year's vintage.



In an ironic twist of fate, the very technology that the FSN people shunned was now threatening to be their undoing.  The large tract of land that the tribe occupied was rich in mineral deposits, particularly tiberium.  And of course, tiberium had suddenly become important as a source of fuel for jet packs.  Sims everywhere were clamouring for new jet packs.  Factories were working double- and triple-shifts to meet the demand.  Tiberium was suddenly required in vast quantities.

I reached the outskirts of town and waved goodbye to Monte Vista.



Powerful mining consortiums were determined to acquire the mineral rights to the FSN's land.  Money was offered, in ever-increasing amounts, but the tribe seemed to have no interest in money.  Finally the mining companies appealed to government, who sent in a team of diplomats to negotiate with the FSN.

I trundled down the highway, thinking about the description the diplomats had written about the tribe.



“Primitive, uneducated and very superstitious,” was the conclusion in the report.  The report said that the FSN apparently believed that the tiberium was their dead ancestors, which was why they refused to sell the minerals.  And they steadfastly refused to entertain any suggestion that they be relocated.  Finally the diplomats threw up their hands in defeat and turned the matter over to the army.  To me.

The empty countryside was beginning to give way to fields with bales of hay and I realized I was approaching Riverview.





I had one week to try to find a way to persuade the tribe to leave their land voluntarily.  If I failed, the army would come in and the tribe would be forcibly relocated.  My sympathies were entirely with the tribespeople.  But my duty was clear:  to get them off their land, one way or another. 

I passed another field and saw buildings just ahead.  Riverview already, and I still had no idea how to deal with this situation.



I followed the directions I had been given and soon – too soon – I was approaching the tribe's land.



I got out of the car and stood waiting uncertainly, unsure what to do.  I could see people at the back of the lot but they paid no attention to me.  Should I go over to them?



Then a man started walking toward me with a barking dog running after him. 

[Sherry]

This description about FSN people somehow fit closely to Amish people. (No offence to any one of them)

Hmm, somehow I think this situation does a fitting to current companies and government too. Profit and money first, anything else could just go to the gutter.
Personally I think the FSN people's lands are theirs, so it's up to them whether they want to sell it or not. Jetpacks is not the only way of transportation anyway.

[Magz from Oz]

This description about FSN people somehow fit closely to Amish people. (No offence to any one of them)

Hmm, somehow I think this situation does a fitting to current companies and government too. Profit and money first, anything else could just go to the gutter.
Personally I think the FSN people's lands are theirs, so it's up to them whether they want to sell it or not. Jetpacks is not the only way of transportation anyway.

I think the description of FSN fits many native peoples of many lands.  In Oz, the aboriginal people believe the land itself is their mother (something like Eve in Christianity - not their physical mother) and after lengthy court cases have been given back some of the rights to their land but don't necessarily happily co-exist with the mineral exploitation of their lands (which they are entitled to royalties from but cannot control how or how much mineral is mined).  There's a whacking great big uranium mine in the middle of Kakadu National Park (World Heritage listed!) and a huge bauxite mine in Weipa. 

I'll be very interested to how this pans out.  I'm on Ben's side.  The people shouldn't be forcibly removed.   

[Sherry]

I'll be very interested to how this pans out.  I'm on Ben's side.  The people shouldn't be forcibly removed.   

Me too. The lands is theirs (FSN people) and it is up to them whether they want to sell it or not, or even letting anyone to mining on their land or not.

[RainBeau]

My, it seems I have missed several interesting developments! I was right about the time machine in the nectary. I don't remember if I suspected Mr Payne's involvement or not, although I tend to suspect his involvement in just about everything, even outside this story, but most especially in it.

It was exciting to see Honey appear here, in her role as an ESCARGOT recruit! Her suggestion of a bribe does not surprise me in the least. I expect she will have another plan up her sleeve as well that is equally characteristic. So ESCARGOT sabotaged the machine, eh? Thats just like them!

Oh, no! Poor Ben. This is a situation I can sympathise with as well. I agree with the general consensus that the people should have a right to their own land, of course! I look forward to seeing how Ben deals with this new dilemma. By the way, the lot they live on looks great! I look forward to seeing it in greater detail.

