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Combine News

1. TRAGEDY AT BANQUET FOR CIVIL PROTECTION

CITY 18 - Last Saturday, the 16th, a tragedy befell City 18, as a banquet hosted by the Civil Workers Union for Civil Protection and the Consul went wrong.

A banquet was planned for the Civil Protection forces of City 18, as well as including the City's Consul and recognized citizens or workers. The banquet was reported as pleasant and had a very friendly environment with plentiful servings. It took a sour turn after several officers came down with food poisoning, revealing the food to have been laced with morphine in a failed poisoning attempt.

Consul Lemones reported shortly after the incident, that the perpetrators and others linked to the crime were caught. The attempted poisoning was the work of a terrorist group named the Black Coats, as well as members of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Though many have been interrogated or prosecuted, Civil Protection says that they will "continue to keep an eye out for these savages."

2. OVERWATCH STOPS ATTEMPTED COUP

CITY 22 - A coup lead by traitorous members of the Civil Workers Union and other anticitizens was put down shortly last Thursday.

The attempted coup began August 19th, with robberies from scattered Civil Protection armories. It was followed by brief occupation of the City 22 Nexus, but was shortly put down by the forces of the City 22 Overwatch.

Prosecutions and interrogations have already begun, and the city was stabilized quickly. The Consul of City 22 will be rolling out changes to city policies shortly, including, but not limited to, heightened security and a more thorough inspection of those joining the Civil Workers Union.

3. BREAKTHROUGH IN FOOD CREATION

UNIONWIDE - Universal Union scientists have discovered a new process which could fundamentally change the availability and distribution of food across the Union.

The Universal Union Agricultural Department discovered a new way to easily manufacture food. By using a mixture of Synth technology and dark energy production, it is possible to create an essentially endless amount of food from Citadels stationed across the Universal Union.

This development will be rolling out across worlds over the next few months, starting with Class 0 planets and moving down. Ask your local world Administrator for further information.

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Combine News

1. SHADOWMORPHS REACH ENLIGHTENMENT

UNIONWIDE - The gaseous "shadow" lifeforms of Erebus have reached the goal of transcendence considered unattainable by other members of the Universal Union.

Last Wednesday, the species known scripturally as shadowmorphs joined other species in achieving the Union's goal of advancement. Dr. Wallace Breen said, "Our Benefactors are proud to announce, as an example to all other Civilizations in the Universal Union, and our own, that the shadowmorphs of Erebus have achieved the goal of transcendence sometimes thought as an impossible goal. This should serve to quell these naysayers, to show that even beings of darkness can achieve enlightenment."

2. STORM WALLS SUCCESSFULLY DEFLECT HURRICANE

CITY 6 - After years of being ravaged by hurricanes and other tropical weather, City 6 was able to deflect a hurricane through an anti-storm customization built into the city's Smart Barrier.

The Smart Barrier's customization was able to successfully counteract the storm system and neutralize it. It was met by applause from citizens, one of which stated, "I lived in City 6 even before Our Benefactors came. It's always been ravaged by hurricanes and storms, but now we don't have to worry about that anymore."

City 6's consul, Jason Cahill, said in an official statement on-site, "I would like to thank Our Benefactors for making this possible, as well as the Civil Workers Union for assisting. Without the people who volunteer to help Our Benefactors, this wouldn't have been possible. Now, we can freely develop our city into the future without having to worry about these annual disasters."

3. ROGUE CIVIL PROTECTION OFFICER ARRESTED

CITY 21 - On Friday, a Civil Protection officer that had gone against Universal Union rules and committed a variety of unauthorized judgements as well as betraying his own Civil Protection team was arrested.

A manhunt for the rogue officer began on Tuesday, and Overwatch forces successfully located him three days later, arresting him with little incident. Consul Adams said, "Citizens, take this as evidence: The Administration does listen. If you complain, we will listen, and we will solve. We will abide by reasonable requests, or resolve your uneasiness. We do not bite! Please, do not be afraid to send your Consul a letter."

The officer will be tried in private Union court. He is expected to be prosecuted of all charges and amputated.

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Dispatch we've got parasitics inbound we need more reinforcements.

Overwatch acknowledges infested zone, reinforcement team is code 3. Code: Isolate, clamp, contain.

