Fiction: Afterlife Volume 3 (Chapter 30)

If you’ve never read Afterlife before, click here to go to the first chapter.

Afterlife is a sci fi/western action serial published every other week. Join us in a post-apocalyptic journey through a future where life has become little more than a struggle for survival. However, where there’s life, there’s always hope.

Image via

Read the previous chapter here:

Afterlife, Volume 3, Chapter 29

Where:

Paul and Aiyana fight off the giant mantis.
Eileen Traymont sits in a prison cell contemplating her fate.
Abby and Shelly find Denver.

Find the Volume 3 Table of Contents page here.

View the Map here.

Check out Afterlife on Goodreads and don’t forget to rate it.

 

Afterlife, Volume 3, Chapter 30

“I don’t even know where to begin,” Abby said as she looked down at the plate of roasted vegetables and pasta in front of her.  “I have so many questions.”

Sicheii Tallfeather was seated at the other end of the long table.  He was in his eighties, and old man with a wrinkled face and squinting eyes.  He seemed to wear a permanent smile, and a black robe was draped over his small frame.  “It’s understandable,” he said in a raspy whisper.  “You’re new here.  It’s hard to make sense of this for newcomers.”

Paul, who was seated next to Abby smiled at her.  “Abby, where are the other members of the Bloody Six?  Do you know?  Mark and Jane, Sera, John and Juanita.  Do you know where they are?”

Abby frowned.  “I haven’t seen any of them since I left North Point.  Shelly said that Sera was killed by the IAO.  As for the rest of them, they were with Alex Harris and he was also killed.  That’s all I know, though.”

Paul nodded sadly.  “I see.  So it’s not likely they survived.”

Abby shrugged.  “I don’t know.  The resistance is in trouble all over Numurka.  From what I’ve heard, what was left of the Southwest Resistance was holed up in Rose City.  Einstein said there have been reports that the city was taken by the IAO and many resistance members were executed.  According to the reports, the resistance is no more.”

“Those reports have yet to be verified,” Einstien said from Abby’s wrist.  Sammy, Aiyana, her parents who were also seated at the table, and Sicheii all looked at Abby in amazement.

“My computer,” Abby said with a smile, raising her wrist to show everyone.  “His name’s Einstein.  He talks.”

“Good evening,” Einstein said.

“Anyway,” Abby said, “regardless of whether those reports can be verified or not, it’s not looking good.”

Sicheii nodded.  He and Aiyana’s parents seemed like kind people.  First of all, they invited Abby to dinner, which was nice in and of itself, but they were very polite and gracious hosts.  Aiyana’s mother, Meda, was beautiful like her daughter, but with a little more age in her face, and a tumor that was slightly larger and located on her neck.  Her father, Charles McGowan, was a large man with a round, freckled face and short red hair.  He smiled and laughed a lot.  He had no visible tumors, but Abby wondered if any were hidden beneath his clothing.  “So,” Meda said with a warm smile, “Abby, I know you probably feel overwhelmed, but if there’s anything you want to know, this is the time to ask.”

Abby nodded.  “So, from what you’ve told me so far, I understand that you all survived the nuclear holocaust and you had a deal with Herman Rennock and his people that you’d stick to yourselves and never allow anyone to leave in return for Rennock’s military protection.  That much is clear.  What I don’t understand is, now that Rennock is dead and his empire is gone, now that the IAO are in control of everything, why can’t you just drop that rule and try to work something else out?”

Everyone at the table was looking at Abby with faces that expressed shock.  Sammy was frowning.  “I wasn’t aware that Rennock was dead.  I don’t think any of us were.”

“He was executed,” Abby said, “by the IAO.  Einstein found reports on the IAO news reels.  I suppose they could be false.”

Sicheii frowned.  “We weren’t aware of those things you just said.  We knew of the rise of the IAO, but we weren’t aware of Rennock’s death and the fall of his empire.  That could change everything.”  He thought for a few seconds.  “We decide anything important by vote at our town hall meetings.  There is such a meeting later this week.  You have lots of new information for us, so you can share it there, and we’ll act and vote accordingly.  If your injured friend is up to it, she can join you.”

