Enclosure is coming this year, in late 2114. Are you and your loved ones prepared? PSTU 3 has all the latest news and coverage on pre-Enclosure events. Stay tuned here for important news as it happens. [more info]
March 23rd, 2111
(Portland) As Hastings CEO Alfonso Maldonado is appointed to the position of Metro Security Chief, he dives headlong into an office sworn to protect downtown Portland despite anti-Enclosure rioters, criminals preying on the homeless, and a growing population of refugees swarming to Portland in time for the Enclosure lottery. The city streets between W Burnside and SW Alder are host to thousands of refugees, most who have come for the Enclosure lotteries being held in the coming months. Cars and trucks, converted buses, and RVs are parked back-to-back with the space in-between jammed with tents and sleeping bags for those who could no longer afford a vehicle. Ramshackle lean-tos and aluminium huts, some stacked nearly three stories high, jut out from over-flowing buildings recently purchased by the Hastings Group. Metro Security has cordoned off a diagonal perimeter around the area, stretching from Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park and nearly 18 blocks west to the convergence of SW Washington and W Alder.
While most of the refugees have been quarantined in what is becoming known as the "Tangletown Slum", anti-Enclosure riots have spread south to the area around City Hall. The press has been barred from the area citing security concerns and news copters have been prevented from entering downtown airspace by Hastings Security air brigade. Metro Security has gone so far as to set up wireless nullification units around the area to block unauthorized transmissions in or out. Anonymous reports suggest that Metro Security forces are clashing with rioters along a nearly 10 block stretch of downtown. From outside the restricted zone, plumes of black smoke can be seen hurtling their way skywards during the day and, after dark, the flames from burning buildings light up the night sky.
Mayor Bassett continues to govern from City Hall under the watchful eye of an estimated 800 Hastings Security personnel spread out between the building and nearby streets. Though unable to broadcast video of Hastings appointment due to technical challenges, the mayor released a written statement calling the appointment "well needed and in the best interests of all Portlanders." He also called for an immediate end to the riots and for all law-abiding citizens to purchase their Enclosure lottery tickets.
Maldonado himself however was able to appear for the cameras and met with the press in a cordoned off area inside the downtown branch of the Multnomah County Library. Maldonado appeared at-ease and affable despite the city-wide unrest he was appointed to pacify. His normally high-profile security entourage was no where to be seen during the press conference though several men in black suits and sunglasses did position themselves at the sides and back of the crowd. As the press gathered, he smiled and waved and made short quips to people he knew in the audience.
After taking the podium though, he took no questions other than to make a short statement: "Enclosure is imminent. Before that happens, this city will know peace and security through the strength of its security forces. I am issuing an order that - as of this moment - will combine Hastings Security forces with Metro Security forces to create one professional, cohesive unit. Metro Security forces will continue to be the name for this new collaboration. With the combined efforts of this new team, we will stamp out lawlessness in this city. Thank you."
The room erupted in questions but Maldonado quickly exited out the back of the museum and was whisked away in a black Humvee.
Though barred from the press conference, activist group Domes for People released a statement regarding the appointment on their blog. "We condemn the mayor for allowing this illegal appointment," writes spokesperson Juan Biggs. "And for handing the city's security over to a greedy sociopath like Maldonado. There are dark days ahead for Portland. Those folks living in the streets should be first into the dome, not the rich and powerful. Domes for People encourages those quarantined in the 'Tangletown Slum' to peaceably protest either through sit-ins or hunger strikes."
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