Deliver Us Huis

I sat in the Hovercar above the Capitol with Petrus. Looking down on the millions of little houses below I sighed, This is it.

Petrus and I had done our best, but would it be good enough?

It had to be, or else me and Petrus could end up in prison for the rest of our lives.

Or dead.

I turned to Petrus, “Are the Anthrolems ready?”

From his spot at the computer Petrus nodded. “All Anthrolems are in position and ready.”

I eyed the town below, where peaceful people were going about their daily business.

Peaceful people? No. Boring people. Hurting people. People who need to be ruled.

“Send them in,” I said.

I stared down at the ground below. We were hovering several hundred feet above the Capitol building. We were mostly covered in the city’s smog, so we couldn’t be seen. That also meant I couldn’t see anything.

After a few more moments of looking at the ground and trying to feel powerful I gave up and went to the computer screens to watch what was happening.

My gaze was drawn to the screen that showed the Class C’s rampage. Some of them showed a slow progress through hallways and corridors. The others flashed brief scenes of horror on politicians face, then blood. Always lots of blood everywhere.

I tried to tear my eyes away from these scenes of horror, but something made me keep watching as a voice in the back of my head whispered.

You’re the one who did this, as sure as if you had the blood on your own hands.

I tore my eyes away from the screens and went back to the windows.

The Class C’s were doing their jobs, and it was about time for me to do mine.

A moment later, Petrus yelled back, “They’re done. All figures of authority eliminated.”

“Then bring us down.” I commanded.

We dropped down to the Capitol building.

The place was as silent as a tomb.

We walked past the dead guards and entered the building. The entire place reeked of death. There were random bodies, maimed beyond recognition, lying everywhere.

Behind me Petrus came with a computer.

“Send some Class A’s on a cleaning patrol. I want everything clean by the end of the hour. Bring the rest of the Anthrolems in around the Capitol. We’re hacking the newsfeeds in a quarter of an hour, we’ll need to be ready for opposition after that.”

Petrus nodded, “Of course.”

Ignoring the symbols of death strewn about the building I walked briskly to the room of the representatives. Two representatives from all ninety seven regions held business here. With One hundred and ninety four people arguing over laws it was no wonder nothing was ever done.

I looked around the room where these people had once ruled our planet. Now it was only me.

I stood in the circle room, looking round at the stone seats and counters splaying all around the room in a spiral.

It would have to change, I could not stare at the chairs of my predecessors every day. Couldn’t feel the weight of their blood on my hands as I ruled the planet.

I closed my eyes and imagined a high and mighty chair on which I would sit. To my right would sit Petrus, adviser to me. Around me would be my elected advisers and representatives.

But the vision turned red in my mind. The walls were bleeding, my advisors dead, Petrus gone, my red eyes rising above them all.

A throne set in blood.

My eyes flew open and I staggered and fell against the wall.

I shook my head.

That would not be my future, that would not be my legacy. I would be a healing hand to the regions. A beloved queen of all.

But the images still flashed through my head.

Blood. Death. Darkness.

And in my heart I knew that it was not much better than the reality.

196 representatives, dead

Dozens of guards, dead.

Because of me, because of my choices.

And more were sure to die.

But I couldn’t stop, not now. I must honor their sacrifice and make their deaths count. For the betterment of the planet.

Petrus chose that moment to come in.

“C’mon, Tel. The Anthrolems are catching attention. If we want to broadcast on the newsfeeds it needs to be now.”

I nodded, pulling myself out of the dark place I had been, forcing a smile on my face, “Of course.”

I walked briskly into the broadcasting room and Petrus trained the camera on me. He flipped a couple of switches and then a timer went off.

3

Remember what you need to say.

2

Chin up, shoulders back.

1

Breathe.

The red light above the camera flashed. I looked into the lense and smiled.

“Hello people of the Capitol. I’m Telyina Venderbare.”

My voice shook, but I steadied it. I had no need to be nervous, no one could hurt me now.

“I regretfully inform you that the old order of representation has passed. I am the first leader of the new order. I’ve felt that nothing has been accomplished in the ways of the past and am now taking the reigns to secure a future for all the people of Huis.

Nothing should change in your lives, except for the better. I hope we can cooperate to bring in a prosperous peaceful time for all people. Thank you for your recognition.”

And then the red light died and Petrus peeked out from behind the camera.

“Nicely worded, very firm. I almost wish that the people would listen and we wouldn’t have to enforce.”

“But we shall. The riots will starts soon, but they shall all be quelled. We shall move throughout the planet. With government resources we’ll be unstoppable.”

“We did it.” I said.

Petrus’s eyes twinkled, “And now the fun begins.”

I looked out the windows where I saw the Planet Guard start to assemble.

“Looks like we’ve got company.” I said.

Petrus turned, “They’ve been programmed to keep away all resistance, with the number of Anthrolems we have, there’s no need to worry.”

I turned, “I’d like to give them a chance to surrender.”

Petrus grabbed my hand, his touch brought shivers up my arm and I pulled away.

“Don’t bother Tel,” he chided, “They won’t take it.”

“Are you sure?” I asked.

“I’m sure,” he said, pulling me away from the window, “Let’s set up office and let the Anthrolems take care of these troublemakers.”

I glanced back at the window, for a moment, then turned away from the lines of Planet guards standing against the Anthrolems. There were too few, it would be another massacre.

I turned my face away from the window and let Petrus lead me out of the room as the Class B’s cannon’s fired onto the crowd.