Decimation and Sacrifice
Zim stood with a gun pointed at Autumn's head. Had he finally won? Would the last rebel camp be taken over?
"The camp is surrounded, don't try to get away" Zim mounted his horse and rode it forward into the middle of the camp. Yelling loudly for everyone to line up. Cain and Autumn were shoved into the line.
What was going on here? Some bad of course and this Autumn knew. Maybe Zim was going to murder each and every person here, or maybe he was going to enslave him or her. How could she know? But as Zim was tossed a handgun, she knew something bad was going to happen
"Now all of you here are rebels, correct? Yes? Goodor no, bad for you anyway. In a few moments every tenth person in this line will be killed. For all you morons out therethat's called decimation. Until you surrender each week I will come, line you up and kill every tenth person. Now is this understood, let's start now, shall we?" Autumn had countedshe was safe, but Cain, he was not.
"Wait, Zim" He shot the first person before turning around. It was a young girl, maybe six or seven? She dug her nails into the palm of her hand so hard; blood trickled down and dripped to the ground.
"What is it, Autumn? Do we have something to say before your night and shining armordies?"
"Isis there anything we can do besides surrender or have you kill us?"
"Well yesbut, I don't think you will like it"
"Tell me, and we shall see" She pulled out and knife, waiting to lunge it he killed another.
"You must come and sing for me, or everyone here will die" Why did he want her to sing for him. She slipped the blade back into her pocket and Zim dismissed everyone, leaving them alone.
"Why do you want me, of all people?"
"Well now, you ask too many questions, but at least you're not like your father I want your voice, not you. Though I also think you would make a good companion for my daughter, Rina. Now I will have my men gather you things, if you have a horse, go get him." He turned to hear the low whistle and the mourning dove's cry? He turned to see silence and nothing moreSuddenly a large beautiful black stallion trotted forward and was mounted by Autumn.
Autumn had sacrificed herself for her people. She would now be Zim's entertainment. She would sit about his palace and become his pet that would run about and do a trick every time he asked. She did not understand why she was doing this, but it was time, she thought, to save her people
Zim was pleased with this knew "pet". She had sung such a wonderful song and yet it pinned him as the dark shadow: the bad guy that was causing all this pain. Though he had murdered her family. But in any event, was what he was doing to these people so wrong? He had given them all a purpose in life and wasn't that the wish of all humans? To know what they were meant to do in life.
He had given some jobs, like the cooks would cook food for Zim and all the other slaves. The soldiers would fight bravely for the Irken Empire and become veterans of war. The farmers would farm the lands and harvest food. The gatherers would hunt and gather berries and such. Everyone had their own job to do and when he freed the people they would thank him for his guidance and if not, he would be merciless to slay those who would even think about Lord Zim doing things that were wrong or making mistakes.
Now as Zim stood letting the people get back to their routines he saw Autumn at the edge of the woods. Only a leaf showed her pale face and she seemed to speak softly to that boyCain. He held her hands in his and spoke to her before taking her in his arms and kissing her goodbye
"All for the sake of her peopleWhat a fool" Zim spat upon the ground and whistled loudly. He watched her climb forlornly upon her stallion and joining the team. They trotted forward and Autumn head her tearless face down, letting her hair fall about her face. Zim knew he must make apparent a few things before just letting her come with him. He pulled his horse up towards hers and lifted her face with his hands.
"If you try to escape your people shall die. If you do escape your people will die. If your mourn leaving them your people shall die. If you do not do as I shall your people shall die. If you do anything that upsets any balances or displeases me in anyway your people shall die. Is this understood?" He held her face firmly but she turned away and rode her horse further up at a quicker pace. What could she do? Every move she made would be watched and if she upset Ziminnocent people would die