The Cage of Uncertainty

It is over, the Hegemony is finished. Generations of resistance have culminated in the emperor's despotic rule being overthrown. Where he and his supporters are now is no longer a concern. As far as anyone knows, they have completely disappeared from the face of the map.

However, Abigail Finch now faces a conundrum. That being on what to write. For years, she had supported the underground resistance movement as a writer. Creating leaflets and writing articles to support the cause was her bread and butter. Every day she would commit to rallying the people with her written word. Now the day has come that there is nothing to rally for. For an agitator like Abigail, this means she is out of a job.

Abigail walker stared at the blank piece of paper resting in her typewriter. She sat there at her desk in her office, running her hands through her hair in frustration. She had been like this for a week. What is the purpose of fighting the power of tyranny if there is no tyrant anymore?

Without the hegemony, Abigail was at a loss of purpose. Reporting on its actions and making accusations was the extent of her career as a rebel agitator. She had never truly given much thought to what to do afterward. She is not the only one, many are now facing a lack of resources and organization due to the sudden departure of government. For all their crimes, they at least delivered the groceries.

Abigail was now deep in thought on what to write now. It would be unfair to write about hardships being faced by the new rule. Because they just started, reporting on problems being faced right now could bring more pressure on the new government. On the other hand, trying to drum up support would make it seem that she is biased for them regardless of their failings.

Even without taking into consideration politics, the amount of freedom she now had was actually stifling. It is like she spent her whole life in a maze and had just reached the exit. The twisting and oppressive corridors gave way to unfamiliar fields and wide-open plains. The shift in the environment is taking its toll on her and countless others.

The walls of the labyrinth at least gave a sense of direction. The possibilities laid before her are almost too much to bear. She could do anything she could want. Because of this, she had nothing else to do. For weeks she has done little to earn her office and occupations everywhere have had little incitive or means to do more than the barest minimum if at all due to the damage from the war. The freedom they've all fought for now seemed like its own cage.

She is supposed to be writing articles and updates on the latest news. Yet instead, she had been stuck in her own home with writer's block for days. She's not the only one affected by this, many workers and civil service agents are having a hard time adapting to this new environment. People are either struggling to make ends meet or to find a new purpose.

This cage of uncertainty has many people languishing on what to do. Many as so accustomed to being given orders that they are unable to take the initiative. The damage suffered and the repairs needed have also stifled logistics and infrastructure. Even when people want to get things done, they still need to wait for the supplies to arrive. These materials, in turn, are hindered because of the damage. People are isolated from one another, except through paper and morse code via communications towers.

Right now, Abigail just wishes that there was someone to talk to. However, all the people she knew were facing their own problems and she didn't want to disturb them. Frustration and the need to vent were pushing her around as she paced her room. If only there was a way for her to speak her mind without ranting to herself or bothering total strangers.

It was just now that inspiration strikes, not like a bolt of lighting but as a gradual realization. What people need now is motivation to keep going and to hope for a better future. As a journalist, it's her job to gather stories and interviews for this purpose. While in the past she would write fiery speeches, she must now offer instead words of empathy and compassion.

There are countless people who are suffering from this lack of direction and sense of being stranded. Right now, the only ones with resources and to do any of the necessary repairs and changes are the places that need them the most. These are also the main logistics hubs and bigger cities. The fact that the smaller settlements and more remote areas are not receiving any short-term focus is already causing discontent.

People struggling with this sudden change, and those most affected by this may lose their patience with the new government. The resulting disunity could bring an end to everything the resistance worked so hard for just as it began. She's already been hearing words on the street and through the old resistance comms that confirm struggles across the nation.

She now knows what she has to do. Everyone must know that the hardships they face are shared and can be overcome. This newfound sense of oppression stems from uncertainty and doubt from being beset by an onslaught of problems. Just as before, people must unite and cooperate in order to achieve a better future.

With a renewed sense of purpose, she now strides out with a notepad in hand. She's got interviews to make and a story to find. The road will be long and hard, but nothing worth doing has ever been easy. With the country opening its borders for the first time, and with the aid of its newfound allies, things are only going to get more interesting from here on out.