Same disclaimer applies. I'm sorry it took me so long to update my story. Here's chapter eight for your reading pleasure. Do not forget to review! On to the story!
Chapter 8
"The counting is now on-going." A reporter told the viewers. "Results will be announced hopefully tomorrow." He stopped for a pause. "Thanks to the program developed by PREVENTER personnel, votes from the citizens of Earth, moon and colonies are at once processed here in the ESUN colony."
"I really appreciated the effort made by our current Minister to suggest this kind of approach." Another reporter commentated. "She made us realize that what was lacking were only communication, extend a hand, and find a solution."
"I agree." The first reporter replied. "For three years, she is focused in completing the projects of the previous Minister and implemented improvements to the current government. She also addressed the concerns of those colonies that are situated further from Earth and its surrounding colonies."
"There's no Minister like her." The second reporter said. "She gave it a hundred percent."
Lady Une kept on watching the television with an impassive expression. The door to her office opened and she turned her gaze to the person who entered her room. She turned the television off.
"My nerves are in turmoil." Relena told her. "The race is so close." She reached one of the chairs situated in front of Lady Une's desk and sat down. "I hope this will be over soon. I don't think I can take it. I don't know why I ran for the position." She sighed deeply. "Why did I have to listen to Dorothy?" She asked more to herself.
"Don't worry Relena." Lady Une assured her. "It will be over by tomorrow. Please take a rest."
"This is the first time I actually ran for an office." She told Lady Une. "Before, I was just seen as a figurehead." She shook her head. "I'm surprised at the intensity of the competition." She paused for a thought. "Was it really Ms. Blythe who made the program for this election?"
"Yes she did." Lady Une replied. "It took us by surprise." She smiled at Relena's reaction. "It only shows that we do not know a lot about her." She shifted in her seat for a better position. "We have all the information about her, where she lived, habits, studied, work, who are her friends, co-workers, and associates. But, when she handed us the program she designed and let the guys run a test, it only added to the list of questions of who is Raisa Jenell Blythe."
"How long was the test made?" Relena said. "Duo told me, she gave only a time frame of two months."
"It was hectic, did Duo told you that?" Lady Une said. "Testing the program in a controlled environment like in this colony is simple. The test was completed in two weeks. Our problem is how to process the data from Earth, moon and the colonies. When we searched thru the file she gave us, she also included a file that answered our problem."
"What did you found out?"
"She included a file, along with her program, designs for a communicator relay to address the problem of long distance data processing. It was obvious that she thought of this and the prospective problems that may arise while doing the test."
"I was told that the engineers who looked at her designs for the communicator relay were amazed at how it is advanced."
"The guys studied it and they were also surprised. They are still debating, if she was the one who designed it or she knew someone and asked for their help."
"Noin also told me that the Minister explicitly ordered you that there is no need for others to know where the program and the communicator relay design came from."
"Yes." Lady Une leaned back and looked at the ceiling. "Those who were privy to these information were only the pilots, Noin, Milliardo and I."
"She has high regard to all of you then." Relena smiled. "During those three years she's in office, she always demanded all of your attention."
"I've always seen it as a chore." Lady Une admitted sheepishly.
"Because you don't like her." She smiled softly. "It's not a surprise. Noin, Milliardo and the guys also see her that way. And so do I." She added with a blush.
"She delivered what was expected from her and I'm now not sure if the newly elected Minister will continue the work she'd done." She grimaced. "She'd grown on me."
Relena laughed. "Commander, you're the first one to admit that you're beginning to like her."
"I did not say that." She grumbled.
Relena laughed even harder at her. At that moment, the door opened and Dorothy came in. "Relena, you've fallen behind." She said. "The race is now on for Jackson, Farmont, and Patterson."
"That's it for me then." She smiled. "It was an eye-opening experience." She looked up at Dorothy. "You're the best campaign manager I have. Thank you."
"I think my effort is not enough." Dorothy sighed, sat down facing Relena.
"Nevertheless, we made it here." Relena consoled her friend.
Dorothy just waved a hand and smiled. "You're right."
"What will you do after the election Dorothy?" Lady Une asked.
"Go back to my estate and live as a rich female bachelor." She told them airily.
Relena chuckled. "Staying at home and attend parties?" She inquired. "You'll quit politics?"
Dorothy thought for a moment and replied. "We'll see." She smiled at Relena. "I think there's something else that will keep me occupied." She smiled mysteriously.
"I shudder at the thought." Relena looked at her grinning.
"Gossiping is a mean business." Lady Une commented with high eyebrows.
"It is a fruitful venture." Dorothy grinned.
"For you, it would seem." Lady Une shook her head. The phone at her desk rang and she picked it up. "Lady Une speaking."
Dorothy and Relena fell silent and waited patiently for her to finish her call. After a few minutes, she placed the phone back to its cradle. "I think the two of you should go back. All votes are now in. It is now being checked and double checked."
"Tomorrow is the moment of truth." Relena said. She and Dorothy stood up. "We hope to see each other again tomorrow Lady Une."
"Of course." Lady Une stood up and nodded her head. Relena and Dorothy walked out of her office.