Abby didn’t like waiting longer than she had to, but it would give Shelly time to recover from her wounds.  “All right,” she said as she took a bite of her food.  The vegetables, cooked by Meda, were amazing.  They were seasoned with lots of spices and flavor.  “So all these millennia, you’ve put your defense in the hands of another nation.  Sorry if I’m being forward, but to me, that means this place isn’t as free as you all make it out to be.  True freedom must be paid for with blood.”  Paul smiled at her and nodded.

“I disagree,” Sicheii said.  “We have the freedom to live and live peacefully.  We don’t have the numbers to defend ourselves against a true threat.  And we aren’t warriors.  We believe in peace.  We believe in life, not death.  If that means having to rely on the goodwill of others and sometimes cutting deals when necessary, peace is worth any price.”

“It’s not worth freedom,” Abby said.  “So in reality, all these years, you were at the mercy of Rennock and his people.  The Council of Atlantis or whoever you call them.  You were slaves to them.  And they took the food and water and resources you gave them and used them to help create an empire.  An empire which thrived on oppression and the labor of others.  An empire which killed millions, whoever was perceived as a threat to them.  If you ask me, some of that blood is on the hands of your people.”

Sicheii frowned.  “It wasn’t perfect, I realize, but we’ve survived for millennia.  Millennia of peace.  And we worked and lived together.  If we needed something, we traded for it.  There are no poor people here.  We are all wealthy and we are all happy.”

“But you’ve used products manufactured by Rennock,” Abby said.  “You’ve relied on him.  Who’s going to help you now?  Who’s going to protect you now?  The IAO’s going to find you, and they’re going to kill most of you.  They’ll rape your women and use your people as they see fit.  There’s no brokering a deal with them.”

“I guess we’ll see,” Sicheii said.

“We’ll discuss it at the next town hall,” Charles said.  “Everything will be settled there.”

Abby smiled.  “Will it?  I certainly hope so.”  She glanced at Meda.  “Thank you for the wonderful food.  I really did enjoy it.  It’s been a long journey, though, and I’m tired.”

Meda nodded.  “Aiyana will show you to the guest room.”

Abby nodded, said goodbye to everyone at the table, and followed Aiyana into a hall and up some wooden stairs.  Aiyana opened a door revealing a cozy bedroom.  “Have a good night,” she said with a smile.  “And I believe things here are ripe for change, if you want to know my opinion, even without the fall of Rennock.  I’m sure there are others here who feel the same way.”

“Thanks,” Abby said with a smile.  She said good night and shut the door.  The six bags of diamonds and Abby’s other two bags were on the floor.  Sammy and Paul had carried them up to Abby’s room while Meda set places for them at the table and served the food.  Denver had been the first true anarchist colony Abby had come in contact with.  They were anarchists in the sense that there was no government and people lived by mutual agreement.  They practiced the ideals of freedom and law without force in all aspects of life and not just in government.  When it came to anarchy, Abby had always asked herself how they’d deal with defense, since use of force went against their values.  She’d gotten her answer, at least in terms of what the Denverites did.  They relied on others.  And in their case, it was on Rennock.  They’d proven useful to Rennock and his ancestors over the years, but as soon as they became a liability, Abby knew that Rennock would have wiped them out in a heartbeat.  That was no way to live.

She took Einstein off and plugged him into the wall.  Sicheii had told her the Denverites got their electricity from generators and fuel provided by Rennock.  “Abby,” Einstein said just before she plugged him in.

“Yes, Einstein.”

“You need to find a way out of this place at all costs,” he said.  “As soon as Shelly is up for it.  There is still one set of diamonds you need.  That set is located in Rose City.”

Abby nodded.  “So whether the IAO have Rose City or not, I’ll need to go there, and soon before the city’s destroyed.  And then it’s Valhalla.”

“As soon as you leave Denver,” Einstein said, “I’ll lead you to Valhalla.  We won’t wait until you get the last set of diamonds.  According to the coordinates I have, Valhalla is very close to here.  Then you can go to Rose City and get the last diamonds.”

“All right,” Abby said.  “Can you tell me what I’m going to find in Valhalla?”  She knew it was something that would help the resistance win the war.  Before that war had been against Rennock.  Now it was against the IAO.

“I don’t know,” Einstein said.  “I only know that it’s something important to the resistance.”

Abby nodded and shut Einstein off.  She took off her clothes and put on a white nightgown Sicheii had provided her with.  It had been Aiyana’s when she was younger, but it fit Abby perfectly.  She lied down in the bed, lost in her thoughts, wondering what was in Valhalla.  Perhaps it was a secret weapon or a technology of some kind.  Or maybe a lost city much like Denver, or an army of robots.  Whatever it was, Abby would be finding it soon.  She drifted off to sleep in the comfortable bed.

