Paradise Burning (The Virtagwalla Series Book 2) (12 page)

22

“And to what do I owe this pleasant hello, Anthony?” Xavier asked moving back to his desk, and patting his lip with a tissue. Guardsman Knaub left the office, trying not to lose eye contact with the man who just assaulted the President. “You know as a family we need to get better at greeting one another. Especially since I haven’t seen you in such a long time.”

Looking around the office, the ponytail, dirty finger nailed man growled, “You disgust me. Do you know that?”

Sighing, and feeling required to explain to the very bewildered Hampton Ray, “The other typical Rove greeting.” Xavier turned his attention back to Anthony, “How is life out in the jungle? Wet?”

Anthony was steaming. He walked toward Xavier’s desk, “How could you do this? Are you mad?”

Standing up straighter and leaning forward slightly, “Excuse me? Anthony this is the first time you have ever come to visit me in my office – Hell I haven’t seen you in nearly two years – and the first things that come out of your mouth are that you are disgusted in me, and blaming me for doing something crazy? What is your issue?”

Placing his hands on the desk he flicked his eyes between Xavier and Ray, “Xavier how could you cut all the funding to the research in the jungle? You allowed cuts to the budget of the Jungle Preservation Foundation? This is essential to preserving the unique wildlife on that side of the island,” he stood up and began walking around, “I realize that it doesn’t automatically line your greedy governmental coffers but its riches are only beginning to yield through our research and our findings. And then you go and pull the plug. I can’t believe you!”

Xavier looked at Ray for support, who nodded and moved forward, “Anthony I’m sorry but we had too. It was between funding the research in the jungle and putting food on people’s plates for supper over here in Ponchertrain. I hope you can understand why we went with the latter.”

Anthony shook his head, “You have depleted all the resources on this side of the island. You have destroyed the ecosystems, and polluted the waters. The sewage system under this damn city is polluting the ocean around us, and for what? Both of you need to open up your eyes. We are not the only one’s on this island, and Mother Nature will remind us of that.”

Xavier walked out from behind his desk, “Anthony, I am sorry but I am not the one that can either make these decisions or prevent them from happening. When your funding was cut, it was still in the Parliament’s hands. I, in the past, have trusted them to make the right decisions for this nation. I realize how much this negatively affects you, but look at it this way; those animals are going nowhere. Those plants are going nowhere. It is this side of the island; this poisonous barb as you so affectionately look at it, that pays for all of your research and studying. Once we get this part of the island back on its feet, economically and socially, than we can focus more on the research in the forest. But until then I am sorry,I can not do anything to help you.”

“I figured as much,” Anthony was cooling down, “How is my nephew? Still as brilliant as ever?”

Xavier laughed, the tension in the room dimming slightly, “Oh yes. He is doing great in school,” pausing for a moment and then remembering, “He will be in your neck of the woods, literally in about a month’s time.”

“With the boy scouts?” Anthony asked pacing the office.

“Yes, yes. Unfortunately I will not be able to join him. It’s the night of the big gala on the eve of the vote for statehood.”

Anthony stopped, and quickly whipped his head towards Xavier, “You are still pushing for that?”

Smiling as if talking to a small child, “Yes, where have you been living? Under-a-rock? We are just over one month away from the deadline for our application for statehood.”

“And you support this?” Anthony growled moving closer to him.

The tension had quickly returned, “Yes, why?”

Throwing his head back and laughing, “Can’t you see it Xavier? Everyone else sees it, and you can’t? They are playing us like a fiddle and you are feeding into it like a tone deaf chimpanzee.”

Ray crossed his arms, “What do you mean by that?”

“Oh don’t tell me you too are behind this whole statehood thing?” Anthony moaned. He paused, “Think about it. Why would they want us as a state? Because we have gold? Because we have abundant natural resources, especially ones not found anywhere else on this earth! They are going to come and plunder us. That is what they have done in the past,” he paused, “Think about what we are giving up, to gain what – some security and a “sturdier” economy? Yeah right. You politicians are so far removed that all you can focus on are your own selfish, glorious ambitions,” he took a deep breath, “Our jungles are beginning to fall apart. The introduction of those power plants has poisoned the waters, which is killing the plant-life and the wildlife. More Virtagwallan Dragons have died in the past three months from intoxication, than in the last ten years – combined. And look out there,” Anthony threw open the blinds.

