THE DARKEST HOPE

Chapter 13

Chapter 13

The City council didn't disassemble right away after Chief Jin left the city hall with the last crumbling pieces of his dignity. Although the Mayor actually rose impatiently in order to urgently attend lunch, Mister Lee stopped him sharply.

"Please, Mayor, bare our meeting several more minutes." The Mayor sat back in his chair with disappointment.

"Yes, Lee, what is the matter?"

"Gentlemen, I happen to know Chief Jin for a long time. Over the years I've found numerous not so appealing features of his character, but stupidity is not one of them. If the man says that there is danger for The City, coming from the sewers, then we cannot close our eyes for that warning."

"Yes!" The Old Kim added, "My point exactly. We have to decide what course of action we should take and fast."

"What is the situation with the military forces, guarding The City walls?" Lee asked.

"There are four squads left, each guarding one direction the wall faces." The mayor answered. "The truth is that we are lacking people there too, because there are too many casualties and the volunteers are decreasing."

"Which concludes," the Old Kim added, "that we have two main points of discussion. First we have to decide how to add more people to the military force and second, how to protect ourselves from the vampire thread."

"I think I have a suggestion." Lee answered smiling with his tiny brownish smile. "Make a mandatory enlistment for the population. Most males in an age fitted for the army will respond."

"Such a great idea!" The Mayor agreed.

"I suggest that the bigger part of the military forces should be concentrated here, in the rich district. That way we can assure our survival and prosperity." Kim added. "Draw two of the four squads, guarding the walls and situate them here, until the militarization is complete. Both squads will be situated at the sewer exits. We have to be prepared for the worst."

"But that will weaken the defenses of the wall. What if there is a raid through there?" The mayor seemed uncertain.

"If there is a raid from the wall into The City, it will hit the poor neighborhoods. Any vampire, coming here would have to go through there to get to us. Let them deal wit that problem. There are enough people living there." Lee insisted. "And if any beast reaches our defenses, we will be prepared!"

"What about the raid inside the sewers the Chief suggested?" The Mayor asked.

"It is useless and time consuming. We have to concentrate only on that part of the sewer system, situated directly under our territory. I think that by sealing several corridors down there we can secure no vampire reaches our ground."

"Yes, exactly, and the wall around The City is a lost cause anyway. Too long to guard. It will fall sooner or later. You are so right!" The Mayor nodded.

"And if the vampire hoards kill some filthy beggars and outlaws, that is not our problem. The monsters would be doing us a favor. All these people do is eat, do crime and spread diseases. If we could get rid of some of them, then maybe the spread of the virus will be lowered significantly." The Old Kim stated heatedly. That was his line of conviction. "Cleaning the filth will clean the virus itself. That is what I always tell you!"

"Two rabbits wit one stone as they say!" Lee looked happy. "The important thing is the survival of The City and society after all. Sacrifices have to be made."

"Sacrifices have to be made." The Mayor agreed and with that the group left contently the City Hall.

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