"Ten minutes ago I was attacked by the
notorious Serial Killer 'Forced Entry' and yet now I find
myself safe and uninjured thanks to four brave individuals who came to
my rescue. A potentially traumatic experience for me, narrowly escaped
due to a group of dedicated men and women who fight the unending battle
against crime and hate in DownTown. Those who saved me are not company
sponsored Operatives, or armoured Shivers, but instead normal Men and
Women who spend their spare time trying to make their community a better
place. Walking streets that most would choose not to walk along, the
officers of Monarch Law Enforcement fight for the way of life that they
want, putting their lives at risk so that others may live in a safer
environment."

"With their distinctive navy blue jumpsuits
and brown flakjackets, the Monarchs are often seen by some as a poor
alternative to Shivers, being less well equipped and without the support
that Shivers have available just a radio message away. I'm here with
the three surviving Monarchs that saved me just a few short minutes ago.
Officer Pentrose you have just seen one of your friends brutally slain
by the very Serial Killer that you are now guarding. Any other
DownTowner would have exacted revenge on him by now and yet you are
guarding him until the Shivers arrive. Is this what it means to be a
Monarch?"

"I guess I'm trying to show people that
killing isn't the only answer. I became a Monarch because I wanted to
make a difference. Because I truly believe there has to be more to life
than just endless violence. And because of that I'm willing to lay my
life on the line to help others."

"But you have just lost a friend to this
killer who given a chance would slice you as he did your colleague."

"That's true, but that is what happens down
here on a nightly basis. Every time I leave my wife I know that it is
probably the last time I'm going to see her. And every time I see her
after the shift I'm always grateful that I've been spared for one more
night. That's also why I would never do what Janey and Tim did, the only
way I get through each night is knowing that my wife is safe at home.
I'd never want to be put in the situation that Janey is in now, seeing
my partner killed in front of me and knowing that I have nothing else to
go back to."

"So what happens now?"

"Well the Shivers will take him down to the
Department of Investigation and confirm he is 'Forced' and then
they'll try to find out who all of his victims were so they can inform
the relatives."

"I was meaning more about what your squad
will do."

"We've radioed to our local base and they're
sending out some back up. Janey is in no fit state to work tonight and
me and Dan can't work on our own."

"Why is that?"

"Because it's not safe for us to just go
around in pairs. It took four of us to take down 'Forced'. Now
way I'm wondering around these streets with just one other person. This
gun may look impressive, but it's only a 5mm CAF gun. And this vest and
helmet won't stop much either. That's our only advantage really,
strength in numbers."

"And is that enough?"

"Most of the time, yes. The gangs around
here tend to stay clear of us and not cause to much trouble. I like to
think that most deep-down value what we do, but in truth it is probably
that we are small fish to them. We don't hassle them too much, they
don't hassle us too much."

"And how do you find Shivers and Operatives
treat you?"

"Well the Shivers look down on us quite a
lot as if we are interfering in their job. Thing is though, they're
never around where they're needed. Few of them take the time to find out
where the real problem areas are and those that do just tend to avoid
them. Mind you if they're nearby and you do need help they'll come
rushing. Operatives are strange. You can tell who grew up in DownTown
and who didn't. Those who did tend to be quite respectful and often tell
us that their old man or someone they knew was a Monarch. Those who
grew up in Uptown tend to be arrogant as anything, and look down on us
as if we're worthless. I guess it's just a whole different world up
there."

"One final question; Do you see yourself as
always being a Monarch?"

"Am I always going to be doing this? Well, I
guess if I got old I could work at one of the bases, organising squads
and giving radio support. But no, one of these days my CAFs going to
fail on me and I'll end up like Tim back there. It's a fact of the job I
guess, although I hear the Department of Investigation may start
sponsoring us. That'll probably get us a few extra doses of 'Start, keep
me around a little longer."

"Thank you Officer Pentrose. And as I hand
back to the studio spare a thought for the Men and Woman who try and do
their bit in the depths of DownTown, knowing that they will probably end
up like Officer Tim behind me, intestines slowly cooling in a wet
DownTown alleyway. This is Monica Weathers, 3rd EyE News."