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Combine News

1. HIGHWAY 49 CLEARED OF RESISTANCE MEMBERS

CITY 49 - Last Wednesday, Consul Seaton was pleased to announce that the bands of the terror group 'Black Mesa North' were cleared from Highway 49.

"In the wake of the terrorist attack on public residencies last year, we increased Civil Protection operations throughout and around the city to purge ourselves of these people who would seek to bring us down. They chose to wallow in filth, and so they have become part of it. I am happy to announce the elimination of Black Mesa North from Highway 49. Operations will now turn inwards, as we attempt to purify our city."

Consul Seaton will increase Civil Protection presence within the city as she tries to expunge any further traces of this terrorist group.

2. CRACKDOWN ON RESISTANCE GROUPS

CITY 17 - In the wake of the erasure of Black Mesa North from Highway 49, other cities have followed in their path.

Consul Sokolov said in an official statement, "After Consul Seaton's success in City 49, we should all be inspired to hold ourselves to her standard, if not that of Our Benefactors. Civil Protection and Overwatch forces have been assigned to the canals and Highway 17. We will cease illegal activity such as that of Black Mesa East and reported illegal vehicles."

Other cities previously referred to as full of troublemakers have also made similar statements, calling for an end to all Resistance activities. Please check your local Civil Protection Center for further information.

3. MYSTERIOUS RACE X CREATURES DISCOVERED IN BLACK MESA REGION

CITY 1 - Our Benefactors were able to make contact with a variety of creatures temporarily dubbed Race X within the Black Mesa Research Facility region.

Some are reportedly hostile, "not unlike houndeyes or bullsquids, wild animals" but others are sentient and potentially capable of diplomacy. Our Benefactors were reminded of the Xen lifeforms, and hope that a similar agreement can be made with the Race X lifeforms. Our Benefactors promise enlightenment, advancement, and freedom.

Overwatch forces will continue to operate in the area, switching to a containment procedure in order to contain the Race X wildlife.

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We've encountered unknown life forms that can talk. They call themselves "ponies" what are our orders dispatch?

We are receiving conflicting data. Team, recalibrate socio-scan. Local protection team, report on non-patrol region. Code: Respond, isolate, inquire.

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It's me the Overwatch Soldier Oxide (The Soldier in the picture). My squad are encountering lots of head crabs in the sewer. Please send reinforcements.

Overwatch acknowledges infested zone, reinforcement team is code 3. Remaining units contain.

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Combine News

19/05/2020

1. ADMINISTRATOR WALLACE BREEN SUCCESSFULLY STOPS REBELLION

CITY 14 - In a stunning display last Tuesday, Wallace Breen was able to successfully disarm a gathering rebellion.

"It was unlike anything I've ever seen," said Civil Protection Officer Tenyuu Kamimura. "Usually we have to stop these riots with force, but Dr. Breen -- He managed to just quell them on the spot." Another officer who does not wish to disclose his name stated, "I, I don't like to hurt people. Civil Protection was designed to sustain civilization." He continued emotionally, "We usually have to beat people, sometimes even kill- but it didn't come to that. Thanks to our Administrator."

Administrator Wallace Breen appeared at a large gathering of citizens Tuesday afternoon, willing to address complaints directly. After nearly three hours of questions and answers, he had managed to completely disengage the crowd without a single act of violence.

"This, my friends, is what true civility looks like." said Dr. Breen.

2. THE UNIVERSAL UNION ANNOUNCES NEW PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT SYSTEM

UNIONWIDE - The Universal Union has elected to install a new form of public announcement.

On Saturday, news returned from the Universal Union leadership that they plan to instate a new public announcement system through the installation of holoscreens. This implementation will extend an administrator's announcements to public areas, as well as allowing a visual aspect. In addition, these administrator visual broadcasts will also be displayed on televisions, and broadcasted audio-only on radios.

The system is hoped to help with the transcendence process by maintaining the presence of a role model and authority figure within the public domain. Installation begins next month.

3. CIVIL PROTECTION APPLICATIONS REOPEN

EARTH - The administration of Earth has elected to reopen civil protection volunteerism in certain cities.

