NOVEL WEB Chapter 71: Redrawing Boston
Saladin's convoy slowly approached the main gates of the Sirius Software compound.
Word about the negotiations had reached the police forces, and they were slowly disengaging and corralling the more zealous supporters who were singing Monica's praises.
"And these people have the gall to call Libya uncivilized. Such a shameful display," muttered Saladin to himself.
The police and Secret Service finally cleared the crowds, and the Sirius Software main gates slid open, and the spike strips retracted.
"Most impressive," remarked Saladin as the convoy rolled into the compound.
Natasha and Olga greeted him with slight bows as he stepped out and surveyed the black base of the Sirius Software HQ skyscraper.
"Master Zakhrov is expecting you, Premier Saladin," said Natasha, opening the main door for him.
----
"Well, young Aaron. I must say you've weathered your first full scale political attack quite well," remarked Saladin, as he entered Aaron's office with the Secret Service and his own security detail in tow.
"Yes, well, thank you for resolving this," said Aaron inviting him to sit.
"Think nothing of it. Now let's get down to business, this is the information that I was able to extract from Monica's agents in Libya" he said, handing Aaron a USB stick.
Aaron inserted the stick into his computer and looked over the files.
"So, these are the main traffickers. The late Jamal Mozambique, and Kenji Nakamura," he observed.
"Yes. I believe an acquaintance of yours, a Hajime Yamamoto is the natural enemy of this Kenji character," said Saladin.
"Hmm, I think I'll bide my time on this for now. I've still got an IRS investigation to deal with," said Aaron.
"How is that coming along?" asked Saladin.
"Pretty well for me, actually. Andre managed to head-hunt a competent financial controller. I'm actually thinking of upgrading him to CFO," said Aaron.
"Very well, I shall continue to monitor this nexus you've stumbled upon from Libya. I'd love to stay, but I have a meeting with your President, one of the occupational hazards of becoming a head of state," chuckled Saladin, rising.
"It was a pleasure to see you, Saladin. Safety and peace," said Aaron, as Saladin left.
"Aaron, we've got a problem. Union work crews are ripping apart the power cables in Pine Springs and Boston Public School," said James entering the office.
"Let them James, if Goldberg wants those districts, she can have them. We'll shore up the ones loyal to us and Michael," replied Aaron.
"Are you sure about that? They're still within our sphere of influence," said James.
"I'm sure, James. Besides, Monica isn't ideologically equipped to actually enable the kind of civilization that I provide," said Aaron. He flicked open the intercom. "Harry, Margaret, get in here," he ordered.
----
"This about the redevelopment plan Aaron?" asked Harry as he and Margaret entered the office.
"Yes. Let's go over the plans, we need to cut out both Pine Springs and Boston Public School from them," said Aaron, bringing up the map on his computer screen.
"That should be simple enough. Palm Springs and Boston Public School are both fairly close to each other, with just two commercial districts between them," said Harry.
"Those two districts contain mostly consulting firms and NGO offices," said Margaret looking over the map.
"All right, let's cut them out, we'll develop around those. Harry, beef up the infrastructure, I don't want Monica trying to rip out cables of loyal districts," said Aaron.
"No problem, boss. We'll make that stuff as indestructible as we can," chuckled Harry.
"Margaret, how is the expanded feminine professional fashion line coming along?" asked Aaron.
"We're good to go, Master Zakhrov. We've achieved economies of scale with the new composites materials for the lineup. They're not as durable as the titanium line though," said Margaret.
"That's fine. Titanium will be reserved for high-end items and Sirius Software employees, the masses get the composites which are still better than what the competition offers," said Aaron.
He flicked open the intercom.
"Status on the audit Mr. Singh, I'll need capital for what I'm about to do," he asked.
"The US operating accounts are clean, Mr. Zakhrov. We're still doing the offshore accounts," came Vikram Singh's voice over the intercom.
"Good job. I'm starting the operation," said Aaron, clicking off the intercom.
He turned back to Margaret.
"Start your advertising blitz. I want as many women in the districts that I redevelop to be rocking skirts and high heels," he ordered.
"Mmm, with pleasure, Master Zakhrov," said Margaret, unable to hide her excitement of having such a vision coming to life.
"All right everyone, let's get to work," said Aaron dismissing them.
----
"What the hell is going on here?" asked Ivan as his Uber taxi pulled into the Pine Springs suburb.
The entire street was swarming with workers in hard-hats and high-visibility vests.
Ditches had been dug, and power cables were spread haphazardly everywhere.
"What's happening, is that unlike you, the people of Pine Springs are not going to live under Sirius Software's tyranny," said Annette smugly, coming to join him in the driveway.
"And who exactly are these people?" asked Ivan, gesturing to the work crews.