<>

Ava Haddid kept her word.  When Ayman came to her hotel room to take her out on their date, she was wearing a hijab.  They’d eaten dinner at a nice Italian place and had some fun conversation.  Now they were walking along the cobblestone streets of Rose City, past white timber-framed houses towards the square Ayman had found a few days before the battle.  Ava’s pink hijab was wrapped around her head, and neck, framing her face, and she was wearing a long, white dress with a pink sash tied around her waist.  She was also wearing her usual heavy eye makeup, and Ayman found her as stunning as ever.  He found it hard not to hold her hand, but he knew it was best not to touch her more often than necessary until after marriage.  “It’s a beautiful night,” he said.

Ava grinned.  “Yes, there’s no rain or snow.  Wait, that’s how it is every night here.”

Ayman chuckled.  “I meant what we’re doing.  Eating together, walking, talking.”  Most Muslims would have looked down on such dating without parental guidance, but it wasn’t possible for their parents to be present, so Ayman hoped Allah would bless them.

“Yes,” she said smiling at him as they walked.  “I hope you know I joke with you a lot.  I do really like you.”

He smiled.  “And I really like you.”

They entered the square, which was surrounded by shops and statues of famous business leaders from throughout the city’s history.  Some had been toppled by vandals, but it was still a beautiful square with colorful painted cobblestones.  “Do you remember when you said you thought I was looking to sacrifice myself for a cause,” Ayman asked.  “That I had a death wish?”

“I guess,” Ava said.  “I didn’t necessarily mean that.”  They found a wooden bench and sat down next to one another.  Ayman made sure to keep a few inches between them.

“No,” Ayman said, “you did mean it.  And you were right.  At least you may have been right then, but I’ve found a reason to live.”

Ava looked nervous.  “What’s that?” she blurted.

Ayman turned her head so she was looking at him.  “You.”

Ava laughed and turned away.  “That’s so corny.  And besides, you’re putting a lot of pressure on me.”

“No,” Ayman said.  “The pressure’s on me.  I need to prove myself worthy of a woman as wonderful as you.”

“As wonderful as me?”  She continued looking away from him.

“Yes,” Ayman said.  “You’re hard on yourself if you don’t see it.  I know the true you.  You’re a beautiful woman, but you have a good heart.”

“I do try to stay in good cardio shape,” she joked.

“That’s enough joking for now,” Ayman said.  “I really mean what I said.  I believe you’ve given me a reason to live.”

She turned to look at him again, her face serious for a second.  Then, she grinned and Ayman could tell she was trying to think of some sarcastic comeback, so he raised a finger to his lips as they looked into one another’s eyes.  “Don’t ruin this moment with a joke.”

“I…” she seemed speechless.

“You don’t have to talk,” Ayman said.  “You’re beautiful and smart and funny.  I consider myself very lucky that you agreed to come out with me tonight.”

She smiled.  “I’m lucky, too.”  She put her head on his shoulder and the two of them watched people walk by.  Ayman couldn’t find it within himself to push her away, even if they were touching.  For some reason, it didn’t seem haram to him.  He so wanted to kiss her, but he knew that would have to wait.  Part of him wanted to ask her to marry him right then and there, but that would have to wait, too.  He wasn’t sure if they were quite ready for it.

<>

“So let’s go over this again,” Mavery said as she sat across from Matt Lund.  They were alone in the Phoenix Books office.  Big Ed was in the front talking with Alfred.  The desks were covered with papers and there were even some on the floor.  They hadn’t had a chance to clean up since before the battle.  “The IAO still have us surrounded,” Mavery said.  “They have control of both land and air.  We’ve bombed their tunnels at least for now, but they’ll definitely attack again, so it’s up to our army, now with the help of General Schmidt, to find a way to defeat them before they starve us out and get the numbers to attack us again and destroy us.”

Matt frowned.  “That’s pretty much it.”

“How’s our food situation?” Mavery asked.

“I’ve asked Victor and Sandy to do a thorough inventory throughout the city,” Matt said.  “There’s plenty of food for now.  Plus there’s a massive storage center beneath the Undertown in a huge underground bunker.  We should be good for a long time.  If this goes on for weeks or months, we may have to start rationing though.”

