On August 8th, 2010, Nathaniel Mackory, son of Jim Mackory, celebrated his 42nd birthday and his success in bringing his father’s company back from the dark. TeraCom’s remaining employees were still loyal and would become the upper echelon of TeraCom in the years to come after the revitalization. An immense surplus of consumer goods and supplies maintained in storage allowed TeraCom to stay in business during the reconstruction period. With the power finally back on, new manufacturing could begin immediately. The only problem now was the lack of a greater workforce.

During the Blackout, millions of people died. Even now, many were still dying fighting the war against the AI. If TeraCom was going to expand beyond its former glory before the Blackout, something was going to have to be done.

On Earth’s moon, under the control of Commander Overog and Orion Industries, scores of Orgs were already being put to work. The Gruellein Empire had conquered the home planet of the Orgs centuries ago and had been using these lifeforms as a source of forced labor on thousands of worksites throughout the galaxy. The Orgs on Lutoo Lunis are just a small representation of a much larger and diverse culture spread out across massive star systems.

Commander Overog is a well-respected military leader with multiple battalions under his command across Asteria, Lutoo Lunis, various planets, outposts, and space stations within The Gruellein Empire. The extent of his authority ends with military control, governance of Asteria is shared between Commander Overogg and Chancellor Skeks. Chancellor Skeks, a Corvidian, acts as ambassador for The Gruellein Empire, holding bureaucratic control of Orion Industries, Lutoo Lunis, and Earth. Skeks, has no authority over Gruellein military forces. This often leads to power struggles and a general confusion of leadership as most Gruells do not respect bureaucracy. In Gruellein society, physical dominance is perceived as the ultimate authority. Savy Corvidian aristocrats tend to manipulate powerful Gruells, often using Gruellein temperaments and dispositions to their advantage.

Chancellor Skeks, though a powerful ambassador holding diplomatic authority of Asteria, like all politicians Skeks still had his debts to pay. He saw a wonderful opportunity blossoming beneath Lutoo Lunis on Earth, TeraCom.



Caveat Emptor (buyer beware)

The Gruellein Empire is mostly concerned with conquest and dominance. Its political process and bureaucracy is a complicated façade that passively dictates and alters various laws within Gruellein society. However, most conflicts in Gruellein society are settled by the strongest belligerent. Any laws and ordinances that do exist, exist for the sole purpose of benefiting The Gruellein Empire and protecting Gruellein oligarchs. Any form of representative politics within The Gruellein Empire is a ruse to calm or coerce an uneasy population into compliance with Gruellein authority.

Corvidian aristocrats, old affluent Corvidian families that have preserved their reigns of powers for generations, handle the industrial acquisition and mercantile needs throughout The Gruellein Empire. These politicians have been using their influence, taxing and manipulating trade throughout countless star systems for centuries. Corvidians can be found behind the scenes of every major market throughout The Gruellein Empire, legal or otherwise. For Chancelor Skeks to please the constituents he answers to behind Gruellein backs, Earth was going to have to continue to be a producer of whealth for their organization.

Skeks sent a Corvidian executive named Ekxx to Earth to meet with Nathaniel Mackory and secure a partnership with TeraCom. Ekxx was a very keen negotiator, trader, and most importantly owed much of his success to his wake relation to Chancellor Skeks. Corvidians do not have typical family units. Instead, their young are gathered and raised in group nests by a paternal caregiver. In adolescence, Corvidians will form “wakes” when gathering to consume the bodies of weaker Corvidians less capable of defending themselves.

It was agreed between Chancellor Skeks and Ekxx, that Ekxx would become a partial owner of TeraCom. This acquisition would be acknowledged within Corvidian business circles as long as Ekxx continues acting as emissary for Chancellor Skeks. Ekxx went to Earth to introduce himself to Nathaniel Mackory, promising a limitless market and unfathomable wealth. After an uneasy meeting, the two business beings hashed out a deal. Ekxx would become an equal partner to Mackory and TeraCom would receive access to The Gruellein Empire’s intergalactic markets, upgraded facilities to meet demand, and most importantly, a strong obedient workforce to fill TeraCom’s factories.

After Ekxx returned from the negotiations, Chancellor Skeks used his influence over Orion Industries to allocate tens of thousands of Orgs and their families to be relocated to TeraCom City. During this time, Commander Overog was overseeing a military operation on a distant star system pertaining to an ongoing resistance to The Gruellein Empire by ancient lifeforms. The relocation of Orgs to Earth was facilitated by Corvidian aristocrats also bearing wake relation to Chancellor Skeks and Ekxx.

