In the shadows of power, an industrialized military complex thrives. Tarm Industries, a clandestine behemoth shrouded in secrecy, plays a pivotal role in shaping the course of the world, though the average citizen in Tesland would never know it. From technological advancements to geopolitical strategies, T.I.’s influence permeates every aspect of society. Locals will soon learn the truth, however, as military might and corporate interests converged this year under T.I.’s corrupt direction.
Unveiling the truth of the industrialized military complex is an endeavor this reporter certainly never expected to pursue. I first met Titus Tarm, the owner of Tarm Industries, in 2238. He established the company to celebrate his sister, he had said. She died young and left him a fortune, and he decided to invest it. The young genius, at a tender 14 years of age, began building his company. He knew, however, that he couldn’t head it — he built a Board of Directors, and they patiently waited for him to reach adulthood before appointing him CEO. I was fascinated. The story was almost unbelievable.
As it turns out, it wasn’t believable. Just last week, Tesland’s government toppled in the midst of a “citizen-led” rebellion. I’m here to peel back the layers and examine this blatant lie, which was only revealed when Titus Tarm appeared on telecommunicator screens across the nation informing citizens that he and the Mathesius Family, a terrorist group long-assumed to be extinct, had orchestrated the entire event. Armed with research collected by the Capital News on Five team and the late journalist Benjamin Calvin, we’re prepared to discuss the drug use, sexual harassment, questionable workplace policies, and the lust for power that ultimately sparked our civil war by taking a look at the man that orchestrated it all.
Today, we delve deep into Tarm Industries’ inner workings, exploring the entanglement of one private corporation, government agencies, and armed forces. We will unravel the intricate web of connections, exposing the various stakeholders and their roles in driving the complex situation that sparked a civil war on our own soil.
As we peel back the layers, we reveal the profound impact of this alliance on global politics, economies, and even individual lives. Especially individual lives, you might say. The consequences of unlimited power and the manipulation of resources for profit-driven agendas changed our society, and it truly started with the corporation’s “founder,” Titus Tarm.
Nowadays, we know him as Titus Mathesius, the son of Alexander and Lydia Mathesius. But we’ll get to that shortly. In the meantime, bear with me, as I’ll be using his birth name and adopted name interchangeably.
Join us on this journey of revelation as we shed light on the hidden forces shaping our world. Prepare to confront uncomfortable truths as we examine the industrialized military complex in Tesland.
Historical background and origins
Tarm Industries’ origins lie in the aftermath of the supposed death of the Mathesius Family. While the group has murky origins, its tenets can be traced back to early members Ezekiel and Ellen Mathesius, née Tarm. Ezekiel, a social scientist, and Ellen, a writer, built their group on morality and egalitarianism. They believed, according to early writings now housed in the Capital Adam Teseo Library, that all people should be equally free to pursue their talents in a way that betters the world. The group naturally coveted high intelligence, arms knowledge, and strategy, ultimately leaning toward a style of government we now know as a technocracy.
In a technocracy, experts with specialized knowledge would become the governing agents in their respective branch of government, effectively infusing scientific methodology into social governance. In historic examples of this type of governmental structure, this would often mean that engineers and other technical experts would hold all social and political power. As the Mathesius Family largely targeted poorer neighborhoods and underprivileged groups in their governance efforts, their vision for a new world ultimately died out after a few generations. It was simply unsustainable without substantial funding, a struggle that even its founding members’ fortunes couldn’t solve.
Before the group’s supposed extinction, Family activists would frequently target, disassemble, and ultimately remove Teslandian power (read: they’d kill people). Perhaps most famously, they served one neighborhood in the dark districts when Tesland stopped picking up refuse. Through targeted attacks that weakened law enforcement and placed national legislature in the public eye, rubbish collection was reinstated. Roads and other forms of infrastructure were then rebuilt through Family funding.
