AN: and so, we return to the turn-by-turn apocalypse. Rejoice children!

Chapter 26: Considerations

An hour before sunrise, a meeting took place in the VIP section of the shopping arcade.

Big Jim and his grandchildren met to discuss the current situation in town with Scott.

"I understand your reluctance to tell us where your people are staying. We're the same way with our daytime hiding spots," said Jim.

"This store is vital to every human being in the area," said Scott. "Letting some asshole take it over like a wannabe king would be bad."

Jim and his grandkids nodded. Sally spoke up and said, "We're doing fine against most of the monsters as long as we don't leave here at night."

"The problem is human raiders?" asked Scott.

"Yeah, the human ones. It's not the weird human-like ones that pop up now and then that are the real problem. Have you seen them? The ones that won't shut up about their mama?" asked Jim.

Scott nodded, "I've had to deal with them before, yes."

Jim took a swig of water then nodded. "Those kind aren't too bright for the most part, and can be dealt with easily enough using surround and rush tactics."

"They'll even shoot each other," said Scott.

"True. They are a threat to people with little equipment or a low level, but I see the weaker ones as a useful resource for free firearms and ammunition now," said Jim. He took a breath then sighed. "The actual humans who robbed and kill us for our supplies are different, though."

Scott made a clicking noise with his tongue. A city full of supplies and a majority of it for the taking since only a few of the monster species seemed to bother with looting. The ghouls did not need to loot. The lizardmen and mermaids mostly stuck to the river. Mainly the raiders and perhaps whatever else was out in the city unseen by his eyes actually raided stores. Despite that, human beings preyed on each other.

"So, what do you propose?" asked Scott.

Big Jim waved his hand through the air casually. "We can't abandon this place. If we do, then those bastards will claim it and we're all fucked."

"Right, so..." said Scott.

"It's not right to ask you to track them down and deal with them. Instead, I wanted to ask your opinion on another matter that could help with the situation," said the older man.

"Go ahead."

Jim eyed Harley for a moment then took a deep breath. He asked, "Have you ever actually spoken with a monster? One besides your little friend?"

"Frequently, yes," said Scott. "I'm on good terms with a lot of them actually."

There was no reason to hide it. He refused to put his current alliances in jeopardy based solely on the hatred of people whom he did not know.

The older man and his grandkids leaned away from Scott briefly, but Jim collected himself. "Good terms? You're on good terms with them?"

"Most races have several factions in the area. I'm on good terms with individuals and the occasional faction. I'm also on bad terms with others for killing some of their bosses when they attacked," replied Scott without concern.

Jim rubbed his chin. "Would any of them be willing to help us?"

"The factions I'm aligned with only deal with situations in their direct territory. Unfortunately, this place is too far from their area. The other individuals are powerful among their people, but there's no official alliance, yet." Scott took a drink of water and acquired a contemplative expression.

"Is that so?" Jim frowned. "So, there's nothing you can do to help?"

"Not entirely, true," said Scott. He looked Jim in the eyes. "The problem is that we both have groups to protect. If we knew more about each other, I'd suggest that you join my faction."

Jim laughed a little. "You could always join mine! We could use a guy like you."

"You have an official system sanctioned faction?" asked Scott curiously. It should not be possible. He'd needed to go through hell and back to get that status.

"What? No. Is that a real thing?" asked Jim, curious.

Scott nodded to him. "You have to undergo pure hell, even more than you've probably seen, to be considered for promotion in this system. People who follow under my banner won't necessarily have an easier life but there are a lot of perks."

"What kind of perks?" asked Jim, even more curious than before.

"A relatively safe place for humanity and its allies to live, for one. Permanent salvation area status against minor threats. There are a lot of other little perks as well," said Scott.

"The most important thing for me now is to gather over one hundred people, and begin grooming a priest," said Scott.

"What? Why a priest?" asked Pete, his eyes widening. "This world's become like a game, so do you mean that..."

"Yes. Anyone who follows me and is willing to take the risks necessary to build a better future for everyone, will have access to the sort of restoration that only exists in a game or religious books," said Scott.

"What do you mean exactly?" asked Jim. "What sort of restoration?"

"If I can gather ten million daemons and over one hundred people, my faction can build a Cathedral of Rebirth. With a proper priest, we will be able to cure the sick, heal all status afflictions, cure curses, and even resurrect those who died in a fight," said Scott.

Jim's hand flew to his mouth, "Impossible!"

"The monster factions all have that ability in some fashion or another. That's why they keep returning. They can respawn, and also breed to create more of their number," said Scott. He leaned forward and nodded at Jim. "We humans have to gather together under solid leadership to do the same, or we'll always live like we do now."

"You make a tempting offer—" said Jim.

"I don't recall offering anything," said Scott coldly.

Jim was taken aback. "What?"

