Static Omnibus by James Hunt

Author:James Hunt [Hunt, James]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Post-Apocalyptic | Dystopian | EMP
Published: 2016-03-21T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

The effects of the alcohol wore off by evening, but Wren’s head still swam with confusion. She sat silently in Edison’s living room, the orange glow of the setting sun shading the drawn curtains a beautiful orange. Iris and Ben waited for her response, but Wren had no idea where to even start. “You realize that this idea is ludicrous, right?”

“We have to make a move, and we have to do it soon,” Iris answered. The soft, kind features Wren remembered on their first day together hardened to stone. The councilwoman had made up her mind, and Ben was with her. “Edric won’t waste any more time. He has the numbers.”

“And guns,” Wren added. “And bullets, and training, and a raging thirst for power that doesn’t seem to be satisfied in his current role.” Wren jumped from the couch, needing to move around. “You saw what happened last night, Iris. You all did. If Edric wants to take control of this camp, he doesn’t need to do it in secret meetings. He controls the guards. He has access to the garrison. All he has to do is say the word, and the camp is his. You think going to him with a resolution telling him that he will be kicked off the council will persuade him?” She laughed. “The world beyond those walls is providing him with everything he needs to scare the people here into doing whatever he wants them to. They want security, and he’s already convinced them that he can keep them safe.”

“He’s not the only one,” Ben replied.

“The fence didn’t work.” Wren paced around, her arms flailing about in animation that she’d normally reserved for arguments with Doug. Christ. Doug, the girls, Zack. Edric will kill every single one of them the moment he thinks I’m planning something against him.

“You’re right,” Iris said, her voice low and solemn. “But what you did last night proved that you’re not afraid of him. It showed the people here that he can be stopped.” Iris moved closer, her small frame growing larger with every word. “Do you know how many people came to me after what they watched him do last night? Nearly half of the community. Half. If that isn’t cause for a call to action, then I don’t know what is.”

Wren grunted in frustration. “Then where are they now? Edric doesn’t talk. He shoots. And anyone that disagrees with him will get a bullet to the head. That’s what your people saw. And that’s what will keep them in line. Edric knows it. You know it. I know it.” She waved them all off, having reached her fill of foolishness, and headed for the door.

“You cut off the head, and the body dies,” Iris said, just as Wren’s hand was on the handle. “And we could kill him without ever having to squeeze the trigger. All we have to do is catch him off guard.”

Wren released the door handle and turned around. Everyone was standing now, all of them gathering around Iris.

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