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// (Noir Newsletter) Ocular Instalations and Security Crackdowns 
// Story: The Unique Properties of Dark Magic 
// by Shadestyle 
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You all voted, and I've listened.  As such, the Shadow Realm will soon be equipped with new and improved camera and microphone systems in most public areas, excluding restaurants and specialty stores. Each camera is equipped with its own golem-combat suite, microphones, and intelligent entity tracking and communication.  The purpose of these installations is simple, track suspicious individuals, and protect civilians in the event of violent crime.  If you've got anything illegal to discuss, you'll need to begin doing so in the privacy of your own homes.  

Aside from the hidden redundant cameras, the current plan is to install three sets of cameras at each intersection, along with two sets of cameras at each one-hundred meters of linear tunnels, and one camera at each turning point in non-linear tunnels.  This setup will ensure that in the event of a chase, suspects can be tracked consistently, even if they manage to evade any guards that might already be after them, and that if a Longma became the victim of a violent crime, attention could be immediately given in the form of automated drones and an alert to medical professionals.  Hopefully, this will serve as both a deterrent and an improvement to quality of life, due to the cameras being capable of calling medical services automatically in response to critical events.

Key areas which will have increased surveillance will include Arcana Janus Fast Travel Stations, Hidden Palace Zone, the Kingdom Heart, and of course, all government and public works buildings and offices.  Keep this in mind when going about your daily business, and if you feel you may be in danger.  The camera systems are capable of both facial and emotional recognition, giving them the ability to detect subtle cues which may indicate someone feeling as though they are in danger.  Each camera is also equipped to respond immediately to a code phrase, "I'm in danger Friend Computer", which will immediately make nearby cameras give their footage of you high priority and alert nearby authorities.

It has come to my attention that some individuals have taken to performing pranks, using holographic gems in order to display shocking or humorous images on the cameras, like dancing lions or seaponies flopping around on the ground.  I'd like to take the time to remind all of you that the camera systems in place use a method of sight which bypasses illusory magic, for exactly that reason.  This isn't me condoning it, this is me saying that we can still see your faces when you're setting up these pranks, and small fines will be mailed to you shortly, if they haven't been already.  Please do not try to defeat the camera systems, if you believe an area should not be under surveillance, come to my office, discuss it with me directly, or with one of the heads of security.   We've already removed cameras from a few areas, for the sake of privacy and preserving trade secrets.

What makes these pranks a problem is that they serve as a distraction to the guards who observe surveillance, either live or recorded, which may lead to false flags on suspicious individuals.  Due to the way the cameras flag suspicious individuals, someone slinking around as if they're doing something illegal can trigger the cameras to pay more attention to them, which only serves to waste time on the part of the Shadow Realm's hard working guard in checking these suspicious individuals in order to safely dismiss them as immediate threats.

Those among you who simply must satisfy your urge to prank, against all my warnings and rationale, please, do so in a way that isn't immediately dangerous.  Save the holograms for passing ponies, or something.  Don't keep trying to give my guards the gigglies when you can't even see their reaction at the time.  It simply isn't the time or place for fun and games, and the guards have more than enough to occupy their time without also having to put forward a focus towards idle pranksters and goofsters.  Their purpose is to ensure your safety, and respect can be given by saving your pranks for non-critical ponies.

Those of you who are concerned over the ponies themselves, please try to keep a suitable amount of empathy for the Equestrian ponies who are taking the time to explore and experience the Shadow Realm.  In truth, only a small percentage of them fall into what I would call 'Risk Areas', and many of them seem to just be ordinary civilians, with intent to take in a new and exotic culture.  The small number of saboteurs and assassins will shrink, given time and practice on the part of our guards, so keeping an open mind towards any out-of-place ponies should be an important facet of this unintentional cultural exchange.

Leave the suspicion and paranoia to those who are being paid for it, our guards work hard day and night to sort the safe from the unsafe, and it's incredibly unlikely for you to ever encounter an Equestrian who is anything but peaceable and a worthwhile individual to cavort with.  Instead, I suggest showing our new guests around, indeed, as you are all aware, the Shadow Realm has many sights and events to enjoy, from the Street Fighting Circuit, to golem combat, tactical, virtual and traditional gaming, and so on.  

If there is one thing I am absolutely, positively certain of, it is that welcoming our Equestrian Allies with open hooves, and showing them things like our advanced golems ripping each other to shreds, our brave warriors brutalizing one another for glory and fun, and our geniuses demonstrating a mastery of games unlike any other, will lead to us being able to more peacefully align ourselves with the noble ponies of Equestria.

It is my belief that sights like those will properly help the Equestrians understand exactly what we're about, a little bit of what we're capable of, and how willing we are to extend the limbs of friendship to them, so long as they meet them in kind.