Fiction: Afterlife Volume 3 (Chapter 42)- The Final Chapter

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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 by Jay Hood.

Read the previous chapter here:

Afterlife, Volume 3, Chapter 41

Where:
Major secrets are revealed.
Huge questions are answered.
The journey continues from the end of Chapter 40.

Find the Volume 3 Table of Contents page here.

View the Map here.

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Afterlife, Volume 3, Chapter 42

The statue was about ten feet high like all of the rest.  The hall had ten tiers, each with its own terraced walkway, and each walkway was lined with statues like the one Abby was looking at.  The north and south walls were about three hundred feet long and the east and west walls were half that.  There were eighteen hundred statues in this metal-framed glass building, and there were twenty similar buildings scattered throughout Valhalla.  The Halls of Heroes, they were called, where the dead would forever feast in glory.  These were the resistance fighters who died freeing the world from the grips of Rennock’s people and later, the IAO.  Abby was looking up at her old friend, Bobby Brooklyn.  Like the other statues, it had been created in his likeness by robots programmed by master artisans.  “It’s too bad you aren’t here to see all this,” Abby said with a grin.

In the center of the building was an atrium with towering trees and shrubs.  The songs of birds filled the building with echoes.  Abby looked next to Bobby at Nat Bigum’s likeness, and past him, at Pastor Earl.  Abby thought about Nat and remembered that some of the soldiers that had searched Rennock Tower after the battle had found the data which had been used to design the artificial mind of the Warrick Baines android.  It was memorial data, which had often been saved to honor the lives of lost loved ones, but in this case, Herman Rennock had used it to create a tool of evil.  There had also been memorial data written for Nat Bigum, Abby had later discovered.  She made sure that all of it was destroyed, but she feared there may still be copies floating around somewhere out there, on the Satellite Net or somewhere else.  Abby frowned as she thought about it, hoping such things would never again be used to cause such pain and heartbreak.

Horseman’s statue was also there, as was Pete Ahmad’s.  Paul Jacobs, who sacrificed himself to destroy the last of the IAO levelers, was memorialized in a different hall along with the other members of the Bloody Six.  Karl Bergson who went by the name Alex Harris for a while and the deceased members of the former Lead Council had prominent spots near Freedom Tower in the center of the city that had once been called New Atlantis.  General Rodriguez was also there.  His was one of the most visited of the memorials in Valhalla.  Freedom Tower, the seat of government, was formerly known as Rennock Tower, and it had been renovated into a building of offices and assembly halls.  Abby smiled at Bobby once again.  “Well, I have to be going now.  I’ll be back again, I’m sure.”  She looked at Nat and Pastor Earl.  “I’m sure I’ll see you all in my dreams again someday.  Rest easy.  And thanks for everything.”

Earlier, she’d visited the memorial statue of Ayman Ali, the man who died opening the way from the south for the invasion to enter the city.  Ayman had also brought the diamonds to Rose City, essentially saving the resistance, and Abby made sure he had a prominent spot among the heroes.  He was in another hall with Wild Joe Rodeo and the others from their squad, including Ayman’s wife who’d also died in the battle.  “So many deaths,” Abby said as her bodyguards joined her and she walked towards the metal stairway that led to the ground floor.  “So many deaths so we could finally have peace.”

“Hopefully it lasts,” one of her bodyguards said.

“The average time span between major conflicts for any given nation throughout history has been 2.67 years,” Einstein said from Abby’s wrist.  “Of course, it varies from nation to nation.”

<>

Mavery looked next to her at the empty chair.  She was in a conference room in Freedom Tower which now served as the meeting room of the Lead Council of the United Federation.  There was a floor to ceiling window across from Mavery which provided an amazing view of Valhalla and the desert beyond.  The doors were closed and locked.  All of the seats around the table were occupied except the one.  Matt Lund glanced at Mavery from across the table.  “Everyone else is here,” he said.  “We have to start.”

“Not yet,” Mavery said.  “She’ll be here.”  She glanced at Della Luscious, who was chatting with Eileen Traymont, most likely about security in Valhalla.  General Howell and Colonel Frank Fife seemed to be listening intently to the conversation.

The door opened and Abby walked in with a smile on her face.  She let the door close and lock behind her as she sat next to Mavery.  “Sorry I’m late.  I was paying my respects to those who died for all of this.”  She nodded out to the city.  “It’s Memorial Day.  Two years past the liberation of the city and the founding of Valhalla, and I just wanted to make sure I didn’t forget the importance of days like today.”

