Chapter 15
Nliochristou- Was never asked nor did I consider doing this. We'll see.
Kai
"Alright, I'm all dressed up. Are you guys ready to go?" Asked Kai as he looked at his crew. Two days had passed since Lombard told him about the party held at Side 3's capital building. Not only was Kai to attend the party, but he was also to record the event so that other media outlets won't make some shit about Side 3 for the other Sides and Earth, making life harder for the people of Side 3 and those trying to convince others that Side 3 is no longer the Principality of Zeon. Dressed in a nice black suit and pants, Kai looked at Crick as he and the other two AIs checked their equipment for any faults.
"Of course." Said Crick as he looked at Kai with both Slick and Tick. "We're ready to leave when you are, Kai." Kai nodded at that before opening the door to his room, leaving it while leaving the door open for the robots, who soon followed him with all the equipment they need to air the event they're attending. Upon entering the lobby of the main garrison building, Kai saw both Erika and Hepner waiting in the lobby. Upon seeing their dresses, Kai had to admit they both wore them quite nicely.
Hepner was wearing a nice black, spaghetti dress that showed off her legs. To complement the dress, she wore arm gloves as well as some nice high heels to boot.
Erika, meanwhile, was wearing a ruby red dress that was more modest in its design. It was more like a mourning dress than an actual dress made for a party. Raising an eyebrow at that, Kai went over to the ladies and spoke up.
"Nice to see both of you are wearing nice dresses." Said Kai, causing Hepner to smile and Erika to look at him. "Nice to see you out of the hospital, Hepner. It was a bit of a drag not seeing your cheery smile for a while. Could have used it way back at the Red Zone." Having heard what happened in the Red Zone, Hepner gave a small sympathetic smile.
"I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you, Kai." Said Hepner. "I promise it won't happen again." Kai just waved off the apology.
"Eh, it's fine." Said Kai with a nonchalant voice. "It was beyond your control. You'll be better next time. I'm sure." Hepner just smiled at that. Before she could speak, Erika spoke up.
"The transports that will be taking us to the event will be here soon." Said Erika as she looked at Kai with a cool stare. "I hope that you will do your job with professional results." Kai just blinked at that before nodded.
"Right back to square one, huh?" Thought Kai as Erika looked away from him before walking away. "And here I was thinking we made a connection with each other. Oh well." Looking at a nearby clock, Kai went over to a nearby seat and sat on it, waiting for the transports to arrive so he can both do his job and enjoy a party. Hopefully, the food is good.
Meanwhile
"All units are in position."
"Good. Get ready. Be ready to conduct operation on my mark."
Later
Side 3 capital
"So, this is where the Zabi Family used to live, huh?" Asked Kai as he saw the massive palace that his jeep was making its way to. The sheer size of the building left Kai bewildered at it. "Jesus. Do you really need that much room for under half a dozen people?"
"I know." Said Erika with a hint of disgust as she also looked at the massive building. "This building represented everything wrong with the old Principality of Zeon. Greed and self-interest hidden behind calls of freedom and patriotism." Kai nodded in agreement at that along with Hepner.
"I've heard that Prime Minster Bakharov wants to completely redesign that entire estate." Explained Hepner. "Give some land to some of the regular citizenries and sell off the expensive stuff in there to the Federation, but the money just isn't there because…well, you already know." Kai and Erika stayed silent at that, knowing why the money wasn't there. Either it was being diverted to paying the debt to the Earth Federation or going towards public assistance programs. There was nothing left for redesigns or anything like that, leaving old symbols as the Zabi palace intact, no matter how many bad memories it resurfaces.
Sighing to himself, Kai looked at Erika as she looked away from the palace with a scowl. Deciding to be a bit bold and talked with her.
"So, the talk we had last night." Said Kai, getting Erika's attention. "That helped a bit, right?" Erika looked at Hepner and their driver before she whispered to Kai.
"Yes, it did." Said Erika with a small smile. "It gave me a newfound respect for you, Kai. I mean I already had developed a respect for you while you were here, but that talk really helped. It made me see what made you tick and why you're helping my nation, despite everything. It also helps that you promised me you'll take care of Monica if anything happened to me. I appreciate it all." That made Kai smile a bit.
"Heh, you made me think that conversation we had a few nights ago didn't matter at all when we met back up." Said Kai, causing Erika to roll her eyes. "Guess you got to keep the reputation up of being a stone-cold lady." That caused Erika to roll her eyes again. "Here I was hoping that it would cause you to loosen up with me. At least a little bit."
