“Jeez,” the young man mumbled as he sipped his cocktail. “You’d think he had been there himself.” He finished his drink, setting it back down as he gestured to the bartender for a refill before turning back to face the stage. From his position at the end of the bar, he could see across the sea of supporters-‘his father’s flock’ as he liked to call them-all mesmerized by his oratory.
“There you are.” The young woman leaned against the bar next to him, tucking in close to keep the evening breeze from chilling her bare shoulders. “How long have you been hiding out back here?”
“Since the moment I arrived.” He turned to face her, giving her a small kiss on the cheek. “How have you been, sis?”
“Nice choice of attire there, Nathan,” she said, noticing his dress uniform. “Just couldn’t pass up a chance to stick it to the old man, huh?”
“Yeah, well, you know what Pop always says about missed opportunities…”
“…Are lost advantages,” she finished for him. “Don’t remind me.” She picked up his drink and took a sip, her face puckering at the bitterness of the alcohol. “Since when do you drink the hard stuff?”
“How else am I going to get through this?”
“You talk to Mom yet?”
“I’ve been trying to avoid that.”
Nathan’s sister looked to the right side of the crowd, spotting her mother standing to one side, talking to a small group of people. “There she is.” She started to jump up and down, waving.
“Stop it!” Nathan grabbed her arm, pulling it back down as she giggled. She had always enjoyed pushing his buttons. “Are you nuts? She’ll see us.” He looked toward his mother, trying to determine if she had spotted them. She was speaking to an older gentlemen and a young blonde woman, and as best he could tell, his sister’s wave had gone unnoticed.
“Who’s the blonde she’s talking to?”
“Relax, little brother. She’s not your type. Some scientist or something,” she explained. “So, are you ready for the media circus?”
“For the what?”
“The media circus. You know, the press, the paparazzi?”
“What are you talking about, Miri?”
“Haven’t you talked to Dad yet?” she asked, somewhat surprised.
“Been trying to avoid that even more. Why?”
“Oh, nothing,” she lied. “Never mind,” she added, deciding to let her younger brother be surprised like all the other guests.
“What? Tell me?” he demanded, noticing the sly little smile on her face. He had seen that grin too many times in his life, and knew full well it meant trouble.
“Shush! Your father is giving a speech,” she teased.
Nathan turned back to the bar and picked up his drink. “When isn’t he giving a speech?” he muttered to himself, taking another sip.
“Founders Day is the moment in history when humanity finally took responsibility for its future. As a whole, we made a commitment to ensure that all of the reclaimed technological wonders of our forefathers would be used wisely, for the betterment of all humanity, and not just the few that could afford them. The founding of the Ark Institute and the tenants upon which it was based would one day lead to the creation of the very republic which provides for and protects the entire population of the Earth today! It was that moment, that one perfect moment, that simple clarity of purpose that quickly brought all of the people of Earth together in a way that had never been done before. The knowledge bestowed upon us by the Data Ark has done more to change and improve our lives over the last century than all of the centuries of darkness that came before.”
Senator Scott paused again, this time more so to take a sip of water than for dramatic effect. “But those same improvements can easily lure us back into that very same darkness and despair.”
“Man, he is really laying it on thick tonight. What’s he running for this time?” Nathan looked at Miri. Her smile had grown larger. “You’re kidding me?” He had suddenly realized what she had been smiling about. “Are you serious?”
Miri just laughed at him. “You should see your face.”
Nathan turned to the bartender again, “Bring me the bottle.”
“Oh, come on Nate, it won’t be that bad.”
He took the bottle from the bartender and poured himself a double, tossing the entire contents of the shot glass down his throat before refilling it.
Miri continued laughing. “What are you trying to do, pickle your liver?”
“Haven’t you heard, they can grow new ones now.” He picked up his glass and tossed down another shot. As he grimaced from the burning sensation of the alcohol, he noticed a young woman stepping up to the other end of the bar. “I think I could use a distraction.”
Miri looked past him at the new arrival. “Naw, I don’t think she’s your type either.”
“When are you going to learn, sis? Until proven otherwise, they’re all my type.” Nathan turned to his sister as he straightened his uniform. “Wish me luck.”
Miri reached up and began straightening his tie. “Luck, little brother, is something you’ve always had plenty of.” She spun him around to face the woman and gave him a little push to send him on his way before departing herself.
Nathan strode confidently towards the woman, emboldened by the two double-shots of alcohol he had just consumed. She was a beautiful woman, mid twenties, with long brown hair. Nathan immediately noticed that the fit of her evening gown told of a figure that was well maintained. She was busy ordering a refill of her shot glass as he stepped up to her.
“Evening Miss, may I buy you a drink?” Nathan was trying to muster as much charm as possible, which wasn’t easy considering the amount of alcohol he had already consumed.
“It’s an open bar…” She stopped short as she turned to look at him, her irritated frown suddenly changing into a look of bemusement at his dress uniform. “Sure, soldier boy,” she giggled. “Knock yourself out.”
“Actually, I’m not a ground pounder, ma'am. I’m an ensign.” Nathan pointed at the rank insignia on his uniform’s shoulder boards. “I’m in the fleet. You know, up there?” he added, pointing toward the night sky.
“Oh, of course. Terribly sorry, Ensign.” She picked up her fresh drink and slammed it down in a single gulp.
“You seem a little upset, ma’am,” he commented, noticing the way she was slamming down her drinks. “Something wrong?”
“You see that tall, blonde, jock type over there? The one kissing every fat political ass he can stick his lips to?”
Nathan looked around but failed to see who she was talking about.
“Well, you probably can’t see him right now, 'cause he’s still down on his knees puckering up.”
“I still don’t see…”
“…I mean, he should be over here kissing my ass! I mean look at it!” She stood up and turned so Nathan could see her tightly wrapped behind. “My ass looks great in this dress! Don’t you think?”
“Yes ma’am,” Nathan agreed enthusiastically.
“Damn right! I look hot in this dress!”
“Damned hot!” Nathan decided it was best to play along for now, since it was already going much better than he had hoped.
The woman realized she was ranting and stopped, motioning for another drink. “So, Ensign. What’s your story? No, let me guess. You’re shipping out tomorrow, right?”
“Something like that.”
“And this could be your last night on Earth?” She quickly looked Nathan up and down.
“Possibly.”
“Well Ensign,” she announced as she tossed back another drink. “This is your lucky night. I’ve got a score to settle with mister butt-kisser over there. And you might be just the right guy to help me settle it.” Her expression suddenly turned from one of anger to one of seduction. “Think you can find us some place a little more private?” she cooed as she stepped closer and ran her fingers through his hair.
“Yes ma’am,” he smiled.
“Those that want to build up our fleet in order to better defend the Earth, are only inviting that which they fear most! If the Jung believe us to be a threat, they will undoubtedly respond to that threat before it is too late!” the senator declared, pounding the podium at just the right moment to emphasize his point. “Should we spend on defense? Yes! Should we have warships in space? Of course! But they should not be given the capability of faster-than-light travel! For that is exactly what the Jung fear! An enemy that can reach out and attack them where they live! We need to stop this insane build-up immediately! We need to seek out the Jung leadership and establish a peaceful dialog in order to ensure the safety of not only the Earth, but the entire Solar System! I honestly believe that if the Jung Government sees that our only concern is to rebuild our world and coexist peacefully with the other human inhabited systems in the core, they will see no cause for aggression!”