Aligned by Jaci Wheeler Page B

are, in fact, being monitored.”
    There is a lot of talking now, hushed whispers, and upset expressions. I wait a beat until people give me their attention once again.
    “As I said, I know this isn’t ideal for the monitoring but I really believe it is necessary to keep another uprising from occurring. The reason I am meeting with you leaders now is to get your concerns and questions so we can figure out the best way to implement these changes. Then we can inform the rest of the Ministry, and then the people.”
    More talking starts and I hold my hand up again.
    “Please, I’m almost done, but there is one more thing. The Council and I believe it is only fair for the people to have a choice. Being monitored has proven to work the best for our society; however, the people living in the free compound have proven to be successful as well without monitoring. If the people don’t want to follow the Ministry’s rules, we will give them the option to have a place in each region where they can go and build their own homes, work the land, and make a life for themselves. This way of life is much harder than living in the Zones. While the conditions aren’t perfect, it has been proven to work. Living in the Zones, we have more benefits and more access to a broader variety of things. It is our hope that the people see the benefits of the rules we have to enforce, but if they don’t, I want them to feel free to live how they chose without it seeming like a punishment.”
    Several people are nodding their heads.
    “To recap, we have lifted the ban from those people who were secluded. We will inform the people of the full scope of monitoring and the reasons behind doing so. We will also offer them another option if they choose to take it, but not encourage them to do so. I am going to have several Ministry members as well as the compound members trained and available for questions from the people. Right now you have one of each as well. I am here for questions, and Dexter is here from the compound. He spent nearly two years there and now is back at the Ministry. I want to be clear there isn’t any bad blood between the compound and myself. I love those people and admire how they live. Also, most of you know Annabelle who was the Counsel Rep; you met with her for any concerns you may have had. Annabelle has given that role over to Dexter, the newest Council member.” I motion for Dex to stand and he does, smiling widely and no doubt trying not to freak people out with that unnerving stare he gives out of habit.
    “Now I’m going to take a few general questions and then Dexter and I will go from table to table to talk with everyone personally. Mr. Ronan, I guess you will have the most concerns. If you’d like to share them now, I’m sure other people would appreciate the answers as well.”
    Although he doesn’t look happy, he looks like he understands. “Yes, President Thatcher, in fact I do. I understand the lifting of the ban and I agree with you completely on that. I obviously agree wholeheartedly in what we do and why we have the rules we do. I also understand not everyone feels the same way, so having another option is good. However, I do not think telling the public about observation is a good decision.”
    I knew he would feel this way, and he is more understanding than I expected.
    “It is a proven fact our system works. You are the perfect example of a product of monitoring at its finest,” he says with a proud grin. “Once you start telling people how much they are monitored they aren’t going to be their true selves. It is going to drastically change the effectiveness of the data and therefore the entire system.”
    “I understand your concerns and they are valid. People might be a little more guarded, but I really believe it is their right to be. Some people are private by nature and that should be allowed. How are we to give them the option of leaving the rules and monitoring if they aren’t aware it is