When colonists first boarded Anatali Station in 4125, the division in economic class was immediately apparent. While the wealthy residents of the domed districts were allotted blue skies and every social protection, the working class colonists of Districts B and G settled into stew pots of less-fortunate humanity. It was business-as-usual for stowaways and the criminally apt, taking advantage of fish-out-of-water. The under-funded and under-motivated ASA corps only challenged high-profile violent crime, leaving burglary, muggings and rape for the residents to combat. Lynch mobs became the only discouragement against crime in many neighborhoods.
Knights
A year later, a month after Anatali's launch, a young girl was abducted during her walk home from school. District B united its voice in public uproar, appealing Earth-based media to pressure ASA into action. Six hours later, the PR disaster was exacerbated during the family's press conference. The unharmed girl and a badly beaten sex-offender were dumped from an SUV. The abductor's hood stated clearly, 'Knights.'
Easily traced, an Anatali Research and Development Engineer, Trent Winslow, became an instant celebrity. No criminal charges for vigilantism were filed. The media drew connections between him and a secret academic society at Anatali University, Juneau. A member himself, Trent had been whistle-blower against decades of hazing, cronyism and conspiracy, all to protect one failed candidate, Marshal Cross, from expulsion. Years after the scandal, Trent and a handful of Knights rejoined on Anatali Station.
While popular, the current Knights befuddle ASA, their rivals, and the populous of District B. The band of vigilante regulators pick and choose which causes to join, avoiding some confrontations, while entering pointless turf wars for certain neighborhoods. The randomness of their actions serves as much a deterrent as the ferocity of their retributions.
Justice
In 4127, a gang of modern-day bandits was hospitalized after a brawl outside a District C warehouse rave. One member of 'the Crimson' didn't survive his injuries. The public applauded the event, believing a companion to the Knights had announced their presence. Tagged 'the Justice' by their leader, Cynthia Manali, they were much more public with their arrival.
The first encounter between Knights and Justice was akin to which lion would kill the hyena, in this case, a lone sniper who'd shot seven, killing one. The knights beat the Justice to the punch, disabling the man with one long-range attack. The next time they faced, the rivalry turned personal between both gang's brawlers, Glenn and Raphael.
Despite the Justice's brutality, they've only been known to harm law-breakers, so they remain in the public favor, competing with the Knights in popularity. A growing turf war between the gangs, especially in District B's Kettle, has driven up the intensity of every encounter.
While many street gangs exist in Anatali Station's underworld, none are as feared or respected as the Knights and Justice. The crime rate has stabilized, either from the communities' confidence, an evolving ASA presence, or fears of vigilante retribution.
Articles
- Anatali Academy — The largest university on Anatali Station.
- Anatali Corp — The history behind the future's most influential superpower.
- Anatali Station — Humanity's first Exodus-class Star Station.
- Apocalypse Eternal — This popular VR game hosts four million subscribers.
- Dark Energy Theory — The science that altered modern history.
- Gangs of Anatali — Background on Anatali's most infamous vigilantes.
- Mortality Shock — The end of immortality.
- Jensen-Almay Disaster — Part 1, Lead-up to Apocalypse Eternal. *new*
- Apocalypse Eternal (war) — Part 2, Humanity's most deadly war. *new*
- AE Aftermath — Part 3, how the war impacted the future. *new*
Coming Soon
- Dethism, the religion
- Politics in the future
- Science and technology