“In short,” Nicholas says, finishing his speech. “I understand the grief, the hardship, and the humiliation each and every person in this room has expressed regarding these terrorist usurpers. I hold the oath that I took upon my entrance into West Point seriously. That I would defend the United States and its Constitution against all enemies, domestic as well as foreign, and remain loyal to the same, carrying out the duties and responsibilities of my office with fervor and honor. And I intend to fulfill my oath, or die in the process.
“However, I must caution the members of the council voting in favor of this resolution today. Right now, we would be at an overwhelming military disadvantage. Already, plans are in motion to restore our nation’s government and sovereignty. But now is not the time to rush blindly into action. Now is the time for preparation. For assessing the strengths and weaknesses of our enemy, and making sure that we win the battle before the first physical confrontation has even started.”
Councilman Terry— easily the most hawkish member of the council, the same one who was getting into verbal spats with Councilwoman Symone earlier— chides Nicholas. “I must press the question, Major Richardson. Would it not be prudent to strike now, while the iron is hot and they are still consolidating their power?”
“Under the doctrines of military guidance that previously applied in the pre-System world, you would make a pressing case. However, we are now in a world governed by levels, stat points, and individual people who unto themselves wield power comparable to weapons of mass destruction. The factor of surprise can only bridge the gap so far against a group of enemies whose combat parameters eclipse our own in terms of both offense and defense.
“As such, our most prudent option is to bide our time and build our own parameters such that we can challenge our enemies on more equal terms. Rest assured, I will do all in my power both to carry out the will of this council, as well as to uphold my duties to law and country. However, I will heavily caution against throwing away the lives of the brave men and women who have served under my and Col. Wilson’s command with valor and honor.”
Councilman Terry turns to the mayor. “No further questions for Major Richardson, Your Honor.”
The mayor taps his gavel one more time, though without the accompanying shift of Ether flow that would correspond to whatever effect he had been using earlier. The crowd isn’t silent, plenty of chatter occurring in the back rows, and even more out in the overflow area. But it is being kept to hushed whispers, and for this reason, none among the council seems inclined to raise a scene.
“Would any other council members like to speak on this matter?” he asks.
None raise their hand or otherwise speak up.
“In that case, I would move that we table the proposed motion to enter into open hostilities against the First American Legion, on the advice of Major Richardson.”
“I second that motion,” Councilwoman Symone says.
“We have a motion and a second. All in favor?”
Seven hands go up, including that of the mayor. Councilman Terry, along with one other man and one woman, each representing one of the wealthier midtown and southern wards of the city, keep their hands lowered.
“By a vote of 7 to 3,” the city clerk says, “the motion to table Resolution 1.8.2, ‘Concerning a Resolution to declare the First American Legion a terrorist organization, and to instruct all city staff to prepare for open hostilities against this force,’ has been tabled.”
“So recorded.” The mayor taps his gavel one time.
Councilwoman Symone raises her hand slightly. “Mr. Mayor. I’d like to make one more motion before we adjourn this session, and it concerns Ms. Mortensen and her partner. Specifically, I would like to acknowledge and commend the two of them for their actions above and beyond the call of duty over the past several months.
“I understand that their names might not be well known, and among some elements of the population, they may be looked down upon. They have not always acted purely and in accordance with the law, nor have their actions always been without consequence. However, one undeniable fact remains. The reason why we are alive today. The reason why our city, our communities, and our families remain alive and mostly intact, is because of the tireless efforts and sacrifices that the two of them have made, time and time again.
“From odd monsters to the swarm of harpies, from fighting dragons to aiding in reconstruction efforts and tending to the wounded, and most recently, to bringing down the monster that was sent to reduce our homes and lives to rubble like so many other cities throughout the country and the world. Ms. Mortensen and Ms. Jacobs have been on the front lines, fighting against monsters straight out of myth and legend, defending each and every one of us, all while neither seeking nor seizing political power or influence as many— including this so-called Legion— might do in their situation.
“The Seraphim, the Angels. The Golden-Haired Maiden, I think I’ve heard once or twice.”
I stifle a chuckle at that. Chloe has thoroughly excised any claims I may have once had to maidenhood.
“More than a few monikers have shown up in discourse both public and private, both in-person and online, describing these two women and lauding them, almost mythologizing their deeds. And today, I want to formally acknowledge them for all the work and sacrifice they have made.”
Chloe and I turn to each other, blushing, as the audience begins clapping. “Did you know something like this was going to happen?” I ask my love. “Because I didn’t…”
“No, I didn’t expect something like this, either. I hope you’re not too upset.”