"Well, as you said, I have to keep up the reputation of being a stone-cold bitch." Said Erika. "I would like that reputation intact, thank you. But, while we're alone, I guess I'll be gentler with you. Is that alright?" Kai smiled at that before nodding his head.
"Hey, how about after the party, I pay a visit to your sister." Offered Kai. "So that, in case you bite the bucket, she and I know each other, and she won't have to be under the care of a complete stranger." Erika smiled at that.
"That would be a good idea." Said Erika. "Let's set a meeting the first chance we get." Nodding at that, Kai stayed silent for the rest of the trip, content to stay quiet for now. Soon, they've entered the premises of the capitol building, where they were greeted with Prime Minster Bakharov himself. Surprised at this, Kai got out of the jeep and walked over to the man.
"Pleased to meet you, Prime Minister. My name is Kai Shiden." Said Kai as he extended out his hand, which the Prime Minister took with a smile. As they shook, Kai saw the Minster's eyes and saw just how tired they look. Attributing that to the Zeon Remnant's attempt to launch Operation Stardust, Kai eventually let go of the man's hand.
"It's a pleasure to see you as well, Mr. Shiden." Said Bakharov. "I've heard of your reputation. I'm sure that you will give my people a fair shot at showing the rest of humanity that we've changed for the most part." Kai nodded at that.
"It's why I'm here." Said Kai as he looked at his crew getting out their filming equipment. "No bullshit edits or fabricated drama to get subscriptions or views. Just the truth." Bakharov nodded in thanks for that before inviting Kai and his people inside, where there were refreshments and the like within. Giving a nod at that, Kai and everyone with him went up the steps and went inside the building. Upon getting inside, Kai couldn't help but be impressed.
The Zabi palace was massive. Large grandeur hallways filled with lavish paintings and pure white columns were all around Kai as he walked into the building.
"Sheesh. I knew the Zabi family was vain, but I didn't think this vain." Thought Kai as he looked around his surroundings, seeing all the expensive artwork around him. Erika and Hepner were both disguised and in awe at all this with both of them wondering why they weren't being sold to other the other Sides. Surely, there would be something here that was worth something to other people.
Ignoring the paintings and expansive hallway, the trio and machines went towards the room where the party was being held, the location being told by Commodore Lombard yesterday. As they walked and walked, Kai wondered how Amuro would fare in this environment. He guessed that he would hate it, though Chan would make it bearable. Chuckling as he wondered how their kids would look like, Kai looked at both Erika and Hepner and wondered if they had their own Amuro for them.
They both were young women, forced in a difficult time for their nation, and yet they both were holding on quite well. It was impressive. Then again, Erika had her little sister. That probably gave her the strength needed to be as strong as she was showing right now. Just like Miharu.
Thinking of Miharu, Kai couldn't help but feel a tug in his heartstrings. Such a young life taken away prematurely. And her loved ones are in denial about her death. Clutching his fist, Kai made a vow to make sure that Erika's sister won't suffer the same fate as Miharu's siblings. He won't let the next generation suffer more.
Soon, the group found the room where the party was. Upon entering they found various people in nice dresses and suits mingling with each other, enjoying nice foods and drinks.
Erika's eye twitched as she looked at all this. These people were enjoying nice food and drinks while other people were out starving and struggling with themselves. Hepner saw this and placed a hand on Erika's shoulder.
"Are you going to be fine?" Asked Hepner, worried for Erika. Upon seeing the worried look on Hepner's face, Erika sighed and assured her that she'll be fine.
"It's not even all that good." Said Kai, catching both of their attention. "Look at the spaghetti. It's texture and how it smells. It's that cheap spaghetti you get from a can. Same with the desert and bread. Stuff you get cheaply get at a local convenience store." That caused both girls to look at Kai, making him shrug. "What? I used to live alone back at Side 6. I know what cheap food looks like."
"Should we add that to our report?" Asked Tick as he handled their main camera. Kai nodded at that while looking at his crew.
"Once the equipment is set up over there," Kai pointed towards a corner of the room that gave a good view of everything. "I want you guys to film from afar. Don't intermingle with anyone until the reporting is over. We'll have intervals between filming so we can have breaks. That all right with you all?" His crew and bodyguards nodded at that. With that, the AI crew left for the spot so that they can get everything ready for the initial filming. As for Kai, he looked at Erika and Hepner and gave them a smile, something that they returned. Soon, the equipment was ready and soon the filming would start. Clearing his throat, Kai soon went over to his crew so that he can start the reporting section of his job.