After volunteerism was temporarily shut down in cities holding a fear of espionage by resistance members, volunteering is now open again. "We thank everyone for the wait," said Consul Sokolov of City 17, one of the cities afflicted by the ban. "We made sure that our ranks would be pure, and that Civil Protection will continue to protect civilization."

Visit your local recruitment station today.

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I'd like to report a downed Claw Scanner, it's plum full of live trip mines and it's making me fairly nervous with it being in my back yard and all...

Your location has been recorded, and Civil Protection Disarmament officers will arrive within a 24 hour period. Avoid interacting with the disabled Shield Scanner during the interim.

Thank you, and have a pleasant day.

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Combine News

05/05/2020

1. OUR BENEFACTORS INSTATE MORE PRIVILEGES FOR PERMITTED CITIES

EARTH - For all the cities of Earth except for Cities 14, 17, 26, 37, and 49, the Universal Union has permitted adding certain privileges. They have called it "our reward for proving ourselves thus far as a civilized species".

Administrator Wallace Breen had his own say in the matter: "It has been nearly 20 years since Our Benefactors first instilled their enlightenment upon ours. And in these 20 years, while the road to intelligence is a blind and uneven road, we have managed our way through the darkness. And though perhaps the light can be glimpsed at the end of the tunnel, we must continue forward."

These privileges include public gathering (up to 10), ration increase by 25%, and for certain cities that have achieved the most, possible reconstruction and further integration with the Universal Union.

2. TO THE DISSIDENTS ACTING UPON CHILDREN'S DAY

Why?

What service, or point, does this fulfill? Spite? It is similar in attitude to the very children you claim to protect, when in fact you merely suspend procreation even further. This hateful ignorance that humanity continues to promote hurts all of us!

Perhaps inaction as conspiracy sounds harsh, but Our Benefactors are correct. Inaction is conspiracy. If you fail to turn in these conspirators, these persons who would seek to disestablish our civilization, our chance at transcendence.

This would be the greatest crime in human history, to deny us this glory, right as it is within our reach. Thus this year, on this "Children's Day", we will be policing City 14 and other cities. Citizens are free to volunteer for their local civil protection, as always.

Administrator Wallace Breen.

3. THE NEW CHILDREN’S DAY

One of the largest complaints with the Universal Union is that they have suppressed the human breeding ability. They often find it oppressive and take as if it were a personal attack. In particular, Japan has often taken this to a violent extent on Children’s Day.

I pose the question; is a child’s personality and happiness really something to celebrate? Surely, this innocence is found nowhere else in human lifespan, but is it really that important? The innocence is naïve. To celebrate naïveté is to celebrate ignorance, to highlight the darkness in the history of our species. What should be celebrated is the personality of the adult, inquisitive and informed. While they may have lost the naïveté of the child, they have gained something even more important: knowledge and learning. A child is empty, gullible, and hungry for more. An adult is filled, careful, yet still hungry for more.

The happiness of the child is not an excuse either. The happiness of the child is easily obtained in the adult, alas we do not try. We believe that our knowledge has made us unhappy, in knowing of the bad with the good. But why must we focus on the bad? The good is just as, if not more important. This known bad does not make it any more present than if we were a child. It just allows us to adjust our happiness properly.

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Combine News Update

Due to the peaceable nature of the Universal Union, the Combine Public Relations Division has decided to release news bi-weekly, on Monday at 1600 time zone zero.

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Combine News Update

The Combine Public Relations Division is undergoing changes. Due to the absence of news as a result of the preservation of civilization, the Combine News schedule will be reformatted in a manner that is efficient yet informative. Please stand by for further announcements.

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The Combine Public Relations Division apologizes for the lack of article(s) this week.

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Combine News

UNIONWIDE - The Universal Union has offered to repair and rebuild the many Cities of all its Worlds.

This project will begin on the calendar date of December 25th, this year, and will begin with its Priority One Worlds. It will significantly improve the state of all Cities as well as the quality of life within them. In anticipation of complaints from lower Priority Worlds, the following statement has been received from Our Benefactors: “Patience is an important trait to transcendence. While we are powerful, we cannot affect time. Your mind can affect time subjectively. Be patient.”

Priority Five Worlds are expected to have their remodeling begin in the year 2030. In the meantime, citizens themselves can help upkeep their Cities through other methods, such as volunteering.

