------------ November 25th, 20xx – Capital of Kordania – Arcadia-
Hundreds of meters below the Arcadia Palace, the central seat of political power in the country of Kordania.
There existed a specialized bunker, built to serve as a refuge and an operation center in times when humanity's only enemy was other humans.
That day, however, it was being used for a purpose that, while similar, was at the same time, too different.
The lead walls and air filtration systems now seemed like a cruel joke against a threat that came not in missiles, but from an epic fantasy novel.
In the center of the main hall, there was no throne, but a circular conference table of polished obsidian. Above it, floated a hologram of the Earth, a sick and trembling sphere.
Its translucent appearance of multicolored lights painted a grim picture.
From America to Asia, from islands to continents.
The mosaic of yellow and red lights spread across the map, marking zones in the midst of fierce struggles and others whose situations were uncertain or.... Completely irrecoverable.
Few were the green dots, safe zones in the midst of what could only be called the end of days.
["As we are all present, shall we begin the meeting?"] – a man's voice broke the tense silence of the room.
Neither too loud nor too soft, just enough for his elegant authority to be unquestionable.
That man was Thaddeus Rex Morgenstern, the man who had ruled Kordania's politics for generations.
He was the embodiment of an impossible ideal. The charcoal-colored suit he wore was without a single wrinkle, a direct challenge to the world of filth and chaos that existed beyond those walls. His hair, a snow-white, seemed like a natural crown, and his meticulously trimmed beard spoke of a self-control that bordered on the inhuman.
His pale blue eyes showed no tiredness or worry, only a cold calculation. It was the gaze of an architect contemplating a piece on his blueprint, deciding with absolute calm whether its function was vital or if it should be erased to improve the design.
His mere presence burdened his opponents with the weight of a thousand generations of power, the sorrow of a god, and the terrifying certainty of a surgeon who knows, without the slightest doubt, that the cut is absolutely necessary.
Around the table, the faces of other world leaders floated in their own holographic windows.
["The Syrian president has not yet connected,"] – said the Russian leader, confronting Thaddeus's proposal.
["Syria?"] – Thaddeus replied, his tone discerning both a question and a subtle mockery – ["I'm afraid your information is outdated. That country you speak of has ceased to exist."]
["What?"] – the Russian leader was initially startled, but almost immediately, there was a commotion in his hologram, as if he were being interrupted by someone on the other side.
["I understand, let's continue,"] - he finally said after a few seconds.
At the same time, all the other world leaders were receiving the news.
Indeed, Syria had joined the list of countries that had lost their right to be called as such.
At first, this was a center of debate and concern.
But in less than a fortnight, it became as recurrent and mundane as the weather report.
Some countries lost their sovereignty after the initial attack, not because someone took advantage, but simply because the state they were left in was irrecoverable.
Curiously, those were the lucky ones. As for countries like Syria… It's better not to speak of it.
["I know we are all busy men, so I will get straight to the point. We need to create a central power,"] – said Thaddeus, his voice as serene as if he were discussing what he would have for dinner.
But the meaning behind his words caused the room to fall silent.
["Thaddeus, considering we have been exercising that centralized power for centuries already, I assume you don't mean pretending we dislike each other in front of the cameras,"] – said the president of the United States, his voice holding a hint of disdain.
["Certainly, this is not the time to pretend to invade Taiwan,"] the Chinese leader continued.
["If things continue like this, there won't even be a Taiwan to play war games with,"] – added the Taiwanese minister.
In a short time, the dismissive jokes of the world leaders filled the room.
["Certainly, that is not what I am referring to,"] - Thaddeus finally said, his solemn voice calming the hubbub.
["I am talking about a power in the light, an organization that operates with the combined resources of all the countries in the world and has complete authority to enter and exit them, to operate without restrictions,"] –Thaddeus continued, as he leaned back in his leather chair.
["You want to use the Red Cross and the UN?"]
["I thought that was just for sex trafficking and appearances."]
["No, it's also for embezzling tax money and robbing clueless donors."]
["Well, I suppose he means creating a version that actually fulfills its written objective."]
["I'm afraid I must refuse,"] - The growing murmurs in the room were instantly silenced by the sharp refusal of the American president.
["May I know the reason?"] Thaddeus asked without embellishment, though from his serene expression, you could deduce he already knew the answer.
