IT DID NOT TAKE LONG for the whole of camp to assemble. Though Sigma-Prime could not exist for long outside of the command center, she could now withstand enough of the burdens of the outside to address the crowd. With help from several of the helpful denizens of camp, she lifted herself onto a large boulder. Extending her megaphone audio enhancers, she began her speech thusly: "Denizens! The time has come for change. The time has come for the relationship between the Order and yourself to evolve. The time has come for commitment!"
A stunned silence overtook the crowd. She knew they would be unresponsive. Everyone was too busy mulling over what might happen and whether their families would be back in jeopardy.
Continuing, she said, "Sire Zan Chaplin, our grandmaster-in-training and current Order head has decreed the establishment of an engineering corps. The responsibility of this corps will be the maintenance of the Command Center and civilian camp. Prior knowledge of engineering principles is not required; the Order will teach everyone who applies all of the needed skills. Additionally, no one who applies will be turned away. Among you, there will be a thought just now: 'Is this too good to be true? Training and promises. Am I being hoodwinked?' And the answer to that question is 'no, you are not being tricked.' It is, in fact, the opposite -- you are being called upon for greatness!"
By now, a genuine murmur of interest spread among the crowd. A regular human would not have been able to hear the words within the verbal clatter, but she did. So, Sigma-Prime heard half-gasped, whispered sentences such as, 'What's all this bullshet?' and 'We're already paying a tribute to be here. Is that not enough?' Among the discontent, she also heard praise, but it was fewer in amount, though she suspected of those who approved of the measure, they did not need to vocalize their support in the same way the disgruntled vocalized their dislike.
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She processed all of the noises within the murmur within mere seconds. She paused only long enough to give the appropriate and expected pause.
Once more, she continued: "Our frontline Warriors -- Whiskey the Fleetfooted Huntress; Jiehong the Strong-Walled; and Zan, our Leader-to-Be -- have secured for us the peace we now enjoy. He took all of you in when there was nowhere else to go. He gave your safety, shelter, and access to facilities for your daily life. In return, he has asked hardly anything in return. Petty tribute in the form of food and basic goods has been asked. Nothing which no other lord would not ask in return. This policy of leniency is over!"
Another vacuum of stunned silence. Sigma-Prime pressed her advantage: "Which is why, henceforth, all those who live within the confines of the perimeter will be asked to join the Shiv Martial Order. Either, as a frontline soldier or as an engineer-in-training." she spoke, then added quickly at the end, as if she was an unscrupulous merchant who needed to quickly wrap up her unwholesome pitch, "certain exclusions apply." She was not sure how many people heard that last part over the din caused by her former pronouncement, but it did not matter. Everyone who wanted to join would be allowed to join. She would find something for even the weakest to do... she knew Zan would want it no other way.
Overloading her speakers for a moment to maximum volume, she cut over the roar and screeched, "For it has been decreed!" ending the speech. "For those who wish to join, line up outside of the command center and forge your pact."
She left the crowd in silence and returned inside the command center. It would take a while for the crowd to sort out their troubles. In the meantime, she had her battery to charge.
