With George probably still out there, Troy hadn’t taken Isabel home, and had to navigate safely around the riots on their way to his waterfront beach house.

Troy had explained everything to Isabel; the refugees, George’s plot, Karl and his brother—everything. She listened, and when he was done, she nodded in understanding. Troy was taken aback, as Isabel smiled and told him to go do what he needed to do.

After leaving the house, he made his way back to the Citadel where he found Jimmy. Fortunately the tall PI had managed to get seen to quickly by the building’s resident doctor and could still walk. He put up a finger, nodded vigorously to the receiver against his ear and rolled his eyes. “Ye—yes, dear, everything’s fine. No, it’s not that bad. Yeah, baby, of course I’m on the level! No, just—in the hip…. Yes I’m still a man, sheesh!

Troy smiled, knowing Karl’s plan to oust George from power had succeeded. As he’d thought, George’s force—the Haven City PD and the Citadel Guard—gave up the fight almost immediately after seeing his flagship go down in smoke and flames.

Karl came forward, chuckling at Jimmy’s phone conversation, and then shook Troy’s hand. “Looks like we did it.”

Troy sighed, feeling relief and exhaustion hit him like an anvil. “Not completely, sir.”

Karl nodded. “Don’t worry about that. With the combined airships that remain, an effective anti-riot force is already being organized. The violence will end quickly, I’m certain of it.”

Troy nodded. “What about your brother?”

The old boy smiled. “Funny thing, that. He’s decided to defect over to Haven now that he’s filthy rich.”

“That’s…interesting.”

“Come on,” the General said, putting a hand on Troy’s shoulder. “I want to talk to you about what’s going to happen next. I need your thoughts on a few things.”

#

After the riots were quelled a day later, Troy stood in the Mayor’s office at Karl’s side, along with Jimmy, Jon, Al, Anna and the newly promoted Captain Hanson as a gaggle of photographers flashed them incessantly.

A riot of reporters flung questions at the new interim Mayor, all shifting to get an edge over their peers. Troy breathed in deeply, hating every moment of it. He wasn’t made for this kind of jazz and would have been just fine without his picture in the afternoon paper, though he stuck around because Karl had asked him personally to attend, for the sake of the new administration and the office he now held, its image so recently tainted.

Karl smiled, nodded, raised his hand and chose one of the reporters, seemingly at random. “Mr. Raven, how can you claim to be the legitimate Mayor of Haven City when no due process has been undertaken for a fair and impartial election?”

Good question.

“Well,” Karl said, amicably, “now that everyone knows former Mayor George Maveraux and his District Chiefs were knowingly committing treason—among other crimes, I’m certain the people of Haven will understand why we took it upon ourselves to remove him and his constituents from office, most of which have been jailed. I’ve also launched the beginnings of what is to be an extensive and vigorous investigation into his remaining cabinet for any further signs of corruption. Now that George Maveraux is gone, in order to ensure a transition free of abuse, I’ve elected myself the interim Mayor of Haven City, and will conform to whatever outcome presents itself during the next Mayoral election—which don’t forget, is only five months away.”

The rabble started again, bombarding the General with camera flashes. Karl chose another eager reporter to ask a question as the half dozen receivers on his desk captured every word for thousands of radio listeners throughout the city.

“Mr. Mayor, what about the refugees? We’ve heard rumors that as your first act in office you intend to reveal a new immigration policy today?”

Karl had told Troy all about it the day they took the Citadel. The old boy even took several of Troy’s suggestions. Just a few days ago Troy would never have agreed to the policy decision Karl was about to announce. He would have argued that it was not in the best interest of the city, or the spirit on which the breakaway from Community had been fought on. But now, after everything that had happened, Troy saw no other options.

Karl looked down at his desk for a moment, pulled his notes over, ready to give his speech. “Hmmm. Indeed,” he said voice deep. “But first I would first like to thank each and every Havenite who stood firm during this recent crisis of which we have all had to endure. Good people of Haven, I know your faith in the leadership of this city has been shaken because of the blatant, thoughtless policies of this office concerning your recent wellbeing, but also because of what has transpired with Mayor George Maveraux during the past few days, ending yesterday in what was a violent confrontation above the city for control of the Citadel. But fine people of Haven, I swear to you that while I sit as Mayor, I will execute the duties of this office with honor and integrity, and with the utmost sincerity to make certain that you remain safe and free. And with this declaration, I have made the difficult decision to temporarily halt all immigration from XuiGuan to Haven—not because of the mass riots that resulted in numerous vandalisms as well as dozens of arson cases throughout the city, but because of the dozens of deaths and other injuries inflicted on the good people of this city. These actions perpetrated by the huge influx of XuiGuani immigrants within Haven have shown in the finest light, an utter lack of caring and respect for our fair city, her laws, and her people. And because the XuiGuani theocracy was directly involved in this plot to supplant us with a demographic that does not share our values, our love for this city and the freedoms that come with it; a demographic that would bring back slavery as soon as their numbers would allow a vote to repeal the fundamental laws that make us a republic, because of these actions, I can only conclude that the theocratic culture of the XuiGuani people is fundamentally in conflict with the very values of this republic, which can only continue to cause strife with her people and our desire to be a free and prosperous city state. Therefore, with much regret, I hereby immediately put into effect through executive order, my new immigration policy.”

Karl shuffled his notes and then continued. “As of right now on this day, all remaining XuiGuani foreigners who have not been naturalized as citizens of Haven will be rounded up and sent back to their home country as soon as ships can be arranged. But take heart, people of XuiGuan; you who have come to our fine city, you who value our laws of liberty, justice and prosperity, you who truly wish to set aside your cultural inhibitions so that you may become free individuals who provide value to our democratic republic, I say to you that hope is not lost. As I speak, offices are being set up which will allow you to apply for re-entry into Haven, whereupon a strict vetting process will be employed so that we can determine whether you are, or are not, a threat to our continued security and way of life. We do this because it is a privilege to enter our Republic of Haven, and not your right. I wish you the best of luck. Thank you.”

Karl continued to answer questions for another hour before finally announcing that the press had had enough time for questions, and cleared all the reporters and camera men out of his new office.

Many people would find the new immigration policy to be intolerant. And maybe it was to a certain degree, Troy thought, but if this was the measure that had to be taken to preserve Haven against a specific foreign influence that threatened to change the very nature of her laws and culture, how could anyone fault that?

Already in key positions, Karl’s people went to work for his new administration. They took turns shaking Troy’s hand before leaving Troy and the new mayor alone together.

“Your policies are going to draw a lot of criticism from the other cities,” Troy said. “Especially from XuiGuan. They’ll probably call you a tyrant and a racist.”

Karl grunted thoughtfully. “Indeed,” he said. “But it doesn’t matter, because my responsibility is to protect the people of this city. Let them froth. I intend to keep Haven a free city so long as I live. I’ll even depose the next damn mayor if I have to.”

Troy chuckled. “You’re the right man for the job. Speaking of that, you running for re-election?”

Karl chuckled. “It’s possible.” He paused for a long moment, a smile on his face. “In the meantime,” he said gruffly as he circled to the front of his desk. “I have a job for you that concerns the future security of Haven. You interested?”

Troy considered. Would the High Cleric have a backup strategy to get what he wanted? If Troy was the High Cleric, he’d have one. And there was also the unsettling knowledge that George had escaped the destruction of his flagship. The PI had a strong feeling that Haven’s fight to remain free wasn’t over.

Troy proffered his hand. “I look forward to working with you, Mr. Mayor.”