Vaksavar peered through the frosted window, squinting to see the movement in the streets below. From the weirdly joyous yet muffled racket that could be heard, Vaksavar assumed that the Rethavok were having a pretty good time, cheering after every single one of their new High General’s words and then cheering for a lot longer afterwards. While many of the high ranking Rethavok had struggled greatly with the sudden coup that left most of the universe dazed and confused, it seemed that the average Rethan was… feeling great. They were doing really well, feeling happier and having more purpose.
Considering how High General Kenon had only been in charge for just under four weeks, the Rethan population had adapted really well, to the point that Kenon had… well, Vaksavar wasn’t sure how to explain it. He had very clearly mind-controlled most of the population at first, but most of that population seemed to happily accept Kenon’s control. To the point where Kenon had admitted to Vaksavar that he wasn’t really controlling them any more.
It turned out that the Rethavok wanted someone to look up to, someone to give them purpose. The previous High Generals had all done different things. Photeianos had made the Rethavok into one of the strongest military forces around. Elkay had offered equality and social mobility to the average Rethan. In his short time in power, Rethais had improved relations with races outside of the Reth-Vrekan Union. But Kenon was doing… something else. He was making the average Rethavok happy and content.
How? Well, aside from the mind control, Vaksavar wasn’t really sure. He’d mostly been locked away, secluded from the average Rethavok. The only other Rethans he saw were guards, all almost fanatically loyal to the new High General; or mind-controlled generals. In fact, the only beings Kenon was still blatantly mind-controlling were generals and a handful of uppity captains. From what Vaksavar had seen of the normal Rethavok though, they seemed to be working less and eating more. In his musings, Kenon had muttered about changing the normal Rethan schedule, from a 3-part day of rest, relaxation and work to a 4-part day, but Kenon had seemed to keep most of the details away from Vaksavar.
Something knocked on the door, the heavily barricaded door that separated Vaksavar from freedom and the rest of existence. Before he could react in any meaningful way, the High General materialized in front of him, looking far too pleased with himself.
“Ah, Vaksavar, did you enjoy the speech?” Kenon smiled.
“I could not really hear much of it up here, in my mostly soundproof prison cell…” Vaksavar grunted. “I do not understand though how you… how you have us all so tightly controlled.”
Kenon wandered past Vaksavar, putting an arm across his back and leading him to the lone table and two chairs in the corner. Really, the room was perfectly adequate, genuinely a nice place to stay, aside from the fact that the door was locked. They both sat down, Vaksavar feeling nervous and Kenon still smiling.
“It is very simple, actually.”
“It is?”
Kenon nodded. “Your previous leaders held on by providing the needs that Rethavok, like all beings, long for. Your society is built around a military structure where all are given shelter and food in exchange for work. But that is not enough to sate the mortal mind. All have a desire to belong and to be entertained, to be told that they are being looked after. That is what I provide.”
Vaksavar sighed. “That is what our previous High Generals attempted to provide.”
“But they did not.”
“Resources are not infinite. At least, they are not when a deity is not in charge.”
The High General smiled. “Well, you do not need to worry about that now.”
“But…” Vaksavar hesitated. “What is stopping you from… doing what you did to us… to every other race?”
“Nothing, really. There is no need to do anything like that though. I have the most perfect race under my control. Others may follow my lead if they so desire.”
“And those who do not?” Vaksavar asked.
“That is a choice to be made by other races…” Kenon tutted. “Until then, I shall supply the Rethavok with what they desire, they will be happy and content and they will be loyal to me. You could be loyal and content too, should you allow it.”
Vaksavar sighed, not knowing what to say. “I want what is best for the Rethavok. All the Rethavok.”
“Then you want what I am providing. Cottages, cake and circuses.”
“What?”
Kenon glanced at Vaksavar. “Cottages, cake and circuses. A nice home, good food and ample entertainment. All distractions from any potential problems.”
“What about the freedom of thought?”
“Those who have what they need are just as free to think as those who do not. More so, in fact.”
“Except when they are being subtly mind-controlled by a deity?”
The Void Lord tutted. “They will learn. Some always learn slower than others. You understand though that this is for the betterment of the Rethavok, yes?”
“I… I guess…” Vaksavar gave in, knowing he could argue all day and get nowhere.
Kenoon stood up, patting Vaksavar on the shoulder. “Get yourself washed and armoured. I shall return in twenty minutes, and we shall watch some entertainment together, so I can show you what I mean…”
And with that, the High General disappeared in a cloud of smoke, leaving Vaksavar alone with his thoughts.