[Sherry]

By the way, I do realize it now that I read it again... It seems to me that the FSN people are not the Riverview original townies. Is it right?
Or is this just your fabulous styling skill that fools my eyes?

[Schipperke]

Thanks very much for the comments!

By the way, I do realize it now that I read it again... It seems to me that the FSN people are not the Riverview original townies. Is it right?
Or is this just your fabulous styling skill that fools my eyes?

I think this would be a good time for me to say a little more about the people in this story.  You're quite right, Sherry - the FSN are my own creation, not any of the real original townies from Riverview.  And by the way, thank you very much for the compliment about my styling skill!  I am very much aware of my limitations when it comes to building, creating pretty surroundings, etc, etc, so to receive a compliment like that means a lot!

Now, about the people.  As several of you have observed, the situation of indigenous people wanting to live in their traditional way but being displaced by the demands of modern society and technology is something that has taken place - and is taking place - in many parts of the world.  The people in this story are very loosely patterned after the First Nations people (native people) here in Canada.  I need to emphasize that they aren't intended to be a copy of any First Nations group - more an imaginary First Sim Nation.  Future updates may include Cree words, but that's just because I have some familiarity with Cree and felt the cultures might be similar - these people are not meant to be Cree.  The idea for this adventure first began when Pam gifted me several items from the Waning Moon Set and I started thinking about how I could use them in one of Ben's adventures.  I also found some wonderful patterns in the Swap Shop that you will see being used to - I hope - add to the FSN's unique style.  I'll do my best to give credit to the pattern creators, but I have so many patterns and I don't always remember who created them, so if you see an uncredited pattern in the story and know who made it, please say so.

Thanks for the interest in the story.  I hope to have the next update ready within a few days. 

[BubbleFish]

Although I never posted before, I've read each of your stories and find them very entertaining. You are a fantastic writer! I usually find your stories long after you've finished them. This is the first time I've caught up to a current "moment" and I thought it was about time for me actually say something.

[Schipperke]

Although I never posted before, I've read each of your stories and find them very entertaining. You are a fantastic writer! I usually find your stories long after you've finished them. This is the first time I've caught up to a current "moment" and I thought it was about time for me actually say something.

Thank you very much for the kind comment, BubbleFish!  Yes, this story is current, even though I've been a bit lax about updates lately.  I apologize for the delay - I've been busy with other things, plus my last experience with trying to upload to Photobucket was so frustrating I haven't been keen to repeat the process.  But soon, I hope.

And welcome to the forum, BubbleFish.  I hope you'll like it here. 

[audbooh]

More! I've been following this story for a while now and finally decided to say something!

I haven't been playing in Riverview often, so I don't know the townies.
But if this mission was in Sunset Valley,  I'd be an expert!!
This is a wonderful story! I love the plot, setup, and pretty much all of it! Mostly Ben Oliver and his attraction for kilts!
Wait, did I get that wrong 

Thank you Shipperke, for all of your wonderful stories!
 

[Swirl-Girl]

(I always get giddy seeing my patterns!)
This is quite the moral dilemma, best of luck to Ben!

[Schipperke]

More! I've been following this story for a while now and finally decided to say something!

I haven't been playing in Riverview often, so I don't know the townies.
But if this mission was in Sunset Valley,  I'd be an expert!!
This is a wonderful story! I love the plot, setup, and pretty much all of it! Mostly Ben Oliver and his attraction for kilts!
Wait, did I get that wrong 

Thank you Shipperke, for all of your wonderful stories!
 

Thank you very much, audbooh!  It's true that I've been very slow about getting the next update ready.  But I appreciate the reminder, and knowing that people are waiting helps motivate me to make time to get on with it! 

[Magpie2012]

I haven't been online for waaay too long but in a way I'm glad because it just meant I had more Ben to read... I vote for the FSN starting their own colony/town and gaining independence from Riverview!!

[Jocboos]

*Fangirling*
Its a dream come true! Schip I am a big fan of you and thanks for the welcome. This phone kept on autocorrecting your name to Chip. Anyway I don't know townies only like a few from dynasties but I hope Ben gets along with these guys and Good Luck Ben!

Edit: i think I overreact at silly times. Or is it just me?