Selected Stories: Science Fiction, Volume 2 by Kevin J. Anderson

Author:Kevin J. Anderson [Anderson, Kevin J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-61475-965-2
Publisher: WordFire Press

The mutants silenced themselves with a hushed grumble as Prez Siroth arrived. They pushed closer to the spiked fence, leering, some drooling from mouths crowded with two tongues. And these were the ones that had survived birth.

Aragon could not force away his revulsion and broke out in a thin sweat as he pondered how Draigen would have dealt with such a situation. The Prez stood calmly, surrounded by his guards and looking around with his sharp cold eyes. He seemed curious and oddly satisfied, as if pleased that he could try a truly unexpected leadership tactic and possibly get rid of the dreamer at the same time.

Aragon swallowed and finally spoke. The fukkups quieted as his voice drew strength. “Who speaks for you? Do you have a leader?”

The mutants milled about, but did not answer. Then Aragon remembered what Grull had done to the leaders during the last insurrection.

“All right, then we speak to all of you. You are clearly dissatisfied here—Prez Siroth offers you an alternative.” He took a breath and then spoke rapidly, anticipating that the Prez would stop him at any moment. “We will release you, give you your freedom—but you will have to work. Many of you have committed grave crimes against humanity, but we feel you have served your punishments. Up until now, we have used our own provisions to feed you—once freed, you will have to fend for yourselves. You will have to repair the old buildings for your homes. You will have to work the land, grow crops.” He hesitated, thinking of the unfairness, but realizing Siroth would have to gain something other than a clear conscience from the bargain. “And we will let you keep half of your produce for yourselves.”

The fukkups stood stunned for an instant. Siroth waited, glanced at his guards, and firmly believed the dreamer was sticking his head more firmly on the chopping block. The Prez picked up the speech as the mutants began to cheer. “But—this is a trial period for you. The fate of all your children depends on how you behave during the next few weeks.” His voice was as hard and as sharp as a razor. “If any one of you harms a man, in any way, or does damage to property, or tries to flee—you will all be returned to this pen, never to be released again!”

Aragon spoke up quickly, shouting into the brief lull. “But you have nothing to fear if you’re willing to work for your freedom. Isn’t it better to work the land, produce food for everyone, than to rot here? Those are the terms—do you agree to all of them?”

Wild cheering almost deafened him as all the mutants clamored at once. He smiled at the Prez. “See, they’re satisfied.”

“You may very well have just sealed our doom. We still have to see if they’ll keep their word.” Then Siroth watched them with his darting eyes, and he let another smile steal across his face. “But just to make sure, I’m going to have you go live with them, without protection, for the first few weeks.

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