Matt nodded.  “That’s understandable.”

Abby smiled at Mavery.  “So what’s first on the agenda for today?”

“Well,” Mavery said as she looked down at the papers in front of her and read her notes, “There’s the issue of the election.  Do you really think this is all necessary?”

Abby nodded.  “Of course it is.  The people need to choose their own leaders.  It’s a democracy, remember?  Not a sham dictatorship.  I’ve been acting President for two years now and although there was a vote, it wasn’t as official as I’d like.  I can’t be President forever.”

“But your approval ratings are through the roof,” Matt said.  “You don’t have a legitimate challenger yet and the election’s less than a year away.  No one wants to waste the time and money when we all know you’re gonna win easily.”

“Why don’t you run?” Abby asked him.  She turned to Mavery.  “Or you?  Or Foxtrot?  Any of you?”

“Ma’am,” Foxtrot said, “none of us can challenge your popularity.  I mean, you’re our first President.  You’re Prometheus.  You’re a living legend, if you don’t mind my saying.”

Abby frowned.  “The people shouldn’t always look to me to lead them.  They should learn to lead themselves.”  She shrugged.  “Whatever.  Anyway, what else?”  She smiled at Mavery, who looked down at her papers.

“Well,” Mavery said, “still sticking with the election and upcoming local elections, it seems John and the Silent Eyes have been doing a good job of drawing up districts.  Local governments all over Numurka have signed off in agreement.  With this new system, gerrymandering seems to truly be a thing of the distant past.  And the Silent Eyes have done a good job of keeping money out of our government.  The reviews are in.  Bribery and corruption have been kept under control and the people have polled well regarding their approval of the processes.”  She glanced at John Harrigan and smiled.  He was the leader of the Silent Eyes, an independent watchdog organization whose job it was to ensure transparency in the new government and all of its practices.  The people voted for John, as they did all of the members of the Lead Council, so oversight was ultimately in the hands of the citizens.

“Thank you,” John said with a grin.  He was a quiet man with short brown hair and a cleanly shaven face.  Like the other men at the table, he was wearing a black suit with a blue tie.  “I do my best.”

“And the Department of Health and Environmental Issues?” Abby asked, glancing at Sarah Baker, another newer member of the Lead Council.  She was an older black woman with a kind face adorned with oversized glasses.

“We obviously have a long way to go,” Sarah said with a smile, “but we’re making good progress.  It amazes me how much progress we’ve actually made in two years, obviously with the help of the research you gave us from Bernard Parks and Winston Cooper.”

Abby nodded.  “We need to fix this mess of a world our ancestors broke so long ago.  And let’s remember, environmental issues were bad long before the Chosen set off the bombs.”

Sarah nodded.  “That’s right.”

“This brings me to a topic I’ve been thinking about a lot,” Abby said.  “The issue of water.  Water is life.  This world’s water supply is really messed up, and I’m surprised we’ve lasted this long.”  The other members of the council muttered in agreement.  “Part of that was because of Rennock and his cornering of water markets,” Abby said.  “He had no motivation to better our water supply because he only cared about his own profits.  But now we need to clean up the oceans, so I’m going to suggest we push large sums of money into creating water converters that are much like our air converters.  I’m going to push money into irrigation systems and rainmakers, and I’m going to encourage research to see about getting the rain to fall all the way to the ground once again.  We’re going to plant trees and plants, and we’re going to do everything we can to make water free for everyone once again.  For everyone in the world.  This is the key to rebuilding our planet.  It’s the only way we’ll survive in the long run.”

Sarah nodded.  “We’ve been working hard on planting and irrigation, but we’ll start looking into the other suggestions you made.”

“There will have to be official votes on the specifics, of course,” Abby said, “but that isn’t the purpose of this discussion.  Votes can wait until the end of the week as always.”

“I have something,” Harold Bellview said.  He was the treasurer, a short man with a balding head of gray hair.  “It seems the Tsars are asking for loans again.  They say they’ll pay us back at a rate of forty percent.  They’re in desperate need of money.”  Mavery rolled her eyes.

