On level 7 of the Wall, 800 people took refuge. Five hours after level 7 was sealed, it attacked—the enemy they hid from, the one no one saw but every one feared, the one that left earth in ruins.

Kommandeur Egon Janz, along with several engineers, went to the control room to check the status of the shelter and monitor the situation outside. Later they were joined by Victor Cline and Dietfried Baumann the heads of the Cline and Baumann families. The last to arrive was Erdmann Warner, a former member of the Germanic Parliament.

The engineers focused on checking the systems, ensuring they operated as expected and that vents and air outlets were sealed. This task took hours to complete.

While they were working, a debate started about the state of the community if the worst case was to happen; if they were the last remnants of humanity.

Erdmann began, "Given the state of communication with the soldiers outside, it's safe to assume that they're not doing very well."

"And your point?", Egon asked.

"Well if God forbid we've lost the people outside, it's just us in here. This is what's left of humanity. To keep what remains safe, some actions must be taken. And with most of the influential people present, the sooner these words are spoken, the quicker we can move past the chaos."

"What chaos?" Egon asked.

"Most of the people in here will lose, if not already have lost, loved ones." Erdmann Replied. "Their mental state is nowhere near sound. If left unchecked, fear will take over, and soon enough, they'll turn on each other."

"That's probably true," Victor cline said. "and yes, some actions will need to be taken to keep everyone safe and united."

"Yes!, yes, not just safe, but united." Erdmann responded. "Unity is essential. Without it extinction is inevitable. And it's up to men like us to lead from the front. We need to restore what's broken and ensure the shelter functions as intended. Only then we think about the next step."

"The next step being?" Egon asked.

"A regime," Erdmann said. "Eight hundred people without leadership will collapse, turn into wild animals, pumping heads until the food runs out. The sheep need a herder, and the herder is us. The fact that we've all managed to become leaders in some capacity, each with loyal followers, is a testament to our right to lead.

Under this regime, we should provide them the same distractions they've enjoyed before—schools, therapies, offices, jobs, podcasts, news and elections. We need to give them options to choose from. These choices, however minor they seem, would be of their own making. It will give them an illusion of control, one they desperately need."

"An illusion, you say?" Dietfried baumann asked.

"Yes." Erdmann said. "A necessary one. Going from a over-stimulated life to a dull, empty existence will spark questions. And questions in times like these are very dangerous."

"You sound hungry for power," Victor said.

"Aren't we all?" Erdmann said. "Yes, I am hungry for power. But I also care. And because I care for them I know they aren't equipped to make the tough choices. Some decisions must be made for the greater good, and they are too weak to make such decisions."

"And are you strong enough to make these decisions?" Victor asked him.

"I left my daughter behind." Erdmann said. "she refused to come."

"That's quite impressive," baumann said. "It takes a powerful man to let go. But taking actions with your own hands requires more power. Are you capable of those actions, Imperial Legislator?"

"I am," Erdmann said.

"Legislator," Victor asked, "If you were in charge of the last of humanity, and you could only sustain 20% of them, what would you do?"

"We reduce the rest," Erdmann said. "80%, maybe 85% just to be certain."

"You see, that's where I disagree with you," Victor said. "First, I'd explore rationing, conservation, alternatives. There's always a path besides immediate sacrifice."

"The longer you wait, the worse it gets." Erdmann said. "Delaying only increases the number we have to kill. Efficiency is mercy."

"You're absolutely right." Victor told him. "Yet i fail to find peace in killing without trying everything else first."

***

The debate continued for less than an hour until the engineers managed to boot surveillance cameras on the inner circumference of the building. Minutes passed before they could display night vision.

It was dark. A crowd stood before the eastern gate. Hundred's of people pleading to the lenses. Their voices cracked as they begged to enter, crying that something was hunting them, taking them one by one.

Egon spoke to the people. "Hold on. We're figuring things out." He lowered their volume, so their screams don't fill the room. Then he locked control room's doors. "No one leaves until we decide."

"What if someone needs to shit?" Victor cline said, jokingly.

Egon ignored him. "Everyone here counts. Everyone gets a vote."

"Looks like the regime's already started." Baumann added.

"Temporarily," Egon responded. "We decide for the whole community."

"If the danger is not close, we should let them in." Victor said.

Egon countered, "Assume it's not far. If it took the base in hours, it can be here in minutes."

"Fine. I vote no." Victor said.

"Another no here," Baumann added.

"I don't know." Erdmann said. "Give me a moment."

"We don't have a moment." Baumann urged him. "The longer we wait—"

Victor cut in, quietly. "Your daughter might be out there."

"Yes, she might." Erdmann said. "But she would've wanted me to be rational. We don't know what's out there. We don't know what happens if that gate opens. The risks are unknown, and the gains are uncertain." He paused. "Leave them out."

"Three nay's." Egon said. "One more, and that's majority.

Professor Reiner Kastner, one of the engineers, added, "make it four."

***

Egon turned back to the screens. But it was too late. The decision was made for them. On the monitor, it was an active massacre: people shredded, bodies ripped apart, piled against the gate. Men and women climbed over each other, clawing for a chance to be let in, but the pile only grew.

Egon froze. He couldn't bring himself to speak into the mic. He couldn't tell them the door would never open. He chose to let them die clinging onto a sliver of hope.

Then the cameras caught something else. In the dark, shapes moved—huge, loose folds, like cloth fluttering in the air. He couldn't make sense of it. He shut off the feed before he had to.

Soon, everyone left the room. Only Egon stayed, locked in his chair pulled down by the weight of a decision he had to make.

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