Critical Measures

by Kip Nelson

  It would be foolish to charge in, it would bring a swift death to them all, and it was likely the death cult simply would slay those held in the cage. No, they needed guns. Adam did a quick headcount and formulated a plan. His confidence still was shaky because usually his plans led others to harm. However, when Diana gave him an encouraging smile those doubts dissipated. They finally were vanquished when he thought about Tara, because he knew that he had to get this plan right, otherwise she would die. There still were so many things he wanted to say to her. This wasn't the end of their story. It was only the beginning, and the death cult was not going to get in the way of that.

  Quickly, he split people up into two groups. He, Annabelle, and a small group would venture into the camp and make their way to the armory to try getting the guns, while the others provided a distraction. Adam would have to move fast because he knew the other group would not last long on their own, so he left first.

  Diana, along with Oscar, took the others and gave them a quick pep talk. She told them to keep moving and to not get too close to the enemy. She said to use the javelin’s reach, and if they had to, they always could throw their knives. Although she advised against that since it would leave them unarmed. She broke them into smaller groups, hoping that if she could isolate the enemy’s fighters, they could delay the slaughter. She gave each of the groups an area they should target, and told them that if in doubt they should run to safety. She pointed to a building they would use as a rendezvous point if they became overwhelmed, but she also urged them to hold on for as long as possible to ensure they gave the others the best chance to escape.

  As she gave her pep talk Diana looked around and saw worry and fear on everyone’s face. She felt it too, but her years of acting had given her the skills to mask her appearance. She channeled these skills and tried thinking of the most inspirational leaders she could. She hoped that when the others looked into her eyes they would see courage and confidence, and that would ripple through their army and give them an extra boost on the battlefield.

  The groups broke up and scattered themselves to their assigned parts of the camp. When the first group appeared the alarm was sounded, and the death cult’s warriors flocked to the battle with eager grins on their faces. But as soon as they ran in one direction, another few people appeared, and then another. The warriors were spoiled for choice it seemed, and for a moment they looked at each other with uncertainty as they tried deciding in which direction each of them were going to go. It didn't take them long, however, and they ran forward to battle.

  Diana's soldiers held their javelins in front of them, working together to keep the enemy away from them. They managed to withstand the slashes of the jagged swords, but just barely. If they had not managed to split the death cult’s attention, they would not have been able to keep them at bay, but it was taking all of their efforts to do so. The few people who did have guns fired wildly, and this did give the death cult pause. Still, there were so many bodies all locked together in battle that it was difficult to tell ally from enemy, and none of those with guns wanted to kill their fellow soldiers.

  Eventually, the savage fighting spirit of the death cult proved itself and came to the fore. They used their brute strength to swing this way and that, battering the javelins, pressing for openings where they could slice open some flesh. The soldiers wielding the javelins felt their strength faltering and just one mistake was enough to prove deadly. As soon as the first defense was broken there was a triumphant cheer and the death cult felt the impending victory. The battlefield became scattered and the fights grew closer and closer together, which was the opposite of what Diana had wanted. They were clumped together, and one group had managed to pin down a couple of death cultists. It seemed as though the tide was going to turn back into their favor, then the leader came out, a huge man wielding a great big ax. He roared as he slammed his blade into his foes and they fell like paper dolls. He was a formidable sight, simultaneously giving his own men a boost of confidence while chipping away at the belief of Diana and Adam’s forces.

  In the middle of it all stood the cage. Diana could see her friends in there and she hoped they would be able to hold on. They were creating a racket, wanting to escape to join the fight, but they were held fast in the cage. Diana prayed that Adam would hurry, because if he took much longer there would be no one left to rescue.

  Adam had to go slowly so as to not alert anyone in the camp. Annabelle showed him the optimal way to go. He had to admit that she had sharp ears and eyes, and was able to hear things coming sooner than he was. They moved as quickly as possible to the armory and found it unguarded. He assumed the death cult was so arrogant they didn't expect anyone to mount a counterattack. Adam and Annabelle loaded up the guns and then made their way to the main battlefield, where Adam hoped Diana and her group were holding their own.

  Going back there produced mixed feelings for Adam because it was where he had been so close to being executed. He couldn't help but wonder if this was where he always had been destined to die, and if this was now going to be the end. Before they charged forward, though, he tasked Annabelle with running back to the cage as quickly as she could to hand out guns. When he saw that she had given one to Stan, Adam gave the signal to charge. The air crackled with gunfire as they moved forward. The leader of the death cult turned, and his face twisted with anger. Bullets flew through the air, but that did not frighten the death cult. They swung their swords and tried fighting back, but it was futile, especially when the lock on the cage had been shot open and the rest of the people poured out. They swarmed over the blood-soaked field and, now armed, attacked the death cultists without prejudice.

