[size=150]SPECIAL REPORT[/size]MAINLAND TURMOIL AND INTRIGUE: GOV’T SWAT TEAM SEEKS ASYLUM IN ROCK RIVER COMMUNITY; LEADERS IN ROCK RIVER, SHELBURNE FALLS SEEK SCOW CREEK PROTECTION
28 SEP 2014 SC
QIÁNU, SCOW CREEK:[/b] In a real-world military twist worthy of a spy novel, the SWAT team that ransacked Shelburne Falls two weeks ago and then invaded Rock River has now sought asylum in that community, as leaders from both communities appealed to Scow Creek to come under its protection.
Under orders from the Continental Federation, the SWAT team was originally sent to confiscate private weapons and shut down the Taurus Forge in Shelburne Falls. Upon finding that the weapons had been smuggled off of the mainland, they ransacked the town’s large art and retail district before leaving to turn their fury on neighboring Rock River.
The Rock River community has long enjoyed an isolated existence, as its only populated area is deep at the end of the rivers ravine, surrounded by dangerous vertical ledges on all sides. As the SWAT team made the three-day journey up the non-navigable river, the Scow Creek Coast Guard dropped warning flyers on a helicopter fly-over, incurring the criticism of the diplomatic community for invading air space and involving itself in another nation’s internal civil war.
The Rock River people could have conducted a serious guerilla war by positioning themselves on the ledges above the river; instead, they greeted the SWAT members with a feast.
The “River Rats,” as they affectionately call themselves, are a unique settlement of near-primitive conditions. The nearly 100% gay male community enjoy an entirely nudist existence, living a nomadic, hedonistic existence out of tents and rock campfires. Though many residents are transient, a core of ‘council elders’ occupies the center of the settlement and provides continuity and ‘peer pressure’ to insure a modicum of social rules and practices. A single trading post at the mouth of River insures a degree of trade with the outside world for necessities.
Aaron Derek, the leader of the SWAT team, gave an exclusive interview to this reporter on the sudden change of heart:
“All of us have been trained in a high degree of self-reliance, as well as reliance on our brothers in the team, and in outdoor survival skills. The primary time we get to execute those skills is when we are called upon to undertake a mission. Then we found these people here, and they are actually living, day-to-day, the very existence most of us crave.
We signed up to defend our nation from invasions. We were proud, loyal, patriots, each one of us. But our nation’s government has changed, and when we were sent to Shelburne Falls to confiscate private firearms, every one of us felt uneasy about that. You’re looking at a bunch of guys who are very comfortable around weapons, and who have been private firearms owners and shooters ourselves. After we received orders to pillage the village, none of us felt good about what went down.”
Derek continued:
“On the three-day journey up Rock River, we all went through some heavy soul-searching about what we were doing and what we were defending. When we were greeted by the “Rats,” we all felt the same way – that these people were living the way that we all wished we could, all the time. We had some serious heart-to-hearts, and all agreed that we needed to be fighting for these people, not against them. All twenty of us decided we wanted to stay.”
When asked about their lives at home in the Continental Federation, Derek replied,
“In an ironic way, they actually made this easy for us. Members of elite SWAT team units may not be married or have kids, nor can we own our own real estate or vehicles. We are actually leaving very little behind.”
Many have wondered if the wrath of the Continental Federation would now be visited upon the area. “I don’t think so,’ said Derek. ‘These mountains are impregnable, and when we were sent here it was made very clear that the CF considers this area ‘expendable.’ They are fighting much bigger battles in the huge cities, and see this area as little more than a small annoyance. They may, however, send another SWAT team, and that is why we think that we need to forge stronger ties with Scow Creek – they already have an efficient local force here in the Coast Guard Base at Qiánu. With their defense outside the community, and ours inside, I think we’re pretty good.”
But what about the free-loving, gay nudist lifestyle here? Derek gave a surprising answer:
“Look, all of us in the Team were trained to rely on each other for our very lives. We’ve lived in close contact with each other during every mission, and pretty much know each other’s deepest thoughts. A lot of us are much closer than many people probably imagine…I think we’ll get along just fine here. And if someone is uncomfortable and wants to leave, we won’t stop them.”
Indeed, this reporter noted that every member of the SWAT team had already shed their clothes and were clearing out tent spaces for themselves, side by side with the native villagers.
Meanwhile, the Assembly is scheduled to discuss Shelburne Falls’ request for military protection at tomorrow’s legislative session.