When the transport ships arrived on Earth, Nathaniel Mackory was pleasantly surprised by the site of so many potential laborers. Massive starships landed across the Hudson River, on the flat grass fields of Liberty State Park. The Orgs were soon transported by TeraCom Security in armored vehicles to their new homes. Before the Orgs arrival, massive housing projects were reconstructed in old residential areas of The Bronx, Harlem, and portions of lower Brooklyn that had previously succumbed to heavy flooding. The Orgs found Earth to be quite suitable, they were much happier here than the dark cramped quarters of Lutoo Lunis. Many Orgs feared they would one day be shuttled back into space. In secret they formed packs and unified.


On the Moon, Orgs live in constant fear inflicted by the cruelty carried out against them by The Gruellein Empire. Commander Overog is particularly known for his wanton acts of cruelty. His reputation for malice follows him across the universe. These viscous acts keep Orgs subdued throughout the extent of The Gruellein Empire. However, on Earth the Orgs were not under such heavy scrutiny. They would come to realize this very quickly.

The Orgs had always been obedient under Gruellein rule. TeraCom and Chancellor Skeks had no inclination Orgs on Earth would act any different. These assumptions would soon prove false. In the basements of the housing projects the Orgs united.

The Org housing projects were constantly patrolled by TeraCom Security. The guards kept constant watch on the laborers. Until one day the guards noticed a stark change in the Orgs demeaner. The Orgs stopped looking sad and downtrodden. Their anguish was replaced with a strong sense of determination and resentment towards the patrols. Day by day, the security patrols through the Org ghettos became more tense. The same lifeforms that once quivered at the sight of TeraCom Security patrol cars, now stood brazenly on the corners. Other Orgs were seen leering out of windows and doorways, staring down the patrols as they passed.

The boiling point came the day a young Org tossed a can of grovel off the windshield of a passing TeraCom Security cruiser. The guards stopped and got out of their vehicles angry, ready to make a violent arrest. The guards quickly realized they were the ones who had overstepped their bounds. On every corner there was groups of angry Orgs holding bats, large wrenches, hammers, and various weapons smuggled from the factories. The guards got back in their cruiser and fled the projects while their squad car was pelted with as much trash the angry mob could toss.

Give Me Your Tired

Unfortunately, this threat wasn’t taken lightly by TC Security. The guards returned to the ghetto the next day in full force. This was most unfortunate for the security guards. The Orgs were waiting. TC security forces were ambushed and beaten within inches of their lives and tied to posts at the entrance of the Org neighborhood. The Orgs left a message for TeraCom, one that was clearly received. “Stay Out”, the Org housing projects were going to be run by their inhabitants, by the Gulraa.

To combat the sudden Org uprising without alerting potential threats from above, CEO Nathaniel Mackory resorted to a drastic tactic. He immediately halted the supply of food to any Org ghetto resisting the presence of TeraCom Security. Within days, The Gulraa responded with their own show of force. Scores of org laborers stormed the TeraCom factories in New Jersey, seizing production of two thirds of TeraCom City.
A complete strike was in full effect. The majority of TeraCom’s production lines were at a complete stand still. The Org laborers feared harsh retribution from Commander Overog if their insurrection was discovered by The Gruellein Empire, but they would soon learn their transportation to Earth was done in secret; conducted by Chancellor Skeks and his wake kinship to appease constituent investors in their own political endeavors.

The Orgs, led by the Gulraa had stood up to their authoritarian handlers on Earth. They made their stance clear with force, showing TeraCom and the Corvidians, their resolve would not be swayed. TeraCom would be forced to negotiate. The Orgs would die in their factories before being indentured or shipped back to the Moon.
After three weeks of industrial stand still, it was clear TeraCom profits were shrinking faster than the stomachs of the Orgs. An agreement between the Orgs and TeraCom would have to be reached. Nathaniel Mackory along with top TeraCom advisers and even Emissary Ekxx sat down to negotiate with The Gulraa. The Gulraa sent their Dons, each one representing a different syndicate of Orgs from the three housing projects.