“Of course,” Abby said.  “The world financial systems collapsed just before we won the war, but we have most of the world’s diamonds, including the Jupiter Diamond now that we’ve found it again, so we’ve become the wealthiest nation in the world, and now everyone’s coming to us for help.  The Tsars are basically organized criminals.  Tell them when they stop cracking down on freedom of the press and when they stop killing their own citizens, we’ll give them money at fifty percent interest.  Not a penny before that.  Keep up with the secret assistance to their poor though.”  She smiled at Della.  “Della, how’s that going?”

Della smiled back.  “Great, honey.  The Angels of Freedom have been building orphanages and soup kitchens there for years now.  And sparking the fires of rebellion.”  He winked at her.  The Angels of Freedom were a clandestine group started by Della, who was in charge of intelligence and counter-intelligence.  They were a group who provided secret aid to the poor citizens of nations with immoral or tyrannical leadership while secretly starting rebellions at the same time.  They’d toppled some regimes in the Far East and managed to set up successful democracies while at the same time providing aide to the people who needed it the most.

“We always need to remember the vow I made to the world when I first took office,” Abby said.  “We realize that we’re the wealthiest nation in the world now, and we realize that we have a responsibility to see that other people, other nations, never have to struggle again.  I vowed to help those in need and to do everything in my power to conquer poverty once and for all, and I expect everyone here to honor that promise.”

“Here here!” Della said.

Mavery glanced at Eileen and saw her nodding along with the others.  “So let’s talk a little about our global alliances,” Mavery said.  “We helped several nations, including the Far North Territories, Mexico and South America, New Europa, and the Republic of Africa, defeat the IAO in their various territories.  Our army fought alongside their armies and old alliances have been renewed.  Now nations in the Middle East and Asia, including New Persia and New Korea, have been asking for our help against factions of the IAO they’re contending with.  They’ve sent emissaries here for the Dance of Nations tomorrow, and they’re expecting to meet with several of us in person.”  She smiled at Abby.  “Of course, Abby, they all want to meet you.”

“My goal,” Abby said, “and I realize some of you don’t agree with me on this, has always been to unite the world in a sort of loose union, a World Union if you will.  But we need just a few more nations to hold to our ideals of freedom before we can truly unite with them.”

“As you know,” Eileen said, gazing at Abby through her glasses, “you and I have always disagreed on this.  I feel that as a whole, the world will be stronger, and we as individuals will be stronger, if we aren’t forced to help nations who are unwilling to hold up their end of the bargain.  In other words, we should only align with those nation who are willing to help themselves.  This idea of a global union would be to our detriment, especially since we’re the strongest and wealthiest of nations.”

“But the people want a union,” Matt said.  “The polls are overwhelmingly in favor of a world union.”

“Well,” Eileen said, “maybe we should work harder to change people’s minds, then.”

Mavery glanced at Abby and saw her frowning.  “This control,” Abby said, “this manipulation of the masses, this Nationalism…  This is what brought down society in the first place.  Division will always destroy us.  We must work together to find what’s right, and to do it, as a world, not as a nation.  If we don’t, we’ll die again and again.  You’ve all read the journal.  You know what happened.”

“I just don’t think we should move too far in the other direction, either,” Eileen said.

“I agree,” General Howell said.  “We don’t want to dilute our own nation by just doing what everyone else wants.”

“We’re all patriots here,” Abby said.  “We all love the United Federation.  Many of us have fought and risked our lives for this.  Many died, as we remember today.  But remember that what we love isn’t just a place; it’s the ideals that place stands for, and if we lose track of those ideals, the place loses its meaning and its morality and it ceases to be something worth fighting for.”  Abby frowned.  “All of those deaths, all of those sacrifices, would be for nothing.  And that’s why blind nationalism will never work.  Communism failed. Laissez-faire Capitalism failed.  And Nationalism has always failed and it always will.  It’s time for us to stop trying failed ideologies. The reason these failed was because they were all or nothing ideologies. Our new centrist ideology is going to be adaptable. We’ll do what’s needed for the people to prosper.  For all people to prosper, not just a select few.”  Mavery nodded in agreement.

“It’s a pipe dream,” Eileen said.

