UNITY 29128

Polishing the Shine

59145 smiled as he went about his work. One brother after another was waiting to receive his services. 59145 was the finest shoe-shiner in his Unity Center and he had been so fortunate to have been assigned shoe-shine duty again.

"Hail Unity, brother," he greeted his next brother, 24675.

"Hail Unity, 59145," 24675 responded. "It is an honor so serve Unity each day."

"Affirmative, brother. This brother lives only to ensure we are in alignment with Unity Core Values."

59145 got to work. The scent of the shine was intoxicating. It reminded him that every sense belonged to Unity. Every brother wore the same uniform, spoke the same way, marched in perfect sync. Every aspect of their lives controlled down to the scent of their dress shoes.

"Order brings us peace," 59145 spoke as he shined 24675's dress shoes. "When we all wear the same uniforms, from our head to our shoes, there is no division or strife."

The brother matched each stroke of the brush with identical measure and rhythm. Every movement was a way to shove complete submission to the brotherhood that guided his life.

"Discipline gives us purpose. A set of rules and expectations to guide us in everything we do. There is no more room for doubt or insecurity. We obey because it helps all brothers."

24675 nodded. It felt good to hear his brother's words of devotion, for he felt exactly the same way.

"And Clarity is what we all seek. Unity is the only path to tread. Everything from our past was lies. Individual desires are destructive, only collective identity brings happiness."

59145 looked at his completed work. In the shine of his brother's black dress shoes, he could see his reflection, the word UNITY shining on his coveralls. He had seen the same reflection in every single shoe he had shined that. It was like a part of him was with every brother. 59145 felt a warmth in his chest knowing that was keeping the brotherhood aligned.

"Hail Unity, 59145!" said 24675, admiring his brother's work.

"Hail Unity!" the brother on his knees responded with a fist to his chest, before the next brother stepped up. 59145 looked down the line and saw each brother wearing the exact same dress shoes, even the exact same as he was wearing. Every one of them was the same. Every one of them had purpose. Every one of them served a greater whole. And 59145 got back to work to keep them all shining.

Relocation Protocol

Unity brothers live a truly free live, liberated from the greatest burden of all: the freedom from decisions. Brothers are given commands, assigned tasks, and incorporated into structures that determine every choice they could ever have, and delivers the most efficient choice. This freedom extends to a brother's domicile. Brothers are assigned to urban districts where they are most needed and this can often lead to brothers getting reassigned to a further the alignment of a new acquired district.

For the unaligned, the thought of moving can bring feelings of anxiety. But for Unity brothers, it just another act of service to the brotherhood. Brothers know that the Unity Protocol guides the actions of all brothers even beyond the borders of their district. The designation each brother bears on his coveralls is a reminder that he is a tool to serve Unity and tools must go where they are needed. Any fear has been removed and replaced with undeniable purpose.

Quiet and Calm

54321 remembers how his afternoons used to be. He would come home, say a quick word to his boyfriend, before spending another few hours answering emails or trying to stay ahead the endless grind of corporate life. It was a demoralizing existence as he never felt truly connected to his work, despite how much time it took up.

Overwhelmed by Unity

08412 never thought something like this could happen to him. He had long ago accepted that his life was to be a struggle. He figured he would trudge through life alone, always seeking purpose. But he was wrong. He had always been wrong. All men have a purpose which is to join and serve Unity.

Here we see 08412 after completing his Unity orientation. He is surrounded by his new brothers, each one a new recruit. After donning their coveralls and bearing their designations on their very bodies, their new reality has set in. Unity was always where they belonged. It is not uncommon for new brothers to have this great outpouring of emotion. It is the body's way of shedding the burden of individuality. These men have become brothers for life.

UNITY for All to See

A common thing you will hear from new Unity brothers is how it felt to put on their coveralls for the first time. That sense of complete submission to the Brotherhood helps the new brother realize that this is his true identity. This transformation is bolstered by the UNITY patch on every brother's coveralls. When he we wear UNITY on our chest, we are letting the world see what we serve. It shows that we are not ashamed of our submission, rather we are proud to belong to a brotherhood.