It is important to note that while the Mathesius Family has “family” in its name, its members do not all share blood. While many followers did intermarry and further cement individual ties to the Family vision, there are many distinct players in this tale. The biggest players, of course, were indeed people with the surname Mathesius.
Upon the very public deaths of Lydia and Alexander Mathesius, the Family fell out of the public eye and was assumed to be extinct. We now know that the couple had three children: Kay, Anaxarete, and Titus.
Carrying her parents’ torch in the pursuit of power and supremacy, Kay Mathesius sought to harness technological advancements by founding Tarm Industries, named for her grandmother. She died before the company took off, and ownership fell to her youngest brother, as Anaxarete had broken from the group’s structure to marry former king Robert Sands. Titus, an enterprising individual even as a young man, adopted Tarm as his surname and sought out to capitalize on the military-industrial complex with this outlet.
While Tarm once told me that he had appointed the T.I. Board of Directors, it was Kay Mathesius who did so. The people she selected to oversee the company were, like her parents, specialists in their respective arenas. Yes, the entire leadership team behind Tarm Industries is comprised of members of a terrorist organization, and we the people allowed them to topple the very foundation of our nation. Each was raised from birth to dig into and pursue their natural talents, as was tradition in the Mathesius Family. We can assume from Titus Tarm’s background that he was reared for studies in chemistry, business, or strategy… Perhaps all three.
Tarm Industries, initially a small tech manufacturer, quickly expanded its operations and diversified its portfolio, becoming a significant player in the defense industry. Through strategic partnerships and government contracts, T.I. amassed immense wealth and influence. Most famously, they produced battle mechs for the Sands administration, though the contract was completed and never renewed. According to records declassified and released by King Frazer Sands, the project was offered to other manufacturers, but T.I. tech was nearly impossible to reverse-engineer.
However, it wasn’t until 2246 that Tarm Industries truly solidified its status as a key player in Tesland’s industrialized military complex. Under the leadership of Titus Mathesius, the company embarked on an aggressive and secretive expansion strategy. Through mergers and acquisitions, T.I. gained control over a vast network of defense contractors, research facilities, and intelligence agencies. According to records now confirmed to be falsified, Titus Tarm was interested in the fasteners and springs produced for weaponry more so than the arms themselves. Nevertheless, this consolidation of power allowed Tarm Industries to shape government policies and decision-making processes, effectively becoming an unelected force with immense influence.
King Robert Sands was famously opposed to Titus Tarm’s vision, but he was inclined to introduce legislature that benefited the company. Why? According to a source from palatial military who requested complete anonymity, Sands was fearful of the technology T.I. purportedly possessed. Having seen it firsthand through government contracts, Sands understood the power they held. Tarm wanted more legislative change, however, and he set out to secretly produce and amass a stockpile of weapons that were only recently distributed to civilians, turning everyday people into unwittingly recruited soldiers.
Key players and institutions involved
To understand the full extent of the industrialized military complex, we must examine the key players and institutions involved. Tarm Industries, with its vast resources and network, is undoubtedly at the center of this complex web. However, it is the symbiotic relationship between governments, terrorists, and engineers that fuels the complex.
In País, Queen Valentina Hernández took a liking to a young Titus Tarm. He established a vineyard in our neighboring country in 2238, choosing the location due to Tesland’s prohibition on alcohol and alcohol production. In establishing this burgeoning business, Tarm created thousands of foreign jobs and fueled the Paísan economy. When he decided to recruit and train a private militia, something prohibited in Tesland but fully legal in País, Queen Valentina supported his vision. By the time our civil war unfolded, this close friendship was poised to eventually execute strategic military operations. Ultimately, thousands of Paísan soldiers flooded into Tesland when the civil war broke out, joining the ranks of recently recruited civilian soldiers.
As time has told, the Mathesius Family was also a key player in Tesland’s civil war. Members of T.I.’s Board of Directors were, as we mentioned, individuals who held high ranks in the Family, and many of whom still believed in the vision laid out by Ezekiel and Ellen Mathesius. With their generations-old expertise and lingering connections in the black market, the beginnings of a revolution slowly emerged. Pirates banned from Teslandian waters, illegal liquor importers, owners of illicit marijuana groweries, and other unscrupulous characters came together and began plotting a vision.
