“Freedom is a choice, and one that must be made daily. Your memories, your decisions, the very thoughts that float through your mind. All a prison for your future.
“Fight against this reality or forever be trapped within.”
–Hades, “Some Philosophical Shit”. 4 Years After.
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“What the hell do you want from me this time?” Leah asked.
Hades beamed. “Haven’t you been following the hot goss around the blood cooler lately? We’re getting together and bringing this little operation to the next level with a whole new government and everything!”
Mother nodded. “This is a necessary next step now that the California basin is firmly under our control. No one understands how the Hunters think better than you, Leah, so your perspective would be invaluable to this end.”
“That so?” She looked around the square of the complex they’d taken as their base of command. The place had been some kind of convention center to the humans, with walls painted in red, blue, and green, and an architecture that folded over itself like it could tip over any second. Why Hades fixated here of all locations was beyond her. Claiming Beverly Hills was hardly a strategic win.
“So what’s the plan then?” Leah asked.
Hades laughed. “Can’t do elections, obviously. Half our crew would forget who they’re choosing or why they’re doing it by the time it came to vote. It’ll only get harder as our population grows.”
“Any transfer of power runs a similar risk,” Mother pointed out. “Each successive regime would have to absorb many responsibilities from their predecessors, and with the threat of hollowing, duties and responsibilities are more likely to be lost in this stage. Coupled with the ongoing war against our living enemies, it would be unwise to adjust any paradigm drastically once it has been set.”
Leah stared dully. “We can’t do voting, and we can’t remove our fearless leaders from power. How very convenient for you both.”
“I have no interest in retaining authority. I would greatly prefer to manage medical needs as they develop, along with furthering my research into HBRS-15.21. Both of these avenues require my constant attendance as is.”
“Can’t say I’m enjoying this all that much either,” Hades said with a frown. “The killing’s been a good ‘ole time, but sitting around listening to everyone’s problems is a real pain in my ass, and I don’t even feel pain in my ass. How’s that for a treat?”
It took another second to catch the implication. Leah blinked. “Are you both suggesting that you want me to play mayor?”
Hades shriveled cheeks spread wide. “Don’t see why not. You’ve led more raids than we can count, and the people love you to death. Leadership is in your bones.”
“What about someone else, like Robert or Mastermind?”
“Hrmph. Mastermind is hard to take seriously because he’s practically the size of a toddler, and Robert spends all day working on the Styx like he’ll become the new Charon for it.” He paused and stroked his rotted chin. “Actually, that’s not a bad nickname. I think I might start calling him that…”
Leah thought through more options. “There’s still Fortunato, or Zeke, or Fran, for that matter. All of them would make great figureheads for you.”
“Leah, oh, Leah. Why are you making this difficult? Just say ‘yes’ already. I’ll still be the general who leads us to battle when shit gets real, and all you need to do is arbitrate the bitching and moaning from our more amnesiac brethren. Maybe we’ll even give you a fancy title, like ‘Head Huntress,’ so everyone knows you’re legit.”
She turned to Mother. “You’re going along with this too?”
“Whether you realize it or not, you have become an icon for most of our community. We have each experienced the threats out there for our kind, from the surviving humans that want to destroy us to the hollowed-classed infected who cannot tell the difference. Your ability to thrive against these foes has made you an almost messianic figure for those you have protected. This decision is not one we have taken thoughtlessly.”
They really mean it, huh? Leah had never considered herself as anything other than a soldier of fortune. She’d only tried so hard because the best killers got the most to eat. Those were the rules of Hunting, and no one had ever questioned them in the field.
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“So what do you say?” Hades asked.
“I think…” she started before pausing.
Was Leah really qualified to lead? Sure, they were all just winging it and could rebuild the world in whatever fashion they wanted, but did that give her the right to step in and claim it for herself?
“…this is…” she continued, again weighing the options.
It would be an interesting change of pace. Staying indoors and letting others do the fighting for her, all while she enjoyed some peace and security. Could she let this opportunity slip? Would it be alright to let others stand in defense of her?
