RED TIDE: Chapter 9 - Success

Alternia: The Capital City of Fuchsiaburg, Imperial Court

25th Night of the 10th Perigee

Your name is Sollux Captor and once again, nobody is getting anything done. These people are all bustling around outside your recently acquired office, blabbering about results, turnouts, and possibilities. Being among the Sufferer's followers never really seemed too big a deal to you, then again there isn't much on the list of things that ever managed to impress you. However, if what some of these part-time revolutionaries say is true, that list may need some revision.

"They say if he gets appointed, there'll be a counter-revolution. Maybe this is the end . . ."

"Some still want Maryam back, but that's just not going to work. Then again, I don't see how rule by this 'Sufferer' idea could be any better . . ."

"Ever occur to anyone that we should just give up trying? What if this is a sign for anarchy to happen? I mean, it's not like there really NEEDS to be somebody in cha-HURK . . . "

You smirk at the sound of somebody getting their opinion oh-so-kindly silenced. If this is to work, opposition needs to be minimal. You hate the idea of having to resort to the tactics of the old regime, but fuck it. This is only about getting into power after all; it won't have to continue past that point. The deadline's today, so it should all be over soon. Not that you really care in the meantime, what with your feet up on this shitty, dusty old desk. Nobody else is writing reports or sending letters, so why should you be working?

You've worked for the last four sweeps or so as a servant to the very people who are now either imprisoned, dead, or soon to be one of the two. You must say, it felt good knowing they'd someday have to pay for their deeds, and even better when the act was carried out. You seem to have a knack for knowing when bad things are going to happen to people.

The announcement comes without warning, directly over the intercom. It's a comfortingly familiar voice on it.

"The consensus has been met. Will effury- I mean everyone purrlea- PLEASE file out of the building and towards the main square fur . . . (fuck it) any and all further announcements."

Must be good. She only talks like that when she's excited. The speaking amongst them began to subside as they followed the strict instructions, despite the fact that nobody was really forcing them to. Or was somebody? Oh well, this place gets awfully boring empty, you know that from yesterday's experiences. So you should probably get up like all the rest and follow suit. You hop from the seat despite its comfort, readjusting your posture for what's ahead.

Outside it's a straight up mess, and no longer a quiet one at that. Trolls in a mob swarm the square, taking up all the available space. The crowd has only grown louder, causing confusion to run amuck and making your frustration with this entire situation rise higher than before.

Suddenly a deafening screech rings through the crowd, bringing the hands of thousands of trolls to their hearing orifices in an instant to provide protection from the noisy blare. Some even crumpled to the ground. Maybe they thought it was the Vast Glub? Yes, that's it. They only thought it was. It couldn't have actually happened, otherwise you'd already be dead, right?

In fact, the ceasing of the screech revealed its true purpose to the crowd. An announcer came on over what used to be the city's emergency PA system. You can't quite tell though if the problem with the voice is the age of the speaker, or the fact that the PA system had barely ever been used in its entire existence.

"People of Alternia." The voice beckoned slowly and sternly. "Direct your attention to the Imperial Court. Your representatives have given to you your newest leaders. Our trust will be placed upon them to guide us into a new age In trollkind's history."

It was then on the roof of the court that a tall figure stepped forward, his long hair and even longer horns revealing his identity. Your eyesight is far from perfect, but it isn't hard to imagine the smile on him.

"Gamzee Makara: Chief Commissar of the Police."

Both his arms extend to the sky as a sign of greeting. The crowd makes a hopeful cheer, brightened by his enthusiasm. Not long before they have a chance to quiet down, though, a more astute figure showed her presence on the roof, hands behind her back in a far more dignified manner.

"Terezi Pyrope: Chief Commissar of the Armed Forces."

She provides nothing more than a simple nod and a readjustment of her glasses, not allowing the obligatory volume produced by the mob to sway her into losing posture. The speaker next allows the masses to reach silence once again before making his final announcement, the short troll with the near invisibly small horns trudging into view of the audience.

"And, Karkat Vantas: First Premier of the new Alternia."

The people's exuberance is overwhelming, though he proves to give an underwhelming response. A flippant wave is all the crowd receives for their noises of gratitude before all three of the new leaders turned to re-enter from the hatch they had come onto the roof from.

You were hoping maybe one of them would be smart enough to have protection up there, and of course they didn't. At least they didn't stick around for speeches, that would've been a real bore. You'll have to address this blatant issue in the next meeting, but until then, you suppose it's best to just take the rest of the night off. Not like anyone's going to get anything done with so much excitement. Or so much uncertainty.