"They're from the labor unions. Senator Goldberg, has launched a project to power Palm Springs and the Boston Public School district with a new biomass plant" explained Annette.
"I see, and how long will it take?" asked Ivan, a vein throbbing in his temple.
"At the pace they're going, I'd say no more than a couple of days," said Annette.
"Hey mister! Where is the biomass plant?" asked Ivan of one of the work crews.
"No idea Hoss, I'm just here to pull out these power lines," said the worker gruffly, as he prepped a pneumatic hammer.
"Dammit Dammit Dammit! Why does this have to happen now?" growled Ivan, launching Uber on his phone.
"What's wrong Ivan? Sad that your precious Sirius Software is no longer a monopoly?" asked Annette condescendingly.
"Do you think a biomass plant is going to materialize out of thin air? Even if you can construct the building in a couple of days, it would take weeks before it is operational!" thundered Ivan.
"Stop being so damn cynical!" screeched Annette, her frustration with Ivan boiling over.
Ivan took a deep breath to calm himself down.
"Can you show me or tell me exactly what Monica Goldberg said?" he asked.
Annette pulled out her phone and showed Ivan the news article with a smug flourish.
Ivan's face grew ashen as he read the article that was full of rhetoric, but contained no concrete timelines, and no plans except the one that said union workers were pulling out Sirius Energy infrastructure across Pine Springs, the Boston Public School, and the two commercial districts between them.
The article also scathingly mentioned, that Sirius Construction and Sirius Energy were reinforcing their infrastructure in other districts, particularly St. Ignatius Academy, Rosewood, which was Ivan's old neighborhood, and the connecting districts between them, including MIT.
"This is going to be bad," he muttered to himself.
"All right, Annette. This time, you're in charge of paying the bills," he said, as an Uber taxi pulled up.
"Where are you going?" asked Annette, bewildered.
"Back to MIT. I've got some stuff there that I need to bring home," said Ivan, getting into the Uber, and speeding off.
----
Ivan returned to the dark Pine Springs neighborhood in a rented Chevrolet Silverado, loaded with more jerrycans of kerosene and bottled water.
A scared and confused Mikaela was waiting forlornly in the driveway.
"Daddy!" she wailed, throwing herself into Ivan's arms as he stepped out of the truck.
"Shh, I'm here Princess, it's OK," said Ivan soothingly, stroking her back.
Mikaela's sobs slowly subsided, and she looked up at Ivan reproachfully.
"Where did you go? Mommy is so mad that the lights aren't back," she asked.
"The lights are not going to come back for a while. That's why I went to get more stuff," said Ivan, gesturing to the supplies loaded in the back of the Silverado.
"Are we camping in the driveway again?" asked Mikaela excitedly.
"Sure, we can camp in the driveway again," chuckled Ivan.
He switched on the truck lights, and plopped Mikaela in the passenger seat.
"Sit tight of over there, I'll go and get the stove and lanterns," he said, and walked into the house.
----
Ivan entered the dark house, the light from his phone's flashlight showed Annette slumped on the dining table, with an empty wine bottle at her feet.
He moved to the closet in the kitchen and pulled out the kerosene stove and a lantern.
Annette stirred as Ivan came back to the dining room, carrying both the stove and the lantern.
"Where were you?" she slurred.
"Not now, Annette," said Ivan gruffly, walking out of the house.
He set up the stove and lantern in the driveway, filled them with kerosene, and lit them both.
Mikaela clapped excitedly as the lantern cast a pale yellow pool of light, and the stove's blue flame flickered under the cold night sky.
Ivan quickly fetched a saucepan, a can of baked beans, a package of bacon, and a loaf of bread from the house, and started to cook.
The sound of breaking glass rang through the dark house, and echoed across the driveway.
"Stay here, and don't touch the stove, it is very hot," said Ivan, getting up and hurrying into the house.
----
"Annette, what the hell?" asked Ivan entering the house, his phone flashlight in his hand.
He dodged just in time as a wine glass shattered near his head.
"Curse you! Curse you both!" shrieked Annette.
"Annette! Calm down!" cried Ivan rushing towards her, as she flung another wine glass at his phone flashlight.
He tossed his phone onto a couch, and seized her hands, preventing her from throwing more things.
"I'm tired! I'm scared! I want the power back!" wailed Annette, breaking down in Ivan's arms.
"Shh, we can handle it together. Don't worry, I'm here," said Ivan soothingly, as Annette sobbed into his shoulder.
After what seemed like an eternity, Annette, recovered.
"I'm hungry," she said petulantly.
"We've got baked beans, bacon and bread," said Ivan.
Annette, shook her head.
"I'm not coming out, I'll puke if I smell that kerosene," she said, letting Ivan guide her to the dining table.
"Fine, but sit tight here, you've got broken glass everywhere," he sighed, and left to fix her a plate.