Final Target

Chapter 4

2

- 2 -

Genna had been in the Council chamber every day for the last few weeks, and still the place felt wrong. Oh, the circle of tables worked well, with everyone facing inward, but the domed ceiling drew the eye, and there were too many distractions in the carvings on the walls and those ridiculously ornate pillars.

And the circle of tables had its own problems. It sought to remove any hierarchy‌—‌Genna assumed that was the intention‌—‌but without an obvious leader in a clear focal point meetings soon became meandering discussions.

It didn’t help that too many of the Councillors liked the sound of their own voices. Or that many disliked Genna, and struggled to see her as any kind of leader, despite Kharem declaring her his proxy.

But she had to try. It was vital they get the residents on-side, or at least not openly antagonistic. Hadn’t Kharem said as much, when he’d thrust her into this role? To withstand whatever Authority planned they needed to be as united as possible.

And he’d turned this over to Genna because, as he said, she was ‘good with people’. He was the one who had executed Layman, the previous Head-of-Council. He was the one who had led the army of warriors into the Dome. He needed a soft face and voice to speak for him. He needed Genna to appeal to the people.

She sighed, then rose. The murmurs of conversation in the room subsided, and glasses clinked as Councillors took one last sip.

“Okay, let’s get back to work,” she said, turning to catch everyone’s eye. The room was full‌—‌twenty-nine Councillors, Genna, and a couple of attendants ready to fill glasses or clean up any mess. “A quick summary of where we stand. Based on Councillor Tomkin’s best estimates, our supplies will keep us going anywhere between three to six weeks. We have no way of getting more supplies from the Factories, and cannot produce anywhere near enough to sustain ourselves. We’re cut off, effectively under siege.

“And there’s the attack to consider. The glass stands, but for how long? It’s imperative that we plan for two eventualities‌—‌a drawn-out siege with dwindling supplies, and an open assault. Head-of-Council Kharem is increasing security. We’re investigating ways to stretch our supplies, but things look bleak.”

“I still question this attack,” said Porello, the Councillor who had taken the seat directly opposite Genna‌—‌a clear sign of his intentions. He wore expensive-looking clothes and his hair never appeared ruffled. He was past his physical prime, but Genna had heard stories of his youth, knew he had a wild side.

“The images we’ve been allowed to view have been of low quality,” he continued, “and it’s always possible that this supposed c***k is some distortion in the image itself. I’m assured by friends in the know that filtering and rendering can introduce such illusions.”

There were murmurs of agreement, and sharp looks in Genna’s direction.

“The c***k is real,” she said. “I’ve seen footage of the whole attack.”

“And will you share this with us? So far, all that had been released‌—‌even to those of us in this Upper Council‌—‌are a few still images.”

“At the moment, our Head-of-Council wishes to keep the recordings locked down to minimise panic.”

“So our self-imposed Head doesn’t trust us.”

“It’s not a question of trust. Too much data is going awry. We have doubts over the security of the Dome’s systems.”

Porello snorted. “A problem we’ve never had prior to that man’s assault on our home. In my opinion‌—‌and the opinion of many in this very chamber‌—‌our current troubles don’t stem from those beyond the glass, but from those who have insinuated themselves into our once-fine society.”

There were more murmurs, many nodding heads. But other Councillors frowned. Erinya, a strong woman seated to Genna’s left, shook her head and muttered something about unity.

“You’ve already expressed your views, Councillor Porello,” Genna said. “But they don’t change the situation. Let’s keep our focus.”

His hand hit the table‌—‌a move that made some jump. “Our situation would be improved drastically if we had a duly elected Head-of-Council, and if we removed all undesirables from our Dome.”

our“Have you met them all?” Councillor Erinya leaned across the table. “Are you so quick to tar all those who have fled into our arms as worthless? Have you forgotten that our founder, the great Horace Devin himself, opened up his first dominion to all who would enter and abide by his rules?”