Xavier peered out on the gathering mass that was growing on the eastern lawn of the Capital Tower, “Your people are starving. Those people, the ones that selected you as their leader, are struggling to survive. I live across the Mounts from this place and still know the challenges your city faces.”

Xavier couldn’t take his eyes off the people, the words of his brother sat like stones in his chest. Anthony continued, “Xavier I don’t know what has happened to you. You used to be someone I looked up to, but now you are so swept up in your politics and money and power grabs that you are missing the forest for the trees,” he moved towards the door.

Closing his eyes as he heard the doorknob unlock and open, Xavier asked, “So is that all you came here for? To lecture me on how I am failing this nation and my little brother?”

Anthony put his head down, and then reached into his pocket. Pulling out an envelope, he looked at it, “Not quite. Beatrice wanted me to let you know we are getting married, and to invite you. But knowing you, you have some fancy gala with big expensive people to schmooze with. Any ways here is the invitation. It’s in a month,” pausing briefly and throwing the envelope onto Xavier’s desk, “See you around, brother.”

The door closed. Rove couldn’t take his eyes off of the crowd. He had turned to congratulate his brother on the engagement but he couldn’t do it quick enough. The door had already shut. He closed his eyes and attempted to calm his racing mind with a couple deep breaths. Hampton Ray put his hand on Xavier’s shoulder, and the two men stared down at the growing mass of people, as Anthony’s invitation seemed to be swallowed by the mounds of disturbing news on Rove’s desk.

23

              Xavier couldn’t shake the horrible feeling he had acquired from Anthony’s visit. Many of the things Anthony scolded him about were things he too was mauling over in his mind, yet refuse to verbalize. Leaving the office on time for the first time in months, and arriving home for supper on time as well, he enjoyed a nice meal with his son, and for the first time in a long time his wife. The dinner was like old times, everyone was in a good mood and there was actually laughter. Later the entire family watched a movie, enjoyed popcorn and laughed at how bad the movie’s plot was. After the film was done, Mikey went to bed and Xavier and Rachel were left on the couch. They snuggled like they had when they were first dating in graduate school.

              Sitting in bed reading the comics from the Virtagwallan Times, Rove’s mind finally calmed. Rachel was flitting around the room taking off her makeup, and preparing for bed.

              “So Anthony is engaged to Beatrice,” Xavier exclaimed to his wife, as she dashed around the room.

              She stopped and a small smile crossed her face, “Oh that’s great. Did he come visit you today at the office?”

              “Yea he did. Typical Anthony visit though,” Xavier sighed rubbing his jaw, breezing through the funnies.

              Popping her head out of the bathroom, “Did he scold you like old times sake?”

              Rolling his eyes, “Yes, of course.”

              Turning off the light to the bathroom, Rachel climbed into the other side of the bed. Burrowing under the covers, she quietly said good night to her husband.

              He put down to the newspaper, and turned off his light. Putting his hand on her shoulder, he instantly felt a shrug. It was dark, but he could almost sense her face. His stomach dropped as she brushed his hand off of her, saying, “Not tonight Xavier, I’m tired.”

              “I was just thinking since we hadn’t in a while,” Rove attempted to justify, sounding tender.

              “I said no Xavier. I am going to sleep,” she turned to face the outside of the bed, and scooted away from him.

              He closed his eyes, still sitting. Never in his entire life did he feel so low as he did at that point. The room was instantly cold, and he knew it wasn’t because the window was open. He opened his eyes and looked to the ceiling. It was painful and lonely, and he wondered if it were ever going to be the same again.

24

              Senator Teasdale boarded an airplane bound for Virtagwalla within moments of finding out that the Australian Commonwealth Bank announced it was shutting down all Virtagwallan operations. He knew it was only a matter of time before all the financial institutions began pulling out. The markets from around the world were improving, if only slightly but Virtagwalla was still spirally down. He barged his way into Artimus Zhang’s office, and demanded to speak with him immediately. Zhang, dismissing his other appointment, quickly ushered the excited Senator into his office.

              “Artimus, what the hell is going on over here?” Teasdale squawked walking around the office with his cane.

              Standing from his desk, he approached his guest, “Charles, I presume you have heard of the Australian bank thing.”

              “I am damn tooting talking about that! What are you doing in response?” Teasdale inquired.

