From a safe distance, I watch with some of my New Peacekeepers as the black market burns to the ground. The coal dust ensured that we did not even need to pour lighter fluid upon it before setting fire. Peacekeepers stand all around the building, making sure the fire does not hop over to nearby buildings.
The fire billows from the building, crackling as parts of the walls and ceiling collapse into itself. Thick smoke rises from the fire, blackening a portion of the sky.
I predict that once the rubble is cleared, this space can be used to construct more houses. The important thing is that the illegal sell of contraband will no longer have a place to occur.
It is vital to take out criminal havens, as this will prevent them from having a location to ply their illegal trade. Be sure to act swiftly, as this will ensure they do not simply change their location.
As soon as the building is burned beyond repair, I head over to the District Square to view construction going on there.
The civilians of Production Districts often think on a baser level when compared to those of Career Districts. Like any domesticated animal, they can be tamed with only a carrot (for reward) and a stick (for discipline). Without the latter they become greedy and lazy, without the former they become desperate and rabid. If it is not possible to get both at the same time, than try to get the stick before the carrot.
Machine gun turrets have already been set up upon the roof of the justice building, as well as the rooftops of the larger buildings in this District. Soon there will be a large network of Peacekeepers manning machine gun turrets atop rooftops, serving as a deterrent for any riots or rebellions. Angry Mobs will not try to storm the Justice Building if they know they'll get mowed down.
In the District square, there are more disciplinary actions going on. Stocks holding truants as well as those who skip work, flogging posts holding those who commit petty theft, and gallows hold those who commit murder or who steal something valuable.
Off the roof of the justice building is a National Banner; no District Square is truly complete without one and it reminds everyone who's really in charge.
However, there are still problems here.
The fence surrounding the District must be electrified at all times. To leave it inactive is one of the worst forms of negligence a Headpeacekeeper can commit.
When I meet the mechanic at the generator, he is covered in grime and dirt. I understand all the symbolism and history behind why the uniform of a Peacekeeper is white, but I will never understand who thought it was a bright idea to give the peacekeeper mechanics white uniforms.
Still, what matters most is getting the generator fixed. "Well, what's wrong with it?"
"Sorry sir, it will be easier to tell you what's not wrong with it. Parts of it are missing, the parts that are still here are rusted from the inside out because of snow, it's been exposed to the element for nearly a decade, and I think it's almost all burned out. There's no way to repair it, you'll have to get another one."
Crap. "That'll be all. Carry on with you other duties."
"Yes sir."
I will need to order a new generator as well as the necessary parts, and then I will need to wait for it to arrive. I am already waiting for the grain shipment.
No matter, I can always have my Peacekeepers Patrol the inside perimeter of the fence until the power starts back on.
A Headpeacekeeper will need to think on his feet in order to respond to less than ideal circumstances.
Tired, I head back to my office to see how other things are going.
The difference between the Headpeacekeeper's office now and how it looked under Cray is as different as day and night. All the paperwork is where it stood be, and because of the census it is also up to date.
Still, this does not change the fact that the granary is almost empty, the grain shipment has still not arrived, and it appears that the letters I sent requesting they be sped up were ignored.
Tomorrow I will close the mines for the day to figure out what condition they are in. They will open once the necessary repairs can be made to maximize efficiency.
Sighing exhaustedly, I glance at the framed pictures on my desk. One of them is of my niece Clove, it was taken on visiting day at the Training Center. I still miss her.
The other one is of my parents. They are young in this picture, and sitting on my fathers lap is a toddler with a toy soldier in his hand. You can tell this is an old picture because that child is me. I wanted to be a Peacekeeper since I was a little boy, and that never changed as I got older.
I never for a second regretted accepting the job of Headpeacekeeper, but I do admit that it gets lonely when the weight of a twelfth of the world is on your shoulders.
Not wanting to waste time on thinking, I get back to my work.
The Headpeacekeeper's work is never done.