Farima: An Afrofuturist Sci-Fi Adventure (The Homo Maximus Saga Book 1) Page 21
She will need public trust especially if there ever comes a time to fight once again. She hopes on the data-file that they still have, they will uncover the truth about this ‘Society’ that Khalil was in communication with. Khalil is currently being detained on the Isle of Isolation. The one and only detention Jena dedicated to protecting New Manden from its worst elements. A massive wall that reaches dozens of feet into the air outlines the perimeter of the island. Natia can go ask Khalil herself, but she can’t yet stand to look at that man again.
Despite some clear loss of support, many within The Collective appear to be behind her. Most of the chaos and death of the events on Khalil’s island a few weeks back are being blamed on Khalil himself. However, in the back of her mind, she knows she too played a role and needs to make amends.
This is the beginning of a multi-month campaign heading into next seasons Great Forum. No votes will be cast today, but she knows how important these initial impressions are.
A message beeps on her Orunmila and she opens it to the smiling face of Captain Jeska who is recovering out of surgery. He’d taken several near-fatal shots during the incursion and would’ve died had she not defeated Taseti and his army of androids as quickly as she did. He wrote a message that says, “watching live on TV. You’ve got this. I will make sure everyone knows who saved my life.”
Her heart swells and she closes the message.
“That makes ally number three. This new team could use a member of Shadow Guard within its ranks.” Being a scientist, there is nothing Natia values more than building. Building friendships, alliances, networks, tools—that is the value she brings to New Manden. With the right people, she knows she can organize a team to build anything.
On the dressing room table in front of her, her quantum sensor rests. She grabs it and places it in her pocket. She didn’t yet know how to even explain what she experienced to the World watching at home. Until she herself knows more about the ramifications of tampering with quantum fields, she will keep this revelation a secret for now.
Someone knocks on the door.
“It’s open.” She says.
“It’s time. They’re waiting for you, Dr. Greenheart.” Justice Samuels says upon entering.
She stands and walks out of the dressing room, following behind Justice and a slew of security. Since the incursion, security has been tightened across the Isles of New Manden. All Jena’s are alert of the threat and have grouped together in larger clusters. This is better than being spread too far and wide. Natia can attest to how dangerous it can be.
New protocols are in development led by Mandenite scientists to better detect the newer model androids from the KWR. They now have more than enough samples to analyze thanks in part to Natia.
They say this is for my protection. But I don’t need protection any longer.
They come upon a curtain behind which a stage waits beyond. Natia can hear the throngs of people waiting in the Main Hall. Justice pulls back the curtain and extends an arm out. Natia walks onto the stage to a hushed audience. She tries her best to scan their faces and imagine the millions watching from around the nation.
Clearing her throat, “a few weeks ago, I participated in a scientific endeavor against my will. I was coerced into using my talents and abilities on a privacy project funded by Khalil Buhari. A man I once considered my mentor. A man you all know as one of several Founders of New Manden. A ‘hero of the revolution.’ He is no hero. It was Khalil Buhari who ordered a NAS spy to detonate the explosives on the Isle of Manden two months ago as a way of wrestling control of Project Maximus away from me. The spy then used that window of opportunity to do even more damage and kill some of our brethren with a second bomb. But at the height of his madness, he may have exposed a dark secret. A secret that we cannot ignore. I was on the island during the incursion, do not believe anything the New American States are telling you. We must work together to protect our blooming nation. That is why I am here today to ask you all to vote in favor of keeping the Farima. New Manden needs a guardian, but it will be a tool that we control, The Collective. As it should be. Out of the darkness, the light shines through.”
The crowd claps reluctantly.
“As far as Ameer goes, he is the result of Project Maximus that we all decided to support. We must be patient and understand that he is a living being no different from you or I. He is not a ‘thing’ or an ‘it’ or a ‘creature.’ He is a boy, a beautiful boy who needs his space. I know many of you want to see him, but please, this will take much more time than I had anticipated. My husband and I have decided to adopt him, and as his mother, I must say that I do not believe that is best right now.”
The crowd is silent. There are a few audible restless rumbles spread throughout the group in attendance.
“I will say though that he is amazing. Very amazing. He’s a fast learner and has a strength about him that is, powerful. Make no mistake, New Manden is here to stay because we did what no other nation has done before. The Age of Homo Maximus is here.”
There were spatters of cheers and yelps.
“So I say this to our haters in the NAS and KWR as the Elders say, don’t start a war you can’t finish.”
Cheers ring out from the crowd as many stand to their feet and begin clapping. Natia takes a deep breath and smiles. “Whew! I worked on that line for days.”
Natia Greenheart continues with the rest of her speech knowing no person on Earth can touch her.
Today is a glorious day.