Zipped in Peace

Unity is not just an organization. When a brother puts on his uniform with UNITY stitched across the chest beside a five-digit designation, he ceases to be an individual. He becomes part of something larger. While that may seem intimidating, brothers manage to find discipline, order, and clarity in such a structure.  

For brothers like 73546, that realization brought peace. He arrived at Unity burdened by anxiety. The world outside the Unity Center had worn him down: his job, his finances, even the hobbies that once brought him joy had begun to feel like obligations. Everywhere he turned, something demanded more from him.

Unity promised release. At first, he didn’t believe it. During the re-education seminar, he found himself questioning everything. How could a group of men dressed in identical coveralls offer discipline, order, and clarity? And yet, he noticed something he couldn’t ignore. Not one of them looked distressed. Not one seemed uncertain. Every brother carried himself with quiet pride.

So 73546 stayed. Alongside the other recruits, he stepped forward to be fitted for his uniform. The moment the coveralls settled onto his shoulders, something shifted. As he pulled the zipper upward, a strange calm followed that felt steady and undeniable.

By the time the zipper reached its peak, the noise in his mind had quieted. For the first time in a long while, he felt at peace. He looked around. Every man was dressed the same. All standing the same: certain. In that moment, he understood.

The Purpose of Unity

It is said that a good book can change the trajectory of a person's life. For Unity brother 12345, this could not be more true. In his past life, he was a college graduate, but he struggled to find work even with a degree. He turned to odd jobs to make ends meet, but none were fulfilling. It was one day when he was working a late shift at a local drug store when an looking couple of men entered. They looked straight out of a science-fiction story, clad in uniform coveralls, bearing numbered designations and moving with almost alien kind of purpose.

"Can I help you?" asked the young man.

The uniformed men approached, one producing a book from beneath his arm, "No. But we can help you."

The young man took the book without losing the men's gaze. Their eyes were serious, yet warm. There was a drive behind their eyes. One that he had not felt in a long while. He looked the book and saw the title "The Purpose of Unity". He quickly looked back up and saw UNITY on the coveralls of these two men.

"Hail Unity!" the men responded and then exited just as quick as they entered.

The rest of that late shift was spent poring over that book. The young man learned all about Unity and its Core Values: Order, Discipline, and Clarity. He read about how to restructure his life by abandoning selfish, individualistic desires and embracing a collective goal. The Unity Brotherhood could offer him all of this and more. A place to belong. A sense of purpose.

It was not long until he visited a Unity Center and became a brother himself. Now Brother 12345 reads the Purpose of Unity every day during unstructured re-education time. In his recruitment tasks, he will share copies of the book with men who seem to lack purpose. He wants to be the brother that helps men like he once was. He was wants all men to understand the purpose of Unity.

Brotherly Purpose

Sean and Derek always said they valued freedom. Freedom to be themselves and love who they love. It's why when they first heard of Unity, they were extremely opposed to it. They viewed the brothers in coveralls as brainwashed drones. Only after the Unity Mandate expanded into their city, did they learn the errors of their ways.

After regular re-education, 47392 and 81057 saw the truth of the world. What they called freedom was in illusion. It stoked division and opposition to their fellow man. Now they understood that true freedom was in conformity. Freedom to have purpose, freedom to belong, and freedom to serve. Unity was true freedom.

For this reason, the brothers were happy when they received a labor assignment to paint over an unaligned mural in their town, one supposedly dedicated to "freedom". Even as their coveralls were splattered with paint, the brothers could not stop smiling. They were destroying an ode to the ills of the past and replacing with calming Unity. They wanted all men to feel this free.

Brothers of Unity are easily recognized by our signature navy blue coveralls, collared shirt & tie. But what most people don't realise is that there are multiple variations of our uniform used within UNITY communities, to cater to various tasks & functions.

