Complicit Simplicity Chapter 7

Complicit Simplicity Chapter 7

All three had messages waiting when they arose the next morning, and soon they had messages darting back and fourth between themselves. The messages to our favored triptych requested participation in a short ceremony at the FLC Chamber of Commerce, followed by a deepsea fishing trip. The purpose was recognition of their civic virtue in helping remove the Fagin gang.

After breakfast more controversial discussions came during a saunter through the hotel gardens. Mose lead the deliberations toward his favorite subject, "The freedom we share within the Federation of Liberated Cantons is perhaps the first stable liberty in history. Stable, yes that's what it is, but growing freedom too -- as it is embraced by those pursuing a better future.

Mercenary freelances bring their prosperity to the FLC. Our societies are aggressive at providing a biodiverse economic ecosystem for natural enterprise. Privacy and well rewarded innovation thwart oppression and inspire individual efforts that keep humankind ahead of extinction."

As they meandered, Gloria decided they should attend the ceremony and make further decisions then. Knowing Gloria's reputation for on-the-spot strategic analysis, the other two readily agreed. All three were looking forward to a day of recreation anyway, and life is pleasant in the FLC.

The most notable event to Jon at the Chamber of Commerce was not the awards, it was the realization that he understood Gloria at the same unspoken level he had communicated with her sister and his wife. Neither Gloria nor Mose showed any outward sign of recognition when the captain of the sport boat entered, but Jon could feel the decision Gloria made that she wanted them to take the trip.

He even felt like saying "yes dear," but his voice would have been too strained by emotion.

It wasn't quite that smooth, but a quick agreement within the foursome had them dressed for relaxation and headed for the yacht. On spying the ship Jon smiled at the name "Golden Sunset." Gloria had been right, Jon knew, that he knew, they were operating within an appropriate groove.

Once they were out of the range of easy surveillance, they set up a couple of fishing poles, and Midas turned on some 'tronics. They slipped into the downladder conversation well with their drinks, and they all smiled.

They had all done work for the FLC before, in fact the project Jon had just finished was at their (top secret) prompting. The citizens of FLC members had a much higher per capita income than in centrally controlled states, but their governments were kept poor. It was their unity, their willingness to stand together for liberty, and their increasing numbers that lent them strength.

FLC members also were much further advanced technologically than committee run or autocratic states. Nothing is as inventive or productive as a free man that can benefit from his own efforts. In restricted, regulated, and highly taxed principalities little was produced, except by labor's strong arm and whip laced back.

Politics, liberal or conservative, seeks to increase the power of government to mandate ends. Within a free environment individuals seek to protect and improve their, and by extension, other's futures.

The FLC Chamber of Commerce provides leadership and arbitration if requested -- and is run as a profitable venture. Free people become members of the Chamber because it works to make their lives and wealth more secure. It is a self-selecting arrangement, if someone wants the Chamber's help, they support its actions. They could support another group for the same purpose if they wish - competition helps keep the FLC Chamber of Commerce sharp. Voluntary association for mutual benefit -- free people supporting their own liberty.

Gloria started the ball rolling, "we all know each other by reputation, but I think this is the first time Jon and Midas have had a chance to meet - gentlemen." They exchanged pleasantries and smiles, and in fact had a short laugh at how well the complicit team was forming.

Midas turned just a bit formal. "Jon, the best cover I could have as head of FLC liberty operations is to be a minor functionary in the Chamber. But so you know, I have access to all the financing and intelligence information you need for the new project - whatever we decide that will be. You may know how thoroughly you have disrupted Pahl's operations, but we know he and Scar think your efforts have stopped. One more hard push and perhaps we can get something evil to fall."

Jon smiled, "I'm glad the farewell present worked so well, Pahl's princedom is one of the darkest spots on this continent, I would love to keep opening windows and doors, letting in fresh air and light."

Midas returned the smile, "The Liberated Cantons would love to help you free another populace. We will let Gloria decide what to do once you enter Elldee, but if you three agree we think we can get you to the southern border with no difficulty. Travel will be through Liberated Cantons, so there is no need for passports, approvals, or IDs. You will probably want to enter Elldee separately and then join together, but Gloria may develop other plans. In fact, knowing Gloria, she probably will."

Mose spoke for the first time. "I think we can all go in together, a business trying to set up in a new territory. With the software business we will have an excuse for a high speed network, and for traveling around. Jon and Gloria will have freedom because it will take me time to get the approvals from the bureaucrats."

Gloria looked thoughtful. "That would work. That also gives us a backup purpose, open trade decreases chances of war and increases prosperity. For this venture, Jon can be a proposed area manager, I'll be a management trainee so I can have maximum freedom and excuses."

Jon looked at Mose and asked how much time such cover would give them.

"It takes three weeks to get the paperwork through, and it is always turned down the first time. There are three levels of appeals if we want to draw things out. We can give bribes if we want to hurry, but that might paint us as too ambitious. I have another trick - after three weeks to do the paperwork, we can delay past the time to submit an appeal - one week from our rejection. If we start the whole process over again then the bureaucrats will be so frustrated at having to jump through their own hoops again they will approve us to get rid of us."

That brought an appreciative laugh, all three then listened to Midas. "Pahl of course will view your efforts as an act of war, but not having a defined enemy to attack or assets to extort he will just bluster. For Scar even diplomacy is war with only the victor to be left standing -- just because he is paranoid does not mean he won't try to kill his illusions before they can kill him. Scar views everyone competent or ambitious as an enemy, he tends to kill first to avoid the need for questions."

Midas continued: "You have our full support until you enter Elldee, and as much as we can manage short of war once you are inside. With all of our actions we will deny knowledge of your intent - so you didn't tell me your goals. To us you are just business people hoping to open trade relations with a neighbor.

FLC interests are served with each freed individual - increasing freedom enriches all free men; some more, some less, but still all. A new movement of liberty will add enormously onto the foundations of freedom we have already built. By helping you help them, FLC is helping them and each of our members, it's win-win-win.

We have contacts with the Los Diego underground, but you run the risk of Scar's secret police moles if you meet with them. I would save that tool for desperate times."

Much more was discussed on board, they even caught a large barracuda. Fine eating, if its meat isn't poisonous with cigua toxin at the moment, and it doesn't eat part of you first.

"It is the natural and inherent impulse of life to seek to live more; it is the nature of intelligence to enlarge itself, and of consciousness to seek to extend its boundaries and find fuller expression."
Wallace D. Wattles

Mobs have life. It doesn't matter if they are a city, party, nation, or movement. Their goals soon devolve into extending their life and swallowing everything. Anything beyond a tribe grows until it kills its host, and therefore starves itself.

If you wish to create a movement that honors liberty it needs but two controlling documents, both of them short and easy to read, from the founding of America: The Declaration Of Independence and The Bill Of Rights.

Anything more and you are witnessing the birth of a parasite that will grow until its resentment of its host kills them both. At what point of growth are the large groups you belong to?

return to top of page.



All direct income from my Squidoo lenses goes to micro-finance solutions for world poverty provided by the Grameen Foundation. The Grameen Foundation is creating a rising tide of positive influence upon our world.

Will your life be based on what you want to use it to accomplish, or by random urges of what you want to do? - Allan Wallace