The Changing Olympics

by on April 15, 2018 at 12:01 am
Posted In: Diaries

The change in Olympic policies to allow athletes to pick their own flags and anthems resulted in the expected results of refugees representing their old homes. The Free Tibet, Free Taiwan, and New Japan Olympic teams are examples of this. But there were numerous unexpected results of this policy. Real life organizations like PETA were quick to capitalize on the opportunity, as were fans of various fictional organizations. The Star Trek-themed Federation and Klingon teams were quick to appear, as were the Star Wars-themed Empire and New Republic teams. The majority of modern athletes still represent physical nation states, but many “non-governmental organizations” now compete in the Olympics to great acclaim. That is one aspect in which the Olympic Games continue to evolve, sometimes in unexpected ways, as time goes on.

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Japanese Kitsune

by on April 14, 2018 at 12:01 am
Posted In: The Races of Humanity

The Kitsune Lasertag League was a big part of Kitsune culture before The War. I always figured they picked the name because they really just wanted to say KiLL on the national networks. I watched some of their matches back in the day. It was fun seeing them collect the tails of their vanquished foes and waving them high for the crowds to cheer for. That all changed after The War came for us, of course. Many of their best joined the military, and a few of the teams even stayed together. I ran into some of them from time to time during the Hyades Campaign, tails and all. One time really stands out, though. Standard infiltration op went sideways all the way and I was stuck behind enemy lines with no way to exfiltrate. Team Inyusha happened to be on planet, saw it all go down, and saved my bacon. I still can’t say how we got out. Literally. Can not say, even here. Seriously top secret squirrel kinda stuff. They violated secrecy orders just talking to me because I was not cleared to even know they were there. That was one of the more interesting days of my life, let me tell you. I still owe them a few dozen favors for getting me out with all my pieces intact. Mostly.

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Japanese Kitsune

by on April 13, 2018 at 12:01 am
Posted In: The Races of Humanity

The Shang attack that started The War dropped a piece of Yosemite Station on the Kitsune Lasertag League’s corporate headquarters. Many of the most prominent members of the organization died that day, but many others had been traveling on various business ventures. Some had been looking for new opportunities, while others had been competing in official games. The vast majority of those traveling combat teams volunteered for military service after the new President addressed the nation. Many did not work out. There’s a pretty big difference between the civilian and military mindsets, and many simply cannot make the switch. But many of those former Kitsune Lasertag League operators flourished in their new calling. Killing the Shang.

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The Changing Olympics

by on April 12, 2018 at 12:01 am
Posted In: Diaries

The Chinese conquered most of East Asia in the mid-Twenty First Century, which resulted in a large number of refugees. The greatest number traveled to India, Australia, and America, where they built new homes and formed new communities. Some of them were athletes who were happy to compete under the flag of their new homes. Many wished to compete under the flags and anthems of their old homes though, and China would not allow that unless they returned to their conquered homes with their families. The Olympics had long practiced the act of only allowing athletes to represent official government organizations that were in good standing, while allowing those not representing such organizations the Olympic flag to compete under. Or forcing the Olympic flag on them as many Russian athletes had charged over the years. But the new paradigm forced the International Olympic Committee to finally agreed to allow athletes to choose what flag and anthem they would compete under. Subject to the unanimous veto of the committee of course. Athletes quickly chose to represent Free Tibet, Free Taiwan, New Japan, and numerous other nations swept aside by the march of history, as expected. But other athletes chose less expected organizations to represent.

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Dairycon

by on April 11, 2018 at 12:01 am
Posted In: Diaries

I had a lot of fun at Dairycon this weekend. I setup a couple X-Box 360s and had some games and cartoons available to play. Transformers the Movie, and the original TV show. Some Transformers themed games. Fun stuff like that. Lots of people stopped to relax and watch between bouts of going off in search of toys they wish they could afford when they were young. And I did some advertising for my little stories. I didn’t bring anything to sell, mind you, since I wasn’t an official vendor, and hadn’t even planned to keep my stuff up on Saturday. But it was a good setup on Friday, and the guy in charge liked it. So I asked if he wanted me to keep it up, and he said yes. Sometimes that’s just how things happen. It was fun to see the people enjoying the station. And that’s the whole reason we go to conventions. To have fun. So, mission accomplished. I’ll be back again, and so will my little station of fun. And maybe I’ll even dust off and polish up some of my old Transformers fan fiction and bring that too. 😉

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