Set before Dr. Strong lay dinner plates filled with New York stripsteak, parsnips, truffles, caviar, and lobster and shrimp. A spot of red wine adorned the table.  On the opposite side of the spread, Monica II charged herself. He donned a royal blue tunic with gold lettering of his initials C.S. below the collar. She wore a black gown with tiny diamonds outlining the velvety frills on her arms and around her neck.

“Your hand? Has the tenderness subsided?”

Dr. Strong almost blushed. “Oh, not a stinging feeling anymore. Just a few twinges here and there. Thanks for asking, my love.”

Monica II looked outside the window. The fading lights of the industrial plants that dotted the sky amidst the huge plumes of white smoke cast an ethereal glow just beyond their gaze. It took some time for her to fully charge. Once she had been restored, she could be empowered for at least a week. Dr. Strong chomped on bread with truffle butter. His black skin contrasted with the lightness of the bread. 

“When you’re fully charged, we can walk.”

“I don’t want what happened to occur again.”

“Must we tread the same water? I’m fine.” His bandaging remained cleaned and in its last stages before being removed.

“I know what you’re going to say. I’m no fortune teller but I know in your neurons that you feel I must be kept in good health at all times.” 

“Well, don’t worry. I’m still going to sign tablets. I’m still going to go all over this land. I do not live in fear of anyone.”

Monica II smiled. It was a soft, knowing smile that her predecessor often made when the doctor made a point. 

“I just want to ensure that you are always going to be around.”

A short chuckle emitted from his throat. “You’re going to be around far longer than myself. I’ll be a pile of cremains and you’ll be onto your next partner.” The words seemed not spiteful or self-condemning but a natural and true statement.

Monica II felt along her neckline. The sparkling gems reflected in the dimness of the evening lights that surrounded them. “If there had to be a time and place where we could continue on this journey together, this is it right now. I’m prepared to do everything in my power––” she started.

“Say less. Once we continue on with this fight, we’ll never have to worry about anyone else. I don’t care how many people threaten my life. I have to put boots on the ground like I did in the service.”

Monica II sighed. Her right hand glided past the minipower station which surged electricity into her petite frame. Dr. Strong nibbled on some steak and chewed. Upon swallowing, he set down his knife and fork.

“You should be good to go in a few moments, dear.”

He noticed a change in her deportment. Her body shifted a bit to the charging station and after she realized it, she shot up straight and tall. They laughed.

“I caught you!” Dr. Strong exclaimed in a sing-songy tone. “Just let that electricity course through you. Don’t fret.” Her face looked strange.

“It’s my brain chip. There are one thousand, seven hundred, and sixty-three illegal immigrants in Smartystan.”

“Was a Smartystanian. I know that, too. I’m not worried about the immigrants who came to work this land. I embrace them. If they’re illegal individuals and want to make a better life for themselves and their families, I say have at it. As we’ve noted, even the Smarties can show acts of starting force.”

“I’m saying all of this because the immigration issue could become a major problem.”

“So what? We can usher the bad actors back to their original States. They call it New Delaware for a reason. This is a revolutionary place. I don’t say that in the sense that it is a place of tumult but of a bold newness,” Dr. Strong mentioned.

Chef Adario came out into the dining area. He was stocky and youngish in the face which bore no signs of struggle or regret. At six feet even, he hovered over the couple.

“Is everything to your liking, Doctor?” he asked.

“This is tremendous. The entire meal gives me life,” Dr. Strong replied.

“That’s great,” Chef Adario chimed. “I didn’t forget about you either, madam.”

Monica II perked up a bit. “Oh?” she responded coyly.

“There’s a supercharger that I had a few engineers place into your framework,” Chef Adario explained. “You should feel a boost of energy coursing through you before the doctor here polishes off his last bit of shrimp.”

“I noticed a bit of power that seemed extra. Thank you.”

“Well, you two enjoy the rest of the evening,” the chef encouraged and left the domicile.

Except, they couldn’t enjoy the rest of the evening. A newsflash scrolled on Monica II’s chip. She then broadcast it on the screen adjacent. Just as Chef Adario left, cameras pointed to a large fire at a facility in the heart of the city.

“My….” Dr. Strong remarked in astonishment. One of the news anchors gave context to the commotion going on not too far from where they sat.

“We’re reporting on a massive fire that has engulfed portions of the voting station. There have been no word on any casualties as of late. We will keep you informed with more updates as we gather more information right now. All we can say is that it is a voter registration building that has all but consumed the building. Again, we will report on the latest information as it becomes available.”

Dr. Strong’s face turned to stone. He placed his napkin from his lap to the side of the charger and plate.

“Call Glen,” Dr. Strong ordered his own device.

“Excuse me, honey,” Dr. Strong got up from the table. Monica II nodded in obeisance. Dr. Strong retired to his office.

“I’m seeing what you’re seeing,” President Glen Goshen remarked. They used video chat.