That vision was ultimately supported by none other than T.I.’s own team of engineers. One Kristina Simmons, a lab assistant to Titus Tarm and the Employee of the Year recognized during the company’s annual Unveiling Gala, spearheaded the production of weapons like circuit disruptors. Simmons joined the company early in 2246, and Tarm brought her into his vision perhaps as early as that very year. Working with the Mathesius Family and early revolutionaries, Simmons took on the persona of the mysterious “Outcast Queen” that rose as the voice of the underprivileged to challenge King Robert’s authority. Simmons, in her persona, showcased her diamagnet technology and distributed it to early recruits and civilians, effectively arming them with a form of defense against Teslandian weaponry. During the war, Simmons used holographic projectors to mobilize and direct civilian forces across the nation.
While she played this role, Kristina Simmons also played the Sands administration. King Robert Sands, long blacklisted from entering any contracts with Tarm Industries, sought Simmons out and recruited her as a defense engineer. Administrative intelligence had identified the brewing rebellion and sought a solution in Simmons’ engineering. She distracted them and bought time for the other revolutionary stakeholders as she worked on a non-existent weapon.
One of Simmons’ most sympathetic supporters was Frazer Sands, a prince at the time. When she showcased classist and sexist violence, demonstrated the corruption of public service agencies like law enforcement, and effectively inspired unrest among citizens, Frazer took notice and identified a problem in his country. He and Kristina Simmons formed an unlikely friendship, which ultimately resulted in a betrothal arranged by King Robert Sands. While our anonymous source confirmed that this betrothal is no longer in existence, they also confirmed that Frazer opposed his father’s warfare and attempted to push him toward negotiation.
The close ties between these key stakeholders and government agents create a revolving door of personnel, blurring the lines between public service and corporate interests. This interdependence ensured a continuous flow of ideation, cementing the power of the industrialized military complex Tarm Industries had quietly and carefully built.
Influence on government policies and decision-making
The influence of the industrialized military complex on government policies and decision-making is far-reaching, even now in the early stages of the post-war state. From lobbying efforts to campaign financing, Tarm Industries has mastered the art of shaping political agendas. By strategically placing employees like George Corduroy in key government positions, T.I. ensures that its interests are represented at the highest levels of power.
One example of this influence is the nation’s lax stance on an obvious monopoly. Tarm Industries has effectively cornered the market for each of its advanced technologies, and in creating perpetual motion energy generators, it has demonstrated a clear interest in pursuing much more publicly-rooted endeavors.
Kristina Simmons, still employed by Tarm Industries as it searches for an interim CEO, maintains a close relationship with King Frazer Sands. This continues to threaten the sanctity of legislature, pointing to the possibility of further regulations that ultimately benefit Tesland’s largest employer. One employee, Director of HR Lavinia Bellamy, confirmed that Simmons does not hold stake in the company.
However, one scathing article by the late journalist Benjamin Calvin has called Simmons’ relationship with Titus Tarm into question and may hint at potential inheritance. This cycle of governmental leniency thus perpetuates itself, with policies and budgets heavily influenced by corporate interests rather than the needs of the nation or its citizens.
Scandal at Tarm Industries and Kristina Simmons’ role
According to witness testimony, research gathered by Benjamin Calvin, and a photograph that seems to show Titus Tarm and Kristina Simmons in a rather compromising position in Tarm’s vehicle, rumors are currently circulating about a potential affair between the two.
A 12-year age gap, illegal under the previous Sands administration, was a likely cause of the silence around the purported affair. To date, Simmons has not commented on the situation, and Tarm was silent up until he was reported as missing in action.
