Lisa stood in front of her city. They had all gathered in the mess hall, as it was one of the largest rooms in the city. She was so proud of this city and now, now she had to do something that would keep the human race alive. She had spoken to the council members and come to the conclusion that this was the only solution that they could find after over half a months sleepless nights.

Lisa climbed onto a table, raising her hands to silence the throng of young people. They quieted, and looked at her, their leader, the one who they all went to for advice, the one they all respected and she did not know how to tell them this. She had decided that all must know. Not simply the ones that the proclamation would effect immediately.

"It has come to my attention that the Plague is not, as we thought, gone but still here, and still deadly." There was unrest at her first statement. The mutterings quieted as they all turned their attention back to Lisa. "This outbreak will," a pause, "Terminate anyone at the age of sixteen." Suddenly terror broke out, and it took quite some time to calm the mob. And once again the frightened faces observed her. "It is in the best interests of Glenbard, and also the entire human race to start the next generation."

She gave them no time to start their talking and kept going, "Every child in this city will go to room 304, which is now the recording room. There you will be recorded with your name, birth date, relatives and the people with whom you now live with. Within the month new arrangements will be made for your 'marriage' if you are of age. You may put in a preference with one whom you would like, or not like as your future partner. All children now have a new class. Education of the body and care of babies. For the future of all humankind this MUST happen."

With that she left. Her city in stunned silence, and then as she was walking away she heard, "It must happen! Or we will all die!" and a strong voice rang out, "Lets go to the recording room."

Lisa had sat in the tower room for the past three days. She thought up new ways to get things, furniture stores, department stores and so on. And thought upon the future. Then her silence of three and a half days was broken as her brother walked into the room. Todd walked into the room, he still looked up to his sister and his mind was as quick as hers. Todd looked at his sister, for a ten year old he was remarkably mature and he knew his sister better than anyone. She looked at him. "Yes?" She was sad that she had placed this on her people. He knew that. He could tell. "The recording is done. Every child has been recorded in just the way you ordered it to be." He was being formal. "Todd, I am your sister. Stop being so stately. What is on your mind?" He sat in a chair,

"What are you going to do about it?"

"About what? There are many "its" in this world." She said dryly.

"About your heir."

She froze. She had forgotten that she too only had three years left. Her period had come the year before and as "Queen" she had to have an heir. But what about Todd? She looked up at him frantically.

"What about you? You could be..." He cut her off.

"I am perfectly content with my position as a council member, you know that. I might rule in your place while your child is young but I would guide them to what they need to know. After, well"

"After I die."

"Yes."

Lisa looked thoughtful.

"Would it be a girl?"

"What?"

"A female heir. A Queen. Should Glenbard always be ruled by a Queen?"

"Perhaps. We will see. But who would your King be?"

Lisa hated thinking about this. Her close death, a child, a king. But she had to. For her cities sake. For her people.

"A strong leader, maybe" her sentence was cut off by a younger council member bursting into the room.

"Tom Logan is at the gate, with an army, and demands to speak to you."

Lisa sat up ramrod straight. And then ran towards the front gate.

If one asked any child that had been in her path all they would have all said that she looked almost murderous. When she reached the gate she saw that it was indeed Tom Logan with an army of a few hundred children. All looked tired and haggard. Logan was shouting at one guard that they would not leave until he spoke to Lisa. She slipped, unnoticed, from the top of the gate, amassed several guards and allowed the doors to open. Logan stopped speaking and walked up to the foremost guard.

"I need to speak to her privately."

The guard looked uncertainly from Toms unmoving features to Lisa's and only at her nod did he move.

Lisa called for a tent and drinks. When they arrived she had her guards check Logan for weapons, stationed two guards at the entrance and the two entered the tent.

Lisa sat on one of the cushions on the plastic floor of the tent and gestured to the pillow across the small table for Logan. After they had both settled did she look him in the eye and said two words.

"Tell me."

Next chappie up! go me! I'm on a roll right now so i might even work on another one before 3 this morning.

VK