The Constant Star (70)

THE STORY SO FAR

Macy gives the nod and a screen is projected above her as she continues to speak, “Good people! Be strong and listen to the evidence I bring before you. These generals all claimed to stand for us. All claimed to fight for us. To plan for our victory. But see for yourself how they have betrayed us! See how they speak with the enemy! See how they take bribes and promises!

“And what were they promised for betraying us? For your downfall? For the murder of your families? For your children to be slaves? They were promised a life in the upper levels! A life of beauty and peace that we all want for ourselves. The very thing we have all been fighting for! But they want a life where they can treat us as slaves and not as equals. They want a life where they are free but we are bound. And I say that is the ultimate betrayal of our cause!

“How many deaths have they been responsible for?! How many days of fighting could have been averted if only they were not consumed by their greed and selfishness? And so I say as they wish to be treated like the upper levels, we shall treat them like the upper levels! Those who come down here to assault, enslave, and murder us.” She points her gun at the first, “There is no mercy for the merciless,” she pulls the trigger and moves to the second, “No hope for those who seek to destroy our hope,” she pulls the trigger and moves to the third, “No freedom for those who want to enslave,” she pulls the trigger, and moves to the fourth then pauses, gun pointed between desperate eyes glaring back at her, “May your betrayal die with you.” The final crack of the gun and the execution is over. Addy’s troops carry the bodies from the balcony, “I promise you, my people, now these cancerous creatures have been removed from our midst we shall soon see victory. All that we have fought for shall be brought to light. I know what you have just seen is disturbing, but we all needed to see it, to participate in our cleansing. I wish peace be upon you all as you know we have done the right thing here today. We have saved many lives, and avenged many others. For their actions have not only caused your suffering, but they have also caused the suffering of a dear ally.”

Addy walks over to where Siff is curled up in shock, grabs her arm and lifts her to her feet, “Showtime, princess.”

“When she joined us many of you loved her, as did I. And when she left you became split about whether to love or despise her, despite my pleadings with you to keep her in your good graces. But now we have uncovered the truth: the truth that when she turned to us she became a threat to the Upper Levels, and they conspired against her with those traitorous generals. She fell into a trap, was betrayed, shot, and left for dead. But, like any one of you brave people, she refused to be put to an end by such evil. She rose again and has fought her way back to us. I pray you welcome our own hero, and my friend, Siff!”

She is walked into the light of the open city to a mix of stunned gasps and cheers. Siff stares forward and trembles before the judgement of the thousands below her, wondering if she too will receive a bullet from the now uncontested leader of the Rebellion. Macy puts her arm around Siff, holding her to her side and helping to keep the shocked girl upright, “Siff is the one that saw our plight and decided to act. Siff is the one that brought us the information we needed to break free. Siff is the one that risked her own safety and comfort for our freedom. And Siff is the one who has come back to help us once again!

“I know there are many of you who remain skeptical, and Siff knows it also. That is why she has volunteered to go on mission with our forces immediately, to show her dedication to our cause. She has told me that she hopes to earn your trust and heal the damage done by those traitors who tried to kill and demonize her. Over time I know even the most skeptical of you will welcome her back. Welcome back, Siff.” Macy hugs her and hands her back to Addy who walks her back to her seat, “Listen to me carefully my brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, the time is coming soon when we will have the freedom and peace we have fought so hard for. The traitors have been punished, and those who persevere will be rewarded. Freedom is not just for the select few, but for all of us. And it is now within our grasp! I commend you for all you have done. Keep the faith, and keep pressing on. Victory is ours and it will be soon! Thank you.”

Macy leaves the balcony and walks to Addy, “Get her geared up, your team leaves as soon as you’re ready.” She puts her hand on Addy’s shoulder, “If all goes well, this time tomorrow will be a very different Janus.”

Addy smiles and nods, “Come on Siff, let’s get you prepped.”

Lucas steps softly, the crunching under his feet not the earthen floor he is used to, but the broken pieces of buildings spread across paneled streets. Grem walks with him, and following are several dozen silent fellow pilgrims making their way through this deserted city, “There’s likely food in that building ahead, it was a storage facility. Not sure if there’s still soldiers around here though, so we gotta tread carefully.”

Lucas nods, “Follow my lead. Keep to the shadows wherever possible.” He moves forward with silent grace as his followers attempt to mimic his path, the occasional

Enjoying the story so far? Get up to four weeks ahead at www.patreon.com/stevelikestowrite