Post by Guardsman Patrick on Oct 12, 2006 23:04:44 GMT -5
Chapter 28: Towards the Future
The day turned slowly into night. All the nocturnal creatures moved about, scurrying to catch their prey by surprise. Alex and Patrick were preparing to lie down for the night around the fire in their large sleeping bags. The nights were growing slowly colder and the sun set sooner. Alex knew that winter was on its way, and there was much work to be done before the harsh Andorg winter hit.
“This marks the first night without Rachel since this all began,” Patrick was actually sleepy tonight and yawned as he spoke. They had barely spoken to each other all day. They were either both doing something different, or they were silent while they worked together.
“Yeah,” Alex wasn’t up to talking about Rachel just yet, but he knew he couldn’t mope forever. She was gone; it was as simple as that.
“You know, we’re going to have to find another Gym Master soon,” Patrick was already thinking about tomorrow, while Alex was still stuck on the events of the previous hours.
“Do you have any ideas on where to look?” Alex turned over in his sleeping bag, looking at Patrick through the fire.
Patrick snorted, catching himself before he broke out laughing. He turned to Alex, still smiling, “I remember when I was the one asking you that.”
Alex smiled as he thought about the long night they had talked while gazing at the moon. It seemed like it was so far away, but it had only been a week. Patrick never answered the question, either that or Alex never heard it. By the time Alex finished his thought, he was fast asleep, dreaming of Rachel and Patrick, standing on the top of a statue. He knew they would be great, but they would have to work for it.
Alex awoke once again to one of Patrick’s wonderful camp fire breakfasts. He wondered if events of the past week were just a dream, and he was just waking up to go into Andorg in search of a Gym Master. Sadly though, it was too real to be a dream, and he knew it had to have actually happened. Hanging on the tree closest to his sleeping bag was Shade’s ripped jacket.
“So, did you sleep well?” Patrick continued stirring the eggs that sizzled in the frying pan. He seemed to be energetic, maybe because he had been awake for nearly three hours now.
“Nah, I didn’t. All I could do was think of Rachel and hope what had happened was all a dream and I was given another chance this morning.” Alex pulled the jacket sleeves over his arms and adjusted the collar.
“Well, I hate to be so realistic about this, but what’s done is done Alex.” Patrick poked at the sausage as it continued to hiss in the pan.
“Yeah, I know… so we got a big day ahead of us?” Alex pulled on his boots and began to tie them tightly, pulling the strings hard as he tied.
“Yep. We have to go speak with the council. I know how exciting that is." Patrick glanced over to Alex’s face, smiling at Alex’s expression that was obviously a death wish. “But we have to eat breakfast first. I’ve only been to the council once myself, but it was with my dad, so you do the talking, and I’ll answer the easy questions.”
“Sounds like a plan that works out perfectly for you,” Alex rolled his eyes. Patrick tended to joke about things that Alex took seriously.
“Now grab something to eat. We need to get moving.” Patrick grabbed a couple of hot sausages and a plate of eggs before heading over to the path that would lead them to the council building.
“Right,” Alex grabbed his remaining share and followed behind.
Patrick wiped his mouth as he headed for the forest. They both needed to look half way decent for the council. They stepped inside the doors of the council chambers and the cool air conditioning blasted out at them, making chills run down their spines as they tried to cope with the dramatic drop in temperature.
Alex walked over to the elevator that struck a very close resemblance to the one that had been installed in the tower, and pushed the button for the top floor. Alex and Patrick both leaned against the walls of the elevator as it moved up quickly, piping in a catchy little tune as it barreled towards their destination. As it slowed to a stop, Alex stepped forward near the elevator doors, wanting to get out as soon as they opened. It didn’t take long before the doors rushed open and revealed the well lit room of the council.
Brokom looked over first, breaking his talk with a young man that sat in the middle of the room. Anette and Noland looked up just after him. Noland gave a foul grin to Alex, knowing that they had come to give bad news.
“Now do you realize just how dangerous this blade of yours is?” Brokom held up a watch, and pushed a button on the side. Out shot a blade about two feet long that had come from nearly nothing.
“Yes sir,” the boy didn’t seem happy at all after the lecture, but knew that he would not be able to use his watch blade anymore.
“Good, now be off, I have some serious business to attend to.” Brokom shooed him away. The boy got up and left, bumping into Alex’s shoulder along the way. Alex could tell he was throwing a tantrum, but that wasn’t uncommon for teenagers in Andorg. However, Alex thought that if a kid could develop a blade out of a watch...
