Chapter 95 – The New Order:Power and Survival
The UNO's Grand Strategy
Elias Voss sat in the command chamber, watching the holo-display of the region. His expression was unreadable, his mind a maze of calculations. General Vivian Chen stood beside him, her arms crossed, the ever-pragmatic strategist awaiting the next phase of their plan.
"The five major groups remain uncooperative, but the smaller ones are fragmented and desperate," Dr. Adrian Lorne said, his voice cold and precise. "They won't survive the winter without supplies."
Minister Evelyn Roth smirked, leaning forward. "Then we offer them survival—at a cost. We assign them noble titles, give them permission to collect resources from those weaker than them. Let them feel powerful under our rule, while ensuring their loyalty."
The first step: Titles and privileges. The major survivor groups had proved resilient, but the smaller factions, those struggling to stay afloat, those desperate for security, would bend far more easily.
General Chen nodded. "Divide and conquer."
President Voss finally spoke, his voice steady, commanding. "Announce the decree. Any group that pledges loyalty will receive the title of 'Protector of Order' and be granted the right to tax smaller survivor bands. They will be responsible for keeping their own territories in line. Those who resist will be labeled enemies of humanity."
Within hours, the decree was sent across the wasteland.
The New UNO was no longer merely a hidden force watching from the underground; they were ready to make their presence undeniable. It was time to bring the survivors under their rule—not through brute force alone, but through manipulation, coercion, and calculated incentives.
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The High Class: Rulers of the Underground
Deep within the fortified underground city of the New UNO, the elite enjoyed a life of privilege and safety, untouched by the horrors of the surface. Their world was one of polished steel corridors, temperature-controlled chambers, and luxurious rations. They had never fought for a meal, never shivered through a freezing night.
A woman in a silk dress sipped fine wine as she read the new decree on her tablet. "Titles? Such a clever way to control the savages above."
Her husband, a corporate leader turned government official, nodded approvingly. "It's how kingdoms were built in the past. Make them feel important while keeping them on a leash."
Some, however, were not so convinced. A younger man, dressed in a military uniform, frowned as he read the report. "This will only cause more bloodshed. The resistance will see this as the UNO formalizing its rule over the surface."
His superior scoffed. "And? That's the point. We need order, not endless chaos. If we don't control them, someone else will."
Within the high-class society of the UNO, debates raged, but in the end, wealth and power dictated their stance. As long as they remained safe in their underground fortress, the surface was little more than a chessboard.
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The Middle Class: Servants of the System
In the mid-level sectors of the UNO's underground city, life was structured but not luxurious. Scientists, engineers, and bureaucrats ensured the city functioned while dreaming of one day ascending to the higher ranks.
A scientist wiped sweat from his brow as he worked on an energy system update. His colleague muttered, "Titles and tax rights? That's just going to cause chaos up there."
"Maybe," the first scientist replied, adjusting a monitor. "But it's not our problem. Our job is to keep this place running."
Another worker, a former journalist now assigned to internal propaganda, tapped his fingers against his desk. "It's strange. We justify everything we do with the need for order, but how different are we from the old governments? We give power to warlords and call it strategy."
The room fell silent. No one spoke against the UNO openly—it was too dangerous—but doubt had crept into their minds.
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The Lower Class: The Forgotten
Beneath the main sectors, in the lowest tunnels of the underground city, lived the laborers. The ones who worked the hardest, ate the least, and had no say in policies.
A woman sat in a dimly lit bunkroom, her fingers tracing the scars on her palms. Her husband, a mechanic, threw down a wrench in frustration. "They're playing god up there, deciding who eats, who rules, who starves."
"And what can we do?" she asked bitterly. "If we speak up, we disappear."
Their son, barely old enough to understand, asked, "Mom, are we ever going to live on the surface?"
She looked at him, forcing a smile. "Maybe one day."
But she didn't believe it. To the UNO elite, they were nothing more than tools.
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The Survivors' Dilemma
On the surface, survivor groups received the UNO's decree. Some saw opportunity, others saw chains.
A Scattered Group in the Ruins
A leader of a minor survivor band, Jackson, clenched the paper in his fist. "They're offering us food and safety, in exchange for our loyalty."
His second-in-command spat on the ground. "At the cost of our freedom."
Jackson sighed. His people were starving. His daughter was sick. Was it worth resisting if it meant death?
"I need time to think."
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A Band of Fighters
A woman named Celia stood before her people, the decree in her hands. "They want us to bow."
The crowd murmured angrily. "Never."
Celia's jaw tightened. "Then we prepare for war. Because if we refuse, they'll come for us eventually."
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An Opportunist's Smile
In a different camp, a man laughed, waving the decree. "Titles and power? Finally, someone recognizes our worth."
His men cheered. They had always been scavengers, raiders, and now they had a chance to rise.
"Let's send our pledge to the UNO."
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The Coming Storm
Far away, James read the decree and exhaled. "They're making their move."
Ray scowled. "Divide and conquer."
James nodded. "And we'll use it against them."
The war for the wasteland had begun.
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Author's Thoughts:
This chapter explores the psychological and social impact of the UNO's growing power. The elite rationalize control, the middle class wrestles with moral dilemmas, and the lower class remains trapped. Meanwhile, survivor groups face a harsh choice: submit or fight. This mirrors real-world historical patterns of governance, oppression, and rebellion. What would you choose in a lawless world—order at the cost of freedom, or freedom at the risk of destruction?