Up the Ladder

“Up the ladder” is the phrase werewolves use to describe ingratiating themselves to humans. Many werewolves want to move “up the ladder” or “climb” into the good graces of their human captors, because this is virtually the only realistic way of eventually escaping Sector IX. It is what humans would generally refer to as “sucking up” or “kissing ass”, and is almost always spoken of with distain among werewolves. To dedicate yourself to climbing the ladder is considered both cowardly and treacherous, though almost all Tropo attempt it at some point in times of desperation.

To begin climbing the ladder, a werewolf will generally perform a service for a guard or a member of the Soldat. The most common form of service is ratting out a fellow packmate for a legal transgression. The Soldat will then recruit the werewolf into their ranks, with the condition that they renounce all prior pack allegiances. The werewolf then has the opportunity to serve the Soldat as a law enforcer until he is deemed worthy of being considered for release from the Sector. This can take many years.

Nearly all werewolves dream of some day escaping Sector IX back into a life of freedom, but amnesty is granted very rarely, even among the ranks of the Soldat. The outside world is full of challenges for a werewolf, not the least of which being extreme prejudice from humans and hunting by poachers attempting to circumvent the blood trade. A complete change of identity, moving to a secluded area, and hiring of bodyguards are commonly employed precautions for a free werewolf. Although freed Tropo are not confined to their Sector, they are closely monitored by the government and are extremely restricted in terms of what goods they are permitted to purchase, where they may live, and which occupations they can perform.

The origins of this phrase are not known, though it may refer to a metaphorical ladder used for climbing over the Wall to freedom.

Written by: Skiecrow

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