Season 02 - Episode 21

‘he should say’

“Vo,” says Ko as he hurries along behind his friend. “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course, brother,” says Vo, fast striding ahead, half a dozen more Disciples behind.

“About the ambush...” says Ko, his mouth suddenly dry.

“You fought well, brother!” laughs Vo. “You gave yourself to The Beast, became a vessel for his righteous fury. It warmed my heart to see it, Wa. You'll get your eye in no time.”

“Right,” says Ko, uncomfortable. “Sure. But the civilians, Vo, the prisoners. Why did we kill them? Couldn't we have rescued them?”

“Collaborators!” Vo snaps, then spits on the floor.

“Were they though?” asks Ko. “They were handcuffed and...”

“If they weren't already, they were about to be,” says Vo dismissively. “And besides, they had some nice stuff on them. Good boots are hard to come by these days.”

Vo turns and gives Ko a wink and grin. The tiny cold spot in the pit of Ko's stomach suddenly swells to the size of a fist. He feels he should say more but cannot find the words. He's still frowning when Vo abruptly halts before a door.

“Right,” says Vo, turning to face the group. “We're here. This guy is a piece of shit and it's time we send a message. See this?”

Vo reaches inside his shirt and pulls out a chain that hangs around his neck. From the rough hewn links hangs a simple, slender ring bearing a single gemstone.

“When we asked this man to support our fight against GovCo,” Vo continues, his single eye furious and wide. “He told us he had nothing to share. Told us he was starving to death, when all the time, he was hoarding treasure like this! Now we hear he's started stockpiling tools and food! Betraying his community! Betraying us! Betraying The Beast himself!”

“Traitor!” cry the Disciples. “Collaborator!”

“You two, with me,” snaps Vo. “The rest of you, round up the neighbours.”

What happens next is a blur. Ko follows his brothers inside. Watches as two of them hold a frail little old man by the arms and the rest drag people from nearby rooms. Elderly, sickly, frightened people.

“Brothers and sisters!” shouts Vo. “We bring you a message from The Beast!”

Ko doesn't know what's happening. Vo's words blur into a dull roaring sound and he feels himself step backwards. He backs away from the group, away from his brothers until he feels the old man's bed against the back of his legs.

Now his brothers are tearing the bed apart and Vo is dragging the old man across the room, raising his cleaver, bringing it down. There are screams and cheers and Ko cannot breathe. Everything is wrong and he is trapped, trapped again, just as surely as he was trapped in his previous life.

Before he knows it they are back in the corridors, striding home, all slapping backs and cheering triumphant. Vo passes the old man's hand around the group. The feel of the clammy flesh makes Ko sick in his mouth before his passes it on.

“Don't worry, Wa,” Vo says to him, laughing. “The Beast will strengthen your stomach in time, brother. Today is a good day!”

“Why...” Ko begins but then pauses and presses his own hand to his mouth as his stomach flips over once more. “Why did we do that?”

“To send a message!” Vo roars, banging on a random door as they pass. “You're with us or against us!”

The others cheer too and follow suit, filling the corridor with thunder.

“But...” Ko tries.

“Listen, brother,” says Vo, suddenly quiet, conferring shoulder to shoulder. “This was to send a message but it's also how we're going to win this war.”

“What do you mean?” asks Ko, dizzy and confused.

“We can't beat GovCo on our own, Wa, but this...” whispers Vo, glancing about and then down at the hand in his hand. “...this proves our dedication, proves we're worthy to join.”

“Join what?” asks Ko.

“You'll see, brother,” says Vo with a wide grin. “You'll see.”

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