Chapter 210: Chaotic bunch.
Fear and disbelief spread through the newcomers like a plague when Lisha announced that those on the right were to leave. The words struck harder than the harsh cold air outside fortress four.
Those that were to leave look at each other wide eyes that were a mixture of shock and fear. They wondered why they were the unlucky ones on the list of those being thrown out.
What made the other group more special than them?
"Why?" One voice rose.
"Please reconsider!" Another begged.
More begging and pleas rose but all fell on deaf ears and Lisha continued urging them to start moving to the trucks immediately.
And then the tone changed as resentment took over. The ones who were meant to leave glared at the ones who were staying.
"If you are to chase us then all of us must go." Someone bellowed. "We all came together so we all leave together."
Those that were staying gasped.
"Carl, you asshole. When we were running into the base, you pushed me back outside. Now you dare sprout such nonsense!" A woman screamed.
Carl had no shame, only hatred. "You must all come with us." He growled and lunged.
More among the ones to leave shared Carl’s opinion, turning the situation chaotic.
Sunshine smirked. "Can you hear yourselves, you would rather you all die than a few get saved." She condemned. "This is why you are in the line of those that cannot stay here. All of you injured our soldiers or other people in order to save yourselves.
If such danger should visit the base again, I am certain that you would not help. In fact, you would be the first to save yourselves and leave the rest of us to die. I do not trust you and neither does anyone here."
On hearing her words, some had their legs turning to jelly, some sunken to the floor, others gasped as fear of going back outside sunken into their bones.
The most disappointed person was mayor Townsend. He did not expect to be on the list of those that would be sent out. As far as he was concerned, he was a crucial member of the base who had contributed greatly to bringing it into existence.
They should have been on their knees thanking him, not throwing him out.
His face had long grown red; his eyes were bulging wide and veins straining at his temples. He stepped forward, puffing his chest. "No! You cannot tell us to leave!" He shouted. His voice rang with authority, the one he once commanded at city hall. "This mountain belongs to the town of Westbrook, and I am the mayor. I declare that everyone is staying."
Those who were affected like him cheered in support of what he said.
Sunshine’s gaze, cool and unwavering was pinned on him. "Then go and live on the mountain. It is very big, and this fortress does not cover it all. If you were a true leader, you would not have abandoned everyone and ordered my soldiers to close the gate after you reached safety."
Some people gasped.
Sunshine smirked at the mayor who looked befuddled. "Did you think that I was not aware of this? I was outside with my soldiers and people, fighting for you and them," She gestured to the survivors from town hall. "You turned around and tried to lock me out of my own base!!! This is not a government base or town hall where your words mean something Mr. Mayor." She evenly said. "This is Fortress four. And here, my husband and I have the final say."
The mayor disregarded Sunshine, she was just a woman and did not understand anything. Hades would, so his eyes flickered to his side. "Hades....my friend...."
"Just go Townsend." Hades cut him off.
Rage flared, Mayor Townsend jabbed a finger towards Hades, the gesture sharp and disrespectful. "You! You think that you can play God by choosing who lives or dies?
You knew about this apocalypse prior, yet you kept quiet and chose to save yourself and your family. You..." his voice cracked with venom. "All this blood, all this chaos is because you did not warn the rest of us."
The crowd murmured, some nodding, some shooting accusing stares at Hades.
Hades’ jaw clenched, his voice was calm but sharp like a blade. "All I did was believe pastor Salem and Moon Raine. They told you all what was coming, and you called them mad and chose not to believe. So how is this my fault?"
Townsend faltered, he opened his mouth, but nothing came out. But like a drowning man, he grasped for another stone to cling to. "If not for me, this fortress would never have been built!
Hades barked a humorous laugh, shaking his head. "Your approval? You mean the bribes? The money, the buses and all the vending machines at town hall. Do you want me to go on?" His voice thundered.
Color drained from Townsend’s face. His mouth opened, closed, opened again. Words tangled in his mouth, stammering nonsense. The crowd that had boldly cheered for him with confidence began to murmur with unease.
"Escort them out." Sunshine’s voice was low and final, lifting her hand to summon the soldiers.
The moment the soldiers moved, chaos erupted.
"No!" A woman screamed, breaking away from the group.
Others followed her actions, they scattered in all directions, scrambling like headless chicken. Men hugged poles, women run into corners, desperate to disappear into the cracks of the fortress. Their voices rose in unison, a mix of terror and rage.
"We are not leaving!
"You have to kill us first."
However, the more they cried and cursed, the more the soldiers surged after them and threw them over shoulders. Morris was carrying four at a time, two in each huge hand.
They shrieked, arms flailing as the soldiers threw them in the back of a big truck.
"Heartless people! Traitors. Hades you will pay for this." Mayor Townsend spat. "You will regret this Hades Quinn."
Hades motioned at the soldiers to go ahead and lift him; he cried when his body was crashed against the steel walls. The door slammed shut, muffling their cries.
Hades climbed into a vehicle, grim expression as he led the convoy out toward Jon’s base.
*******
Word of Hades’ arrival spread quickly. At the quadrangle Silas, Jon and Sheldon who were always at Jon’s base came out.
Their eyes lit up. They were expecting more supplies judging by the size of the truck.
But instead of trucks of supplies, fifteen people spilled from the back of the truck. Their faces were marred in fear and fury.
Silas’ lips curled, his displeasure plain. "That’s too many of them, if this goes on Sheldon’s base will not be enough for them." He muttered. Hades usually brought a handful, never this many.
Jon, however, only stroked his beard, his gaze calculating. "Hades. I do not think that I can take them in..." he started as soon as Hades approached him.
"What is it you want? Name your price everyone has one." Hades threw in.
Jon winced. "It’s not that easy my friend, they are too many."
"God damn it Jon. They’ll only stay through winter and then you can kick them out."
Mayor Townsend scoffed loudly, his pride still intact despite the humiliation. "I am not a commodity!"
Jon ignored him, ticking off his demands like a merchant at the market. "Thermaline seeds, one of those snow towing trucks, two cars, ten dragonoids, food, medicines the ones newly formulated, nothing ordinary, woolen clothes and Bob."
Hades shook his head. "No. Not Bob."
Jon shrugged with a small smile. "I had to try for Tracy’s sake."
Reluctantly, Hades agreed to rest. "Tomorrow morning, all these will be delivered." He pointed to Townsend. "These ones are chaotic. Whip them into shape."