“It may be,” Abby said.  “And I appreciate your honesty and your realism, Eileen, but we have to try.  Perhaps we can finally achieve true freedom.  Freedom of ideas and beliefs.  Freedom of speech.  Freedom for all people to live their lives to the fullest.  And these ideals, we can share them with the world.  It is our duty to share them with the world, for this union of ideals and beliefs will make us all stronger.”  Abby took a deep breath as the others at the table listened intently.  “And this doesn’t just mean that we help other nations, we help those within our own nation who are unable to help themselves.  Our military has become so much more than a fighting force.  They are a worldwide beacon.  They provide humanitarian aid to those who need it.  It’s my dream that one day we’ll all be able to throw down our weapons and all of our militaries will become humanitarian aid organizations.  Remember, when the Chosen destroyed our world and our people, they didn’t care about human issues or environmental issues or anything that really mattered.  Poverty was an annoyance to them.  All they cared about was profit.  The almighty dollar which they practically worshipped.  It’s a government’s job to look out for the poor and needy.  To look out for all those who are unable for whatever reason to look out for themselves.  If we can’t help them, then who will?”

Mavery looked around at the faces at the table as most nodded in agreement.  Even Eileen gave a reluctant nod.  They’d all read the journal.  They knew that selfishness led to destruction. The group of leaders discussed issues for another hour or so, going over some details and planning actions and motions to bring up later in the week.  Towards the end of the meeting, Mavery’s mind began to drift.  She was excited about the first Dance of Nations that would be happening the following evening.  It was going to be a gala, an extravaganza, a party that promised to be like no other she’d ever attended.  She was bringing Big Ed and she planned on having the time of her life.

<>

Mavery nervously held Big Ed’s hand as she stepped through the open double doors.  “Now I present to you Mr. Ed and Mrs. Mavery Thomas,” the announcer said, and Mavery looked out at the hall full of women in flowing white gowns and men in fancy tuxedos, all smiling and clapping as cameras flashed.  There were guests from all over the world, Europeans, Middle Easterners, South Americans, Africans, and Asians.

“Mr. Ed,” Big Ed said as they made their way down the stairs and onto the red carpet.  “Makes me sound like a cartoon character or somethin’.”  Cameras continued flashing and people continued clapping and cheering as the announcer announced them in several other languages.

“Or a talking horse,” Mavery joked as she smiled and waved to the cameras.  They made their way to the end of the ballroom and stood to the side of the red carpet where they watched and clapped as other prominent figures were announced.  The other members of the lead council and their significant others were all announced.  Mavery watched as Della, dressed in drag in her flowing silver gown, walked down arm-in-arm with her new husband, Nick, a tall and handsome blonde man who was wearing a tux.  Finally, Abby was announced with Ace McCoy and the two of them made their way down the red carpet to cheers and shouts.  The crowd went crazy for Abby as every crowd did.  She was a bona fide celebrity, perhaps the most famous and most loved person in the world.  Everyone wanted a piece of her.

Once all of the guests of honor had been announced, everyone found their tables and the live swing band began to play “Don’t be That Way.”  Mavery and Big Ed took to the dance floor and as they moved rhythmically in one another’s arms, Mavery felt surreal.  She’d come along way.  As they danced, Big Ed had to hold Mavery’s left arm in place since she could barely move it now.  It was a not so subtle reminder to Mavery of the price of freedom.  Still, she considered herself lucky.  So many others lost so much more, and many had sacrificed their lives.  “Ain’t this crazy?” Big Ed asked as they danced.  “Not too long ago, I was a bandit in the desert, and now I’m dancin’ with a beautiful woman in a place like this, dressed in a tux that barely fits me.”

Mavery looked up at him and smiled.  “Don’t hold me too close.  My mom’s probably watching this right now.  We’re probably on the news station.”

“Your mom loves me,” Big Ed said.

“My mom would have loved any man who I brought to see her,” she said.  “She’s been trying to marry me off for years now.  And don’t forget, she’s your mom, too, now.”

“What’s wrong with that?” he asked.  “She makes me food and treats me like a king.  What’s not to like?”

Mavery smiled and waved to a camera.  “Just be on your good behavior.”

“I’ll save the naughtiness for later,” he said with a squeeze.

<>

Abby followed Ace out into the night.  He looked handsome in his tux in the moonlight, but Abby was curious what he’d wanted so badly to say to her in private.  Abby’s bodyguards waited near the door to the dance hall as the swing music found its way outside into the desert night air.  “You better make this quick,” Abby said.  “It won’t take long for the reporters to realize I left.”

He turned to face her and smiled.  For a second, Abby thought he might be about to propose or something.  She wasn’t sure if she was ready for something like that.  It was a beautiful night beneath the desert stars and the faint music added to the magic, but Abby wasn’t sure if she was ready for such a big leap.  “I’m afraid I have to leave,” Ace said as he held her hands.

