"There is simply no alternative!" thundered Governor Dulce of Tethus Regio. "The people of Bonde Wakulima require our protection, and it is our duty-- our burden-- to make sure they do not annihilate themselves in another war." The governor stood tall and haughty in the suit that failed to hide her saggy, withered old body. Her hair hung in an intricate pattern of braids and flourishes that must have taken her hairdressers hours to arrange.
"We can protect ourselves!" snapped the mayor of Bonde Wakulima, looking small behind her podium, her yellow dress stark against the polished black stage. "We will accept help if we deem it is necessary, but not at the cost of self-determination! My ancestors founded our town to be independent of your system. We will not betray that dream now."
The governor refused to face the mayor. Looking out at the crowd and the cameras, she said, "She makes petty appeals to her past. Shameful. This is clear proof that this little town will never again be able to sustain itself." The governor threw out her hands. "We have no choice! For the greater good, we must annex Bonde Wakulima."
"Good luck with that," said Tongana.
Nakasi and Tongana sat together in the hospital, watching the debate broadcast live through Maya's projector. Beside them, Maya sat up in her hospital bed, trussed so as not to pressure her newest wound. This shot had been a bad one, and without medical help, it certainly would have killed her. Even now, it seemed likely she would limp for the rest of her life. Still, her face rested in a peaceful smile. "It seems we have enemies in the UN after all," she said sedately.
"What do you think?" asked Nakasi. "Are we going to be fighting another war soon?"
"I wouldn't bet on it," said Tongana. "Look at these ratings. That governor is the loudest pro-annexation voice they have, and she has nowhere near the backing to pull a stunt like that."
"Funny," said Nakasi. "When I realized how the mayor had handled the CSF, letting them stomp all over our turf, I assumed she was an enemy. I was ready to pull her into the weeds and shoot her. But look at her now. Maybe she was really trying to do what's best."
"I don't know what makes women like her tick. Either way, you were right to give her another chance. She's no pawn of Ahriman."
"So what about money?"
"What do you mean?"
"When are we going to get paid for what we did in the militia?"
"I wouldn't hold my breath. Commanders always cut corners on paying their soldiers, and there aren't any records that we signed up for the militia. Officially, it never existed." She sighed. "Besides, the town's going to be starving for money, so I don't think we'll see anything."
Nakasi gnashed her teeth. "I'm going to go look at the houses, see what they're building. I know I can't afford one soon, but I want to look anyway." She turned to the door.
"I'm coming with." Tongana looked over her shoulder as she left. "Take care of yourself, Maya. Do you want me to leave the projector on?"
"Yes, please," Came Maya's gentle voice. "And thank you."
Outside, Nakasi's first instinct was to crouch and seek cover, but she would never have to do that again. Bonde Wakulima was back in the hands of the people who had built it, and already, they were hard at work rebuilding it. It was expensive work, Nakasi had been told, but she also knew that the town had paid for much of it by gathering up and selling off the valuables the Mauves and the CSF had left behind. Tongana had made it sound underhanded, but Nakasi saw no fault. If you kill someone, their things are yours. It was an immutable law of the jungle.