["Since you want me to say it out loud, so be it. Who would be the face of that organization? In such a desperate situation, if such an organization has the expected success, the face behind the results will become an overly powerful figure. Wasn't it because we wanted to avoid that kind of possibility that we began to control the tides from the shadows in the first place?"]
When the president of the United States finished explaining, the room returned to a contemplative silence. Everyone, of course, awaited Thaddeus's response.
Thaddeus, for his part, nodded calmly.
Then, behind Thaddeus, Caelus Thorne, one of his trusted men, touched a panel. The hologram of the Earth changed. It now showed graphs, projections, descending lines plummeting towards absolute zero.
["These are the predictive models. At the current rate of supply chain collapse, global famine will reach a point of no return in six months. The rate of casualties from direct confrontations with hostile entities doubles every seventy-two hours..."]
Thaddeus paused, as if waiting for all the leaders to absorb his words.
["I understand your concern, but it is that concern, precisely, that is the root of the problem. It is true that we are not enemies of one another, beyond a performance for the cameras. But it is no secret to anyone that we continue to prioritize our own power and interests. In such a situation, without an objective distribution of resources, we will be doomed."]
["Sounds like you want the big countries to finance the small ones."]
["I want the world to finance the survival of our species."]
["It sounds good in theory, but what happens if that extra bullet you take from me today is the one that would have saved me tomorrow?"]
["On that day, the organization will lend you the bullets of others."]
["And what if at that moment you decide it's more lucrative not to give me that bullet?"]
["Then, you will be welcomed in one of the countries that still stand. I guarantee you all the comforts."]
["Huhuhu."]
The discussion in the room soon dragged on, pros and cons rained down from one side to the other.
["There is much to consider,"] - the Chinese leader finally concluded.
["I agree, let's postpone this discussion for a couple of days so I can discuss it with my advisors,"] –the European chancellor continued.
Thaddeus also nodded in agreement, but still added.
["While you discuss it, please keep in mind that the 12 Families have already approved the proposal. The official name of the organization will be made public in 3 days. It will be known as the Global Alliance for the Community (GAC)."]
He said it without a tremor in his voice, not a question, not a threat, a simple, immutable statement.
And for the first time, the silence in the room became suffocating.
["Are you threatening us?"] – the Russian leader finally asked.
["I am stating the facts,"] - Thaddeus clarified – ["We have determined it is the most logical course of action."]
["What if we don't agree?"] – asked the Japanese president.
["Then the 12 Families will focus all their power and resources on Kordania, and then we will isolate ourselves from the rest of the world."]
A muffled sigh was heard almost simultaneously from all the holograms.
But Thaddeus paid no attention.
["Then, gentlemen, I will await your prompt response,"] - he finally said and turned off the transmission.
"click"
"click""click""click""click"
Shortly after, the sound of heels echoing against the marble floor resonated in the room.
Friora, in her elegant executive dress, approached Thaddeus, letting the resonating of her heels echo in the room with neither haste nor pause.
["We finally found him."]
She said, placing the file in front of Thaddeus, who had been lost in his thoughts.
["It still took a little 'end of the world' to achieve it,"] - he let out a self-deprecating taunt, though the expression on his face remained neutral.
["…Justian?"] Thaddeus asked, finally coming out of his contemplation, as he took the file on the table.
["Although now, he prefers to be called Astrad."]
Thaddeus arched an eyebrow at his wife's words.
["He didn't even leave the country?"] – he asked with a certain reproach in his tone.
["That's where the magic of hiding lies, isn't it? Hiding where they won't find you doesn't necessarily mean going to the furthest place possible."]
Friora responded to the criticism with a shrug.
["Besides, wasn't it all your mother's fault in the first place?"]
["How did he manage it?"] –Thaddeus asked, changing the subject without paying importance to his wife's hidden complaint.
["…The Rat Kid Network,"] she replied, after choosing her words carefully.
The mere mention of that organization made the ever-composed Thaddeus clench his hands on the file.
But he quickly returned to his calm.
["Very well. The important thing is that now we know where he is. Keep him under surveillance… When we finish tidying up here… We will go to reclaim our finest work."]
Thaddeus said as he closed the file.
["I think most people call that finest creation you speak of a 'son'."]
Friora's complaint was ignored.