Capital News on Five reached out to Tarm Industries for comment and received this response from the company’s press relations team:
At Tarm Industries, ethical behavior is a pillar of our core values. Employees receive regular trainings outlining behavioral expectations, and Titus Tarm was a major proponent of this policy. Every employee is equipped with a handbook that outlines our policies, including the zero-tolerance prohibition of relationships between managers and direct reports. Such a situation would be a violation of our company’s Code of Conduct. We have investigated the situation and found no evidence of a romantic relationship between the two, and we are pursuing legal action against the publishers of the tabloid story that created this situation.
Tarm Industries is Tesland’s largest employer, and we, too, were impacted by the ensuing chaos of the civil war. In rebuilding, though, we are proud to create additional jobs that only further fuel economic development. In a testament to our dedication to ongoing economic growth and lifestyle improvement, we have also donated funds to help the nation rebuild.
Despite this, attendees at the company’s annual Unveiling Gala reported close interactions between the two, including a stint where the pair disappeared from the event for roughly 20 minutes. They were photographed arm-in-arm several times, displaying intimacies that sociologist Frank Tyrrell has suggested do imply a possible romantic relationship.
“The closeness of the pair in these Gala photos absolutely demonstrates some form of intimacy,” asserted Tyrrell. “Their physical proximity is unusual for the average Teslandian. Most stand roughly half a meter apart, even in friendly conversations. That’s 45 to 50 centimeters. On average, the pair was suspected to be 23 centimeters apart throughout the duration of their interactions at the event.”
Tarm and Simmons were also seen maintaining frequent prolonged eye contact, something Tyrrell pointed out in stills taken in succession. In one photograph taken at dinner, the pair’s knees can be seen touching.
“This, to me, is the most telling sign,” Tyrrell said. “That’s an intimacy only couples share. Essentially, they’re cuddling. I don’t know about you, Zoey, but I would not be comfortable cuddling with the typical conversation partner. With my husband? Sure. With you? I like you, but I think I speak for both of us when I say that’s too close for comfort.”
That statement does, in fact, speak for me. And I suspect it speaks for you, too.
With Titus Tarm currently removed from T.I. and unlikely to return due to his MIA status, Kristina Simmons’ role in the company’s future deserves to be scrutinized. Assuming she inherits stake in the company, her close friendship with Frazer Sands and alliance with Board members now holding government positions potentially spells disaster in terms of the future of Tesland’s industrialized military complex.
Tarm Industries’ Code of Conduct violations
To further elaborate on Tarm Industries’ deeply rooted corruption, Capital News on Five reached out to several employees. A strict nondisclosure agreement prevented anyone from publicly speaking on the events they witnessed, but several off-the-record conversations revealed one glaring gap in the story presented by the Tarm Industries PR team: Titus Tarm was a known drug user.
From providing alcohol, a previously illicit substance, to attendees at his events to public marijuana and psychedelic consumption, Titus Tarm was reported to be in violation of his own Code of Conduct by all respondents. And it doesn’t stop there.
“He and Kristina have been involved for years,” said one respondent under the condition of anonymity. “Their laboratory was a place of non-stop lovers’ quarreling. They were always toe-to-toe about one thing or another. It made most of us uncomfortable, especially since she was a minor. And she’s not the first employee he has pursued. I’m amazed a sexual harassment lawsuit has never been pursued.”
When pushed further, our source revealed Tarm’s involvement with two shipping contractors, paired with flirtatious comments that, once again, violate the company’s Code of Conduct.
Despite this atrocious behavior, Titus Tarm’s wealth made it impossible to enforce these policies, at least when he was the perpetrator. Much of our nation’s economic power lies in his hands alone, making it difficult if not impossible to pursue any legal action. While his net worth is unreported, the Capital News on Five financial analysts reported that it is likely to dwarf Tesland’s five-year operating budget.
That’s right. One man’s wealth overshadows an entire nation’s five-year operating budget.
This draws into question who hold the real economic power in Tesland: is it the government, or is it this one individual corporation?