“So, what brings you back to my humble workplace?” Brokom said in a cheery voice, inviting Alex over to the center of the room so they could talk. Alex stepped over and Patrick stayed at his side, making sure that he wasn’t missed. “Ah, and who have we here?”
“I’m Patrick Rorrer, second in command of the Gym Masters.” Patrick had a very formal tone about his voice as he announced his position.
“So, what is it this time Baldwin?” Noland said in his nasally, sharp voice.
“We have come to consult you on the project as it has progressed.” Alex looked over at Noland and didn’t return the childish act. He knew Noland only did this because he saw himself as invincible.
Alex told the story slowly and carefully, not missing any details. He included all the emotion of the events and how they happened. He even began talking with his hands, throwing them in all directions to add elaboration. The council members all paid close attention as he told it. Finally he ended with the fact that Rachel, the only person he cared about other than Patrick, had left the Masters, never to return.
All the council members were silent at the end of the story. Finally the silence was broken by Noland laughing loudly at Alex and Patrick, nearly falling out of his chair. “You mean to tell me that you lost one of your team members, your tower, and all the money you spent in less than a week, and you expect us to give you more?” Noland continued to laugh as he finished.
“He’s right you know.” Anette obviously didn’t agree with Noland too often, and this was a rare moment for her.
“Yes, I know that this sounds risky, pumping money into an organization that you hope will help, and you lose nearly all the money in a week’s time, but you have to have a little confidence. We have nearly crushed out the A.O.T., but we are talking unbelievable odds here. Do you think this tower would stand up to six hundred men firing on it all at once?” Alex didn’t know how to protect himself in this case. They were right though, they couldn’t supply unlimited funds; even they had a spending limit.
“Is that a threat Baldwin?” Noland was obviously not highly respectful towards Alex.
“No, it’s not. I just think that, if we couldn’t stand up to it, what are the odds that this tower would be able to? We had every defense system in the book guarding that tower, and they still got through it. We did the best we could, and we now see the flaws. The next tower will be different. We learn from mistakes.” Alex tried to get them to see it his way, but Anette and Noland seemed to be firm on their thinking.
“We can’t afford mistakes Mr. Baldwin. Mistakes this big cost money,” Anette said, needing to explain why she was so hesitant on handing over more money. "Trust is not the currency of this world. The currency is the currency of this world."
“How about you take the funds out of your corrupt police department, or maybe you should take it from the corrupt banks that use all the money to gamble?” Alex was becoming irritable with them. They spent millions every year on corrupt organizations and departments that would waste the money and cook the books to make it look like they were profitable.
“You have no right to criticize our budget, Baldwin.” Noland leaned forward as he sneered at Alex.
Alex just turned to him and gave him a look that no person should have to look back at. “What right do I not have? The people of Andorg know it, and they have tried to say something, but they are too busy protecting what little lifestyle they have left. They can’t come and waste a precious work day with you three, just so you can shoo them away, saying there is nothing you can do,” Alex’s face was beginning to turn bright red. He was not controlling his anger at all. He was just about to release another round of insults when Patrick stepped forward and pushed Alex back slightly, not enough to make him fall or even stumble, but enough to let him know that he needed to calm down.
“Ah, I see your little friend has something to add." Noland was taking advantage of the moment as quickly as possible.
“In fact, I do.” Patrick looked over at Brokom and smiled, “Mr. Brokom, I am really pleased to see you again. I visited a couple years back, but you might not remember.”
Brokom smiled through his thick beard and nodded at Patrick. Patrick just returned the smile and nodded back. “Well, first of all, we have finished our side of the deal. We have crushed out a major threat to Andorg and we have made sure their threat level will remain low. We are more than capable of doing this to any and all corporations that get out of hand. Now, with all due respect Mr. Noland and Ms. Anette, do you really think it’s such a good idea to let this just disappear? We are the only thing standing between you and the evil that corrupts this city. It’s not a matter of when you will entirely lose the city… it’s when.” Patrick stood there, looking at both the disagreeing council members, and gave them each time to respond, but to Patrick’s surprise, it was Brokom that stood up.
“Mr. Rorrer, I see that you know what you are talking about, and I am honored that you got the position in the corporation that you did. It seems that you have spoken what the three of us were afraid to admit, and I respect that of you. I can see that there will be much promise out of this corporation, and even if my colleagues here do not agree with me, I still have faith in you two. I hope that you will help our city be more than it is, because I am anything but proud of it. I am glad there is someone who is so willing to do something, and I hope that you will have future success. From here on, consider your license permanent, Mr. Baldwin, and be sure to make us proud to know that there is hope to come. You’re moving us towards the future.”
