The Fence Mender

Chapter 10

Xander awoke the next morning slumped over at the desk resting his head on his folded arm, the sound of static crackled through the speaker. As he rose, Xander looked out the window towards Liberty and wondered if there was even the slimmest of hope for survival. Feeling trapped by the walls and the constant hum of the radio, he grabbed his jacket and headed into town.

It was on the lips of everyone in the city, though the streets were quieter, the uneasy conversations happened in a whisper. Liberty was one of the larger cities in the region, and if they could overtake it, what was to say Fawcett wouldn't be far behind? If Xander was going to get any real answers, he would have to go to the council chamber. Fortunately, his I.D. badge would get him through the front door.

The council chamber was filled with not an empty seat in the house. These were the leaders of Fawcett, the elder statesman who controlled the lives of every man, woman, and child in the city. Each session was closed so that they could talk honestly and frankly, their decisions would be based on logic and reason rather than the impassioned pleas of citizens. They had already begun discussions on the matter. Councilman Trilby was in mid-sentence as Xander entered the chamber and found a dark corner to creep into.

"I believe it is our duty to try and preserve a certain way of life," Councilman Trilby said standing at the center of the ascending auditorium.

"Thank you," said Councilman Myers. "I've been informed that Commander Abrams is here with some official information regarding Liberty."

"Thank you, Councilman Myers," the Commander said stepping up to the podium. "At 0100 hours we received of a perimeter breach. Soon after, communications ceased, and we have not received any word since."

"Should we assume the worst?" asked Myers.

"That seems premature," chimed in another councilman.

"It could be a number of things. They may have lost their transmitter, or have shut down their generators in order to avoid further detection."

"What about a ground team to perform reconnaissance?" asked another.

"I can't recommend that course of action. If this is a worst case scenario, then a convoy would be little more than more kindling for the fire. We have sent a unit by air to perform a flyover to assess the situation."

"But what if they're in need of assistance or aid? Without communication, how can we know about survivors or coordinate rescue efforts?"

"Don't you remember Summoner?" Myers interjected. "There were no survivors."

"Sir, we have specific sets of rules for just such an occurrence," the Commander said. "If a city is attacked, they are to communicate losses and other information to us. If radio communication is not established, we perform a fly-by to survey the damage. If the situation is critical, we initiate first strike protocols."

The words were ones they had heard before and they quieted the room.

"If we can't confirm proof of life, it's the recommendation, if not the duty, to assume infestation and orchestrate first strike protocols within 72 hours."

"I realize we don't always see eye-to-eye," said Trilby, standing to make sure he was heard and seen. "Do you truly think this is our only option?"

"What do you want, Councilman?" the Commander retorted. "Should we hope for the best and let them have Liberty, give them a staging area where they can feed and hide, just two days away from here? The way we win is by keeping them on the run, never letting them have a moment's rest."

"I realize your position, Commander," said Trilby.

"Do you?" he replied, cutting him off before he could gain any momentum. "When was the last time you looked at a map, Councilman? Maybe if you had, you'd see the attacks are coming closer, moving into our perimeter. They're winning, Councilman, if you think otherwise, then you're a fool."