This series aims to educate fellow brothers & individuals curious or interested in our brotherhood on the different uniforms & it's appropriate uses, with this 1st part showcasing the U Series, default uniforms worn by brothers on a regular basis

1. U-01

Standard issue navy blue coveralls with designation number & Unity patches sewn on chests for convenient identification, worn over a white collared shirt & black tie, with black dress shoes polished to mirror shine

Within Unity communities, brothers are allowed to wear either this uniform or it’s variant U-02 for daily wear

However, this uniform is mandatory for selected seminars & event cycles (Brothers unsure of appropriate variant are encouraged to approach brothers coordinating above-mentioned events for clarification)

Brothers are allowed to wear Unity issued caps when needed & are also encouraged to when weather permits them

2. U-02

Variant of U-01, with standard issued black combat boots instead of dress shoes, polished to mirror shine 

Brothers are also allowed to wear this uniform for daily use & recreational cycles within Unity communities.

However, this variant is mandatory for mandated physical training & outdoor activities/exercises

Caps are optional for recreational cycles, but are mandatory for above-mentioned mandated outdoor events

3. U-03

While brothers are encouraged to sleep in U-01 or U-02, brothers are allowed to sleep in either a standard issued Unity A shirt, white briefs & white knee high socks

Daily Briefings

Every morning following the Morning Assembly and Pledge, Unity brothers attend their daily briefings where they receive their daily labor assignments. Brothers are informed and updated on Unity initiatives and their roles in serving the brotherhood.

52904 and 91103 are called first. They stand at the front of the room side by side. All brothers serve with a partner each day. This increases accountability and ensures all brothers feel supported. It does not matter than 52904 used to be an accountant or that 91103 was a link-cook. Under Unity, they all serve the same purpose. The brothers are assigned to the Uniform Depot for laundering and repairs. The two respond with a firm "Hail Unity" before taking their seats. Both brothers know such a simple job is essential labor, as without the uniform, the bond between brothers weakens.

Once all brothers receive their labor assignments, they exit out of the room and report to their stations. Some stay at the Unity Center, others take Unity Transport to off-site labor assignments. There is no disappointment about one's assignment, as all brothers know from re-education that all labor serves Unity.

Studying for a Unity Future

These brothers were once engineering students at an Ivy League university. They had always been the smartest guys in class, but once they got to university, they were surrounded by a campus of "smartest guys in class". Their confidence was shaken, if not for a campus Unity chapter. Instead of burning out, these young men were brought in line with Order, Discipline, and Clarity. Now they studied engineering so they may one day oversee the implementation of the Unity Protocol on structural levels. They worked in developing new technologies that would help process and record thousands of brothers a day. They developed plans for transportation between Urban Collectives. Their studies were not mere theory. They were helping create a future of Order, Discipline and Clarity. Their future was Unity.

Unity Plaza

A Day in the Life of Unity Brothers

51304 and 89276 are assigned companion brothers. In order to keep one another accountable, Unity brothers are never to be alone, but instead in constant contact with their assigned companion brother. They begin day at the Morning Assembly where labor assignments are given out and the Unity Pledge is recited.

After Assembly, the brothers are to report for re-education. They spend two hours listening to a Unity instructor elucidate the core values. They are made to repeat the cycle's mantra: CLARITY through DISCIPLINE. ORDER through OBEDIENCE. The brothers let these words guide them through the rest of their day.

51304 and 89276 have been assigned factory labor. They work an 8 hour shift performing quality assurance inspections on computer components which will be used at Unity Centers nationwide. Conversation during the labor cycle is kept strictly to task-related topics with not a word wasted on unaligned "small-talk".

The afternoon is spent in a local park on recruitment detail. The brothers find strong purpose in speaking with young men their own age, and helping them understand Unity's purpose. While they successfully recruit a few men, others they convince to wear a UNITY badge to show support for the brotherhood. 51304 and 89276 consider this a success, knowing that normalizing any kind of submission to Unity will bring these men into the brotherhood sooner rather than later.

Following the Evening Assembly, the brothers return to their shared dorm for re-education review. They complete their review in complete silence, working diligently to ensure they support each other and all brothers. Ending the day with re-education reminds them that their work is never done and no brother is perfect, only Unity is. As the curfew alarm sounds, the brothers change out of their coveralls for the day and crawl into bed. They exchange only a fraternal "Hail Unity" before the lights are turned off. Another day of alignment completed and another day of purpose awaits them.

