Anomie

Oh no, this article is **incomplete!** Please don't stare...

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## **Main Background**

Unknown Skies

> *"There are shadows that cover and shadows that hide. It's like with clouds: there are those that, for a moment, cover the sun of a day too hot, creating pleasant, refreshing shadows. However, when the clouds cover the sun for too long, the shadows created form a lasting darkness. It's then when the clouds in the sky begin to instill an unshakable sense of fear..."*
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> -Unknown Skies Apocalypse promotion
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**Anomie** is the 17th Standard Ultimate Wizard quest released for the Global version of Crash Fever, albeit at Spectre difficulty.

The quest starts with a TV news theme playing, before a loud BANG marks the beginning of a broadcast of the Bullet News show, which is meant to talk about the latest facts, trends, and gossip of the USA Branch of ALICE. The host and co-host introduce themselves as Tylor Manysecrets and Vicky Tellmenothing. Tylor asks Vicky about her opinions on the recent cyber attacks on the Main Branch, while mentioning that the attacks have supposedly been tied to the USA Branch, although that has yet to be confirmed. Vicky just remarks that she is one for love stories and happy endings, and says that the fact that nobody was hurt during the attack is good news to her. Vicky then fantasizes and wonders if the culprit is a gentleman thief that might come to ask her hand in marriage. Tylor just says that he hopes that doesn't happen, or her fans will be surely disappointed. He laughs and then tells everyone to tune into the daily memorandum.

In the ME Subsector of the USA Branch, university student Durkheim arrives at the High Valley Research Facility No.43. He speaks to himself that he was supposed to go here to help the company he interns at, but wonders why they chose an intern to go. He wonders if High Valley is going to hire him, but remarks that regardless he still needs to graduate and that his thesis project is currently a disaster. Durkheim says that he just needs to export the data from the facility using the tool that was given to him, but he soon notices that the place seems to be devoid of all personnel. He remarks that it is no wonder they needed help if that is the case. He finds the main terminal, inserts the tool, and types up the commands to export the data. He thinks to himself for a moment if he is sure about what he is doing and what if he is wrong, especially since he's only a game design student. He supposes that he just needs to try, and starts the export.

The intercom for the facility states that the data export request has been accepted, but then announces that the resource allocation to do so is at critical levels, which shocks Durkheim. The intercom then says that the subsector could blackout at any moment, and to evacuate immediately. Durkheim starts to panic, and wonders if it was his fault. He then realizes that a complete blackout would mean that he would die there. He continues to freak out, saying that it must be dreaming and he's just having a bad nightmare.

Malinowski appears and asks him that, if he is dreaming, in what manner will he wake up and in how many pieces. Durkheim tells him this isn't the time for this, before realizing that he doesn't know the person. He asks Malinowski who he is and where did he come from. Malinowski responds that he is Durkheim's only ticket out of this, and tells him to just calm down. Durkheim, continuing to panic, says there was nobody there a minute ago. He begins to wonder if this is a test, and whether it is an evaluation set-up.

He asks what Malinowski is going to do to him, and Malinowski just remarks that it will be nothing worse than what someone else already did to him. Durkheim asks what he means, and says he isn't sure that he can trust him. Malinowski admits that he doesn't really care what Durkheim does, he just needs him to survive. Durkheim says he wants to just go home, while Malinowski calls him a fool. Durkheim asks how he could do that, and Malinowski says that there is unfortunately only one way. Malinowski then appears to inject Durkheim with some kind of anesthesia, and he tells Durkheim to not worry as he will wake up and everything will be fine. He then corrects himself, saying that Durkheim will only be as fine as can be for him anyways. With that, Durkheim blacks out.

While unconscious, Durkheim has one main thought - Destiny. He thinks that the word had always seemed so distant to him, but now he can feel the thought emboldening him, and briefly thinks that he alone can do it. Durkheim suddenly wakes up, and remarks that he feels like he had the worst dream. Malinowski tells him that he was just about to wake him up, and Durkheim asks what's going on as he realizes that it wasn't a dream after all.

Malinowski asks if he still doesn't trust him, and tells him to look around. Durkheim recognizes it as Elysium University, and Malinowski states that it is the Elysium University library, to be precise. Durkheim asks if he is a professor, but Malinowski laughs at the idea. He introduces himself, and says that he was a student there once, and a bad one at that. Durkheim remarks that it is quite a coincidence, which Malinowski weakly agrees with. Malinowski comments that the place hasn't changed one bit, and says that his head still hurts thinking about the stiff classes and boring professors. He asks Durkheim if he really could have gone here voluntarily, and Durkheim says that he thinks it is a fine establishment. Malinowski just says that is what they repeat again and again until you actually believe it.

