InCryptid Q&A, Part I: Blind spots.

[seanan_mcguire]

So remember when I said that I would answer ten questions about the InCryptid universe? Well, I'm still taking questions, but here's your first answer!

ebartley asks...

"Why hasn't the Covenant squashed the Prices? They aren't that well-hidden

Comments

[liddle_oldman]

My theory is, absolutist organizations (and I very specifically include the more froth-speckled evangelicals -- and, for that matter, the Church) cannot admit any doubts or questions whatsoever, because if you ask one question, it leads to others, and the whole structure comes down.

Besides, there is no point in questions. One already knows the answers.

[geekhyena]

In that case, one wonders why there haven't been more defections? Natural variation and looking at past cults posits that there will be a rate of defection because some people can't quite get into that mindset, no matter how they try, or they grow out of it. Like why people leave really rabidly racist/anti-gay churches, especially once they meet someone who isn't Exactly Like Them and realize that other forms of living are entirely valid. Methinks Dominic might defect sooner or later, now that Verity's exposed him to some new things...

[herewiss13]

Given the lethality of the organization, I'd imagine that most defections are quietly disappeared...or publically dismembered as traitors to the Cause/Humanity.

Either way, you don't get to retire in peace. :-P

What happens to this _latest_ generation, OTOH...

[geekhyena]

I imagine that defector or non defector, the Covenant's pension/retirement plan is "where would you like us to bury what mangled bits we find of your corpse?"

[beccastareyes]

Well, technically the Healys were defectors and IIRC, Verity mentioned the Covenant had a more 'watchful waiting' attitude towards them until Alice convinced Thomas Price to defect too. Then they look like their ideas are spreading and are a threat to the organization.

So it could be that the Covenant will uneasily tolerate people who leave the fold as long as they show no signs of interfering in their 'holy mission'.

[geekhyena]

Defecting means that you no longer are serving the Holy Mission for which you signed on. IE, desertion. I don't think they'd tolerate that, interference or no.

[dornbeast]

Most of the people who aren't Exactly Like Them are part of the general populace, who must be "shielded from such blasphemous words." So their thoughts aren't relevant, because they don't know The Awful Truth. The people who do know about the cryptids are, as far as the Covenant in general knows, all part of the Covenant. And those other forms of living are only possible because of the Awful Sacrifices that the Covenant makes to keep them safe.

As for the Healy family, I wouldn't be surprised if they were the first defectors, and the last. And organizations change over the years; it's possible that they had good timing, and the head of the Covenant at the time was willing to let them go, as long as they didn't do anything problematic.

[seanan_mcguire]

Exactly.