  It was all such a blur. Adam just was trying to find Tara, but he did see the leader of the death cult fall. He had been swinging his mighty ax when a bullet hit him in the arm. The ax fell from his hand and another bullet pierced his head. He staggered back, and eventually fell, blood pouring from his nose and mouth. Other members of the cult fled, but most of them were sent to that which they worshiped. The numbers that Adam had gathered were overwhelming and, once they were properly armed, there was no army that would stand against them.

  People reunited, and congratulations were shared as the heat of the battle faded and they were free once again. Another enemy had been defeated, and Adam hoped it was the last one for a long, long time. He smiled as he saw Stan and Annabelle hugging, although it was strange to see her away from Diana's side. Then his eyes fell upon Tara. He ran up to her and, before she could say anything, he pressed his lips against hers in a strong kiss.

  Chapter Eighteen

  With the enemy defeated people began rejoicing. They searched the camp first, making sure there were no other death cultists lying in wait. The cage was torn down and dismantled, a cathartic exercise. It crashed to the ground and a great cheer went up as the wood and metal twisted and fell apart. Although the mood was a jubilant one, it also was marred by the sight of all the dead people. There had been fewer casualties than any of them would have thought, but even one death was too many. Blood seeped into the ground and once again they would have to gather the dead bodies and dispose of them.

  Adam hated seeing the dead, and hated even more that he was getting used to being surrounded by dead bodies. The population of all these communities had been culled, but the death cultists had been most severely affected. From what people gathered they had brought most of their force with them, for although they were powerful and savage they were not numerous. Adam wasn't surprised by this, since it took a particular type of person to join a death cult.

  Some people were afraid the cultists who escaped would return in vengeance, and they suggested hunting them down. However, people were weary from battle and, in the end, they all agreed they should end the fighting for the day. It was unlikely the death cultists would return given how decimated they had been, and the people were happy to leave the remaining few to the whims of the world. It was time to stop focusing on enemies and start
focusing on themselves.

  All of them were pleased with how well they had worked together. It had taken a greater threat to unify them, and perhaps they never would have joined together in a common endeavor if it had not been for the danger posed by the death cult. They had, though, and now that they all were in one place, a dialogue began about working together toward the betterment of all the people. It wasn't just the leaders either, everyone came forward and said how they were one people. They had fought and suffered together. When locked in the cage there had been no difference between the two camps, even though those people who not long ago had been enemies. The ones who had marched with Adam and Diana fought side by side, and these relationships forged in the heat of battle were some of the strongest bonds ever formed.

  Adam moved toward Peter and the others as he watched everyone mingle. He commented on this, and Peter nodded, saying that the intensity of war made you realize how much you had in common with the people around you. Adam was standing, holding Tara's hand. He had played an important role in this victory, but he knew it wasn't something he wanted to experience on a regular basis. He watched Matthew carefully as the leader moved among the people, talking with them, making them smile and laugh. Adam knew it was the beginning of something special. These different communities all were in one place, and perhaps that would have happened eventually without the death cultists, but it would have been a long time in the future. They all had proven themselves to each other, and it was time for them to make an alliance.

  The wind whipped through the camp. So, they all moved inside to the community center, where Lisa's base of operations had been. For Adam it was eerie to walk through that place. He remembered the corridor where Annabelle had been held, and the stage where their execution had been announced. But now it was a place of hope, a place of peace.

  Matthew approached the stage and stood before them all. There was just about enough room to accommodate everyone, although it was a tight squeeze. Matthew raised his hands to quiet everyone. “Today was an important day for us all. Not just because we have fought off a deadly enemy, but because this is an example of what the world could be, of what it should be. Ever since the world went dark I have been struggling to understand my place in the world and the good I can do. There have been many times when existence has seemed bleak. I always have tried holding onto hope that things will get better, although there have been days when that has been the hardest thing I ever have had to do. But now that I am standing before you all here, I know that there is hope. I can see it in the eyes of each and every one of you.

  Before today most of us were strangers, and some of us were even enemies. Yet, we have put our differences aside to work together for a common cause. I hope this will be the beginning of something new. I want to get together with representatives of all the communities so we can form a network. We can support each other and help each other. We can share ideas and supplies to make sure nobody in this room ever has to go hungry again. The winter is long, and it is still some time until spring, but I know we can make it through because we are intrepid, and we have shown today that when we work together there is nothing we cannot accomplish!”

  His words were met with a raucous cheer and loud applause filled the hall. Adam and the others stood with proud grins on their faces. Everything was turning around, and where once their world had been small, it now was growing exponentially. More people were joining together, and this meant that if there were any enemies in the future who threatened their peace, they would find a formidable foe. If there were any food or water shortages, they always could count on each other for support.

  It filled Adam with happiness to see all these people in the same room. It would not always be easy, of course. There always would be disagreements and conflict, which was natural when so many people gathered together. Still, he was confident they could work through it all. Every person in that room knew it was important to be a part of something bigger than themselves. Matthew spoke some more, but instead of Adam looking at the inspirational leader, he cast his gaze around the room and was warmed by how many people were riveted on Matthew. They all were brought together, and in some ways, it was a real-life miracle.