“It’s… It’s nice, being acknowledged, I suppose. But, I can’t say I really want all this publicity, either. It’s going to make it that much harder to live a quiet life. And I’m worried about how all this is going to spill over onto your mother.”
Chloe leans in a bit closer, slipping her hand into mine and leaning ever so softly on my shoulder. I’m reminded of the time when she proudly flipped off the state capitol building while stealing a public kiss from me. And after everything, I understand exactly why she’s so adamant about this. She wants there to be absolutely no doubt in anyone’s mind that we’re together, as a couple, and that we’re just as capable and deserving as any other couple out there.
So I do the only thing I can. Wrap my arm around Chloe’s waist and pull her a bit closer. A couple of jeers break out at the display of affection, but they are drowned out by the polite applause that is echoing through the room.
“In fact, Your Honor,” Councilwoman Symone continues. “I believe the two of them are worthy of a greater honor and responsibility. I move that this council formally establish the position of Lady Protector, and bestow that position upon Ms. Mortensen and Ms. Jacobs jointly for their tireless work in defending us all.”
My eyes narrow a bit. I’m not surprised, exactly, at the recommendation. But I don’t like it. There’s doing the things we do toward our own ends— getting stronger, fighting the System, protecting our home and with it, our way of life. Chloe’s class-influenced desire to heal the wounded. Mine to study Ethertech and further enhance my body. But this… this means responsibility to the council. It means far too much politics, on top of no small number of publicity stunts for the benefit of the council and at my and Chloe’s expense.
All in all, I’m just not selfless enough for the title. Chloe gives me a disapproving look, and after a brief bout of silent mental communication, we’ve got it talked over. Neither of us wants this role, and Chloe is deferring to me to decline in. In a respectful manner, as much schadenfreude as I might get in the moment from being disrespectful about it.
“Councilwoman Symone, Mr. Mayor,” I say. “While I appreciate the gesture and the honor, neither Chloe nor I are interested in the offered role, nor the responsibilities therein.”
I turn to the gathered crowd. “Ultimately, we are not heroes. We are not selfless saviors. We are just two selfish women who were endowed with supernatural power and who wish to live our life in quiet and relative anonymity.” A partial, self-serving lie. I don’t mind being well-known, but I want to be known for Ethertech research and development, not as some masked superhero. “We will, of course, continue to defend our home and our family to the greatest extent of our ability, but for purely selfish reasons. I hope everyone can understand our position and respect our position on this.”
“Besides,” Chloe says. “There will come a time and a place when we are not around to protect you. We may be asked to assist with efforts elsewhere in the world. We may be incapacitated in one battle, and be unavailable to assist with the next. The next horde might be too large for us to handle on our own, and if we are forced to do so again, there might be even more unintended collateral damage than the last time.”
“We do not want you to come to rely on us for protection,” I say. “Both because we might not always be available, but also because of what that reliance represents. Back before the System arrived, we lived in a world where we held an ideal that all men and women were created equal. We did not always achieve that ideal, and plenty of people tried very hard to oppose the actualization of that ideal— including some in this room, I’d imagine.
“But do you want a world, a city where you’re forced to rely on us for your protection? A world where we— at our current levels— can act with impunity, knowing that none of you can stop us, should we decide we want to rule, to usurp this council just as the Legion usurped the federal government? Quite frankly, I don’t think you should trust me with that kind of power.
“The System makes the seeking and gaining of power necessary. Without those of us willing to venture forth into dungeons, to brave its challenges, to fight and put our lives on the line, all of us— those who choose the path of a warrior, and those who don’t alike— will be imperiled. But we, collectively, have the choice of how we want to divide that power. And we all have the ability to overcome challenges to gain more power for ourselves.”
“I understand that this is a difficult new reality for many of you,” Chloe says, the two of us rehearsing our words with each other through [Angelic Bond], our heightened [Mind] stats allowing us to think and communicate far faster than either of us is speaking. “It was difficult for me to adjust at first as well. And I will not lie, at times, I miss the simpler, safer times that we used to have. But we can’t change that. All we can do now is accept this new reality that we have, and try to structure our society in a way that accommodates it.”
“It will not be easy,” I say. “I cannot guarantee that it will be safe, either. But, I can promise that, to the best of our current knowledge, this is the best path forward, to ensure that we as a city, as a people, and as a community, are prepared to face and overcome the challenges that await us. Challenges born of man, of nature, and the System alike. And to the extent that I am able, I will assist in helping everyone rise to those challenges.”
Immediately, a chorus of questions starts, the reporters in the gathered crowd being particularly pushy. I do so desperately want to leave and get ready for tomorrow. But I did just say I’d help as much as I am able. Damn how easily and quickly my words are being used to bite me right in the ass.