“…bullshit.”
They both stood in silence, eyebrows raised against her response.
Leah stared them down. “You want my opinion of how your government should work? Don’t bother with one. You keep doing whatever you feel like, Hades. And Mother can run off to her lab. Once Robert finishes building the Styx we won’t need anyone to manage us, except in the loosest sense of the word. Leave us to sort our own shit, and we’ll figure it out soon enough.”
“Anarchy is hardly a worthwhile basis for society,” Mother said.
But Leah looked to Hades. “What is it that you wanted to call this place? ‘Pandemonium’? That sounds perfectly fine to me.”
“And what role do you imagine yourself having in this new chaotic world?” Mother wondered.
She clenched her fists. “Same as always. A Hunter’s still got to eat, doesn’t she? That won’t change when the humans are defeated.” She beamed. “Hell, you won’t even have to draft a police force. Us Hunters are perfectly suited to handle this community’s issues, so long as you’re willing to pay us for the service. Give us something to eat, and we’ll do anything for you.”
“Who has become the opportunist now? A civilization that lacks formal structure is the ideal place for your kind to thrive. When resources are inevitably consolidated into the hands of the few, what happens to the needs of the downtrodden? Nothing, for this scenario only leads to an entrenched oligarchy using mercenaries to bludgeon the poor into submission. No, this cannot be considered.”
Hades broke into laughter. First, a small chuckle, but it quickly exploded into a raucous guffaw. Soon, he could not contain himself, his jaw dropped and tongue thrashing about as he howled in exhilaration.
“Yes, that’s perfect!” he roared, his eyes burning like crimson flames. “I knew I was right to call Leah here!”
Mother hardened. “You cannot be serious, Hades.”
“Oh? And why not? You said that any political structure we build runs the risk of collapsing under the weight of hollowing, so what better way to protect ourselves against that than to have no government at all? I’ll still have the final say and make changes as needed, but I sure as fuck won’t be managing everyone’s day-to-day affairs. That can be broken down by whoever is smart and strong enough to seize the moment and solve problems for themselves.”
“Relying on the avarice of others is not a sustainable model.”
“If you say so. I suppose we’ll just have to wait and see how shit plays out. For now, this sounds like the best path forward. Plus, Leah’s already agreed on this one. Ain’t that right?”
“That’s the plan.”
He gleamed. “There, looks like you’ve been outvoted today, Mother. I’ll rally everyone together and make the announcement as soon as the Styx is finished.”
And just like that, Pandemonium was born.
* * *
Leah’s truck rolled down the street, with a posse of her guards manning the guns.
Does it ever end? After finally getting her caravan back home, Charon called her through the wire to pass on a message that problems had formed at the gates. Apparently, he was too busy wrapping up a patrol to deal with it himself, and they’d asked to see her specifically.
A sea of desiccated husks bowed out wherever her truck drew near, forming giant rings on even the most densely populated roads. Her little pocket of stability, fighting obstinately against Pandemonium’s endless chaos.
Only in one part of the city did Leah face an obstacle. A crowd had formed along the border to Asphodel, no more than a stone’s throw from the Lodge. Workers had formed en masse, and for once, they seemed disinterested in yielding to the Head Huntress or her entourage. The driver bleated against the horn, but only a handful bothered to make room for them.
“What’s going on?” Leah asked from the back.
Her driver grunted. “Some guy’s on the side of the road, and everyone’s blocked the road to hear him speak.”
I’ll be damned. Leah’s friend in the brown cloak was still where she’d left him, lecturing about his book for the world to hear. But he must’ve gained a following after spending so much time standing in that spot. He’d even gotten a group of diehards of his own, with their outfits colored white. Leah had half a mind to pull over and listen in for herself.
“Want me to ram ‘em out of the way?” the driver asked.
Leah shook her head. “No. We’ll take another path.” Duty still called, and this guy deserved his five minutes of fame.