Malinowski then tells Durkheim that he's going to be honest, and tells him that he is knee deep in a swamp and doesn't even know it. He says that now the bad guys think he is dead, so if he wants to stay free, he better do as he says. Malinowski tells Durkheim that the first thing he wants him to do is to doubt, and doubt anything that anyone has ever told him. Malinowski says that once Durkheim has done that, he wants him to start actually thinking from the ground up.

Durkheim is too stunned to speak. Malinowski says that he knows it is a lot to take in, but he needs to trust him that he is doing this all for him. Durkheim asks how he knows that Malinowski is the one telling the truth, but rather than answer, Malinowski asks him to start by telling him what he was actually doing in the ME Subsector. Durkheim doesn't answer, and Malinowski says that since Durkheim doesn't seem to know, he will just tell him.

Malinowski starts to tell Durkheim that he was set up by someone else, but before he can even really start to say anything a voice interrupts and says that Durkheim was doing the right thing. Mead enters the room, and tells Malinowski that he has gotten soft. She tells him to come peacefully, or to die fighting, whatever he chooses. Durkheim asks who she is, and Malinowski says that she is an old friend of his before saying that "lover" might be a better way to put it.

Continuing outside, Mead tells Malinowski that she's had enough of his jokes and that he won't be escaping her this time. She says that she knows what he has been plotting all this time. Durkheim asks what she means, and she says that she doesn't know what he has been telling him but he best stay clear of Malinowski. She says that Malinowski is one of the most dangerous men alive and sly with words, so he shouldn't trust him. Durkheim asks if this is true, but Malinowski asks if he is really doubting him but trusting Mead, and reminds him to remember what he had told him earlier.

Durkheim says he doesn't know what to think, and says he has no idea what is going on. Mead asks what Malinowski did to Durkheim, and he just responds that he saved his life. Mead doubts his comment, and says that someone like Malinowski saving someone out of the goodwill of their heart is dubious. Malinowski just says that he saw a boy in peril, and offered his humble assistance. He remarks that gentlemen like himself are rare these days. He then says that, as far as he is aware, being well-mannered is not a crime. Mead says that she reckons his real crime lies ahead.

Mead tells Durkheim that if he knows what is best for him, he better come with her. Malinowski tells Durkheim to choose wisely, and says that he already saved him once and just needs a chance to explain. Durkheim tells them he'd had enough, and as far as he knows, they are both out to get him. He tells them to get out of there, and that he has a gun he's not afraid to use. Malinowski says that he told him to choose wisely, and asks if that is really what he came up with. Durkheim tells him to shut up. Mead tells Durkheim to stay away from Malinowski and to come over there so she can protect him, and declares that Malinowski is under arrest.

Durkheim just tells her that he has had enough, and to just leave him alone. He threatens to shoot if she gets too close. Mead tells him that if he insists so much, he can have it his way so long as he lets her have Malinowski. Malinowski says that he admires her spirit, but that's not how this is going to go down. Durkheim says they just won't listen, and says he will do it their way and begins fighting both of them as they fight each other.

While fighting, Malinowski tries to tell Durkheim that they will shoot to kill him, and says that Mead is just a pawn being used by her corrupt superiors. Durkheim still fights back, and Malinowski gets annoyed at Durkheim wasting his time like this. Mead tries to convince Durkheim that they could work together, and that Malinowski is just trying to use him. However, Durkheim keeps fighting against both of them, and Mead asks why he doesn't just quit his school. After repeated resistance from Durkheim, she tells both of them to drop their weapons as she is going to arrest them. Durkheim still remains in the middle, trying to get them both to go away, making Mead furious.

In the middle of the fight, a radio broadcast plays. It reports that there have been reports of an attack on the ME Subsector by terrorists. The host advises anyone to contact them with any information they might have regarding the incident. The host then says they are broadcasting live from the studio, and introduces the leading expert on terrorist attacks, Doctor Love. The host asks Doctor Love if it is true that Masquerade is behind this ruthless attack on their freedom.