              “Xavier is going to Sydney in four day’s time to meet with their CEO and the Australian Prime Minister to hopefully broker some type of agreement,” Zhang scowled.

              Teasdale rolled his eyes and laughed, “You think that naïve dimwit will be able to produce?”

              Zhang shook his head sitting down, “Probably not. That is why we have already decided to move forward with expanding the Social Net in order to accommodate the people that will be losing their jobs from this bank’s removal.”

              Teasdale sat down. Biting his fist and then looking up, “And the rest of the economy? How bad is it, Artimus, tell me straight?”

              Zhang nodded, “It is bad. We are approaching 25% unemployment faster than we originally predicted. The layoffs at Larynx Light Rail did come as quite a surprise to me.”

              “The train company? They have laid off people as well?” Charles asked nervously.

              “Yes, about half their workforce unfortunately. With so many people out of work the general populace isn’t finding it necessary to ride the LLR anymore.”

              “And what about the financial state of the National Government? Still solvent I presume,” Teasdale scowled quickly.

              “Oh yes. The Parliament awarded the Minister of Finance with powers to cut and control a little more liberally than she had before. However she is not allowed to touch the Social Net. So all public services from healthcare to unemployment to education are protected. Along with the National Guard and a couple of the wholly owned corporations that support the Social Net,” Zhang explained smoothly.

              “And the governmental and economic integration plans are being finalized?” Teasdale pried.

              Laughing, Zhang nodded, “Yes, yes. The governmental side is serving to be far more interesting than economic, at least right now that is,” he stood up and moved off to pour himself a glass of brandy.

              Standing as well, “What do you mean by that Zhang?”

              Turning with two glasses in his hand, “It turns out our team at the University, comprised of the brightest graduate studies in political science, have changed their plan for governmental integration.”

              “How so?” Teasdale’s eyebrow rose as he accepted the glass.

              After sipping the drink lightly, “It turns out our little group, lead by the brilliant Ms. Tanya Handel has suggested that the Prime Minister actually take over as Governor, and the President be shifted into the role of Lieutenant Governor. At least until the elections take place again,” Zhang’s wicked smile returned and Teasdale’s heart quivered slightly.

              Teasdale worked through it slowly, “So you will become the Governor of the State of Virtagwalla, and Xavier will become your Lieutenant? Do you think Xavier will go for it?”

              “He doesn’t really have a choice now does he?” Zhang took another sip, “The underlying guidelines of the referendum was that the integrations would be voted on by the Parliament for official approval. The people Xavier himself put in charge of planning the integrations were the students and professors at the University,” he sipped again, and smiled a devilish smile, “Xavier Rove will only be eating crow if he attempts to fight it.”

              Teasdale threaded his elderly fingers through his hair, “Artimus did you have anything to do with their decision?”

Zhang smile, nodding his head, “Let’s just say I have friends all over the place. It doesn’t hurt that her father, for whom she is heavily influenced by was recently appointed to be the President of the Republic Power Company. It also doesn’t hurt her love interest, a one Sylvester Chamberlain ‘knows’ people in Hollywood.”

“Hollywood, California? Why does that matter?” Teasdale attempted to understand.

“Because our little aspiring politician has bigger ambitions to be an actress.”

“And does Chamberlain actually know people in Hollywood?” Teasdale asked concerned.

Laughing, “No of course not. But she doesn’t need to know that. Plus because she thinks he has something she wants, he holds great amounts of influence over her too,” Zhang finished his drink and put it down.

Beginning to feel slightly uncomfortable, Charles Teasdale shook his head, “But we are still on tract, right Artimus? I mean the bigger plan is still on schedule?”

              Standing, and moving towards the worried senator, “Calm down,” looking into his eyes, Artimus continued, “Charles, the plan is still in effect. The sludge head president hasn’t meddled too badly, and if you are concerned about Chronic’s daughter and her involvement in all this put your mind to ease. She’s been influenced and manipulated enough and from my view, she has done her job. Either way she will be free from it all very soon. In just a little more than a month, Mr. Teasdale, we will be citizens of the same nation, and we will also be very, very wealthy men.”

              Charles Teasdale nervously looked into the slippery black eyes of Artimus Zhang and for the first time in a very long time, sensed a ping of guilt and self-consciousness.