“Hopefully it won’t go on for that long,” Mavery said.  “Not only will we starve, but the natives will get restless.”

Matt nodded.  “We’ve already had an increase in crime and violence.”

“What about water and energy?” Mavery asked.

“We have enough solar cells and batteries here that energy shouldn’t be an issue,” Matt said.  “As far as water, the recycling center is as good as ever.”

Mavery took a deep breath.  “Sounds like we’re in a good position to withstand a siege.”

“And our anti-missile defenses will defend us from any nuclear attack,” Matt said.

“Still,” Mavery said.  “I feel like we’re just waiting for them to invade and destroy us.”

“Well,” Matt said, “let the generals figure something out.  In the meantime, it’s up to us to see that people here stay sane.  That’s where you and your broadcast come into play.”

Mavery nodded.  “We’ve had it bad for so long.  With Rennock and now the IAO.  I really hope we can make it through this so humanity can see the dawn of a new era.”

Matt smiled.  “You should say something like that in your broadcast tomorrow.  Give the people hope, you know?”

“Yeah,” Mavery said.

“And it’s been tough since written history remembers, it seems,” Matt said.  “Especially for the poor and middle classes.  Maybe not so much for the wealthy.  They’ve always had the power, of course.  Businesses controlled everything with lawyers and lobbyists even before the apocalypse.  Afterwards, they just took out the middle man of government and ruled the people directly with their money and power.  People didn’t realize that government was ultimately the only thing standing between them and tyranny.”

“And we don’t know the half of it I’m sure,” Mavery said.  “Before the apocalypse, I mean.  So much has been lost.”

Matt nodded.  “According to legend, so many books, so much art, so much music, has been lost through time.  We know this for a fact, though, because the histories we do have mention names and styles of music that don’t exist anymore.  William S. Burroughs, for instance.  I’ve seen his name mentioned quite a bit in some of the stuff I’ve been reading lately.  He was apparently a great and influential writer in his time, but everything’s been lost.  Aldous Huxley, Kurt Vonnegut.  All lost.  Styles of music from various parts of the world like calypso, semba, and Qawwali are long gone.  I’ve read mention of them in some texts, but I have no idea what they are.  Who knows what else has been lost?  Probably some things there isn’t even mention of any longer.”

“And there just doesn’t seem to be as much art produced today,” Mavery said.

“When you’re fighting for survival,” Matt said, “you don’t have as much time to produce great art.  The rich have time but the stuff they produce is mostly about making money rather than truly making good art.  It was different in the old world when people had more time and freedom and were less preoccupied with survival.”

Mavery looked out the window at the darkness.  “Well it’s getting late.  Tell me a little more about the crime before we go, though.  What types of things have been happening?”

“We definitely have to address the issue of public safety,” Matt said.  “As I said, crime is on the rise.  And on top of that, there has been an increase in terrorist attacks in Rose City.  Far more than we’ve seen here in the past.”

“Terrorist attacks?” Mavery asked.

Matt nodded.  He clicked through some screens on his wristwatch computer.  “Murders and other attacks based on religious or political ideology.  Many of the perpetrators saw themselves as seeking retribution or retaliation for something.”

“Like what?” Mavery asked.

“Well,” Matt began, “of the twelve attacks in the past week, six were white supremacists killing Muslims because of things the Holy Warriors have done, three were white supremacists killing black people in retaliation for the Warriors of Freedom attacking Iron Town, two were Islamic extremists associated with the Holy Warriors, and the last one was a man who killed a police officer because he was one of those sovereign citizen extremists.”

Mavery frowned.  “All of this has to stop.  These identity politics.  People separating themselves and being played against one another.  I thought it would all end here.  I thought we’d have a situation where we give everyone equal treatment under the law and all the fighting would cease.  I thought now that we have a clear common enemy, people would join together, unite to defeat it. But people seem to keep it going themselves, regardless of what the government does.  Regardless of anything happening in the world around them. If we want to form a successful nation, we’re going to have to learn to come together as a people.  Our future depends on it.”

“I agree,” Matt said.  “We need to convince the people, though.  It’s hard when there are so many news organizations which have been around for so long now publishing articles that are basically propaganda.  Trying to make the other side out to be villains, pretty much.  How can we convince people of anything when they’re already so biased against any ideologies outside of their own?”

