NOVEL NEXT 2.09: Dew
A breeze went through the roofless church, making the nearby trees sway in the morning sun while songbirds filled the awkward silence left by Amanda's proclamation. The fact that she went straight to requesting these strangers' surrender took Ethan a bit by surprise, but he quickly schooled his features. It had shown on his face, but both Dwayne and the squad behind him were just too taken aback to notice, as far as he could tell.
"Oh, and just to clarify," she continued. "I didn't mean the surrender of your squad. I meant you relinquishing control of your pylon to us. As the party with the higher martial capabilities, we believe we're better equipped to lead. While I agree that the strength of a group matters, recent experiences taught me that at the end of the day, the strength of individuals is what will dictate real political power. Do you recall the tutorial? Of course, we haven't gone through the exact same experience, but we have both seen what a difference a few levels can make. What does it matter if you can field a hundred level 50 warriors when we have a single level 70? You might have had the upper hand when dealing with mindless beasts, but this new world won't be that simple. What would you do when faced with someone who can plan, execute, and overpower your formations? Someone who would chip at your numbers until you're haggard and exhausted? And I'm not talking about only Administrator Voss, here. I'm sure there are others out there who have performed just as well as he did. Some who might not be as benevolent as he is. How would you defend against such individuals?"
It hasn't even been 48 hours since the tutorial is over, and we're already talking about taking over other pylons, Ethan thought as he watched the reactions of the people in front of him. If he were to name the main emotions he was seeing, it'd have to be indignation and wariness. Especially with her first declaration. Interestingly, only a couple were willing to hold his gaze when he met theirs. One was a sharp-eyed young man who seemed more concerned about the general mood than what had just been said, and the second was a glowering woman with a pair of stubby crystalline horns that looked as if Ethan had stepped on her favorite pet's tail.
Amanda continued, unaffected by the shifting and muttering around her, and as she paced and spoke, more and more were being swayed, her arguments finding perch on their hopes and worries.
"Still, the numbers do matter. A higher population and a larger territory means more fragments are generated every hour. More rifts can be found and explored. More talented individuals to crop out and be nurtured. It is still too soon to fully estimate what the pylons are capable of, but just like you, we're very much aware we need to expand, just so we can empower our own pylon and really discover its true potential. And so will every other single group. I estimated at least 80% of pylons will be subsumed. Would you rather join us, where your opinions and voice will matter and where you'll have high-level individuals watching out for your safety, or will you join these ex-militaries from which you seem to be running?"
The last sentence was like a slap in the face, but while frustration showed in their features, they couldn't deny it. It seemed that none had a counter they could voice, muttering quietly between themselves while most of them looked at their leader for guidance.
Glancing to his right, Ethan saw the casual and confident look on Amanda's face. She waited for the response, shoulders relaxed, a soft and friendly smile on her face. The only thing that gave her away was the intensity of her blue eyes, as well as something else he could sense from her. A certain… presence emanating out of her casual frame.
It mildly reminded him of the Zenith state. While for him it was about channeling the meaning of his own path, allowing him to break through obstacles and even defying the rules of physics for a few short seconds, hers was something else. He couldn't tell what it was, but with every heavy second that went by, it looked as if the tension in the room was just rolling off her back like water off a duck's feather.
Turning his attention back to the man ahead, Ethan waited for Dwayne's response. The man had been initially taken back, then his eyes had taken a calculating look as he listened to her pitch and as his gaze roamed over the nine people arrayed ahead of him, as if he was reevaluating his odds. Once Amanda was done, and once her words had really sunk through, he raised a hand, and the people behind him fell silent, though a small few were still openly glaring at both himself and Amanda.
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"You call him benevolent, but no offense, what proof of that is there? How isn't he just some… wannabe warlord that's just going to take whatever he pleases, whenever he pleases? While I admit we might have acted boldly, asking for us to give up our autonomy and just… capitulate is a bit much. I understand the need for reparation for having pushed away your people, but the demands have to be reasonable."
Ethan didn't let himself shift in his seat. He had to play the part, though it was awkward hearing them talk about him like he wasn't here.
Amanda tilted her head as began pacing once more, though much slower this time. "You have invaded his territory, attacked one of his close friends, and now that he's here, he's sitting down to talk to you without an ounce of aggression or hostility. We're inviting you to join us and benefit from what he is protecting. With how people have been behaving ever since this whole mess started, I believe that's a good sign already. I certainly might not have been as forgiving."
Dwayne was quiet for a second, face tense. Ethan expected more arguing, but all of a sudden, the man deflated, a long sigh escaping from his chest as he took off his hat and scratched his bald spot. "Look. I'm just one of the commanders. I don't have the authority to negotiate, really. I do appreciate that we're not trying to kill each other like rabid dogs, but this is beyond me. But here's what I can do; I can report all of this to our own administrator. Gavin. I think we can resolve this… amicably. Unless you intend on holding us prisoner?"
A current went through the people behind the large man. Amanda paused, then gave Ethan a sidelong glance, quirking her brow at him. A question. Whether he was willing to go that far.
"No," Ethan said, getting up from his chair and instantly, the tension ratcheted up further. He had wanted a council established to deal with these kinds of issues, but it seemed he had to be involved early on. Seeing the tense faces arrayed ahead of him, Ethan dismissed his claws. "Look. I understand that no one wants to relinquish their autonomy. And that is fair. You lot look like decent folks and while Amelie might be a little pissed, I think… no harm no foul?" he asked, glancing back. Amelie gave him a shrug, and Ethan took that as a sign she won't take it personally. Ethan faced the man ahead of him. "So how about this? Tell me more of these ex-militaries. What are they up to, and where they are. If they're as bad as you say… If they are going to be a problem for everyone, then I'll deal with those at the helm. In return, you take our offer to your leader. Is he someone reasonable?"
Dwayne and his squad stared at him for a moment, surprised, as if no one had actually expected him to speak in coherent sentences. After a short beat, the man nodded. "Ah… er, yes. I believe so," said the man before he glanced behind him. "Marc? You know Gavin best. What do you say?"
The man in question—the one Ethan had noticed earlier—jolted, surprised at being asked. He swallowed then, nodded firmly. "Yes, sir. Gavin's more worried about keeping his people safe that he is about… well, power grabbing. Part of why we're looking to expand is to get away from them," he said, with a nod back. Ethan assumed he was talking about the third group.
Ethan nodded. Of course, these people could be trying to play them, but it wouldn't hurt for him to check on the ex-militaries. And if this Gavin and his people were as decent as they seemed, then they'd make for a good addition to their forces and so with that in mind, he decided to extend some more good will. "Good. We can work with this. And if you're worried about me being a warlord, then let me allay those fears a little. What Amanda had not said is that we're looking to create a governing body. A council. They're going to figure out the details as that's not my expertise, but once you join, you'll have your vote, your voice and all of that. Once that's established, I'm going to take the backseat. I'll be the… what do you call it?" he said, glancing back at his companions.
"A deterrent?" asked Amanda.
"The nukes?" said Liz.
Ethan nodded appreciatively. "Yes. Both of those. I'd rather have the settlement run itself, but if shit gets weird, then I'll step in. Including corruption, threats and all of that. But we'll talk more about that once we get to the table. For now, I believe it's time to pull back your forces so my people can get back to doing what they've been doing, and you can tell me more about these ex-militaries. What they've done, and where I can find them," Ethan asked, and once Dwayne began telling him about what this third group had been up to, his good mood evaporated, just like the morning dew under a new day's sun.