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Combine News

CITY 14 - The entertainment program which premiered today were highly viewed and polled favorably.

Those that have watched the show so far displayed enjoyment and happiness towards the show. They comment on nostalgia and the light atmosphere it creates. Danger!, the trivia show that premiered found four contestants competing on knowledge for ration or promotional prizes. In fact, the Entertainment Division has already received a large amount of citizens asking to join.

"We are sorry to say that we are not currently accepting invitations to Danger!," said Consul Zyyc, "But we are working on it. We plan to make the next season have public admission. In the meantime we hope that you enjoy our show and the other shows that will be released this week."

2. CONSUL SELECTED FOR CITY 56

CITY 56 - A new Consul has been installed for City 56.

Consul Tumaini Chakroun is now the Consul of City 56. He was previously the Consul of the Department of Beneficial Chemicals. He said in his speech on Friday, "While the former Consul Talibah achieved many great things in her time, I hope to go beyond even her. I will eliminate all crime. I will work with other cities to help spread the Positive Neurotransmitting project. Above all, I will help create a better world."

Citizens cheered him on throughout his installation, and individuals later said they would help the Consul in accomplishing his mission. The City is completely hopeful for and positive toward this new Consul.

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I would like to non-sarcastically compliment you guys for becoming the next Adolf Hitler! And being successful too!

The Universal Union accepts your compliment. Thank you, citizen.

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Combine News

CITY 56 - The Consul of City 56 passed away of natural causes on Saturday. She was 78.

Consul Naeemah Talibah of City 56 was well known for holding the city with the least deaths annually. City 56 was praised as a center for development and a shining example of what every City should attempt to be. She founded the Universal Union Department of Beneficial Chemicals, designed to use chemistry to assist in the transcendence of humanity and many other species. Her own city is a prime example of its success. The Positive Neurotransmitting project, derived from the Instinct Advancement field. The project would block negative neurotransmitters in favor of positive ones to reinforce a positive and advancing society. Crime has dropped 71% since its installation.

A funeral will take place Tuesday, as will the installation of the new Consul.

2. FORTY-SEVEN PROSECUTED FOR FALSE WITNESS

CITY 14 - Forty-seven citizens, globally, were arrested for claiming to have knowledge that was either misleading or about nonexistent crimes.

Forty-seven citizens provided false information to their local Civil Protection teams about various crimes. They each pointed to crimes that didn’t exist, were contradictory, or the information simply did not help whatsoever in an ongoing investigation. The goal was attempting to receive bonus rations, recognizance, or other promotion. However, it has instead resulted in 47 citizens being taught proper etiquette by local Civil Protection Education groups.

Administrator Breen provided his thoughts on the matter: “The path to transcension is blocked by crimes of instinct. This is true, and indeed our Civil Protection and Overwatch teams are a great benefit, guardians of the future. The intention to mislead this path for personal benefit is shortsighted. Yes, you will survive the present, but what about the future? This myopic view is the same mistakes the world of the past made. To be obsessed with one’s present over everyone’s future? It’s illogical and self-destructive. We could not survive to see the light if we are to constantly cloud it with darkness.”

3. DISEASE ELIMINATED

CITY 14 - Our Benefactors have officially eliminated all viral diseases and bacterial diseases from Earth.

Today, Our Benefactors announce that, by a combination of the Instinct Advancement field and ration-based vaccination, all diseases that are created by viral or bacterial infection have been destroyed. In addition to creating new vaccines delivered via the rations and water, the Instinct Advancement field was used to prevent the creation of certain chemicals vital to the construction of viruses and bacteria. As such, for the first time in history, disease should reach a new low, of approximately 2% with all remaining disease being environmental or genetic.

“Disease was an artifact of the past. It was used to keep in check species that lacked the self-control to keep themselves in check. We have evolved out of it, and indeed, we should prove to ourselves and Our Benefactors that we have the strength to control ourself, take hold of our future and direct it towards a great advancement, and complete divorce from our prehistoric origins. Without disease now, we have a great responsibility place among us. With great power comes great responsibility, and the inverse is true.”

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How are you fine keepers of peace enjoying Earth?

The Universal Union classifies Earth as a [Priority 5] planet.