“Blessed are the peacemakers,” Mavery said, “for they will be called children of God.”

“People have to want peace, though,” Matt said.  “How can we convince people that peace is what’s best for them when we have an army waiting on our doorstep?”

Mavery stood.  “Leave that to me.”

“Where are you going?” Matt asked.

“I’m going to write a speech which I’m going to deliver as soon as I can,” Mavery said.  “Have a good night, Matt.”

“Good night,” Matt said from behind Mavery as she walked to the door that led out into the bookstore.

<>

General Rodriguez took a swig from his flask as he glared at General Schmidt.  Foxtrot had never seen Javy so angry or distracted.  General Howell, who was also seated at the table, seemed to have relaxed on his criticism of Javy’s drinking at least for this meeting.  He probably realized that it took every bit of self-control Javy had for him to be able to sit at a table across from Tom Schmidt.  Still, Foxtrot knew that mixing Javy, alcohol, and General Schmidt was probably a recipe for disaster.  “So,” General Howell said, “the Night Stalkers and the Holy Avengers are here with you now?”

Tom Schmidt was a large man with a square jaw and an intense green right eye.  His left eye had been replaced with a cybernetic implant that appeared to be a camera, and his arms and legs were also cybernetic, silver and hulking.  More human-looking cybernetics were available, but apparently General Schmidt preferred the intimidating look.  The legend was that there had been nothing wrong with the general’s eye or limbs.  He’d had them removed and replaced with cybernetics solely to further his military career.  This was one of the many things that made Javy uncomfortable about General Schmidt.  “They are,” the cyborg general said in a gruff voice.  “The Night Stalkers who are with us actually broke off from the Warriors of Freedom.  They didn’t like some of Evileye Alphacore’s more radical practices.  Similar case with the Holy Avengers.  They’re an offshoot of the Holy Warriors who believe they need to help us in our fight against the IAO.  Most of the Holy Warriors don’t believe in working with anyone who isn’t Muslim, but these Holy Avengers seem to be okay with it.  I’m not sure how excited I am to be fighting alongside a bunch of Muslim Jihadists, but what can you do?  We need all the allies we can get here.”

“Right,” Javy grunted, glaring at General Schmidt.  “I know the feeling.”

General Schmidt grinned at him.  “Likewise, general.  It seems war makes strange bedfellows sometimes.”

General Howell cleared his throat.  “Well we’re all here now, so let’s make the best of it.  We need to figure out where to go from here.”

Also present at the meeting were Colonel Clarissa Trent, Colonel Franklin Myers who was General Schmidt’s right hand man, Major Della Luscious, Major Joe Rodeo, and Major Mark Wingate who was also one of General Schmidt’s commanding officers.  Major Amy Rainer, who had formerly been one of General Howell’s top commanders, had been killed in combat and his other top commander, Major Jean Perry, had been captured.  “I have a suggestion,” Major Luscious said.  He was an effeminate black man who’d worked with Abigail Song and was also a top resistance leader from Silver City.  “We should probably have Salvador James and Ahmad Amat sit in during our meetings from now on.”  Salvador James was the leader of the Night Stalkers and Ahmad Amat was the leader of the Holy Avengers.

General Schmidt grunted.  “I don’t fully trust them to let them in on our planning meetings.  Just let me relay the orders to them.”

“For once we agree,” Javy said.

General Howell nodded.  “Colonel Trent will fill us in on the details regarding our current situation.”  He nodded to the bald woman who was his second in command.

Colonel Trent adjusted her rectangular wire frame glasses.  “We have a strong defensive position,” she said.  “We have enough supplies and food for at least two months.  Of course if the Undertown is taken, we lose most of our reserves and that situation changes quickly.”

“Are they still sending attacks our way?” General Howell asked.

Colonel Trent nodded.  “Periodically.  It’s usually a small squad or two.  They’ve attacked several different positions since the pause in the battle.”

“They’re testing our defenses,” General Schmidt said.

Javy glared at him and nodded.  “They’re preparing for an all-out attack on the Undertown.”

“We can’t let the Undertown be taken,” General Howell said.

“Definitely true,” Javy said, “but I stand by the point I made before our last attempt at an attack.  We can’t just sit around waiting for them to build their forces so they can attack us.”

“General Rodriguez is right,” General Schmidt said.

