Unfortunately, Bernard’s idea to use Jez’s lithium for a bomb was dead on arrival; the barrel had been smashed, and what was left was basically unusable. He grabbed a few pieces and shoved them in a sack, just in case they could be useful, but Bernard knew he’d likely have to come up with a new way to destroy the base once he got there.
The journey to the base wasn’t far – nor was it hard to find. Everyone around knew where the Marknosan family headquarters was located. Bernard found it more than a little odd that he didn’t see the streets crawling with people; especially this close to the headquarters, he had expected to see plenty of people. The whole way there, though, the streets were empty.
As unsettling as it was to see the lack of people, what Bernard was faced with when he actually did find people was even more surprising. On the plus side, there wasn’t really going to be much concern about being sneaky. It was a pretty grisly sight.
The area around the base, as well as the entryway that Bernard could see into, was littered with bodies, many of which had foam around their mouths. Many had their hands around their throats, or their shirts ripped open.
It seemed clear that they had suffered from something that caused suffocation, and it must have happened quickly, as several seemed to have died while working.
Well, it appeared that once again someone else had done the work for Bernard; that was nice. On top of that, it was now clear what Ben was going on about.
No wonder it broke him; it seemed like both he and his sister had known how to overreact when they decided they were wrong. Bernard chuckled to himself a little, and muttered “Like I can say anything…”
No wonder then that Richard was so agitated. It was unlikely that the people had been dead before Richard left; he was too far away for that to have happened, but he must have known that Ben was plotting something.
Richard was probably so eager to get the money because he was trying to make an escape of his own. That also explained, Bernard surmised, why he no longer seemed disturbed by Jez’s death when he and Bernard were having their little “chat.”
In any event, Bernard was pleased to note that this made basically every roadblock to his plan resolved. He had come here, as painful and as potentially risky as the journey had been, and it turned out he didn’t really have to do anything at all.
Of course, he had to admit to himself that he’d sleep better knowing that Ben was out of the picture – especially now that he could see first-hand what the man had been capable of doing.
Bernard took a few minutes to quietly walk through the building, just to see if there was anything of interest there. He found some money (although surprisingly little, truth be told) that was worth taking, and a few particularly interesting pieces of correspondence, but other than that, there wasn’t as much as he expected to find. Yes, this had been the headquarters of a powerful group of people, but apparently they didn’t keep much around – maybe in case of a raid of some type.
He collected the few treasures – or spoils, perhaps – that he had found, put them in a bag, and then headed to the kitchen. He retrieved a pot of oil, and started spreading it in a long line along the walls, making a path toward the firepit in the center of the kitchen. For the sake of completeness Bernard had decided to start burning the place down, but he wouldn’t stick around to watch or anything. He had places to go, and after his inspection, he was certain that there was nothing inside that could cause him a risk.
He re-lit the fire in the fireplace, and took a stick out, throwing it into the oil. It quickly ignited the oil, and the flames spread across the walls. Bernard left while the flames were still low enough to make his escape easy, but growing fast enough for him to be certain that it was going to do some real damage.
It was time to go home, and to put the last pieces into place – it was time for action. This entire day had been a very surprising one. On one hand, he knew that Peter wouldn’t have been able to get away yet, which was encouraging. On the other hand, he also wouldn’t have had time to do any of the things that they had discussed.
That was ok, though; Bernard could use a few days of physical recovery. Not only because he felt weak and tired, but because he knew he’d be facing his people soon, and he’d like to look a bit more presentable, and less like a guy who had been beaten up by a psychotic crime lord who happened to be his older brother.
Those thoughts aside, Bernard was excited. He was free to start taking more territory, and he wouldn’t have to jump through all of the hoops of creating new social programs or finding new ways to convince people to join him. Not only did he have a ton of momentum with the Lenoran Union already, but the removal of the Marknosan family would be a massive game-changer.
Assuming Bernard was willing to take credit for their destruction, plenty of people would join him out of gratefulness and a desire for protection. If he happened to offer them the drug treatment program that the Lenorans had developed (which had already proven very helpful), it would be even better.
Peter and his team would need to pivot. Instead of letting people know that they were fighting the good fight, they could reach out to Marknosan territory and spread the news that they were now free, thanks to Bernard; once the hook was set, they could reel them in with the tales of how great life was in the Lenoran Union.
Bernard, instead, could address the Lenorans himself. He knew he’d like to have the full weight of the propaganda engine behind him before he did so, but the opportunity was just too great to wait. He had a populace that was already emotionally charged, rapidly growing, and aware of the danger around them.
What had started off as a few thousand people (back when Timmus had to be removed) had now grown to over one hundred and fifty thousand people, and Bernard knew that he could likely double it in no time at all, with the Marknosans out of the picture. If he waited for that to happen, he’d appear stronger externally, but if they joined while he made a public movement instead, it would look like his ideas were spreading like wildfire.
That seemed more attractive. Bernard was certain that Peter would have a different opinion, but this was the way he wanted to do it. A few hours later, he was back in Lenoran, and immediately found Peter, who hadn’t left yet (but to his credit, was working with his team on the communication plan).
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Peter didn’t seem best pleased to see Bernard again so quickly – Bernard was still suspecting that Peter had planned to make his getaway while Bernard was gone. However, that opportunity was not nearly as good now that Bernard was back.
The two men had a brief conference and agreed on the new plan; half of Peter’s team would continue as originally planned, but the other half would venture into non-Lenoran territory to invite them to join. Peter jokingly referred to this set of people as the “missionaries” – which made both men smile nostalgically at the thought of the way they had originally entered Lenoran. How far they had come.
While the communications teams were out doing their work, Bernard would prepare to address the masses, in two days’ time. News of his grand address would be the hot topic in the local press, and a suitable venue for a large-scale address would need to be prepared.
