|
k&n-'trOl
1 : to check, test, or verify by evidence or experiments
2 : to exercise restraining or directing
influence over
The Changeling Control Division, or CCD as it is usually
known, is Australia's answer to the Sickness. Certainly, given
a complete lack of information as to how other countries are
surviving, it seems to be the only option...
A paramilitary organisation consisting of combat units, psychologists,
research scientists and administrative assistants, the CCD's
current task is to ensure that the average Pureblood citizen
can go about their daily business without having to worry
about being eaten or infected with the Sickness. The CCD is
broken up into a serious of Chapters which take care of individual
cities and towns. These Chapters may include various stations,
of which the Saint Kilda Station, run by Hawthorn Matheson,
is one.
Historically, the focus of the CCD was on complete erradication
of the Virus and all infected carriers. While this did curtail
the spread drastically, as the years passed, the effect on
society in general was to slowly create a backlash against
the executions. Few Purebloods had not lost a friend or family
member to the CCD burnings and erradications. While repellant
to many of the People, the executions were carried out as
humanely as possible.
In their thousands.
The First Ease was a major change in policy for the CCD.
Instead of immediate death, Changelings were sent to detention
centers in the deserts, unless they resisted arrest. While
the policy did allow those who were nonviolent to survive
their Sickness without spreading it, the good centers soon
filled to capacity, then found their facilities degrading.
Within two years, they were more like prisons, and a year
after that little more than gulags. During this time, Ciphers
were considered Changelings because they tested positive to
the virus, despite having no obvious ability or way of spreading
their Sickness.
The Second Ease was triggered by the CCD agent known as Hawthorn
Mattheson. Repeatedly decorated for his courage, restraint
and sensible choices in times of crisis, Hawthorn began to
express typically Changeling traits. These manifested in a
tendency to predict other's actions before they occurred -
he was a Telempath and instinctively sensed the emotions and
a little of the surface thoughts of those around him. Absolutely
loyal and upstanding, his superiors resisted his restriction
to a gulag, and eventually political pressure initiated the
Second Ease.
As a result, Changelings are now required to Register, take
a series of suppressants that curtail their dangerous urges
and stop their Virus being infectious, and behave in a sober
and sensible way. If they comply, they can remain within the
community (though certain areas such as the health sector
will not employ them). If they do not, they are tracked by
the CCD and apprehended. Evidence of violent crime will send
them to a gulag, but they are legally only to be killed in
self defence or defence of others.
|