“We also need to make sure we rescue our troops who were taken prisoner,” Major Rodeo said.  He was a flamboyant showman who was dressed in the tan uniform of a resistance officer, but his white ten gallon hat and his long gray hair and goatee gave him away.

“Rescuing our troops will definitely be a priority,” General Howell said.  “Many of our friends were taken, including Major Perry, a close friend of mine as well as a great leader.”

“Do we know how the enemy seems to have such good intelligence regarding our plans?” Colonel Trent asked.  “They were ready for our moves before.  If we plan another attack, we need to make sure it’s a surprise.”

“I’ve done some research,” Foxtrot said, “which included conferring with Art Crab, our resident tech genius.  We discovered a spy drone the size of a fly in one of our field command centers.  It was armed with radar jamming technology.  It was used to collect information and we can be sure there are many more.  I believe it was a design produced by Averil Jones, who recently defected to the enemy.  There’s also the possibility that they’ve been using nanotechnology to spy on us.  Drones so small we can’t even see them.”

Colonel Frank Myers frowned.  He was Tom Schmidt’s second in command, a tall, muscular man who appeared to be in his fifties.  He was a career military man with a cold stare but a calm demeanor.  “I know about those insect drones.  You’ve used them against us in the past.”

“Did you find a way to combat them?” Colonel Trent asked.

“Electromagnetic pulse fields,” he replied.  “In all of our command centers.”

“We’re using them now,” Foxtrot said.  “There’s one surrounding the room we’re in now.  If any of you have tried to use your wristwatch computers in here, you’ve probably noticed.  No electronics can function within these walls except some cybernetics powered by bioenergy.”

“Hopefully the enemy hasn’t figured out how to create nanodrones that run on bioenergy,” Major Luscious said.

“Not that we know of,” Foxtrot said.

General Howell nodded.  “Good.  So we need to come up with a plan, then.”  Everyone focused on the map spread across the table in front of them.  They were in the Overtown, in an office in an old warehouse near the Phoenix Book store that served as the resistance hub in Rose City.

“A head-on attack is out of the question,” Major Mark Wingate said.  He was a young man in his thirties, but the deaths of many of General Schmidt’s former commanders helped him rise quickly through the ranks.  He had short red hair and freckles.  “We can’t try to use the dunes as cover like you all did last time, either.  Not if we want surprise on our side.  We could try tunnels like they used.”

General Schmidt shook his head.  “There’s not enough time to dig them.  Not with the technology currently at our disposal.”

Major Rodeo nodded.  “Let’s start by thinkin’ about our targets.  I suggest we go after the levelers and the prison camps.”  He pointed to locations labeled on the map.  “The levelers give them a distinct advantage.  We need to take ‘em out.  And if we can free our prisoners, our forces get an immediate boost in numbers and morale.”

“Very good,” Javy said with a smile as he swigged from his flask.

“Can you knock it off with the drinking?” General Schmidt asked.

Javy glared at him.  “Look, the rest of these soldiers might find it okay sitting in here with a known murderer but it’s eating away at me.  You aren’t gonna get a free pass from your crimes just because you’re helping us for a few battles.”

“That’s enough, General Rodriguez,” General Howell said.  Javy was seething as he glared at General Schmidt.  Foxtrot was afraid he was going to leap over the table at him.

General Schmidt chuckled.  “Your men are responsible for the deaths of a lot of my men, too, general.  Many of them were my friends.  If I can let bygones be bygones, you should be able to do the same.”

“My men never killed unarmed civilians,” Javy said.

“Oh really?” General Schmidt asked.  “You have knowledge of every action ever taken by every man you’ve ever led?”

“Don’t sit there and act like you were ignorant,” Javy said.  “Or that you weren’t responsible for the actions of your soldiers.”  He looked around at the other faces at the table.  “This man has murdered his own people.  Under orders from Rennock.  You all know about the atrocities Rennock’s men have committed over the years.  There’s footage.  Footage taken by Mavery Thomas in Primrose.  And that’s not all.  And you can just sit here with this man like he’s just another soldier?  He should be in a prison.  And yet you’re all palling around with him.”

“Okay, General Rodriguez,” General Howell said.  “You’ve spoken your piece.  That’s enough now.  Let it go.”

Javy stood.  “No way.  I’m through with this.”  He stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

General Howell shrugged and took a deep breath.  “Well, we have a starting point.  Let’s all get some sleep.  Let Javy sleep it off.  We have a lot to think about.”

