Nobody argued against the rule. Not because everyone was convinced, but because opposing something so logical would have been pointless. The silence stretched a few seconds longer than necessary, until a hand went up.
It was a short woman, with brown skin, Asian features and straight black hair down to her waist. Her posture was firm, without a trace of doubt.
—I agree with the rule —she said—, but I want to know something. What are we going to do with the world? Are we going back to our lives as if nothing happened, or are we going to use our power to change things? Because if it's the latter, we need to say so now. With what we are capable of doing, continuing to obey current leaders borders on the absurd. I'm Kaia, from the Philippines.
The air grew heavy.
Some exchanged quick glances. Others frowned. It wasn't the question that made them uncomfortable, but how obvious the answer was that nobody wanted to say out loud.
Li Wei raised his hand without hurrying.
—What you're proposing isn't leadership —he said coldly—. It's taking control. A global dictatorship, even if you disguise it with good intentions.
Kaia turned her head toward him, frowning.
—That's not what I said.
—It's exactly what you said —responded Li Wei—. People with power deciding what's best for millions who cannot oppose them.
Kaia pressed her lips together. She didn't respond immediately.
—I don't want a dictatorship —she finally admitted—. I don't think it's fair to strip people of their right to vote. But waiting four years to compete in elections while the world sinks is… irresponsible. We have the ability to change things now.
—And who decides when "now" justifies overriding everyone? —someone intervened from the back.
The silence returned.
Then another hand went up. A short woman with cropped hair and a calculating expression.
—I'm Min-Ji, from South Korea. If we keep going down this path, we'll end up dividing ourselves before we've even started. We need a balance.
Several gazes fixed on her.
—We can't limit ourselves to giving advice —she continued—. Without political power, nobody will take us seriously. But taking control by force would make us enemies of the world. I propose a middle ground: intervene only when necessary, even through direct pressure… but only after a vote among all of us.
—Direct pressure? —someone repeated—. Say it plainly: threats.
—Call it what you want —responded Min-Ji without flinching—. But they will be collective, not individual. Nobody acts alone.
A tall woman with elegant features raised her hand.
—Emily, United Kingdom —she introduced herself—. Do we really think we have the right to decide for the rest of the planet?
Irene didn't wait for someone else to respond.
—It's not about rights —she said with a firm voice—. It's about survival. The planet's resources are being consumed at an unsustainable rate. What should last a year disappears in months. People die of hunger while others waste. Do you think that if we don't intervene, humanity will survive? Because it won't.
Emily held her gaze, uncomfortable.
—If we keep doing nothing —Irene continued—, the resources meant for three years will run out in one. Then in months. Then in weeks. The end is inevitable if we don't act.
Emily slowly lowered her hand.
—…Continue, Min-Ji.
—I propose issuing formal recommendations to governments —she said—. And if any of them refuses, we can force key decisions. Nothing permanent. Nothing absolute. Only when necessary.
Nobody said no.
Some seemed displeased. Others, uneasy. But nobody dared to oppose it.
Irene raised her hand again.
—One last thing. Monthly meetings. One specific issue per meeting. Clear decisions. No improvisation. If we're going to do this, it must be done with discipline.
There were widespread nods.
—The next meeting will be on February 10th —she announced—. Any pending matters?
A tall man with dark skin and striking clothing raised his hand.
—Before we leave, a recommendation. During this time we should study all the historical information our race has accumulated. And there's another matter: the absent one. Did anyone manage to contact him?
Ferreira nodded.
—I tried. No response. Maybe he wants a normal life… or maybe his government has forbidden any contact.
—Then he's a risk —said someone—. Someone like us, beyond control.
Kaia raised her hand.
—We should investigate before drawing conclusions.
—Pakistan and Turkey —Lorenzo stepped in—. They share a border with Iran. It makes sense.
The gazes turned to those who had been silent.
—Aisha, Pakistan —said a woman in traditional dress—. I'll take charge of finding him.
—Osman, Turkey —added a bearded man—. Me too.
Dimitri stepped forward with a dangerous smile.
—If we're done, I have plans. I think I'm going to wrestle a bear. Anyone want to join?
Ferreira and Camilo raised their hands, amused.
Irene sighed, exhausted.
—This is not a game —she murmured—, but I suppose some will never understand that.
She raised her voice.
—The meeting ends here. See you on February 10th.
The groups began to disperse, organizing themselves by continent.
Nobody said it out loud, but everyone knew it.
They had just placed the first chains on the world.
But humanity was never free; it simply changed masters over and over again.
So, in the end… what did it matter who held the chains?
Important notice: This work is a work of fiction. The characters, events and dialogues described herein are the product of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to real persons, including public figures such as presidents, political leaders or institutions, is used solely for narrative purposes and is not intended to reflect real events or opinions about such persons or entities. It should not be interpreted as a faithful representation of reality, but as part of a fictional universe.