2206 : Window Onto A New World
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IX. Careful With That Axe, Eugene
« No I'm not ! » objected the nurse, « the health center is only a few minutes away » she carried on, indicating its direction, « they take me wherever they need me to stand in and bring me back here afterwards » she explained as she faced her brother. « If you say so » simply conceded the military-looking man, « shouldn't we be going ? » he suggested as it occurred to him that they might be running short on time. « Indeed we should ! » cheerfully concurred the sexagenarian, glad to change the subject, as the duo started to stroll towards the community clinic, « you're late » she commented after a moment, « I was worried for a while » she confided pensively. « Yes, sorry » readily apologized the veteran ruler, « we had a meeting this morning » he continued right away, « we finished later than planned » he justified, not bringing up the attack he had fended off earlier as he didn't want to trouble his sister unduly. « You look like a retired Milagenian soldier » the generous woman noted following some more tranquil walking. « Pretty realistic, huh ? » the politician proudly agreed. « I could have been waving at an extremist ! » the lady submitted half-jokingly. « Maybe he would have swept you off your feet » proposed the amused Chancellor. « Maybe » the nurse acquiesced, surprised, « anyway, with your shades on, no one will even begin to suspect it might be you » she resolutely assured. « You really think so ? » at once queried the statesman, somewhat anxious, but except for an undecipherable tender glance, his question remained unanswered. « What are you going to do ? » gravely inquired the sexagenarian after some while. « What ? » wondered the experienced representative, staring nervously at his sibling. « You've seen the polls » the woman mentioned, gazing at her brother as he turned away, « the Coalition is ahead now » she stressed in a concerned tone. « They have shot themselves in the foot with their announcement » Ramsay immediately asserted, « just this morning, our Chief Scientific Adviser has recommended that we wait until further investigation before making any official declarations » he maintained, dead serious, « it's too soon to be devising colonization plans ! » he insisted in a raising voice. « It's audacious » calmly remarked the lady. « You mean downright irresponsible ! » retorted the steamed federalist, « we know next to nothing about this... wormhole... thing » he reasoned, very much preoccupied with the issue, « who knows what can happen in there ? » he exclaimed, appearing worried. « People seem to like the idea » the nurse offered gently, looking down in front of her to avoid the eyes of the irritated man. « Yes, well, just see what happens once we show them how early it is and how hazardous the plans of the Coalition really are ! » the world leader angrily responded. « What will you tell them ? » asked the sexagenarian, sounding apprehensive, aware of the dubious methods the Conservatives often resorted to in electoral times.
The Threshold
108
Christopher Stewart