General Schmidt nodded.  “You better get him under control if you still want my help.  Either get him under control or take the proper administrative action.”

“I’ll take care of Javy,” General Howell said, glancing at Foxtrot, who nodded.  “We can’t do this without him.”  He smiled at General Schmidt.  “And we can’t do it without you.  We’ll figure this out.  In the meantime, we all need rest.  So let’s think on it overnight, and we’ll meet again tomorrow.”

<>

The praetor standing at the podium was an older man with a thick moustache and a small tumor under his chin.  He looked around at the people in the packed auditorium until his gaze fell on Abby, who was seated with Shelly, Paul, Aiyana McGowan, and Aiyana’s family.  “Now that I’ve finished going over the rules,” the praetor said, “let’s cut to the chase.  This is a bigger crowd then we’ve had in a while.  I believe most of us are here for Abigail Song, so let’s hear what she has to say.”

Abby stood and many in the crowd clapped.  She motioned for them to stop and they did.  “As many of you know, I’m one of the leaders of the Southwest Resistance.  I’m going to first fill you in on some events that have happened outside.  Rennock is no more.  His empire is gone and he’s dead…”  There was a murmur throughout the auditorium.  “…so any deal you had with him or his people is essentially nullified.  The International Anarchy Organization have pretty much taken over the world out there and they’ll soon discover you and become a threat to your way of life and everything you stand for.  They’ll take control of your city through force and install a form of barbarism where no one will be safe.  They rape and pillage as if it was the dark ages.  They hold public executions and orgies and they take women as sex slaves.  The resistance is attempting to make a stand against them.  I hope to defeat them.  If we do, we plan to install a government that will look out for all people, regardless of their cultural background, race, age, gender, or financial standing.  Everyone will have a say and everyone will have a place.  It will be much like things are here, with some differences.  The biggest may be that we will have an army for defense and a police force to keep the peace and protect order.”

She looked around the auditorium and it seemed like she had everyone’s attention.  “You can work with us if you chose.  We’ll fight for you and defend you.  If you chose, you can join us in the fight.  You can arm yourselves.”  She took a breath.  There were some murmurs.  “One thing I hope to do is rebuild nature out there, so we can once again have a lot of things you all perhaps take for granted.  I hope to bring life back to the desert world.  I have data and research given to me by some of the greatest minds in environmental matters.  You can help.  Your agricultural expertise will be invaluable.  I believe we can bring the old world back.  We can make it better than it ever was.  But we have to fight for it.  If you don’t join me in that fight, I hope you’ll at least support me in any way you can.  If you want someone to deal with in the new order, deal with me.  Deal with the resistance, and the new world we’re trying to build.  Together we can defeat the IAO and others like them and we can build a new era of peace and prosperity for all like the world has never known.  In order for any of this to happen, though, you need to first allow my friends and me to leave.  We need to meet up with whatever’s left of the resistance so we can stand up against the IAO and usher in this wonderful new era.”  Abby nodded to the praetor and many people clapped and cheered.

He immediately silenced them.  Several people were raising their hands.  The praetor called on an elderly woman in a white robe.  There was a pronounced tumor on her right cheek.  “I respect what the young woman has said,” she began, “but I think we may be better off siding with the IAO, especially if the rumors are true, and our traders have backed these rumors up, that they are now in control.  We need to cut a deal with them if we wish to survive.  Something like we’ve had with the Council of Atlantis for thousands of years.  We aren’t warriors.  Why should we change our ways now?  If this young woman is successful, then we can deal with her.  Until then, she has to be able to back up her words.”  Half the room seemed to be booing.  Many more were cheering, but people started shouting at one another.

“Enough!” the praetor shouted.  “We’ve had peaceful discussions in here for millennia.  Sure, things are changing, but let’s not change ourselves.  We need to discuss this civilly.”

He called on a man in a black robe.  He was bald and a tumor covered part of his scalp.  “As Rachel said, we aren’t warriors.  We are a peaceful people.  You said we shouldn’t change ourselves.  I agree.  Rachel’s right.  We need to wait and see who wins and make a deal with them.  In the meantime, we should go on as we have.  And for now, we can’t let anyone leave.  If these new arrivals are allowed to leave, it could affect our ability to deal with the IAO.  Our secrecy was very important to Rennock and the Council of Atlantis.  It could also be important for the IAO.  We can’t give up what is perhaps our greatest bargaining chip and let any of these newcomers leave.”

