It was easy to say, “Let’s draft up some laws.” But, in reality, it was much, much tougher. Exhausted from the marathon law making session the Portal Crushers finally had their prototype constitution ready.
‘‘The Laws of Fort Bone:‘‘
1. ‘‘Loyalty Above All:‘‘ All citizens of Fort Bone must pledge their loyalty to the settlement and its leadership. Betrayal will be met with exile or death, depending on the severity of the offence.
2. ‘‘The Right to Fight:‘‘ Every citizen has the right to defend themselves and their property. However, unprovoked violence or the murder of a fellow citizen will result in immediate execution.
3. ‘‘No Government Interference:‘‘ Any attempt by outside governments to assert control over Fort Bone or its citizens will be met with lethal force. Citizens are encouraged to report any signs of collusion with outside forces.
4. ‘‘Equal Contribution:‘‘ All citizens must contribute to the settlement, either through labour, military service, or other means. Those who refuse to work or contribute will be stripped of their citizenship and exiled.
5. ‘‘Dispute Resolution:‘‘ All conflicts, whether between citizens or with outside forces, must be brought before the leadership council. The council’s decision is final and binding.
6. ‘‘Resource Management:‘‘ All resources, including food, water, and weapons, are to be managed collectively. Individuals may purchase and own their own supply but hoarding or wasting resources will be punished by confiscation and possible exile.
7. ‘‘No Tolerance for Cowardice:‘‘ Desertion in the face of battle or refusal to defend the settlement will result in execution. Cowardice is a threat to the survival of Fort Bone and will not be tolerated.
---
Atlas read the final draft of the laws aloud, and the room fell into a contemplative silence. They were harsh, yes, but necessary. In this world, there was no room for softness.
“We also need a way to confirm the loyalty of all the members and citizens of Fort Bone,” Atlas continued. “We need to give rights and responsibilities, but with that comes the need for trust. If anyone wavers, they can become a threat.”
As the leadership discussed the specifics of how to enforce these laws, Atlas’s mind wandered to the people outside the walls of this room. The hunters, crafters, and merchants of Fort Bone were going about their business, blissfully unaware of the seismic changes that were happening within the leadership. But change was coming, whether they knew it or not.
***
The day stretched on into evening as the leaders continued to talk, planning the future of their settlement. They knew that the coming days would test them like never before, but they also knew they had no choice but to face those challenges head-on.
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When the meeting finally adjourned, Atlas walked back to his house, the weight of the day’s events still pressing down on him. He looked around at Fort Bone, at the people who now depended on him for their safety and survival. There was no going back to the way things were before. The soldiers had shattered the peace, and in their place, they had left behind a world that was forever changed.
But as Atlas looked up at the sky, where the first stars were beginning to twinkle in the fading light, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. They had laws now. They had a plan. And as long as he was in charge, Fort Bone would stand strong against whatever came next.
The days ahead would be difficult, and the challenges immense, but Atlas was ready. The government might try to take this world, but they would have to go through him and the Portal Crushers to do it. And he would make damn sure they paid the price.
Fort Bone would endure.
***
Day 15 dawned with a sense of purpose in the air, a purpose that had been brewing since the last battle. Atlas stood at the edge of Fort Bone’s main square, the rising sun casting long shadows across the settlement. Today would mark the beginning of a new era. He took a deep breath, feeling the cool morning air fill his lungs, and then exhaled, preparing himself for the task ahead.
As the sun continued to climb, Atlas’s voice echoed through the square, carried by the amplified system they had rigged from the remnants of old world tech. “Citizens of Fort Bone, please gather here,” he called out. “Today, we will speak of our future. We will speak of the laws and regulations that will bind us together and make us strong.”
The citizens of Fort Bone began to emerge from their homes and workshops, curiosity and concern etched on their faces. The teleportation point, usually buzzing with activity as people moved in and out of the settlement, was shut down for the day. This was a moment that required everyone’s full attention.
The only non citizens of Fort Bone allowed in were the leadership of the Canucks and Tractors and Freedom. Atlas had sent runners over to get them specifically for this.
As the last stragglers arrived, Atlas stood tall on a makeshift stage, flanked by John, Isabella, Wang Bo, Alexander, and the other leaders of Fort Bone. The gravity of the moment was clear to all. They had faced challenges before, but this was different. They were no longer just a band of survivors; they were about to become something more—something greater.
Atlas began, his voice steady and resolute. “Today, we will talk about the laws and regulations of Fort Bone. Here is our constitution.”
He took a deep breath and began to read aloud the laws they had crafted together, the laws that would govern their new society.
Atlas’s voice was unwavering as he laid out the laws. The citizens listened in silence, the weight of each word pressing down on them like the hammer of justice itself.
“Take this time,” Atlas continued, “to talk about it and discuss. This will be your last opportunity to do so. We’ve bought food and drink for everyone, and you can still leave this fort before we have our pledge of allegiance. But afterward, if you want to remain a citizen of Fort Bone you’ll be committed to the laws we are enacting.”
Atlas’s speech hung in the air, heavy with finality. The crowd murmured, glancing at one another as the implications of these new laws sank in. No one had anticipated how drastically life in Fort Bone was about to change.
‘‘‘
John, standing beside Atlas, scanned the faces before them, looking for signs of dissent or support. He wasn’t surprised to see some frowning and whispering nervously, but others looked resolute, as if they had expected nothing less from Atlas. This was survival, after all, and survival demanded harsh measures.
Alexander cracked his knuckles, stepping forward with a cocky grin. “I’m fixin’ to raise my glass and my sword to this here constitution,” he said, his voice booming like thunder. “Fort Bone’s gonna be the greatest darn fortress in the whole wasteland!” He looked over at Wang Bo, who stood calm and collected as ever, his staff resting casually by his side.
“I, the dragon who smashes through the heavens, will make sure of it,” Wang Bo added quietly, though his words carried weight. He looked at Atlas, giving a small nod of approval. “We’ve come this far. I’m not turning back now.”
A few of the Canucks’ and Tractors and Freedom leaders shifted uncomfortably, exchanging wary glances. Daryl, the head of the Tractors and Freedom group, frowned deeply. “I don’t take orders well. Never have,” he said, his voice low and deliberate. “But I respect a leader who knows how to fight for freedom.”
Atlas looked him straight in the eye. “This isn’t just about following orders. It’s about building something strong enough to last. To protect all of us. But that requires trust, and it requires loyalty.”
Daryl was silent for a moment, then he slowly nodded. “I’ll think about it. But don’t expect blind loyalty from me.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Atlas replied, keeping his tone steady. He turned his attention back to the gathered crowd. “Enjoy the food. Drink. Discuss. We’ll meet back here at sundown for the pledge.”
As Atlas stepped off the makeshift stage, the crowd slowly dispersed, some heading toward the tables of food and drink, others lingering to talk in small groups. He watched them go, feeling the weight of responsibility settle even heavier on his shoulders. The days ahead were going to be brutal, but this was the only way forward. Fort Bone would endure, even if the cost was high.
In the distance, the sun continued to rise, casting a golden glow over the settlement. Atlas looked toward the horizon, knowing that tonight, one way or another, everything would change.