“If we don’t do something, the city’s going to destroy itself,” Vye said quietly. “Drastic times, drastic measures.”
“I’m not talking about doing nothing. I’m talking about not doing something we know is fundamentally wrong! And when have drastic measures ever turned out well?” Rae said.
“What about the machine?” Connor asked. The Council went quiet at that. Even Wren looked up at the mention of Underdown’s device.
“What about it?” Cass said. Connor’s eyes went to Wren. The implication wasn’t lost on anyone.
“No, absolutely not,” Rae said. “I can’t believe you’d even think that was a possibility. We should’ve destroyed that thing long ago.”
“Well, we didn’t,” Hondo said. “And I for one am not sorry. It might be useful someday.”
“It might be useful now,” Aron added.
“I can’t believe this,” Rae said, standing up. “Has it really come to that? Have we really come to the point where we’re looking at Underdown’s tyranny as a model for how to govern?”
“Argue with his methods all you want,” Aron said. He was leaning back in his chair now, picking at a fingernail. Relaxed. Like his mind was made up. “One thing you can’t argue is results.”
“I’m not going to sit here and even pretend to entertain something as despicable as what you seem to be implying. Am I the only one in here who thinks this is crazy? Cass, surely you don’t agree…” Rae said.
Of course Cass didn’t agree. Of course she couldn’t condone ruling by fear. Of course there were other options. But what were they? She didn’t know, not immediately, but she did know that no matter what other course they might be forced to pursue, her son wasn’t going anywhere near Underdown’s machine. Cass opened her mouth to respond. But North raised a hand and stopped her.
“I would hear our governor’s words before those of his mother,” North said. “Let the boy speak.”
Wren had been watching the discussion bounce around the table ever since Connor had mentioned the machine. He looked at her now, eyes searching hers for an answer.
“Your own thoughts, Governor,” North said. He leaned forward and placed his hands on the table, focusing his attention on Wren and, in doing so, directing the rest of the Council to do the same. Now, Wren fixed his gaze on North. For a long moment, Wren sat silently. But Cass could tell from the look on his face that he knew what he wanted to say, he just hadn’t figured out the exact words yet. Finally, he sat up a little straighter.
“I think anything built on a lie is bound to collapse eventually. Seems like the truth always finds a way to break out. That’s why I’m governor now and my father isn’t. And as governor, I can’t be part of deliberately deceiving the people.”
Pride swelled in Cass’s heart. She still didn’t know exactly how she would’ve answered, but she felt like Wren had said it better than she could have anyway. She quickly turned her attention to the rest of the Council members, just catching the tail end of a glance Hondo had thrown in Aron’s direction. Aron either didn’t notice, or didn’t react. Connor had a little smile on his face. North, as usual, was unreadable, and Vye was just looking at Rae, who was still standing.
Rae nodded and drew a calming breath. She was just starting to take her seat again when Wren continued.
“But I know I’ve made some decisions that have caused a lot of problems. I’ve always tried to do what I think is the right thing for the city. But I know I’ve been wrong. So, if the Council can agree on what’s best, I’m willing to do what you think is necessary. But I won’t lie to the people. And I won’t use the machine.”
North sat back and placed his hands in his lap, impassive.
“Well,” Hondo said, “that’s all fine. But where does it get us?”
The Council as a whole sat in restless thought. From the look on Aron’s face, Cass could tell he was still thinking it through, and she found herself wondering what he’d meant by “something to shake these people up”. Wondering if the attack on Wren was the kind of thing Aron had in mind.
Her thoughts were interrupted when the door to the Council Room opened and Able slid in. He stood by the entryway and motioned to her.
“Yes, Able,” she said. “What is it?”
You need to come see this, he signed. He looked troubled.
“Can it wait?”
He shook his head.
“Ladies, gentlemen, I’m sorry, but I’ll need to excuse myself for a moment–”