Anthony DeCosmo - Schism

Evan told Ray, "Well, that's great. I think Jon should be the next leader. I'll tell you this much, Ray, he's got my vote. And I can think of a few others who are going to vote for him, too."

"Awe, now, that's terrific, Senator. But the way I see it-oh wait, the way I hear it-there might just be a few more people leaning toward Knox."

Ray's observation bothered Evan, but he had long since prepared for just this contingency. He turned and looked Roos straight in his brown eyes.

"Isn't that just the neatest thing about politics, Ray. You never know what's going to happen, do you? Especially when it seems there's only this two party system. Say, do you remember Clinton's Presidential runs?"

"Why yessir, I do. In fact, I remember watching one of his debates while I was marking time at Camp Hill. But I figure you've got something more to say on that, yes you do." "During his first Presidential election in '92, Clinton got less than half of the votes." "You don't say." "So you figure that the other guy had to have gotten more than half and won, right?" "Well, Senator, you know math has never been my strong point."

"But he didn't, Ray, because there was this third guy-Perot-and he took enough votes away from Bush that Clinton won with less than half the people voting for him."

Roos played along, "So let me see if I get this. Are you saying that some other fella could muck up the works for the guy that looks like he's going to win, even if this other fella doesn't get much support?"

"Oh, now, Ray, who knows what could happen in politics, right? I mean, there are probably a few people who think they can only choose between Knox and Brewer, so they'll pick Knox even though they'd rather have a third choice."

Roos' eyes grew wide and he scratched the thinning hair at the top of his head as he told Evan, "You know, it's funny you should say that, Senator. In fact, Eva Rheimmer and Brett Stanton were having a conversation last night about that very thing. Why, if I remember correctly they were saying something about not really wanting to vote for Knox but Brewer just screwed the pooch so much last time that they had no faith in him. Imagine that, huh?"

"You don't say."

"I hate to tell you, though, Senator, I don't think they would switch over to your side. Something about that being a slap in the face to Trevor and all. If you ask me-and I know you didn't but since we're talking anyway-that's very short sighted of them."

The motorcade climbed an on-ramp and merged onto the Cross Valley Expressway.

"I appreciate your sentiments, Ray, but I feel confident that Rheimmer and Stanton will sort things out. After all, it would be a shame if they had to vote for someone they did not think was right for the job. I bet they'll find someone else to support. Call it a hunch."

– Eva Rheimmer never wanted to be anything more than a farmer. She certainly never held any political ambitions. She had only joined Trevor Stone's council because people needed her. As the group of survivors grew into an Empire and Eva progressed into her seventies, she found less patience for the red tape and far more contempt for politicians.

Her husband told her to stick with it because she might be the only one in the whole darned works with half a head on her shoulders. However, that half-a-head could not sort out exactly what to do on this occasion.

She stood outside the sprawling fields surrounding what had started decades ago as a small family farm and waited for her ride to the estate, still undecided on whom to vote for.

Only two serious candidates were in the running. As much as that weasel Evan Godfrey might have the right credentials to do something with the position, he had caused so much trouble for the council over the years that even if she desired to vote for him she would be embarrassed to do so.

As for the rest of the council, most of them did not have either the desire or leadership skills to take the job. Eva could not imagine the nation governed by Omar, Lori Brewer, Dr. Maple, or even herself. Anita Nehru would have made a good choice a year ago, but that woman's work in the dungeon named Red Rock had taken her for a turn down some dark alleyway that might just end in a psychiatric ward.

That left Eva with Gordon Knox and all the trouble he might cause and Jon Brewer who had led things for a while when Trevor took his alternate-Earth vacation.

She considered Brewer a great General and sound thinker, but he lacked the balls to take the nation by the horns. For all his brilliant military maneuvers, Brewer came across as ill-suited for full-blown leadership; too timid in the face of political hardliners and always questioning himself. Besides, one look in the man's eyes clearly showed he did not want the position and he nearly said as much whenever the topic came up.

So in reality, that left Eva only one choice: Gordon Knox, and that's how she finally decided to vote, until she climbed into the Chevrolet Suburban sent by I.S. to collect her. In the rear seat waited Dante Jones. "Hey, Eva, good morning." "Mr. Jones? Interesting that you would come all the way out to fetch me yourself." Dante smiled, "Yeah, I thought we might have a little chat before the big vote and all." The car drove along the dirt road kicking up a cloud of dust. "I sense you have something to say, Dante, so out with it." As usual, Eva Rheimmer got straight to the point. The council learned long ago that this gray-haired woman suffered no bull shit.

"Well, it's like this. I'm not really good at this whole campaigning thing, but I just thought I'd let you know that I'm throwing my hat, you know, in the ring for this whole Emperor thing. Not that I like that title and all, you know?"

"I see."

"I don't want to know how you might vote, Eva, but I know that most people are thinking there's only Jon and Gordon in the running. I didn't want it myself, either, but I don't trust Knox as the head honcho and I'm thinking Jon doesn't really want it."

"And why should I vote for you?"

"I was Trevor's friend since he was a kid, I've been in charge of I.S. for ten years now and you know that Internal Security is involved in just about everything, from the war to guarding your farms and all that. Like I said, it isn't something I used to think a lot about, but now that I do I see I've got the experience this job needs. Oh and it helps that I've got friends in the Senate, too. I think Jon or Gordon will have a real tough time with them."

Eva glanced out the window, but still listened as Dante finished his sales pitch.

"Besides, like I said, most people think there are only two choices. I'm not going to put any pressure on you. Just think of me as another choice."

– "Daddy! Look what I drew!"

Jon Brewer worked the button on a cuff of his dress uniform and leaned over the breakfast table for a closer look at the piece of construction paper in front of his eight-year-old daughter. He saw a flower with four big petals in four different colors, a purple stem, and some kind of scraggly lines-maybe a butterfly-sitting on top.

"Wow, that's good. Now your mom said to go brush your teeth and get ready for school."

"But dad, school is just about over for the summer."

"Right. Just about over. Not over. Now hustle along." His dark-haired daughter scrambled off, passing her mother as Lori approached the kitchen dressed in a business suit. "Alright, you ready for the big day?" Jon shook his head and told her, "I can't wait to get all this off my shoulders." "Get what?" "This whole leadership thing."

Lori searched through her purse for her identification card. Security would be even tighter at the estate today with the entire council convening. As she rummaged through her purse, Lori said, "What makes you think you won't win the vote? You're the only one on the council who has any experience at the top. That means something."