Chapter 258: Government Ruled (1)
Florida has virtually no government.
No, it would be more accurate to say that there’s hardly any formal governance structure or administrative apparatus at all. The vacuum of power is palpable across the war-torn region. At most, there exists a largely symbolic assembly that calls itself a government—a pale shadow of legitimate authority—alongside the clandestine underground organization carefully cultivated and embedded by the enigmatic Nemo over many years.
If one were compelled to identify a single entity that could legitimately claim to represent the collective interests and will of all Florida’s remaining inhabitants, it would undoubtedly be the hastily assembled council. This unlikely coalition brings together the charismatic leaders of the slave uprising, pragmatic Spanish collaborators who had switched allegiances when the tide turned, and the battle-hardened operatives from Nemo’s underground network who had emerged from the shadows.
And after a surprisingly brief but intensely focused meeting—lasting barely long enough for the sun to move perceptibly across the sky—they reached their momentous decision with remarkable clarity and unity of purpose.
Alonso Garcia, who became the representative of this meeting according to rotation, said:
"Everyone gathered here, including myself, seems to agree."
At these solemn words, all those present—faces etched with the hardships of recent years but eyes now bright with conviction—nodded in silent affirmation and deliberately raised their hands in the ancient gesture of consensus.
It was unanimous.
Thus, they decided to join Virginia.
In truth, this decision wasn’t made during the 37-minute meeting that had just taken place.
The decision had been made at the final moment of the recent battle.