Alex couldn't help but grin at Patrick. His friend just might have saved T3GM...
The day turned slowly into night. All the nocturnal creatures moved about, scurrying to catch their prey by surprise. Alex and Patrick were preparing to lie down for the night around the fire in their large sleeping bags. The nights were growing slowly colder and the sun set sooner. Alex knew that winter was on its way, and there was much work to be done before the harsh Andorg winter hit.
“This marks the first night without Rachel since this all began,” Patrick was actually sleepy tonight and yawned as he spoke. They had barely spoken to each other all day. They were either both doing something different, or they were silent while they worked together.
“Yeah,” Alex wasn’t up to talking about Rachel just yet, but he knew he couldn’t mope forever. She was gone; it was as simple as that.
“You know, we’re going to have to find another Gym Master soon,” Patrick was already thinking about tomorrow, while Alex was still stuck on the events of the previous hours.
“Do you have any ideas on where to look?” Alex turned over in his sleeping bag, looking at Patrick through the fire.
Patrick snorted, catching himself before he broke out laughing. He turned to Alex, still smiling, “I remember when I was the one asking you that.”
Alex smiled as he thought about the long night they had talked while gazing at the moon. It seemed like it was so far away, but it had only been a week. Patrick never answered the question, either that or Alex never heard it. By the time Alex finished his thought, he was fast asleep, dreaming of Rachel and Patrick, standing on the top of a statue. He knew they would be great, but they would have to work for it.
* * *
Alex awoke once again to one of Patrick’s wonderful camp fire breakfasts. He wondered if events of the past week were just a dream, and he was just waking up to go into Andorg in search of a Gym Master. Sadly though, it was too real to be a dream, and he knew it had to have actually happened. Hanging on the tree closest to his sleeping bag was Shade’s ripped jacket.
“So, did you sleep well?” Patrick continued stirring the eggs that sizzled in the frying pan. He seemed to be energetic, maybe because he had been awake for nearly three hours now.
“Nah, I didn’t. All I could do was think of Rachel and hope what had happened was all a dream and I was given another chance this morning.” Alex pulled the jacket sleeves over his arms and adjusted the collar.
“Well, I hate to be so realistic about this, but what’s done is done Alex.” Patrick poked at the sausage as it continued to hiss in the pan.
“Yeah, I know… so we got a big day ahead of us?” Alex pulled on his boots and began to tie them tightly, pulling the strings hard as he tied.
“Yep. We have to go speak with the council. I know how exciting that is." Patrick glanced over to Alex’s face, smiling at Alex’s expression that was obviously a death wish. “But we have to eat breakfast first. I’ve only been to the council once myself, but it was with my dad, so you do the talking, and I’ll answer the easy questions.”
“Sounds like a plan that works out perfectly for you,” Alex rolled his eyes. Patrick tended to joke about things that Alex took seriously.
“Now grab something to eat. We need to get moving.” Patrick grabbed a couple of hot sausages and a plate of eggs before heading over to the path that would lead them to the council building.
“Right,” Alex grabbed his remaining share and followed behind.
* * *
Patrick wiped his mouth as he headed for the forest. They both needed to look half way decent for the council. They stepped inside the doors of the council chambers and the cool air conditioning blasted out at them, making chills run down their spines as they tried to cope with the dramatic drop in temperature.
Alex walked over to the elevator that struck a very close resemblance to the one that had been installed in the tower, and pushed the button for the top floor. Alex and Patrick both leaned against the walls of the elevator as it moved up quickly, piping in a catchy little tune as it barreled towards their destination. As it slowed to a stop, Alex stepped forward near the elevator doors, wanting to get out as soon as they opened. It didn’t take long before the doors rushed open and revealed the well lit room of the council.
Brokom looked over first, breaking his talk with a young man that sat in the middle of the room. Anette and Noland looked up just after him. Noland gave a foul grin to Alex, knowing that they had come to give bad news.
“Now do you realize just how dangerous this blade of yours is?” Brokom held up a watch, and pushed a button on the side. Out shot a blade about two feet long that had come from nearly nothing.
“Yes sir,” the boy didn’t seem happy at all after the lecture, but knew that he would not be able to use his watch blade anymore.
“Good, now be off, I have some serious business to attend to.” Brokom shooed him away. The boy got up and left, bumping into Alex’s shoulder along the way. Alex could tell he was throwing a tantrum, but that wasn’t uncommon for teenagers in Andorg. However, Alex thought that if a kid could develop a blade out of a watch...
“So, what brings you back to my humble workplace?” Brokom said in a cheery voice, inviting Alex over to the center of the room so they could talk. Alex stepped over and Patrick stayed at his side, making sure that he wasn’t missed. “Ah, and who have we here?”
