Conflict_Theory mod for Half-Life 2: Episode Two

Before you read #01: Much of this log has been redacted to preserve the mystery, it will not be completed, even after the mod's release. Speculate as you may.

Before you read #02: Remember that this is a log from a fictional story, it is NOT meant to reflect on the real world. It's only purpose is for lore and world building in this fictional world. I do not nor have I ever intended to comment on the real world.

Negotiations Chat Log

(CONFIDENTIAL, DELETE AFTER VIEWING. FAILURE TO COMPLY WILL RESULT IN DEMOTION).

Negotiator: Alright, prisoner. You have successfully taken over the facility. What are your demands?

Insurgent Leader: I sincerely doubt that you will listen.

Negotiator: Try me.

Insurgent Leader: I want it all to stop. (REDACTED)

Negotiator: No deal.

Insurgent Leader: Don't you understand what you and your ilk are doing here, you are going to lead to the deaths of millions of people with this technology, once the situation between (REDACTED) reaches a boiling point, you'll be forced to use this stuff against them!

Negotiator: Mr. Morris, this rebellion of yours will be fruitless, even if we complied with your request, someone else, somewhere else, would develop the exact same (REDACTED) (if not worse) that what we have made. Your insurgency is a lost cause that won't even be a footnote in history.

Insurgent Leader: (Subject has paused for a moment, possibly to contemplate his next words).

Negotiator: What's the matter? Didn't think this through? Let me talk to you for a minute about your ilk, since you seem to be adamant to talk about mine. You scumbags are all the same, you parade around with your “the end is near signs” or you create your little radio shows that do nothing but spread doom and gloom while subsequently growing your own profits off the backs of the gullible fools who don't know any better than to believe your drivel. While we simply (REDACTED).

Insurgent Leader: Off the backs of the innocent. You forget that I have firsthand knowledge of how your (REDACTED) occur.

Negotiator: Our (REDACTED) is precise, everyone we use in these projects has been deemed to have no (REDACTED).

Insurgent Leader: Which society do you mean? The one that exists now or the impossible utopia you seek to build?

Negotiator: I am surprised at you, Mr. Morris. Someone with your (REDACTED) background should know that some people just don't cut it. And as for the utopia we plan to build, we plan to (REDACTED).

Insurgent Leader: Everything you do goes against God.

Negotiator: You disappoint me, haven't you read up on us? (REDACTED) What is so wrong with that?

Insurgent Leader: If I know anything about your methods, you'll (REDACTED) Well I have news for you, once your (REDACTED) found out about this truth, they turned on you. I don't care if my rebellion fails because I will die knowing one thing.

Negotiator: And what would that be?

Insurgent Leader: Because my voice will be the last thing you bastards hear before your little plan falls apart. Your (REDACTED) aren't dumb, despite what you want to believe. You developed this little cult around yourselves, marketing yourselves as Gods.

Negotiator: So you made yourself their new God, didn't you. How predictable. It doesn't matter, you seem to have been never taught the first rule of power.

Insurgent Leader: Indulge me on your little rule, would you kindly?

Negotiator: I get that reference, jokes aside, the first rule of power is to tell people what they want to hear, next one is to pretend to listen to people, then the last being to make your self relatable.

Insurgent Leader: You screwed big time then. You and your ilk are completely out of touch with your so called constituents, they cannot stand you or the sub-par products you put out. Second, you don't listen to people, you simply put those who agree to be your little puppets on a pedestal and you condemn those who dare to disagree, even if all they do is offer up constructive criticism. Plus, I cannot sincerely believe that you are ignorant enough to think you'll be able to relate to the average John and Jane Doe from your ivory tower? They aren't as stupid as you make them out to be, they have eyes and they can see your hypocrisy. You instill rules on them that you refuse to follow yourselves.

Negotiator: You lump us all into one category, what do you think we're the Illuminati, I have news for you, your conspiracy theories may make sense in your twisted head, but they aren't reality. All we are is (REDACTED) Now if you're done ranting, do you want you and your (REDACTED) to come out of this alive or not?

Insurgent Leader: You bastards killed my real (REDACTED), all I did was use you so called innovations to bring (REDACTED) back. (REDACTED) is the only good thing that has come out of your so called (REDACTED). Plus, I'm not stupid, you'll fake our deaths and wipe both our memories before you let us go, we'll be no more than vagrants on the streets.

Negotiator: I'll take that as a no then, we'll activate our best (REDACTED) to “take care” of you.

Insurgent Leader: I've taken down the others you sent, bring it on.

(END OF TRANSMISSION)