Game changer
'Jeez...!' Yumi exclaimed, also startled by the 'intruder'.
Having recovered, the look she exchanged with Aaron spoke volumes. 'That was supposed to be a joke...' Ezekiel's voice trailed; his jovial countenance turned serious as he tried to read their faces. Had they been conspiring?
Ezekiel had been out with a scouting mission. Arriving back at Commonwealth late he'd headed straight over to his friends' home. Quick greetings were exchanged as he settled in.
Having Ezekiel back to his old self was certainly one thing Daryl was thankful for. It'd been almost three years since he'd seen Carol, but he took comfort in knowing that probably the one man his dear friend had loved and who'd loved her, as equals; the king who'd called her his queen; had been saved by this place.
For preserving the medicine that would heal things like cancer, and for building a society to secure the future, Daryl was thankful. But there was another side to the story of Commonwealth that could not be ignored.
They'd all come to know the history. How, as the society had taken shape, grown strong and subdued the apocalyptic landscape of undead; the ideals of building a just society in this new world were slowly taken over by something less altruistic.
During those early days, a forceful personality had emerged. Her charisma had an appeal that gradually gained her a big enough following to convince the people she was the leader Commonwealth needed. She was not shy about her methods, justifying her craving for absolute power as being in the interest of the people. History had apparently taught them nothing.
This was at the heart of the current clandestine conversation. Pamela Milton in her rise to power, had frowned upon fraternization and used spying and other tactics to quelled any possible dissension that might threaten her total control.
Tonight was a rare occasion when gathered under the legitimate cover of a family celebration, they were able to regroup and assess the situation.
Eugene had hinted he had some grave and extraordinary news to share, and the suggestion that there might be a cure for the virus out there, that the Commonwealth leader could be keeping such a secret, qualified as a matter of urgency.
Negan offered another round from the bottle of amber liquid on the table, pouring a generous amount into the cup Ezekiel held out to him.
Yumiko had scored the scotch through her contacts in the administrative sector. Princess ribbed her earlier 'Tsk tsk..some privilege will never change...' Princess looked disapproving as she took the bottle from Yumi and examined the label '...And I guess that just makes me a hypocrite for partaking' she concluded with a smirk as she cracked the seal and started to pour everyone a drink.
She was referring to Yumiko's assignment in governance where she rubbed shoulders with the closest thing there was to political leadership in Commonwealth, those in Pamela's inner circle. Princess on the other hand worked with civil society, on the frontlines as she described it. Both were under the culture division but Princess often likened them to the political elite who created societies problems, and the social workers who cleaned up afterwards. Yumiko didn't agree with that contrast.
'I mean, it's not everyday we get to sacrifice the youngest among us to a raving lunatic' Yumi spoke sardonically. 'Why should a child be forcibly taken from her family and into "care" to start being brain washed at three years old!? I mean where does she even get these ideas?'
She held up her cup. 'To the health and longevity of our esteemed leader! ..or not. Cheers!' she said sarcastically, swigging back the liquid and cringing as it burned her throat. There were murmurs of agreement all around. They could drink to that.
Like each of them, Yumiko had not been silent in the face of the abuse of power. As Pamela and her cronies and her son, ran roughshod with their proclivities and appetites while the rest were forced to comply and make sacrifices, Yumi stood up for the cause, going back to reading law. If there was a chance for political change she was willing to stake her life on it when the time came. Even if it meant going up against such a formidable opponent.
She'd been careful testing the waters so far, sussing out the die-hard PM supporters from those who still remembered what Commonwealth was originally meant to be. She'd had an ear to the ground enough to know there were rumbles.
'Well...' Daryl continued 'I think we all know why she wouldn't tell everyone if there was a chance of a cure'
'Yes we do!' Negan said knowingly; 'It's all about the old balance of power...'
'She thinks that if...' Aaron glanced at Eugene 'when... the time comes and a cure is on hand; she gets to play God. Gets to decide who has a fighting chance...'
'Who lives and who dies...' Connie signed; completing the thought.
There was a pause. Each of them processing, thinking.
'So how do we stop her?' Mercer's tone was matter-of-fact
'With a vote' Yumiko spoke decisively
Negan was skeptical as he drawled 'I'm sorry to disappoint you Yumi, but if you think a radical idea like democracy will make our supreme leader see reason then you might be a little misguided or just too darn optimistic'
'No, I think she's right' said Daryl, surprising some of the others
'She's all about her laws protecting the people right?...all about the book? so throw it at her. Challenge her and let the people decide-
I say we do it. call for a vote...!' he ended forcefully
'One very public, very sweeping victory could send the message!' Aaron added after some thought
The pensive silence meant they were still uncertain they had the right answer
On the other hand if even a part of this new development was true, that would be a game changer.
Ezekiel leaned in looking back and forth between Stephanie and Eugene; 'Tell us again...exactly what you found'