“The night’s young,” Abby said.  “The party’s just starting.”

“That’s not what I meant,” Ace said with a frown.  “I’ve been waiting for the right time to tell you for months now, but I guess there isn’t really a good time, so I’m just telling you now.  It’s as good a time as any.”  He looked into her eyes.  “You’re a wonderful woman and you know how I feel about you, but this just isn’t for me.  When the fighting was going on and the excitement, I thought I’d found a place here.  And you did save my life.  I’ve always felt I owed you everything…”

“You don’t owe me anything,” Abby said.

“Still,” Ace said, “I’ve been here with you for two years now.  But it’s time for me to move on.  I’ve never stayed in one place for so long.  A man like me needs excitement, action.”

“There are plenty of gambling establishments in Valhalla,” Abby said.

“Not enough for me,” Ace said.  “This just isn’t for me, Abby.  It never was.  I hope you understand.”

Abby frowned.  “You’re gonna go back to robbing banks, aren’t you?  Just know if you do, we’ll come after you.”

Ace smiled.  “People have been after me for decades.  Anyway, this is goodbye, darlin’.  Just remember, I do love you.”  He leaned down and kissed her.  “You take care of yourself.”

Abby nodded as he smiled at her, turned and walked away.  “Take care of yourself, too,” she said as he walked down the long street away from the dance hall, past storefronts and office lobbies.  Abby had always known this time would come, whether she’d admitted it to herself or not.  Ace had always seemed out of place in Valhalla during peacetime.  “Goodbye,” she said quietly into the night air.  “Now it’s definite.  There’s no question.  My time here is done.”  She motioned for her bodyguards to join her and she walked away from the festive building towards her apartment.

<>

Mavery looked across the table at Sheik Ashad, the leader of New Persia.  He was dressed in a white robe, his head adorned in a white keffiyeh.  He was slightly overweight, with wireframe glasses and his fingers wore fancy gold rings with various gemstones.  His gold necklace was also obviously meant to be impressive, with pearls, diamonds, sapphires, and rubies.  He didn’t know Abby very well at all if he thought such things would impress her.  “What do you think?” Abby asked Mavery.  The Sheik had been asking for their aid against the IAO, and Abby had requested that he remove all laws in his country which restricted the rights of women in contrast to the freedoms of men.  He’d suggested that he’d allow married women to vote as long as they voted the same way their husbands did.  Mavery couldn’t help but chuckle.

The Sheik frowned at Abby, ignoring Mavery as he had for the entire conversation up to that point.  The only other people in the room were aids and bodyguards.  Della was there with Abby’s bodyguards, dressed in the tan uniform of the United Federation Army, watching the proceedings with apparent amusement.  They were in one of the many negotiating conference rooms in Freedom Tower.  “A strong ruler does not need the permission of his inferiors,” the Sheik said to Abby.

Abby glared at him.  “A strong leader knows when to seek advice.”

“I see it as a sign of weakness,” Sheik Ashad said, “especially in matters such as this. Perhaps this is an example of why men are more fit to lead.”

Abby nodded.  “Herman Rennock underestimated me.  Where is he now?  And where am I?”

“Is that a threat?” the Sheik asked.

“Yes,” Abby said without hesitation, her piercing eyes boring into him.

He paused and smiled at her.  “You would threaten the sovereignty of my nation and my right to rule my own people as I see fit?”

“You came to me asking for my help,” Abby said.  “I’ve given you a price.  In response, you disrespected one of my fellow leaders.  If you don’t meet my terms, we’ll let the IAO destroy you.”

“And you’re asking me to change the way my society does things,” the Sheik said.  “Even if I agreed to do that, my people wouldn’t go for it.  There would be a revolution against me.”

“You’re supposed to be a leader,” Abby said.  “Help them see the light.”

“Perhaps our way is the light,” the Sheik said.  “Perhaps you’re the one who needs to be shown the light, and your place.”

She glared at him intensely.  “Your way will get you destroyed by the IAO.  Your way has helped lead to the IAO.  When people aren’t free, society breaks down.  Everyone has the right to freedom, everyone should have equal rights under the law regardless of their gender, race, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, or economic status.”

“My people don’t share those beliefs,” the Sheik said.

“Then your society will be destroyed,” Abby said, “as it should be.”

“More threats,” he blurted, slamming his fist against the table.

