Offer
1680 Words
Sirius took his seat in the sofa as Michael did the same to start the conversation, meanwhile, Raphael who was beside Michael handed him files marked “Empire of Liberty”
Michael cleared his throat, “Sirius, you might be wondering who we are right?”
Sirius with that question in his head earlier nodded, wanting to know the identity of such a country.
“Okay, before I start offering you some terms that you’ll like, let me share with you a brief history about our country.” Michael opened the files and read the first paragraph.
“The country is called the Empire of Liberty, it’s a military state founded a couple of weeks ago.”
“...”
Sirius c****d his head to the side with a look of “That’s all?” Also, hearing the word “Founded a couple of weeks ago,” felt his brainpower wasn’t enough. A town that is magnificent such as he had seen outside can’t be built in a mere couple of weeks, not to mention years. Is the king of this country making fun of him?
“That’s all.”
Sirius' mouth dropped. What a simple and brief history that they have.
“Thank you.” Sirius nodded.
Michael snapped his finger, it was a coded message between him and Raphael where at this point, she will translate every word that comes out of his mouth.
“Now let’s get on with the terms that I’ll be proposing. Currently, my army is holding your people as our prisoners.”
“Pri-prisoners?” Sirius was troubled by what he just heard, “Sir, I thought that you’re not going to harm them if I come here?”
“Hmm, they will go there if you don’t accept my terms.”
“Terms?” Sweat trickled down in his face, anxious about being lied to by the king.
“Yeah, my terms are simple. The Empire of Liberty will take your people as my new citizens, in short, they will immigrate here.” Michael declared firmly.
His people will become his people? Immigration? All these confuse him…
“Since your people have already trespassed in our territory, we have the right to take them as our prisoners for illegal trespassing. But, if you agree to my terms, then they won’t become prisoners instead they will become my new citizens. Of course, they won’t be treated as a slave but an individual…”
“...”
Sirius doesn’t know what to say anymore, speechless at the absurd offer. Thinking of it, those people are hopeless, didn’t have any education and most of them are miners and farmers. Why would a country so advanced like the Empire of Liberty want to take them?
“You might be wondering why am I taking them? Am I right?”
Sirius who was on deep thought was startled at his words, did he perhaps read his mind?
“Sirius, now that your people had trespassed our territory and was captured by an unknown army. Some of your people might return to the city and report it. We want to conceal the presence of our country first. And taking them all without harm but benefits is the only way that may sway their minds and hearts.”
“Then does that mean? You’re bribing them?” Sirius wondered.
“Not exactly,” Michael said, “I’m just offering them to have a good life in my country. You know, I’ve heard a story of Anna who was a slave here and told me the situation of the people here. They don’t have education, malnourished, no sanitation, lack of food sources, lack of supply of clean water, and so on and so forth. In short, they are hopeless and are only living their life devoid of goals. And I’m here to give it to them. Free education, clean food and water every day, free housing, and all sorts of benefits as long as they become a citizen of the Empire of Liberty. Everything is provided for their start-up.”
Now that he hears the offer, Sirius gives it a deep thought. What he just mentioned was right, they were deprived of the basic necessities of human needs. His offer about free education and foods and so on are truly interesting, there’s no way that a person in his right mind would deny this offer. But what if it’s all a lie again?
“Sir, are you really serious about taking them all? I mean, what you just mentioned are facts about them and the situation that they are living in.”
“Of course, I’m a man of my word. I’ve also heard a story wherein every winter the people here will seek refuge to the east right? And you’re returning because the ore and minerals aren’t enough for all to survive in the winter?”
“Correct.” Sirius agreed.
“Then, would you take this offer or not? As the mayor and the representative of Willow Town, I shall leave you with two choices. Yes or no? If yes, then I will gladly prepare their houses right away, and if not then you know what’s going to happen.”
“Yes, I agree!”
Without hesitation, Sirius agrees to his offer, making Michael slightly shocked. It was just easy.
Michael glanced at Raphael, she nodded as he picked up her phone calling someone.
“This is Eagle 2, the light is green, go and take them all,” Raphael said to the phone and hung it after passing her message.
“It’s all settled,” Michael stood up to his seat, buttoning his suit as he walked forward to Sirius who was quite still confused about what’s happening.
“Welcome to Empire of Liberty.” Michael offered a handshake.
…
Meanwhile, same day, at the intercept location. The people who were surrounded by the army suddenly converge as they began to shout out their next order using a megaphone.
“Please form five lines as we will take you to our country. From now on, you’ll become the citizen of Empire of Liberty under the agreement of our supreme excellency Michael Stevens and Mayor of the Willow Town, Sirius Blake.”
This sparks discussion among the people.
“Hey is that true?”
“Did the mayor sell us?”
“We will become their slave.”
“Not again.”
…
Two hours later, the people lining up began moving as they were being escorted by the odd soldiers. They don’t know where they’re being sent but fighting is futile and everyone knows it.
Those who are in front were stunned for a moment as a big metal box with a big mirror in front appeared in front of them.
Little did they know that those are just a passenger bus, a Hyundai Universe to be exact.
With its luxurious design, any person who gets a glimpse on that bus especially from the people coming so far behind from civilization will get charmed at the beauty of the high decker bus.
There are 50 buses in total, the rest are still en route, people of Willow Town start filling the seats of the bus.
The moment they entered a warm air suddenly welcomed them. The temperature inside is warmer than the outside. Also, the perfume of the bus attracted their nose as well, making them sniff as this was their first time smelling and feeling this box.
It was more beautiful than their house and if they were given a chance to choose, they will, with no hesitation, pick this bus.
38 buses are filled while the rest buses serve as the carriage of their personal belongings. Even though the road is bumpy, the comfortability provided by the modern buses eases them.
People from Willow Town started brimming with hopes as they were taken up as new citizens of the Empire of Liberty who has this bus. If the country is so advanced that it has moving metal like this, then they are glad that there’s some benevolent person willing to take them.
Back in the White House.
“Your supreme excellency, 38 buses are en-route to the houses that you built three days ago.”
Michael nodded, indicating that he heard her report. As expected, the Willow Town which is now the Empire of Liberty is the original home of the people that only left because of seeking refuge.
Michael predicted this and prepared himself by building apartments and condominiums from the western side of the Empire of Liberty, away from the military airports and training grounds to avoid noise complaints.
Since Willow Town is small, Michael decided to build condominiums and apartments since it took less space and can facilitate hundreds of people.
Currently, there are three condominiums with 25 floors, each floor has 26 rooms that correspond to letters. And each room can hold four of five people. Though it was too much, Michael wanted to be proactive as more people will soon come to the country as he began exploring this world.
“Okay, now that we have them, what should we do next?” Michael asked Raphael.
“Sir, I think it’s time to create a federal agency.”
“Hmm, that’s a nice idea. Okay, I want you to compile a list of candidates that can fill up my cabinet members or ministers since I’m a king.”
“I’ll have it by tomorrow, your majesty.” Raphael performed a curtsy in front of Michael.
“Yeah, you should do that. My Queen.” Michael teased.
- Writer
