Episode Fifty-Nine The Manifesto

E ldar

Nadira only rests in her mates' arms for a moment before she moves away to step in front of the President.

"Open the communication channel to every room in this tower. This announcement needs to be heard by everyone."

When the President doesn't immediately move but gapes at her in shock, she lifts the bloody sword still in her hand and aims it at his crotch. "You have five seconds to comply."

That gets him moving. He hurries to a panel on the wall and pushes a button. The words "live broadcast" light up in red above it. He presses the pause button again, and the light flashes.

He turns to her, "Anything said in this room when the green light is on will be heard throughout the Tower." He backs away as Nadira strides to the panel and toggles the button.

"Attention everyone. My name is Nadira. I am the former wife of the newly deceased Senator Quarren. The Tower and the compound known as the Works have been seized by an army of males from Down Below. I am their spokesperson. The President and all the Senators are now our prisoners. We've overpowered the Tower guards. The President will confirm that what I have just said is true."

This time she doesn't have to threaten him with castration. "You all know my voice. Everything she has just said is true. The monsters are in control."

I curb the urge to castrate him myself.

Nadira takes a deep breath, then continues.

"Everything they've told us about Down Below has been a lie. It's a beautiful world, fresh and lush, with grass and trees and clean water. The males are honorable, caring, and educated. They treasure and respect their females and want families. The real monsters are the human men in this Tower."

Even now, instead of looking repentant, the human males are defiant, chins thrust up, silently proclaiming their hatred of us. The human women, though, are standing taller, their shoulders thrust back as they feel their own power for the first time.

"As of this moment, the following practices will cease: arranged marriages, marriage auctions, naked females, and forcing females to wear traveling dresses. To make certain you understand, I'll repeat. Women will choose whom to marry and when to do that, if ever. Women will wear whatever clothing they deem necessary."

She must have practiced this speech a thousand times in her mind. Her words are coming out in a torrent.

"Women will be allowed to eat whatever and whenever they want. There will be no more banishments Down Below or to the Punishment Tower. All the women in the Punishment Tower will be released and the Tower will be converted into housing for those who need it."

By the look on the human males' faces, I'm not certain they're registering Nadira's words, but they certainly get the gist that the world as they know it has changed, starting today.

"Children will be raised by loving adults. Girls will go to school alongside the boys. Adult women can also attend, or can receive tutoring free of charge. Women will make decisions about their bodies, from what they wear to what they eat, to when to have children, and how many they want to have. If they want, women can choose a trade and will be paid at the same salary as a male."

She pauses to let that sink in.

"All weapons will be removed from Tower One. You have our word that we will not attack again, unless warranted."

The President is no longer looking at her, so I stride over, grip his chin, and point his head to the female who is dictating our terms.

"All of those people you stole from Down Below are to be freed immediately. Immediately! We will do a thorough sweep to make sure none are accidentally forgotten in broom closets or storage areas. All females are welcome Down Below. Males, too, if they want to join the equal society we've created. We've built barracks and will do everything in our power to ensure your comfort and protection."

The President opens his mouth to say something, then must think better of it.

"Divorce is legal as of this moment. Perhaps later there will be a different process for it, but right now all a woman has to do is say ‘I divorce you,' and the deed is done."

She is about to continue when it appears a new idea strikes her. She tips her head, pierces the President with her steeliest gaze, and says, "And they will receive half the male's wealth within a week of their declaration."

Again, she's about to state the next point in her prepared manifesto, but she circles back to say, "And the amount will be verified by a certified accountant and then confirmed by someone from Down Below."

Several of the human males make noises of disapproval from the back of their throats, but immediately stop when members of our army step aggressively in their direction.

"You will have weekly inspections from a designated group from Down Below, led by me. We will make certain you are following these rules."

She takes a deep breath, her shoulders rising and falling as she considers if she's left anything out.

"Any questions?"

Again, the President almost speaks, then shakes his head.

"Oh, and next time we meet, we'll discuss elections." Nadira's voice is gleeful. "As I'm speaking, an army of males from Down Below are going door to door. Every man will be given the choice to comply with the new rules or will be banned from leaving the Tower. Every home will be searched. All females will be given the choice to stay here under the new regime or join us Down Below. That is all for now."

She hits the button again, and the green light goes out.

She faces the silent group of men. "So, what will it be? Comply, or have these males—and myself—finish you off?"

Every one of their gazes drops to the floor where the pool of blood from the decapitated Senator continues to spread, then they flick their glance to the bloody sword still gripped in Nadira's hand as she stands, proud and defiant.

The President lifts his eyes to Nadira, "We'll comply with all of your demands."

She dismisses them with a flip of her hand and turns her back on them. They slowly and silently leave the room, no doubt to return to their homes and their wives who now know that they can leave with half their wealth.

Azael turns to dozens of monks who have joined us in the spacious room. "Follow them and ensure the safety of their wives and daughters. Do not hesitate to execute them if they fail to follow any of the rules my mate has decreed." The monks depart, only too happy to follow his orders.

"Let's leave through the ‘vators, love." She rubs her blossoming belly, a look of happiness on her face, then glances at her three mates. "Dhar, let's see if your army of orcs can carry every gun in Tower One on their way out the door."

"I'll go with them," I say to Bretton. He nods and heads toward the nearest opening.

Drixxa, who never bothered to pull on the pants Nadira brought for him, salutes Nadira and Azael, shifts to his smaller dragon form and follows the other winged males out the shattered windows.

Nadira glances at the human females who are standing straighter than when first I glanced at them.

"Are any of you married?" Every one of them shakes their head in a negative. "Do you want to come with us?"

They all nod happily.

"We've prepared for you Down Below, and when you're ready, there are lots of males who will treat you with love and respect, just as you've seen my mates treat me."