“My intelligence crew is saying it’s ACA,” Goshen disclosed.

“I suspected, but I didn’t have the data,” Dr. Strong admitted.

“I’m going to address the nation-state in about two hours. I want to collect enough information before spouting off into the cameras. Jesus, Covey.”

“We wrote in the Declaration 3 that this place would be for the able minded and the moral. We didn’t promise a utopia.”

“Whoever did this is going to feel the onslaught of the police force and the law courts.”

“I’m saying there must be a way where we can quell the inhabitants of this place and let them decide for themselves whether to stay here or move to other states. This is an emergency, but we have to remind ourselves that this is a rarity,” the president mentioned.

“Hold on…a staffer just came in and confirmed the building held no one in it. It is completely destroyed, however. One person who had been lingering around started to run but the cops got him. There is no God, but thank God.”

Monica II received this information, too. Her power rating with the extra boost caused her to surpass one hundred percent charge. She disengaged from the power source and journeyed into Dr. Strong’s office. A simple wave looked like a salute to President Goshen.

“I hate we have to chat on a night like this, but I’m glad to see you, Monica II.”

“I know, you will guide us, Mr. President,” she replied.

“If we can discern when this will be clearer, we will be able to keep going with synths like you to be protected along with humans,” he assured.

Dr. Strong walked over to her. “We’re sure you know this will be a test for all of us, synthetic or carbon based.” He put his hands on her shoulders. The warmth emanating from her reassured him.

“I want you both to know this will be avenged. Whether it’s the ACA involved or not, this will be our testament to everyone that we will indeed protect them. I just want to come correct with the information.”

“I’ll do what I can as far as my role as the chief architect of this place.”

“I want you to do that, Cov’. This will happen, it’s like duck duck goose,” the president observed.

“That’s right. Like that arcade game for dictators…once one goes down, three others pop up again. That’s an astute way of looking at it. We go duck, duck until a goose is found. Well, we found it, alright. First it was the factory, then my own situation with the attacker, now this. I don’t have to tell you that you’re the commander in chief of this city-nation-state. Horrific events like this will occur. Our roles are to assuage the Smartystanians and empower them to go on living.” Dr. Strong stood his ground.

“I agree. Hey, they’re prepping me to go live. If you have anything to contribute, I can show you just how serious I am about defending us all.”

The screen went as black as a sable. Dr. Strong reached out for Monica II’s hand. 

“This is nothing. There is no capacity for evil to continue,” she explained. “What we’re witnessing is like a defect in a synth. Hell, may have been a synth who sparked the blaze. They would have to be a disgruntled unit, no doubt,” Monica II continued.

As night continued to permeate through the atmosphere, the couple remained in the office. Lights illuminated the space and the heater issued warmth that comforted Dr. Strong. It seemed like the warm air even allowed Monica II to be cozy. This led the doctor to draft a statement. 

“Please take dictation,” he called to his partner.

Monica II sent the message to Dr. Strong’s device and he forwarded it to the president on his personal channel only a few others possessed. 

“I know that food’s gone cold. Why don’t you don some attire more fitting for this peculiar occasion,” Dr. Strong suggested.

“Roger that,” she acknowledged. Monica II went to the bedroom and shed the ten thousand dollar gown and wore a tunic like Dr. Strong’s. Hers looked like it had been dipped in the River Styx; it appeared as if special powers had dyed it midnight blue and boasted red piping.

Dr. Strong looked at his notes on his smartphone. A finger jabbed at the screen which produced even more information about the fire. His resolve to give the citizens of the city-nation-state a proper understanding of the life they would be living with the coming months sprouted in him new ideas. As he looked for key points in the story of the recent events, one burned in his soul. An inferno of feelings and deep emotions burst through his spirit. He knew he had to remain attuned to the facts and never let doubt about his abilities settle into his consciousness. 

He waited for his friend and president to ascend to the podium. The aura in the room where the press conference started felt cold and clammy. Synths and humans alike stood shoulder to shoulder as lights and cameras flickered.

“My fellow Smartystanians….” President Goshen began. “We are saddened at the loss of this formidable and necessary place of business. It was a reflection of our emergent place to excel at our endeavors while also being aware of our ethical fiber. Our spines will not be brittle. Instead, we will fight against the forces of evil and flourish despite whatever machinations arise against us. We will stand tall because no one will bend our backs. We shall prevail.”

He strode from the podium and allowed his press secretary to field questions.

Chintan Jani

Smartystan

Emergent

Set before Dr. Strong lay dinner plates filled with New York stripsteak, parsnips, truffles, caviar, and lobster and shrimp. A spot of red wine adorned the table.  On the opposite side of the spread, Monica II charged herself. He donned a royal blue tunic with gold lettering of his initials C.S. below the collar. She wore a black gown with tiny diamonds outlining the velvety frills on her arms and around her neck.



Smartystan

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Businesswoman Chapter 265

Smartystan

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Businesswoman Chapter 265

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