Several times as they spoke, Peter asked again if Bernard was really certain that the Marknosans were gone; he could hardly believe that Bernard had taken them out so quickly and completely. Bernard, for his part, refused to give Peter any details, only saying that he was confident the job was done and that they were free from them once and for all.
The next two days passed in a blur. Bernard spent much of the time resting and recovering, while also trying to ensure that he was seen with the people. It was important that they know he was listening to their questions and concerns, and helping them address issues. If they happened to see him a bit black and blue, so be it – he’d make sure they knew it was all for their benefit, when the time came.
And the time did come, quickly. Bernard found himself climbing a small set of stairs to a podium, surrounded by a sea of thousands; far more than would be able to hear him directly, he knew, but just their presence was electric. After he was properly introduced, and the crowd’s roar of approval began to subside, Bernard waved his hands, so that he could begin to address his people properly.
“My friends! It is so good to see you all, so good to be in your presence. What a reminder, looking around, at all the good that we have done for each other. Every place my eyes stop, I see the face of someone who has had their life changed by joining our Lenoran Union.
“What we have is incredible. It saddens me – no, I’m sorry to say, it sickens me, to know that there are those who hate what we have found. There are those who wish to take it away, to make us bend a knee to their archaic ways of power and exploitation, and who would set us against each other.
“That, my brothers and sisters, cannot stand! In only a few short years, look at all we have accomplished! It is by the sweat of our brow, the generosity of our hearts, and the strength of our passion, that we have found a better way to live, for ourselves and our children.
“We have a chance to raise a generation without fear. A generation that knows it has plenty, that it is supported by its neighbors, and whose every need is met. I, for one, cannot let that chance slip away from us.
“And slip away it could, if the outsiders get their way. As you know, I am sure, in recent days we have been threatened and coerced by a powerful, selfish, hungry crime family known throughout Juldania as the Marknosans. My friends, I tell you, as you look upon my face – I know their power.
“I know their cruelty. I endured the threats, and the violence, that were but a small taste of what would spread through our community and destroy us from within if it were but allowed.”
The crowd began to call out in assent, and seeing their leaders bruised and healing body, became even more riled. Bernard again calmed the people with a wave of his hands, so that he could continue.
“It it were but allowed, I said. Is it allowed, though? Will we crumble so easily in the face of such a power? I say No!”
The people roared their approval, and applause echoed through the space.
“Brothers and sisters, you know me to be a man not of words, but of action. Seeing all we have built be threatened, I simply could not allow it to stand. I am here today, standing before you all, because of that conviction.
“I have acted – as you have always trusted me to do – and have been successful. I will tell you that the Marknosan threat is no more! We have made not only the Lenoran Union stronger and safer, but all the people of Juldania.
“My friends, nothing could make me sadder than to relate this to you. For we are a good people, and not a people of violence. We wish for nothing more from the outsiders than to be either joined, or left alone; but this, of course, is a dream.
“There are some who understand only the language of hate and of violence. Those who believe that might makes right. When such as those cannot be reasoned with, I’m afraid…well, they learned that we are not afraid to defend what is ours!”
Bernard stepped back for a moment to make a show of collecting his emotions while the people around him erupted in an absolute frenzy. It took several minutes for the crowd to calm down enough that Bernard could resume his address.
“We are so many now, brothers and sisters. So many, and strong. Our strength comes from our unity! We are united in a common purpose and a common way of living. But those outside are against us.
“This will not be the last threat. My friends, as horrible as the threat of the Marknosans was, I must tell you another sad truth. For I have found that they did not act alone.
“For years, the vile and depraved acts of cruelty perpetrated by this organization was known to and supported by our central government, who has been, in fact, cooperating with them! A bloated, corrupted rule by a distant crown, who was happy to turn a blind eye in exchange for a piece of the action.
“All around Juldania, people have suffered and died under a government who was uncaring at best, and in fact, complicit in destroying the lives and well-being of its populace! Is this the life we want for our children?”
Bernard shook his head as the people screamed in rage. They were ready to riot. He had only to push them a little further.
“The central ruler’s bloat, greed, and laziness allowed this. They cared not enough to fix the situation, and thus gave rise to us! For what are we, except people who realized that we must unite or die? That only we cared enough for each other to eliminate society’s ills, and individual’s demons and pains? Only we care to make a better future for all, rather than to line our own pockets at the expense of everyone else!
“People of the Lenoran Union, I must remind you. I must remind you of the times before we came together; things were bad, and they were getting worse. People without food, or water, or homes. Suffering from drug addiction, from criminal pressuring, from unfair taxation and cruel governments both home and abroad. Our environments were poisoned, our resources stolen, and we were left to fend for ourselves.
“Things were bad, yes. Very bad indeed. And they were getting worse every day! But now there is hope. Look at all we have accomplished, all we have achieved. Look at your brothers and sisters around you, and know that you have all made this for yourselves, and for each other.
“I could not be more proud to be one of you. You are all an inspiration, and proof that society’s ills can be remedied by little more than dedication and unity. Will we let that hope die? Will we let our light be extinguished?”
Bernard thumped his fists loudly as the crowd yelled as one.
“We will not! My friends, we are not a combative people. We do not wish to conquer, but only for our own peace, our own freedom. It is a sad fact that others will not let us be, even Juldania's own crown! The Marknosans are only the first of many threats that we will face, and we must show the world now that we are no plum, ripe for the picking.
"I, for one, will not allow us to be bullied, or cowed, or for all that we have built to be taken away from us. Not on my life. And looking over your faces, I know you feel the same. We must act to preserve what is ours, and we must be strong. The Lenoran Union prevails!”
The crowd went wild.