Current word count as of 7/7/2018
16.5K
I got through a very tedious bit today. I'm excited about that. This next scene should be much more fun to write.
Synopsis and Setting
In a future where most of the human population now lives outside of the earth’s atmosphere, most of the earth itself is a slum. Capital cities and spaceports remain shining examples of the glory of humankind, but at large the earth is rife with fugitives and violence. The Intercontinental Investigation and Enforcement Bureau, often called the IEB, investigates crime and pursues fugitives across national borders.
The sub-departments have been recently reworked following a number of transfers, retirements, and discharges. A new group will come to know each other and work together to track down some of earth’s worst criminals.
The protagonist Harris Nash Brunson interacts with his companions and forms partnerships. Deciding who to partner with, when, and for what are to be a large aspect of the story. The story begins at the end of an important case.
During a “debriefing scene” the reader has the opportunity to review his or her companions and influence Nash’s strengths and weaknesses. Each character has their own story arcs that can be explored in different ways, changing the outcome of their individual paths, and also the story at large. The department has the opportunity to capture several fugitives while their individual developments take place.
Genre and Theme
Strictly, this isn't much of a science fiction. The setting should feel very modern, with some sci-fi trappings. This story isn't about technology, or its effects, except to the extent at which people are products of their environment. "Nature vs Nurture," the concept framed that way has always seemed simplistic and misleading. Precluding an answer to one or the other is a sort of reasoning that halts any productive dialogue on the subject. The answer was clearly "both" - "Nature and Nurture." Even so, that wasn't a complete view. "Both" needed to become "Both And."
Discussing human behavior without considering agency is preposterous. Our capacity for decision making and individualism is key. Individuals and relationships bring stories to life. After the narrative ends, these characters persist. I have attempted to emphasize the impact of choices on individuals for over 6 years as a tabletop Game Master. Sitting at a my table players are often focussed on dice, exp, and winning more than the fate of "extras."
CYOAs are uniquely well suited for narratives emphasizing agency and relationships. No matter how well our intentions and genuine our efforts, not all things will end as we want. We have our opportune of influence, but each person has their own set of pressures to contend with, and ultimately their own independent choice. We can't even rely on people to be consistent with their internal motivations. We are incredibly complex creatures that never manage to find that pretty bow to tie up all our little problems with. If this story doesn't strike readers as a sort of Noir tale, then I have failed in an aspect of my intentions.
Characters
While there is much more to tell, for now I’ll give a breakdown of each characters identifying information as the bureau would list it. First I’ll provide a description of how to interpret that data.
IEB Academy Examinations focus on six sets
The written Examination focuses on Official Policy, Procedure, Best practice, Public Relations, and Intercontinental Law.
Weapon Proficiency is a comprehensive test of firearm application under various conditions ranges, and number of targets, testing for accuracy, precision, and efficiency.
Close Quarters Combat is physical combat including strikes with hands, elbows, knees, etc. grappling, as well as weapon disarming and bludgeoning instrument defense.
The Practical Exam is a series of consecutive live action simulations designed to demonstrate field proficiencies and serve as a definitive pressure test.
The Exit Interview is a comprehensive verbal examination of all other sets, with expectations of insightful reflection on one’s own weaknesses and strengths, and to test flexibility of knowledge and comprehension in non-traditional circumstances.
Many agencies use comparable programs, the scores range from 100 to 800, but rarely exceed more than 700. 350 to 400 is considered a fairly average score, but totally unacceptable for any world class agency. Any Score below 500 is below expected values, and generally any composite score less than 600 is considered failure. All currently active agents were recently re-evaluated, creating openings for a host of new highly qualified young candidates.