“I’m Patrick Rorrer, second in command of the Gym Masters.” Patrick had a very formal tone about his voice as he announced his position.
“So, what is it this time Baldwin?” Noland said in his nasally, sharp voice.
“We have come to consult you on the project as it has progressed.” Alex looked over at Noland and didn’t return the childish act. He knew Noland only did this because he saw himself as invincible.
Alex told the story slowly and carefully, not missing any details. He included all the emotion of the events and how they happened. He even began talking with his hands, throwing them in all directions to add elaboration. The council members all paid close attention as he told it. Finally he ended with the fact that Rachel, the only person he cared about other than Patrick, had left the Masters, never to return.
All the council members were silent at the end of the story. Finally the silence was broken by Noland laughing loudly at Alex and Patrick, nearly falling out of his chair. “You mean to tell me that you lost one of your team members, your tower, and all the money you spent in less than a week, and you expect us to give you more?” Noland continued to laugh as he finished.
“He’s right you know.” Anette obviously didn’t agree with Noland too often, and this was a rare moment for her.
“Yes, I know that this sounds risky, pumping money into an organization that you hope will help, and you lose nearly all the money in a week’s time, but you have to have a little confidence. We have nearly crushed out the A.O.T., but we are talking unbelievable odds here. Do you think this tower would stand up to six hundred men firing on it all at once?” Alex didn’t know how to protect himself in this case. They were right though, they couldn’t supply unlimited funds; even they had a spending limit.
“Is that a threat Baldwin?” Noland was obviously not highly respectful towards Alex.
“No, it’s not. I just think that, if we couldn’t stand up to it, what are the odds that this tower would be able to? We had every defense system in the book guarding that tower, and they still got through it. We did the best we could, and we now see the flaws. The next tower will be different. We learn from mistakes.” Alex tried to get them to see it his way, but Anette and Noland seemed to be firm on their thinking.
“We can’t afford mistakes Mr. Baldwin. Mistakes this big cost money,” Anette said, needing to explain why she was so hesitant on handing over more money. "Trust is not the currency of this world. The currency is the currency of this world."
“How about you take the funds out of your corrupt police department, or maybe you should take it from the corrupt banks that use all the money to gamble?” Alex was becoming irritable with them. They spent millions every year on corrupt organizations and departments that would waste the money and cook the books to make it look like they were profitable.
“You have no right to criticize our budget, Baldwin.” Noland leaned forward as he sneered at Alex.
Alex just turned to him and gave him a look that no person should have to look back at. “What right do I not have? The people of Andorg know it, and they have tried to say something, but they are too busy protecting what little lifestyle they have left. They can’t come and waste a precious work day with you three, just so you can shoo them away, saying there is nothing you can do,” Alex’s face was beginning to turn bright red. He was not controlling his anger at all. He was just about to release another round of insults when Patrick stepped forward and pushed Alex back slightly, not enough to make him fall or even stumble, but enough to let him know that he needed to calm down.
“Ah, I see your little friend has something to add." Noland was taking advantage of the moment as quickly as possible.
“In fact, I do.” Patrick looked over at Brokom and smiled, “Mr. Brokom, I am really pleased to see you again. I visited a couple years back, but you might not remember.”
Brokom smiled through his thick beard and nodded at Patrick. Patrick just returned the smile and nodded back. “Well, first of all, we have finished our side of the deal. We have crushed out a major threat to Andorg and we have made sure their threat level will remain low. We are more than capable of doing this to any and all corporations that get out of hand. Now, with all due respect Mr. Noland and Ms. Anette, do you really think it’s such a good idea to let this just disappear? We are the only thing standing between you and the evil that corrupts this city. It’s not a matter of when you will entirely lose the city… it’s when.” Patrick stood there, looking at both the disagreeing council members, and gave them each time to respond, but to Patrick’s surprise, it was Brokom that stood up.
“Mr. Rorrer, I see that you know what you are talking about, and I am honored that you got the position in the corporation that you did. It seems that you have spoken what the three of us were afraid to admit, and I respect that of you. I can see that there will be much promise out of this corporation, and even if my colleagues here do not agree with me, I still have faith in you two. I hope that you will help our city be more than it is, because I am anything but proud of it. I am glad there is someone who is so willing to do something, and I hope that you will have future success. From here on, consider your license permanent, Mr. Baldwin, and be sure to make us proud to know that there is hope to come. You’re moving us towards the future.”
Alex couldn't help but grin at Patrick. His friend just might have saved T3GM...