  After he had made his introductory speech Matthew called up representatives from the different communities and said they were starting to arrange different trade deals and agreements on how to run their new network. People were free to stay and listen, which some of them did, for it was interesting to know how these different people all were going to get what they wanted. Adam stayed for a little while with the others and he found it difficult to wipe the smile off his face. This is what he had wanted for such a long time, and now it finally was happening. The world finally was taking shape and recovering from the devastation that had threatened to tear it apart forever. It just showed how resilient the human spirit actually was, and how adaptable people were.

  Someone proposed an exchange program between the camps to promote diversity and make them more one community. They all agreed this was a good idea, and then shouted to everyone to volunteer if they wanted. Adam didn't volunteer, though, and he was glad none of his friends did either. He wanted to stay with them until the end, which was hopefully a long way away.

  He tugged at Tara's hand and gestured for them to leave the hall. They made their way through the undulating crowd and walked outside into the cold. A few others had left the hall as well and were walking and talking in the distance. Adam and Tara strolled through the camp aimlessly, hand in hand. Adam was swelling with emotion and pleased to be by Tara's side again.

  “It seems as though things are going well in there,” Tara said. “Matthew's really got them singing from the same hymn sheet. I just hope it all sticks. We've all been through too much. I don't think I can take another crisis like what we've just been through.”

  “I think it will. I have a good feeling about this. I mean, I looked at everyone in there, and they all were just like us, just decent people who want to make a go of it in this world.”

  “It certainly makes the prospect of making it through winter easier. With everyone pitching in we should have enough food and shelter to spare, and scavenging in the city is going to be better since we can reach further.”

  “Yeah, and when spring does come we can send people out to try finding others. Sometimes it amazes me how many people are actually still out there. I keep trying to imagine what they're going through, whether they've experienced the same things as us, or if they're even worse off.”

  “Maybe some of them have it easy. I wouldn't mind being on a beach right now in the Caribbean.”

  “Maybe one day,” Adam said, smiling. Tara smiled too.

  “I mean it, though. Today, it's really made me look at my place in the world. When this all began I wanted to run away. I thought that humans were the worst, and we just were going to tear each other apart. I saw so many horrible things, so much violence and terror, and I didn't want any part of it. But now I realize how wrong I was. Just because some people are like that doesn't mean all of them are the like that. As long as we're honest with each other, we don't have anything to worry about.”

  “I think that was the allure that made people follow Lisa. She promised safety in a world that was so uncertain, and so scary.”

  “But this time we actually have a leader we can believe in, one who isn't going to forsake us or treat other people cruelly. I really feel as though we can make an attempt at rebuilding society. Maybe it won't mean much in the grand scheme of things because we're just one small part of a big city, but maybe in time it will spread. There have to be other people out there who have realized the same thing as us, and one day we'll find them.”

  “Why, Adam, are you becoming an optimist?” Tara said, squeezing his hand as she teased him.

  “I just might be,” he replied, leaning down and kissing her on the head. They walked a little more, gazing out at the middle of the camp where the dismantled cage lay in tatters. A solemn moment
passed between them for they both almost had died there.

  “You know, when I thought we were going to die, I was so...so angry. There still was so much I wanted to do with my life. I realize now how many years I wasted before the world ended and I... I don't want to waste my life anymore. I've seen so many people killed, their lives just snuffed out like a candle, and all that they ever could have been was taken along with them.”

  “I feel the same way. My life before this...I don't really know what I was doing. I thought I had a plan, but I think I was just spinning my wheels. Then I thought I could teach the new generation, but honestly, I feel out of my league. They don't need to know what I can teach. They need to know other things, more useful things.”

  “Things that we all can learn together. I think this is all a school for all of us. I've certainly learned a lot about myself.”

  “Yeah?”

  “I don't think I'm the same person I was before this happened. It's crazy, isn't it, how nobody knows why the world went dark?”

  “There's nothing any of us can do about it, we just have to deal with it. I think we've all had other things to worry about. Maybe in many years time the truth will come out, but right now it just doesn't matter that much.”

  “No, it doesn't, but I know what does matter,” he said, stopping and turning to face her.

  “You do. You know, I'm just an ordinary guy swept up in this new life, and for so long I've been trying to figure out what place I have in the world. For a long time, I wasn't sure I had one, and I've been so scared. I haven't really told anyone that before...but I feel like I can tell you. I feel like I can tell you everything. When the world went dark I felt so lonely. I was all alone and I didn't think I ever would be a part of anything again because that was what I had been used to. I spent all my time holed up in my room, and even my friends at work were only colleagues. But then I met Peter and the others, and now I have another home, a place where I feel like I belong, and in the middle of it all is you.