AA wins.
***
One More Month
I persuaded Twintails to join my group by telling her that her place of refuge was now compromised, and she would be in need of more secure quarters. It wasn't hard to convince her of that; she seemed to harbour some curiosity towards me, personally. Though she still believed that I was ultimately working for the Federation, but I began working on swaying her loyalties towards the Federation as an ideal rather than the Federation as an institution. Iannes was shocked when he met her; for a brief instant I wondered if I had made the wrong choice to introduce her - he looked like he was about to die from the shock. Qin got a little too over-excited when she found out about Twintails, booking a flight from another system immediately to meet up with us on Earth. She's expected to arrive in another week or so. The both of them seemed too eager to believe that this was somehow an augmented, memory-wiped Kyrie. I suppose I can't blame them, but I still have my reservations. I do not think my memories are false. There has to be some other explanation for this, but that can wait.
In the political arena, on the other hand, Governor Camna did not appear to respond well to my answer. Pitting his voter-base against his financial backers put him under a great deal of stress - he had to juggle between his political reputation and the dirty income he was receiving from the syndicates. Cracking down on me too overtly would prove to be messy and could possibly cost him the election against Iannes. If he didn't do anything, however, the syndicates would be very displeased. His indecision would cost him; as it is, it did not take long before I received overtures from certain members of the criminal underworld, seeking to come to a mutual understanding. I learnt that the top leadership of the syndicates were closely entwined with the Federation heads, and had aided Twintails during the Frommen assassination. A few of the smarter members, however, were seeking a shortcut to glory. There I may find opportunities to exploit.
Meanwhile, the general boycott I had called against syndicate activities has severely curtailed their profits, though I am aware this state of affairs will not last for long before people succumb to their natural inclination to be entertained illegally. The momentum I have created will last until the elections, however, and that is what I am counting on. It is not possible to utterly rid the city of its criminal elements. All I can do is ensure it is under control and out of public sight after they have served their role as my scapegoat.
The Federation would not stay idle too. Following my instructions, Twintails had notified them that she was now infiltrating the city's subversives, only saying that I had contacted her, but leaving the details of our conversation out of it. As I expected, her handlers had seized on this chance and gave her their approval - they were eager to dig out more information about my organization before the election comes. The Federation spooks saw this as a blessing in disguise, and were even prepared to send more spies in the guise of Twintails's 'friends'. They know that I know that Twintails is a spy, and believe that I am attempting to turn her into a double agent. In return, they plan to utilize Twintails as a double agent against me. Twintails, on the other hand, believes that I am still covertly working for the Federation as a double agent myself. I'm not sure whether this is a simple double-cross or if it can be considered something more complex.
It really is quite complicated, which is why I need something to fall back on if all the plots blow up in my face. Something powerful enough to laugh off any attempts at taking me down by force.
That is why I'm currently working on the prototype Black Hole Engine and a powered suit based around this technology. The challenges of miniaturizing the reactor are surprisingly very few; it is in fact easier to construct a miniature version than to build a large reactor optimized for CF or battleship use. A larger singularity would be far harder to contain and run a higher risk of going out of control. Theoretically, I should be able to utilize the research that has been performed on a rival engine project investigating the siphoning of extra-dimensional energy to aid in the stabilization of a super-massive black hole, but that is something I will not need to look into for now. Besides, I do need proper facilities before I attempt anything more ambitious, preferably somewhere light-years away from anything I'd like to remain safe should an accident occur. At any rate, progress on the research is proceeding smoothly; I require only the minimum amount of fuel to start and maintain the singularity now - all that is left is to develop the weapons systems to take advantage of it...
***
There are two prominent factions from the syndicates that are attempting to gain my favour, seeing a mutual opportunity where they can create a new paradigm that fits into the world I am attempting to deliver. They are the Red Octopus, a faction that can best be described as conservative, loyal and strongly familial, and the Blue Wolves, a younger group that is ambitious, highly skilled in the use of technology, and aggressive. I recognize the impossibility of getting rid of the criminal world entirely - this might be a good way to get my own puppet crime-lords in power. It is probably possible to broker a joint alliance with the both of them, but that would require conceding more power to them to make it possible. Otherwise, I could choose to ally with either one...
A. Ally with the Red Octopus. They should be a more reliable ally due to their loyalty. It shouldn't be hard to turn that loyalty towards me.
B. Ally with the Blue Wolves. I need capable men more than anything else. My ambition is even greater than theirs; they will learn the benefits of staying with me soon enough.
C. Broker an alliance with both. There is no reason why I cannot have the best of both worlds; I should be able to play them both off each other to keep them under control.
D. I'm getting rid of all the gangs. No compromises. I will wipe them out to a man.
***
The Order of Pithos is progressing well as a knowledge-based organization that promotes humanism and teaches useful skills to those who are willing to learn. However, I am uncertain if this will be sufficient in the long run - there may be a day where violence is called for.
A. I begin to select more militant members of the organization to form a paramilitary wing that will be taught tactics, strategy and the handling of weapons. This may alarm many of my allies, but it is a risk I am willing to take. Revolution is always bloody.
B. I allow the Order to proceed on its current path. If any violence breaks out, I should be able to handle it without needing a small army of my own. Those interested in warfare will still be given tutoring, but I will not create a specific sub-group of the organization geared towards the application of violence.
***
The Federation believes that they can send in more double-agents to spy on me, and that I believe those double-agents will actually be working for me. I could possibly use this to my advantage.
A. I accept the arrival of three more 'friends' of Twintails. I am confident in my ability to deceive, sow misinformation, and perhaps even sway them to my side. Besides, it would look suspicious if I do not accept.
B. I refuse the arrival, telling Twintails that too many agents in one area would attract suspicion. It would be too complicated to allow so many snakes to nest in my own house; I should not take too many risks now that the election is just a month away.
***
Finally, I need to deal with the syndicate factions that are hostile to me before the day of the election. My information network is currently a mess; there are too many gossips and rumours to sift through. It would be to my advantage to begin suppressing the syndicates so that matters calm down and I can obtain reliable information again. To that end...
A. I attack the legal fronts of the syndicates; their shops, casinos and brothels. I will endeavour to take over these businesses, either via force or persuasion - this will provide the Order of Pithos with a much needed source of income while hurting the syndicates at the same time.
B. I attack the illegal business dealings of the syndicates; drug trafficking, human exploitation and smuggling. I will starve the beast and force them to capitulate by destroying their more lucrative sources of income. The revelation of these illegal dealings will increase public pressure on the syndicates and help my reputation.
C. I go for the head. I begin a campaign of assassination starting at the very top of the syndicate power-structure. I will work my bloody way down until they learn that there is no place in Ankida for those that will not submit to me. It should not take long.