“It’s just the way things work,” Abby said.  “History has taught us that if people don’t have those freedoms and that equality, society breaks down.  If the IAO don’t destroy you, then it will be someone else.  People will only allow themselves to be oppressed for so long before they rise up against their oppressors.”

“You are the oppressor!” the Sheik said angrily.  “It sounds like you want to oppress my people and our beliefs.”

“Only those beliefs that lead to oppression,” Abby countered.  “You can’t play the victim here.  People have rights and freedoms.  But you never have the rights or freedoms to oppress others.”

Sheik Ashad nodded and took a deep breath.  “So you won’t help me, then.  You’ll leave my people to die.”

“If you want my help,” Abby said, “you have to give your people their freedom.  All of them.”

He nodded.  “You have made an enemy here today.”

“Most of the world stands with me,” Abby said.  “Stand with us and you’ll thrive.  Stand alone and you’ll fall.”

Sheik Ashad shook his head and stood up from his chair, nodding to his guards.  He pointed at Abby.  “This isn’t finished.”

“It is,” Abby said as the Sheik and his entourage left the room.

Abby smiled at Mavery once the Sheik was gone and the door was shut once again.  “Always make sure you get the last word when dealing with someone like that.  Never let them think you’ve bowed down to them.”

Mavery nodded.  “You handled that extraordinarily well.”

“You’ll do the same when the time comes,” Abby said.

“What do you mean?” Mavery asked.

“I’m going to be leaving Valhalla,” Abby said.  “I’m going to step down as President.  And I want you to run in the coming election.  I’ll give you my endorsement and my full support before I leave.”

Della walked over to the table and sat down next to Mavery, concern on his face.  “You’re leaving?” he asked.

Abby nodded.  “The idealists who develop a system of government shouldn’t become its leaders.  That could lead to a cult of personality and a totalitarian regime.  People who are skilled at leading and organizing the many aspects of a government need to be its leaders.  Executives, not idealists like me.  I think you’re the perfect person to fill this role, Mavery.  You proved you could do it in Rose City.  I’m sorry I ever doubted you.”

“But the people want you,” Mavery said.

Abby shook her head.  “I’m not going to be the leader of our new nation, Mavery.  You are.  I’ve seen the darkest sides of humanity, both within myself and within others.  It’s changed me forever.  It’s tainted me.  And though I believe I’m saved now, I’m not the leader the people need.  The time has come for me to move on.”

“But everything you’ve been through has made you stronger,” Mavery said.  “You’re way stronger than I could ever hope to be.”

“No, Mavery,” Abby said.  “You’re strong, too.  The time for my kind of strength is over.  We’re in a time of peace.  A time of unity and cooperation.  You’re the leader that can help this nation navigate through this new age.’

“But I’m not anyone special,” Mavery said.

Abby chuckled.  “I used to say the same thing.  You are special, Mavery.  But it’s not your family, your money, or your status that makes you special.  It’s what you’ve done and what you can do.  I had to do what I’ve done because of my family’s fortune.  Because of what’s been passed down to me through the generations.  I didn’t chose the role I was given.  My family and my ancestors did.  But we’re entering a new age where someone’s status won’t be determined by who their parents or their ancestors were.  You’re going to usher in this new age.  An age of freedom and prosperity for all.”

“Where will you go?” Della asked.

Abby smiled and looked wistfully out the window.  “Somewhere where I can finally find peace.”

“I understand,” Mavery said.  Abby had been through so much.  She was ready to rest.

Abby turned to Della.  “My part in all of this is over, but Mavery’s is just beginning.  You need to stay here with her, Della.  I transfer your pledge to her.  If Pastor Earl were here, he’d agree.  You need to watch over her, now.  Protect her.  See that her vision of the future is brought to fruition.”

Della nodded.  “I’ll guard her with my life.”

“You have everything you need,” Abby said to Mavery.  “The constitution, the diamonds, the journal.  Keep it all safe.  Remember that information is the key.  Keep the people informed, as much as you can.  Information is power, and when the people are empowered, a nation will reach its full potential.”  Mavery smiled and nodded.

<>

The creek rumbled past the grass as Mavery stood with Abby, Della, and Big Ed, looking at the small trees that were growing where they’d planted seeds two years before.  The sandy desert spread out beyond the oasis, but there were more trees and saplings coming up all around the area.  There were thousands of similar projects throughout the world’s deserts, and Mavery imagined that one day the Earth would be green again.  Abby hugged Della as they stood in the oasis.  “I’ll see you again someday,” Della said, “won’t I?”