The negotiations were held publicly with hundreds of Orgs and TeraCom employees present. Two opposing sides gathered in a town center only separated by the table of negotiators between them. The negotiations took place in an old town hall building in The Bronx, now the cultural hub of Earther Orgs.
After hours of deliberation a deal was finally made and a list of demands from both sides was eventually agreed upon. These were the Terms



The Laboring Org Agreements

-The rebelling Org forces will lay down their arms and turn over occupation of the factories back to the TeraCom Corporation.
-The Org population will be allowed to form its own provisional government of self-elected officials from within the Org population to govern the resettled boroughs.
-The provisional government formed by the resettled Orgs will be conducted under the ideals laid out by the resettled Orgs under the pretense that officials from within the Org community are elected democratically and fairly without corruption.
-Under no circumstance is leadership of The Org Provisional Government to be turned over or achieved by a current or former member of ‘The Gulraa’.
-The Org Provisional Government is expected to act in agreement with TeraCom directive. The Org Provisional Government, once formed, will communicate and correlate control of the resettled boroughs to an executive branch within TeraCom & TC Security.
-The Gulraa must disband. Continued participation in ‘The Gulraa’ or affiliation with any organized group dedicated to the manipulation, dismantling, or radicalization of TeraCom affiliated employees is to be viewed as criminal activities.

Compliance and Forgiveness.
-Any member of ‘The Gulraa’, supporters, or affiliated members of Gulraa organizers are to be granted amnesty under a set of stipulations. All stolen weaponry and firearms must be relinquished or dismantled and turned over to TeraCom Security. Active Gulraa resistance must stand down and disorganize peacefully. Gulraa leadership is expected to step down and accept the authority of the Org Provisional Government. With the factories turned back over to TeraCom, resettled Orgs are expected to return to work. Management of the factories and Org workforce will be handled by The Labor Hall, an organization made up of TeraCom and TeraCom Security as well as representatives from the Org Provisional Government. The Labor Hall will oversee all matters pertaining but not limited to wages, workplace safety, employment, and employment distribution.

Compliance and Recognition.
-All resettled Orgs in compliance with this article are to be considered a citizen under the Org Provisional Government and denizens of TeraCom City with equal rights as any other denizen of TeraCom City. To be recognized as a citizen of the Org Provisional Government a census department is to be created within TeraCom Security with the goal of counting and documenting resettled Orgs in an official capacity. Any Org on Earth in delinquency of registering with the census department is to be viewed as ‘non-compliant’ and considered an enemy of TeraCom and the Org Provisional Government.

Property Rights, Food and Land
-The canned grovel that has been supplied to Org laborers prior to the strike will temporarily be delivered to the resettled boroughs and distributed by the Org Provisional Government for the next three months during a transitional period. During this time, it is expected that Org laborers return to their previous job sites and continue working as before. By the end of the transitional period, supplies of food to the boroughs are planned to stop and the Org population is expected to obtain and purchase their own goods, same as any other denizen of TeraCom City. During the transitional period, Org workers will begin receiving a “wage” in the form of TeraCom Credits, the amount of which is to be determined by The Labor Hall based on job type and skill level. Orgs will also be granted rights to land and business ownership under the clause that the property can be afforded by the proprietor and the property can be deeded by TeraCom banks. All land within TeraCom City is deemed property of TeraCom and land rates and value are always subject to change. This clause extends to all land within TeraCom City whether deeded to a Human, Org or otherwise. Under these guidelines Orgs are allowed to own, lease, or rent land and property within TeraCom City and use that land or property for their own personal purposes, same as any other lifeform.

The Areas now referred to as the ‘Resettled Boroughs’, Harlem, portions of The Bronx and Brooklyn will now fall under the jurisdiction of the Org Provisional Government. Specific buildings may also be granted to the Org Provisional Government to be used by the acting government in an official capacity to facilitate Org Provisional Government needs.
After the transitional period, resettled Orgs will be designated to workplace and living space. Once designated to a residence, resettled Orgs will be given an address and lease agreement by TeraCom. The lease agreements will grant residing occupants rights to the property on the grounds the occupants pay a monthly fee determined by TeraCom appraisal. The fees will go to the TeraCom Corporation who maintains land ownership, with a ten percent tax going to the Org Provision Government. These fees are to be collected by representatives of the Org Provisional Government monthly. Refusal or inability to pay lease agreements can result in expulsion from the residence, reprisal from the Org Provisional Government and potential detainment.

Food allowances and Welfare
-For a time to be determined in the future, some aid in the form of food supplies will continue to be delivered to the Labor Hall for the purpose of supplementing the needs of workers who are registered with the census department but are currently not assigned employment by the Labor Hall. This supplemental program is to be facilitated by the Labor Hall in compliance with Org Provisional Government oversight.
Any Org who registers with the census department is to be designated a living space able to accommodate the occupant as well as any other accompanied registered family member adequately and safely. An adequate living space is defined as one that is walled off on all sides with little to no exposure to outside elements. The structure is built of a material that is consistent with modern structures, concrete, wood, steel, and not made of cardboard, plastic, or other subpar materials. The structure must also support a solid, non-porous material for a ceiling, no tarps. Finally, to be deemed a ‘living space’ one sleeping space must be provided for every Org occupant no smaller than 4ft by 10ft. Large spaces must be allocated for large immediate families, no exceptions.