"Don't misunderstand. So far you and your people seem relatively reasonable. I'd even lay odds that most of them are willing to work hard," said Scott. His eyes narrowed and his nostrils flared, "But I've been burned before by people. I just had a falling out with roughly half of the people who were staying at our base. They chose to leave rather than put in the hard work necessary for everyone to survive."

"I can't speak for everyone here. Only about half of them are actually my people," said Jim. The older man took a breath then said, "But the ones with me are definitely willing to work."

Scott rubbed his chin. "The only problem then, is this store."

Jim closed his eyes and nodded. "Yes, that is a problem. If those assholes would just stop trying to break in to steal our stuff, or stop trying to take this place..."

"Give me a moment," said Scott before he stood up and walked over to the real estate kiosk. He checked the price for buildings in the area then cringed. The cheapest useable place was in the multiple millions.

"Well, that won't work," said Scott as he returned to the group.

"What?" asked Jim.

"The buildings around here cost too much. The apartment building across the street is over a hundred million daemons alone," said Scott.

"We can buy buildings?" asked Sally.

"If you can get the money together. Large useful buildings cost a fortune." Scott stopped himself before he mentioned the proven occupancy part of the equation that would lower the cost. These people were not yet part of his faction.

"I didn't see a place to buy buildings, though," said Pete.

"You have to be someone like me to do it. An official faction leader," said Scott.

"We can buy back the town, huh?" asked Jim.

"Building by building, over time. The faction in charge will be able to control who can enter and exit to a great degree. Only special buildings like this one aren't available for purchase," said Scott. "Guess whoever decided to fuck the world over wanted to allow some sense of fair play when it came to shopping."

Jim asked Scott for a moment alone with his grandkids. They conferred in a corner briefly then came back. "What would it take to let us join this faction of yours?"

"Acceptance of three rules," said Scott.

"Which are?" asked Jim.

Scott held up one finger, "Work. If you aren't going to go out and train by fighting monsters, then you can do other things like being on watch duty, or cooking."

Jim nodded. That was easy enough to accept.

"I'm not a dictator but I won't put up with bullshit, serious theft, or attempted murder. I've tolerated as much of that as I am willing to tolerate," said Scott. "Betray our people by considerable stealing and I'll throw you out. Seriously injure or kill someone while trying to steal or just because of grudges and I'll hunt you down. I won't allow anyone to ruin this chance for people to bounce back and make lives for themselves."

"Further, if I make a decision, it will either be for the best sake of the people in the faction at the time, or it will be after conferring with the people who have valuable opinions," said Scott. "If you disagree with something I choose to do, then tell me. But do so discretely. I don't want people panicking just because we're arguing."

Scott took a breath then said, "As far as the decision making goes, I feel that is something everyone can do for the most part. Just have some damned common sense. If it feels like something you should ask about before doing it, then you probably should ask if that's possible."

Jim's nose rankled slightly upon hearing some of what was said, but it seemed like Scott was willing to listen to advice and expected people to make decisions as well. He could accept that much at least. "And the third thing?"

"I purchased the place where we are based from the system, but it originally belonged to someone else. She still lives there. As far as it goes, I consider it to be her home and only our temporary headquarters. Respect her ownership of the property," said Scott.

The third requirement was a surprise, but it also elevated Jim's opinion of the man. If nothing else, he seemed to respect the right of people to have something of their own. It helped ease some of the tension of the situation.

"What if we join and realize that we don't like you very much?" asked Jim.

Scott shrugged. "Tell me discretely that you think I'm a jackass, take enough food for whoever's leaving with you to live for a week, and never come back. I won't force you to stay, but my offer isn't a revolving door."

"As simple as that, huh?" asked Jim suspiciously.

Scott looked the man in the eyes. "I'm in a position to help people start to regain a foothold into a real life. If someone thinks what I do is not up to their standards, that's their right. I have no problem if they politely fuck off elsewhere and live like a scavenging animal."

His gaze intensified, "As long as they realize that I also won't waste one damned moment on them in the future, it's not a problem. Live or die, it's all up to them if they decide what I offer isn't good enough."

"I see," said Jim. After a moment of brief silence, he asked, "Can we consider this for a while?"

"Offer's always open. The only way I'd cut anyone off is if they started doing heinous bullshit, or they chose to join and then left," said Scott.

"You're serious about the leaving thing, huh?" asked Sally with a grin.

Scott laughed coldly, "I'd rather not waste time and resources on people who abandon their supposed loyalty to rebuilding something in this world. A week's supplies is already extraordinarily generous."

"Speaking of which, you kept saying serious theft? What did you mean?" asked Jim.

"I expect people to be people. They see the communal food stores unguarded, and take an apple or something, I'd smack 'em on the back of the head, and tell 'em to quit that shit." said Scott, "But if they're carting out arm loads of food and tossing it over the wall... Well, that's a big hell no."

Jim nodded. He'd need to speak with his people, and consider their opinions, but the offer being made was damned tempting.

Scott spoke to the trio for quite some time before dawn approached. Soon, the night would be over and the journey home would begin.