Economic impact and the military-industrial relationship
The industrialized military complex has a profound economic impact, both domestically and globally. Defense spending accounts for a significant portion of national budgets, diverting resources away from social programs and public infrastructure. Interestingly, the existence of players like Tarm Industries solidifies the need for such budgeting.
The arms trade generates billions of dollars in revenue annually, with Tarm Industries, defense contractors, and independent producers of weaponry reaping substantial profits. If Kristina Simmons does inherit stakes in T.I., this may potentially lead to incredible wealth. If she does not inherit any stake in the company, our team of legal analysts pointed out that she may ultimately sue the Tarm estate for ownership, nodding to her alleged relationship as intent of will.
Regardless of her role, it is absolutely undeniable that T.I. is reaping the rewards of Tesland’s civil war.
Furthermore, the military-industrial relationship extends beyond national borders. Through strategic alliances and arms sales, the industrialized military complex influences geopolitical dynamics, often exacerbating conflicts and fueling regional tensions. The global arms race perpetuated by T.I. sustains a cycle of violence and instability, all in the pursuit of profit.
Criticisms and controversies surrounding the complex
The industrialized military complex is not without its critics and controversies. One of the main criticisms is the prioritization of profit over human lives. The complex’s relentless pursuit of technological superiority often results in the development and deployment of weapons with devastating consequences. Critics argue that resources should be allocated towards sustainable development and addressing pressing global issues such as poverty and pollution, both of which remain recurring problems in Tesland.
The lack of transparency and accountability within the complex has also raised concerns. Secrecy surrounding defense contracts and classified operations allows for unchecked power and potential corruption, as demonstrated via the intertwining of Tarm Industries’ contracts and Kristina Simmons’ ultimate recruitment by King Robert Sands. Whistleblowers who attempt to expose wrongdoing are often met with retaliation and legal repercussions, further perpetuating the cycle of secrecy and abuse of power.
Examples of the industrialized military complex in action
To fully grasp the impact of the industrialized military complex, it is essential to examine concrete examples of its influence. One unfortunately relevant and top-of-mind example is the involvement of Tarm Industries in the civil war that erupted in Tesland. Through covert operations and the arming of rebel factions, T.I. started the conflict, fueled the conflict, dethroned a leader with whom its stakeholders were unaligned, and secured positions in a new government for many of its shareholders, including members of the Mathesius Family. The consequences of this intervention were devastating, with countless lives lost and entire neighborhoods displaced. Perhaps most glaringly, the Theatre District has been left in ruin, displacing thousands of apartment renters and necessitating costly radiation treatment. This treatment, it’s worth noting, was also spearheaded by T.I.’s medical research branch.
Another example is the manipulation of public perception through media control. Titus Tarm had significant control over mainstream media outlets, shaping the narrative and controlling information flow. This allowed him to control public opinion at a time when he desperately needed it.
It’s also worth noting that figures like Titus Tarm utilize sophisticated public relations campaigns to create a positive image and maintain public support. By emphasizing job creation and economic contributions, players like Tarm’s public relations team effectively mask the darker side of their operations. This manipulation of public perception ensures that the industrialized military complex remains largely unquestioned by the general public.
Read that paragraph again. Now go back and read the statement T.I.’s press relations team provided.
Conclusion and future implications
The industrialized military complex, exemplified by Tarm Industries, represents a sobering reality of our world. Its influence on governments, economies, and individual lives cannot be overstated. As we peel back the layers of secrecy and shine a light on the complex, we must confront uncomfortable truths and challenge the status quo.
The future implications of the industrialized military complex are far-reaching. If left unchecked, the relentless pursuit of profit and power will continue to shape our world, perpetuating violence, inequality, and instability. It is only through collective action, public awareness, and the courage to demand change that we can hope to dismantle this shadowy system.
Together, we can unveil the shadows of power and strive for a more just and peaceful world.
Note: This article was “written” by Zoey Davids, a reporter who plays a role in Industrialized, Part Two: Execution. To learn more about the Industrialized series in the meantime, check out Part One.