Chapter 16: Zoo

Inside the Senate, angry voices overlapped as usual. No one was really listening to each other as they once again disagreed over the most basic decisions. The clamor of voices seemed to echo in Claire's head. Sitting in her seat, slightly higher than the rest, sometimes gave her a better vantage point, and often seemed to make it easier to drown out the bickering. With her chin resting on her hand, Claire watched the other politicians volley back and forth.

And then it was time for David Wheele to take the floor. As usual, he stood in the center with all of the attention focused on him, choosing his words carefully as he tried to convince the others to make a deal with Helena. He was pushing for them to allow Arika to have some kind of standing among their policy-makers. His voice had droned on for far too long as far as Claire was concerned.

Claire was exhausted. The baby was draining the energy out of her, and most of the time she felt ill. Trying to focus took its toll. Glancing about the room, she noticed others yawning and shifting in their seats. Eventually, David had talked himself into a circle and turned his attention back to her. She sat up straighter and waited for whatever he was about to throw at her.

"So why don't we put it to a vote, shall we?" David suggested in that commanding way of his. He smiled at her with clear determination behind those eyes. "Then we can put this to rest."

"Or we can stop arguing about something that is already law," Claire sternly suggested. "This is indisputable, as everyone here knows. The law already stipulates that only a member of a ruling House of Vega can be a V6."

"And Arika could not become a member of her own House in Vega? Isn't she already by virtue of being here, with the status she already has in Helena?"

"What is it that you gain out of this, David?" Claire asked, point blank. The room fell silent. "It's clear that you somehow gain something by aligning yourself with Helena and all that they have to offer. What is it? Is it really in the best interest of Vega or is it really just in your best interest?"

"Yes, I'd like to know that as well," Senator Graywell chimed in.

Senator Julien also spoke up. "It seems you have a vested interest in this to continue to push for it."

David shifted, and then switched gears. As usual he tried to weasel his way out of the conversation, giving Claire a death glare in the process. She knew he hadn't expected her to actually stand up for herself. "I think having an ally with the war capabilities such as Helena would be in our best interest. You never know when Gabriel decides to come back or if the Camp decides to attack Vega."

A hush fell over them again.

"The Camp? Why would you think they would attack us?" another senator asked. "There have been no reports of anything like that. If anything, New Delphi would be an aggressor. They are all lawbreakers there…but the Camp? They are far out into the wilderness and no where near capable of attacking Vega."

David tilted his head, trying to pretend to not look skeptical, but it was clear that he had an agenda. "So the rumors go. I've heard a myriad of things and I think Vega should always be prepared for the worst case scenario. Don't you?"

"And giving the leader of a different settlement power in our own city would be 'preparing' ourselves?" Claire scoffed. "You might as well give Arika the keys to the nuclear reactor doors."

The others agreed with her and David could see he was starting to lose his audience. He glared at her once more, briefly, as if he were trying to tell her to agree with him or else. But Claire was over his strong-arm methods, having dealt with him enough for the past few weeks. She was finally done with being frightened of him or anyone else. And even though she felt sick and tired most of the time, there was a strange strength that was growing inside of her as well. As if her child was giving her power and purpose. As if, just maybe, she was built to be a leader. To be the one calling the shots. Maybe.

"I think this matter is closed. Let's put that to a vote," Claire said carefully, her voice ringing through the room, and overpowering David's sad attempt at regaining his position of the floor.

"All those in favor of laying this matter to rest?"

The room unanimously echoed, "Ay."

With a venomous look, David stared up at Claire who stood on the dais. Her own steely glare responded in kind.