Twenty-OneWe both stood in front of the holographic screen, watching the news as it played itself out, sombre music whispering in the background, the commentator's voice low, serious. And throughout, scenes of the life of the Protector. Much cheering and applauding from gathered groups of wide-eyed children. Steady ranks of Sweepers, making their cross-chest salute. Thousands of drone infiltrators and hover-bikes swarming across the sky like black flies. It was all very impressive and all very solemn.
“Our glorious leader, the Protector, is dead,” rang out the voice, over and over, letting the news sink in, telling us all that 'undesirables', who must be rooted out and stopped, had assassinated him. “Until such time, emergency laws are in force and everyone has to remain in their homes fr