“Maybe,” Abby said.  “But you’ll always be in my thoughts.”  Della wiped a tear off his face as he stepped away from her.

Mavery walked up to Abby and smiled as they stood by the three sand bikes they’d taken out from Valhalla.  “I hope I make as good a president as you were,” Mavery said.  She laughed.  “Let me rephrase that.  I know I won’t be as good as you, but I can try.”

“You’ll be fine,” Abby said.  “You won the election.  The people believe in you.”

“Thanks to your endorsement,” Mavery said.

“I endorsed you for good reason,” Abby said.  “You’re the right woman for the job.”  She hugged Mavery and Big Ed hugged her also.

“You’re sure you won’t change your mind?” Mavery asked.

“I’ve never been surer of anything in my life,” Abby said as she got on her sand bike and started the engine.

“We’re always going to save a seat at the council table for you,” Mavery said.  “We agreed and voted on it.”

“So there will only be eleven council members?” Abby asked.

Mavery shook her head.  “You’ll always be the twelfth.”

Abby nodded.  “Twelve’s a lucky number.”

“Godspeed,” Mavery said.  “Wherever you end up.”

Abby smiled and saluted her.  She rode the sand bike to the west towards the setting sun as Mavery got on the sand bike behind Big Ed and Della got on his own sand bike.  They started their engines and headed back towards Valhalla, away from the oasis.  Mavery turned and watched as Abby’s bike grew smaller and smaller, heading towards the horizon where the sun filled the sky with orange and pink color above the desert dunes.

Big Ed, with Mavery behind him on his bike, and Della rode towards the metal wall that surrounded Valhalla, towards the great Southern Gate which had been built where the resistance had first breached the walls of New Atlantis.  There were guards in the distance, but Mavery had told them to give them some space.  She felt perfectly safe with Big Ed and Della around.  When they entered the gate, there weren’t tons of people there, but those who were there stopped to catch a glimpse of their new President.  Big Ed stopped the bike near a woman who was standing with a young girl.  “I thought I saw Abigail Song leave with you,” the girl said.  She was holding a book and a pen.  “I was hoping to get her autograph.”

Mavery smiled at her.  “I’m sorry.  She just left.”

“Do you know when she’ll be back?” the girl asked.  “I wanted to at least catch a glimpse of her.”

Mavery shook her head.  “No, I don’t.  She’ll be back when we need her again, I guess.”

“Well, I’ll wait for her,” the girl said.

The woman smiled at Mavery.  “Come on,” she said to her daughter.  “It’s late.  We need to get some dinner.”

“Can we come back tomorrow?” the girl asked.

“Maybe,” the mother responded.  “We’ll see.”  They turned and walked away down a nearby alley.

Mavery turned to Della and smiled as the guards neared them.  “Any plans for tonight?”

“I’m gonna celebrate with Nick,” Della said.  “It’s our two year anniversary tonight.  We’re gonna paint this town like a rainbow.”

He said his good nights and drove off down the road.  Big Ed turned to Mavery as their sand bike’s engine rumbled.  “What about us, baby.  What are we doin’ tonight?”

Mavery turned and looked at the orange sky through the gate behind them.  “Let’s find a good spot to watch the sunset.  Maybe we can find some peace and quiet.”

Big Ed chuckled.  “Good luck with that.  You just won the election.  You’re the new President.  Everyone’s gonna want a piece of you.”  As if to prove his point, the guards were now holding the gathering crowd at bay.

Mavery smiled and hugged Big Ed.  “Well you’re the one who’s got me.  They can all be jealous.  Come on.  Let’s head home.”

Big Ed nodded and drove through the streets of Valhalla, past homes that lined the streets of the residential neighborhood.  As they rode past the houses, Mavery thought about where the people living there had been a few years before.  Some had probably been out in the desert.  Some had been in New Atlantis before it became Valhalla.  No matter what happened to the world, the people remained.  They didn’t always see eye to eye, but they had more in common than they’d ever know.  Everyone wanted the same things when it came down to it.  Everyone wanted peace, safety, prosperity, happiness.  As Big Ed drove the sand bike, Mavery couldn’t help but feel that this peace would be a lasting one.  The world had never felt the way it did now.  It was a good time to be alive.

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

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This was the final chapter of the Afterlife saga.
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