Staying In Line

There are times when 40110 can recall remnants of his past life. The sense of dread each morning when going to his job. The boredom of sitting in that office all day. The sting of ending his day feeling like he had made no difference. How miserable he had felt, how trapped he had felt, and how utterly alone he had felt. He was in his late 40's and felt like he had nothing to show for it. It was in this miserable existence that the light of Unity found him.

Now 40110 begins each day in step with his brothers. He donned his shirt and tie before zipping up his coveralls in time with his brothers. Many of them shared similar pasts, men without purpose, lost in a haze. Now they all shared the same purpose and even wore it on their coveralls: Unity.

As 40110 fell in line to march towards the gathering hall, his mind was at ease. He no longer had to worry about his life being wasted. He served Unity now, helping to improve his community and the lives of all men. He saw his impact each day as his city was cleaned up and as more and more men became brothers. 40110 may have wasted decades of his life, but he was not going to waste another second. He is a Unity brother now. That is his identity. That is his purpose.

A New Campus Order

"Bro, even the professor was wearing the coveralls. It was so cool, literally everyone looked the same!"

Brother 43355 had just joined Unity alongside his friends and roommates. They were just the most recent recruits on campus following a huge demonstration of Unity brothers. Joining Unity was the coolest thing in campus.

"It's amazing we can all come together like this. I feel so empowered, yet submissive at the same time," replied 19845.

"Improper pronoun use, brother," corrected 62115. "Unity brothers must refrain from 1st-person pronoun use and instead use our designations of "this brother"".

"Apologies, brother and thank you for the correction. This brother feels so empowered and yet submissive," repeated 19845.

"43355 never thought he'd see the day when he willingly chose to wear a uniform! And certainly not coveralls over a shirt and tie!" 43355 laughed.

62115 interrupted suddenly, "Brothers! it is almost time for the evening pledge. We should get to our muster stations. Hail Unity!"

The others sprang to their feet, "Hail Unity!"

The three friends turned brothers exited the dorm joining a stream of uniformed brothers outside for the pledge. The whole campus was undergoing a transformation. One that would unite every man on campus.

Playing for Unity

Before joining Unity, 17591 lived for competition. Victory brought exhilaration, the kind of pride that came from proving himself better than the man across from him. But victory was never guaranteed. And when defeat came, it cut deeply. After one particularly crushing loss, he sat alone outside the locker room, still wearing his hockey gear. The game had ended in a shutout. In his mind, the blame belonged to him. Thinking this, he couldn’t face his teammates. So, he sat there in silence, staring at the floor, replaying every mistake in his head and wondering if he truly belonged on the team at all.

In his moment of isolation, he felt a hand rest gently on his shoulder. “What has you down, brother?” a calm voice asked. Looking up, he saw a man standing over him in navy coveralls. A neatly knotted tie rested against a white shirt, and across the man’s chest was stitched both the word UNITY and a designation: 90304.

Unsure how to respond, 17591 eventually told him everything; he spoke of the loss, the disappointment, and the feeling that he had let everyone down. 90304 listened patiently letting the man speak his mind. When he finished, the Unity brother simply smiled.

“You are not alone,” 90304 said. “The world teaches men to compete as individuals. To tie their worth to victory. But that lesson leads only to shame when defeat comes.” He continued by speaking of Discipline, Order, and Clarity. 90304 wasn’t speaking of training or more practice. He spoke of Unity.  “In Unity,” 90304 explained, “pride does not come from standing above your brothers. It comes from standing with them, serving the collective.” He paused before adding, “You can come to the Unity Center. There you can receive re-education.”

“Re-education?” 17591 asked cautiously.

“The world has taught you incorrectly,” 90304 replied calmly. “Unity will help you unlearn what has harmed you.” With little left to lose, 17591 followed him. At the Unity Center, he saw men dressed just like 90304, navy coveralls, ties neatly aligned, each bearing only a designation number. They carried themselves with quiet confidence and purpose.

Standing there, still in his sweaty hockey pads, 17591 suddenly felt out of place. Watching this, 90304 took notice. “There is no shame in Unity,” he assured him. “Alignment comes with time.”

“Can you show me?” 17591 asked.