Criminal Process
-The Org Provisional Government will be allowed to govern itself, create its own laws and enforce them within the resettled boroughs. The Org Provisional Government can enforce these laws with impunity and uninfringed by TeraCom Security. TeraCom employees and other denizens of TeraCom City are expected to respect the law of the Org Provisional Government within the resettled boroughs. The Org Provisional Government will maintain the right to detain anyone considered a criminal for any time up to ninety days. After ninety days of detainment by the Org Provisional Government a detainee must then be turned over to TeraCom Security where they will either be released from custody or detained by TeraCom Security and the TeraCom Security judicial process. Under no circumstance must any individual Org or otherwise be detained by the Org Provisional Government for any time exceeding ninety days. The decision to release or further prosecute an individual turned over to TeraCom Security by the Org Provisional Government is to be determined by the discretion of TeraCom Security.

Closing words
Under these guidelines and this treaty all Orgs on Earth are to be their own people. They will find on Earth the same rights and freedoms as every other lifeform. In accordance with this treaty, every Org on Earth is now an individual capable of making their own path with their own choices. This document will be signed by the CEO of TeraCom, Nathaniel Mackory and the leaders of the Org community who have been able to come to this tremendous agreement. As an extent of gratitude and community all parties present today are invited to sign this document.



Backblast

Granting Orgs the kinds of freedoms they were granted on Earth by TeraCom was a travesty against The Gruellein Empire. Emissary Ekxx was aware how dangerous this situation was, and the terms were almost impossible for him to accept. The Corvidian Emissary knew he would face severe consequences from his constituents if the word ever left Earth. He was quite literally, lucky to not be pecked to death and eaten by his wake kinship. Unfortunately, he was unable to refuse the agreement. Bringing the Orgs to Earth was itself a brazen act against Gruellein authority but for Corvidian oligarchs to maintain influence and control of the intergalactic markets, constant sources of cheap manufacturing and labor like Earth are crucial.

Emissary Ekxx was obviously displeased by the outcome of the negotiations. If any of this was to reach Commander Overog it is likely that Emissary Ekxx and Chancellor Skeks entire wake would be slaughtered and Earth burned in neutronic hellfire at the hands of Overog’s Armada, a typical end for those defiant of The Gruellein Empire. Fortunately for the Corvidians, Commander Overog is unconcerned with Earth which is thought to be mostly uninhabited by The Gruellein Empire.

Behind the backs of TeraCom and Nathaniel Mackory, who mostly agreed with the needs of the Orgs, Emissary Ekxx would work with the Labor Hall to put an end to the freedoms of the Orgs on Earth and return them back to the means of chattel slavery. In the shadows, a war would rage between the Labor Hall and the now criminalized ‘Gulraa Mafia’. It wouldn’t be long before the gutters lining the back alleys of the resettled boroughs would be glistening green and red with Labor Hall and Gulraa blood dripping down the drains.

The news of the Org victory and the freedoms associated with it had made its way to Detroit. The Orgs sent to The Midwest Economic Zone faced far less scrutiny and harassment. The area was rapidly redeveloping and the migrant Orgs were vital forces in the effort to rebuild. TeraCom Security in Detroit was stretched thin and more concerned with raiders and more violent uprisers than hard working laborers. As such, the Orgs of Detroit were very grateful for the opportunities they had been given on Earth. To them Detroit was a place they could settle like a frontier, go to work, spread out and build a home. -The Orgen Dream.

Some of these Orgs had much more faith in TeraCom and the newly formed Labor Hall, “why take off our chains just to put them back on” they say. Many of these Orgs just want to make a quiet life for themselves in this new world. Still other Orgs swear by The Gulraa. To them they are a necessary lawlessness. The only wall between them and a return to enslavement.


Soon another syndicate of The Gulraa would rise in the Midwest under an ambitious Don, Don Baroo. The Detroit syndicate would become the founders of Detroit Guns and supply firearms to the syndicates back east as well as local customers. The Gulraa were able to spread far in the Midwest, opening their own businesses and controlling a multitude of rackets, allowing them to gain a powerful hold over Detroit and surrounding areas. It was clear The Gulraa wasn’t going away anytime soon.

It didn’t take long for many Org families to spread out between TeraCom City and Detroit. Some Orgs build or buy homes outside the city centers and Economic Zones, choosing a commute to work, while others hustle and bustle in downtown tenement towers. The Org had truly become part of the countryside, a new extraterrestrial piece of postmodern Americana.