“Please, let me explain...” he gestured for silence and slowly the voices lowered and died down. “There is something that has been hidden from everyone. No one knows about this. Both vampires and humans alike have speculated on the war that is to come. Am I not right?” He was trying to buy time, so that the secret of his nephew’s true heritage would not come out before the media or the opposition stormed in.

“How can you talk about a coming war, when there have been no rumors of it?” asked another senator, from far off. His face was hidden by the wave of senators ahead of him.

“It is obvious,” responded John. “No political analyst or government official needs to tell the people. It’s in the air and it will come whether we want it or not, whether we prepare for it or not.”

“So what are you proposing?” Gars asked. “And you still have not told us about this thing the vampires have?”

“It’s my nephew. They wanted my nephew. What I am proposing–”

The media stormed in. Damn it! If they only came a little earlier.They started asking questions and cameras flew around everywhere either recording the situation or taking photographs.

“Settle down!” yelled Lylock, once again taking the lead. Along with the media were Richard and the other Council members. “Please settle down! Who gave you permission to come in here?”

Suddenly, vast numbers of people charged inside repeatedly chanting, “We want John!”

“This has gone far enough!” Gars yelled. The other senators, who had already stood up when the media burst in, tried to leave the room. They wanted nothing to do with a political controversy that could potentially damage their own image.

John took control of the situation by gesturing for silence. “People of the Earth,” at this many of them yelled gleefully, “please cooperate with me and the others here.” Now was the chance. He only had to wait for the culprit who had attacked Jarad. He knew he would come and even though he took a big risk it was still a calculated one. The people calmed down and waited for John to speak. “You have been deceived. That is the truth. I have some things I want to share with you as well. Firstly, I was not behind the attack on Councilman Hameed. It may sound strange but the truth is that it was preplanned by Jarad himself and these people here.” He pointed at the other Council members. All heads turned to see who the culprits were. They looked at each other in surprise as if they didn’t know what was going on.

“He’s wrong,” burst out Scott, a portly man with a large double chin that stretched down to his chest. He looked ferociously at John and shook with anger, his large fleshy facial skin flapping about. “We have no connection with this so-called coup! We have no affiliations with Jarad. We only want what he wants...”

“...and that’s power!” John yelled out. “That’s the truth. By the way,” he smirked, “I never mentioned anything about a coup when you were here. Somebody else is in on this.” He stayed silent, while all eyes were on the Councilmen.

Someone from the crowd yelled out, “Down with Jarad and the Council! Elect John as the Supreme Leader of the Regnum!” Everyone in the crowd agreed and kept yelling out remarks like, “Kill them!” “Make them suffer!” “Get Jarad and hang him for his treason!” Some of the crowd began to attack the Council Members, pulling them by the collar and trying to strangulate them.

But John said, “Don’t! Please, don’t.” At once his order was obeyed. “If we attack them, we will be no better! We must have a peaceful transition if we are to succeed.”

“Peaceful transition?” asked Senator Blake, a very influential man not only in the government but also in the business world as one of the richest stockholders in the market. “What kind of transition are you talking about?”

“First of all...” John paused and gesture for Richard. He whispered, “Get the guards. We will need them soon.” Richard nodded and ran outside the Great Hall. “Of course, we must do what is best for all of us, Senator Blake. We must have action. We must have responsiveness, urgency, and above all, total control of our ideals! I am doing this for democracy, for the people and ultimately for our existence.”

Blake laughed. “Existence? We are alive—”

“Not for long,” John said, “if the vampires have their way. They will be coming to get us soon. Before that happens we must prepare for the inevitable: War. Are you with me?” he asked the crowd. They roared affirmations. John looked each Senator in the eye. He knew he would win and they knew it too. “Now, I will ask the Senate to give me emergency executive powers to deal with the situation we are about to be in. I ask them to hereby close the session by electing me Supreme Leader of all Regnum, in total control of all aspects of the Regnum, including the Senate, the Judiciary, and the other sub-aspects of the political body of the State. Is that agreed?” Shouts erupted from the crowd, but none from the Senate.

Lylock spoke, “John, you are asking for exactly what you are speaking against!”

“Don’t say anything to me, Lylock, you traitor!”

“What’s the meaning of this?” Lylock shouted.

“I know you’re the one who’s been letting the Council in on what’s happening. Isn’t it so?”

“How can you be so sure?” asked Senator Donaldson, sitting in the front row and looking at John with his forest green eyes. His face showed a deep seriousness, but not out of dislike for John. Instead he looked curious and supportive. “What makes you think you can be a good leader?”

“You are going too far with this and you are going to kill us all!” Senator Blythe said, sitting right next to Donaldson. Her face cringed in anger and repulse. “Jarad was right!”

The crowd became agitated and moved closer and closer towards the Senate.

“Wait!” John yelled. Again the noise died down, this time at once. “You don’t believe me, right?” He directed the question to the Senate. “Then, search him!” A group of thirty officer guards arrived. “Guards, search Senator Lylock for any communication devices!” Two guards ran up the stairs and followed John’s command. They found an earpiece and a wireless microphone on the old senator’s watch. “There you go. Is there any other proof you need?” The senators remained silent and looked at Lylock with disgust and shock. “Take him away and arrest him and those four,” he pointed to the Councilmen, “for treason.” Six more guards broke ranks from their formation and arrested the others. John looked at the senators. “Is there anything else that you need before you pass this bill?”

Someone from the throng of people yelled out in pain. A masked man jumped in with a plasma handgun, running and pushing his way through the crowd. He quickly aimed at John and fired. The General instinctively ducked and the bullet missed him by a few inches and blew a hole in the wall behind him. Immediately, the people disarmed the man and attacked him. They unmasked him. “Behold!” yelled John. “The man who attempted to assassinate Jarad. Hassan Hameed, his own son! Guards take him away.” Three more guards ran to arrest Hassan but the crowd didn’t allow it and started beating the man senselessly. John ordered them to stop but they continued to vent their suppressed anger and confusion on the assassin. John yelled out, “Citizens, there is no need to make him suffer! He has been through enough, like you all! Let the guards take him and let true justice take its course.” Finally the crowd obeyed him. The guards took Hassan and arrested him, escorting him outside to join the Council Members and Lylock.

“So now you know,” John said to the Senators. “I have not lied. I give you one hour to decide the fate of the Regnum. I assure you I don’t say this out of arrogance. You have no choice but to realize what I am saying is true and that what I am going to do for everyone will ensure our survival against the vampires and our return to Earth.” Total silence ensued and John walked out with Richard. The crowd followed him to his limo. The car drove off to the Howe Estate, leaving behind the people who were filled with rage, pride, courage and a new energy to fight.