Doctor Love says that while it is true that Masquerade has been behind vicious terrorist attacks, it seems unlikely that they were behind this one. Doctor Love explains that due to the way the attack happened, it indicated that the perpetrator was suicidal as there was no way they could have escaped the subsector. The host mentions that sources indicate that the server could have collapsed as a result of the attack, and asks Doctor Love what they think about that. Doctor Love says that they are unable to confirm any details at the moment, but current reports say that the casualties might be in the tens of thousands, and that this is beyond anything ALICE had ever seen before. Doctor Love then says that, whoever is behind this, they will find them, and when they do, justice will be done. The radio broadcast finishes, and the host says to remain vigilant and to remember to report any suspicious behavior.

Durkheim is just dumbfounded at the broadcast, while Malinowski remarks that this confirms his suspicions. He asks Durkheim to confirm that he had no idea what he was actually doing. Mead asks what he is talking about, but suddenly her dispatch radio calls out to all units in the area that a riot has broken out downtown, and they are requesting immediate backup. Malinowski points out that she should probably deal with that as her people might need her. Mead reluctantly says she would go, and remarks that she wouldn't trust him to tell the truth anyways.

She says that if what he told her earlier is true, then she might need his help; but if it is a dead end, then he is as good as dead. She tells Durkheim that she doesn't know what strange relationship he has with Malinowski, but he should get out of this while he still can, as she can tell that he's not cut out for this. Malinowski just says that's rich coming from a double agent, and she responds that she does what's right, which is more than can be said for Malinowski. Mead then starts to leave to deal with the riot.

Malinowski asks Durkheim if he has calmed down yet, but Durkheim just stands there silently. Malinowski says that they could probably get out of this musty old place, but Durkheim asks how Malinowski knew his name. Malinowski stutters for a moment, and claims that Durkheim had told him earlier. Durkheim says that it doesn't matter anymore, and the TV news channel theme starts to play. Durkheim mutters about the tens of thousands of accounts, and begins to turn his gun on himself. Malinowski calls him a fool, and says that the gun is not a toy. Mead turns around after hearing this, wondering what's going on. Malinowski tells Durkheim to put the gun down, but Durkheim says that it was all his fault that all of those innocents died. He says that the world would be a better place without him, and pulls the trigger.

With a loud BANG, the Bullet News show begins it's broadcast, and Tylor mentions that the upcoming virtual performance of the beloved idol, Lucilla Ming, has caused considerable traffic delays all throughout the capital.

The story is continued in Agency Lullaby.

## Counter Units

The Regional Festival counter units for this quest are Malinowski and Mead. Despite being the quest drop, the Regional Spectre counter unit for this quest is Durkheim.

## Quest Overview

* [Prologue 1]
* [Prologue 2]
* [Spectre]
* [Epilogue]

## Post Quest Blurbs

* **The Bullet News Show:** A real-time streaming show covering the latest happenings in the branch. The host, Tylor, is always with Vicky, his sidekick.
* **Tylor Manysecrets:** The host of Bullet News whose onscreen persona is a bit exaggerated, but his followers love him. His followers are everywhere.
* **Vicky Tellmenothing:** The co-host of Bullet News. A light-hearted, cheerful model. She often associates the facts of the day with personal events.
* **The Daily Memorandum:** Every Bullet News episode ends with the duo reflecting about the moral ambiguity of modern times.
* **Malinowski's Network:** Despite withdrawing from the public eye after leaving The Meridians, Malinowski has maintained a vast secret network.
* **Who is Doctor Love?:** Doctor Love rose to fame as a dating show host, but due to a change in direction now works as an expert on terrorist attacks.
* **Lucilla Ming:** The embodiment of the music of the branch. A Virtual idol, singer and film star. Her songs played a critical role in a past war.
* **For the freedom of the US branch!:** ALICE has recently been shaken by serial terror attacks perpetrated by an organization calling themselves The Masquerade.
* **A once secret brotherhood:** The Masquerade is an association that is said to have been exiled from ALICE long ago.
* **For your eyes only:** NOX - Also known as Night Operation X Unit - is the military group in charge of special secret operations where Mead belongs.

## Trivia

* The word "Anomie", according to Wikipedia, means "the condition in which society provides little moral guidance to individuals". It is also a term popularized by sociologist Emile Durkheim, who the CF character is named after. Given that the quest follows Durkheim's moral confusion and sudden upheaval of everything that he knows, it is quite relevant.
* In Emile Durkheim's book, *Suicide*, it goes over various kinds of suicides, including anomic suicide, which arises due to anomie and occurs as a result of drastic changes in lifestyle. At the end of the quest, Durkheim attempts to commit suicide that would fall under anomic suicide.