Porello raised a hand, stabbing a finger at Erinya. “And there you have it, my dear woman! We all saw how this bloodthirsty tyrant took control, how he cut down poor friend Layman in such a public and‌…‌and evil manner. Does this abide by our rules? Is this the kind of person Horace Devin envisaged not only living in our society but ruling it too? And while he may be a particularly despicable example of them, he is in no way alone in his deplorable nature. I’ve heard rumours that even this specimen who speaks for him is no stranger to ending lives. Personally, I don’t feel safe around any of them‌—‌not even in this sanctified room!” and here, he shot Genna a hard glare. “They are nothing but animals, and they deserve nothing more than to be sent back from whence they came!”

“You’re confused, my dear friend,” Erinya said, and there was a hint of condescension in her voice, like a parent talking down a child. “You cannot argue that our Head-of-Council has sought to keep violence to a minimum since‌…‌since the incident in our Council plaza. That army of protectors he has, while appearing most brutal, have on the whole refrained from aggressive outbursts. And many of those who have fled into our safe harbour are content to keep themselves to themselves, merely seeking a chance for peace.”

“Then they should have thought about that before starting whatever battles they had outside the glass!” Porello leaned over his table, almost on his feet. “They might wish for peace, but their ways are different from ours. To them‌—‌to all of them‌—‌disagreements are settled with blood. Any who stand in the way of their selfish desires are liable to find themselves on the end of a blade!”

“They protect themselves, nothing more!” Erinya slapped her hand on the table.

“Enough!”

Genna stood, arms out. Her voice echoed around the chamber as she stared at every Councillor in the room, all eyes on her. She stopped on Porello, held him with her gaze.

“Yes, I’ve killed,” she said, with as little emotion as she could muster. “I’ve ended lives myself, and I’ve ordered lives ended. I didn’t want to, but each one was necessary, for either my own survival or the survival of those I care for. I’ve never taken a life lightly, and I will always seek less violent methods when I can. Unfortunately, in the districts, that is not always possible.”

The seated Councillors watched in silence, faces showing fear and concerned interest. Some sat back, pretending such talk didn’t upset them, others rested on the edges of their seats, skin pale and hands trembling.

“I’ve been abused,” she continued. “I’ve been beaten, severely injured. I’ve been abandoned, imprisoned and tortured. But I’ve never given up. I’m still alive today because I refused to succumb. If I had to kill to survive, then so be it. I learnt from a very young age that life is over when you stop fighting.

“And we all fight. Even you, Councillor Porello. You use words as your weapon, and you fight for your standing, for your position. You fight for those you care for, those who have entrusted their safety to you. It’s a testament to this fight‌—‌to the fight in all of you‌—‌that this Dome has been such a peaceful society for so long.

“I know what it is to fight for others. Back in the districts I was a leader, responsible for many others, and I did all I could to protect them. You might argue that our presence in your society shows my failings as a leader, and I admit I make mistakes. But that only pushes me to improve, to keep my people safe. And now, my people are joined with your people. For better or worse, we now face a situation where we must fight for our people, against a mutual enemy.”

ourPorello’s mouth twitched, and Genna continued before he could interrupt.

“I have some understanding of this enemy, enough to know how they use whatever they can, to know that their ruthlessness knows no bounds. They’ve slaughtered my friends, and killed those I consider family. They’ve destroyed lives and livelihoods. They’re powerful‌—‌powerful enough to c***k the glass‌—‌and in my heart I have to question if they can ever be stopped.

“But I have to try. I can’t give up. I can’t abandon all those I care for, all those I choose to protect. I’ll fight on, while there’s still life in me, because it is what I must do.”

Genna stopped, and the echoes of her voice fell away. She breathed heavily, her top clinging to her back, and she looked over the chamber, met the eyes of the Councillors. Many looked away, some scowled. Some stared in shock, some couldn’t stop the twitching of their faces.

And others nodded. Erinya offered a smile.

Porello scowled. But he didn’t respond. When her gaze lingered on him, he turned away, looked down.

It wasn’t much of a victory, but Genna would take anything she got at the moment.