The praetor turned his attention to Aiyana’s grandfather, Sicheii Tallfeather, who was raising his hand.  The old man stood and had the auditorium’s attention.  “Things are changing in the world.  If we don’t change with it, we may be left behind and possibly destroyed.  I’ve thought much about this and have had time to speak with Abigail and my granddaughter’s friend, Paul.  I believe that it’s perhaps time for old men like me and old women like Rachel to step aside and let the younger generation learn to run things.  People like Abigail Song and my granddaughter Aiyana are one day going to be our leaders.  Perhaps we should let them lead now.  Listen to what they have to say.  Abigail and Paul know the outside world far better than we do.  If they are successful and we can deal with the new nation they set up, our people could know a freedom we never knew under Rennock.  Perhaps for once, finally, we will be free to roam the world as we please.  I’m an old man and I’ve never left this city.  I’d love to see the oceans, the deserts, other continents, but more importantly, I’d love to have the freedom to deal with whoever we chose to deal with.  And I’d love to be involved in this new world Abigail speaks of.”  Cheers and shouts once again filled the auditorium as Sicheii sat down.

The praetor called on another elderly man with a tumor on his neck.  “This is insanity.  We can’t let the newcomers leave.  They need to stay here like people have throughout our history.  What if this is all a hoax and the Council of Atlantis is still in control?  Or what if the IAO doesn’t want us to let the world know about our existence?  We could destroy ourselves!  I say we need to…”

“Enough!”  Shelly, who had been sitting quietly next to Abby stood swiftly.  She was still a little weak, but had recovered for the most part, and had been feeling well enough to attend the meeting.  “You all need to be quiet.”

“Excuse me,” the praetor said.  “Perhaps you weren’t paying attention when I went over the rules, but…”

“Your rules can go to hell,” Shelly said.  “Does someone want to try to make me be quiet?”  She looked around at the shocked faces.

Abby grabbed her hand.  “Shelly, I don’t think…”

Shelly pulled her hand away.  “You people aren’t what you think you are.  How can you force people to stay here against their will and try to act like this is some sort of bastion of freedom.  It’s a scam, a farce.”

“Ma’am,” someone shouted.  “Please sit down and be quiet.”

“I’m talking and who’s gonna stop me?” Shelly asked.

“There’s a whole auditorium full of people here,” the praetor said.  Abby noticed some burly looking men approaching their row.  They must have been guards of some sort.

“Are you threatening me?” Shelly asked the praetor.  She noticed the large guards and laughed.  “Let me tell you something.  Never go up to a hornet’s nest and hit it with a stick!  I don’t need a weapon to cause some damage.  I’ll take everyone in this theater out with my bare hands if you try to stop me from leaving.  I’m leaving now.  Good riddance to you and your damned commune.”  She walked towards the edge of the row.  Two of the burly guards approached her and she shoved one out of the way and walked towards the exit.  The other guard grabbed her by the arm and she spun and kicked him in the face, knocking him into the wall.  She took a fighting stance and three other guards approaching her stopped in their tracks.  Shelly turned and walked to the exit, leaving the shocked auditorium behind her as she slammed the door on her way out.

Abby looked at Paul and shrugged.  She stood.  “Paul and I will be leaving tomorrow morning.  Anyone who wants to join us is welcome to.”  People began shouting as the praetor tried to restore order.  “My offer stands!” Abby shouted.  She, Paul, and Aiyana headed towards one of the exits.  Several guards moved to block their way but other guards confronted those guards.  They seemed to be on Abby’s side.  Abby and Paul pushed through the chaos and left the auditorium with Aiyana and her family.

 

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6yYxyxx4aE]

 

---

Continue on to the next chapter:

Afterlife, Volume 3, Chapter 31
Where:
Abby gets fed up with the Denverites.
Mavery and Big Ed go out on the town together.
Della visits Ace in prison.

Find the Volume 3 Table of Contents page here.

View the Map here.

Check out Afterlife on Goodreads and don’t forget to rate it.

Check out Michael Monroe’s page on Amazon to find other stuff he’s written.
Like Afterlife on Facebook to find out when the next chapter is posted.
Follow Afterlife on Twitter to get updates on new postings and other news.
Follow Afterlife on Tumblr for access to supplemental material.