Voluptuous Vindication (7 page)

“Why would I do that?” He replied, his tone puzzled. “Did you just crawl out from underneath a rock or something? The satellites are down. Nobody gets service anymore, but yet, the bill keeps coming monthly, the money-hungry assholes. Our world might be going to hell in a hand basket, but God forbid they don't get the very last dime out of us.” He ended his tirade, his face red with indignation.

“Just try it, please,” Arch replied, turning to face the television installed in the corner of the room. “Maybe this time, you'll get lucky.”

The owner grabbed up the remote from the counter with a sigh. “Whatever you say.”

Sara hadn't spoke since coming into the coffee shop, with the exception of ordering a soda. Her pale cheeks were flushed a becoming shade of rose from the cold, her blue eyes wide and entrancing underneath the artificial lights. The bun at the back of her head had come loose, hanging down her back messily.

Ian doubted she'd noticed, not with the excitement of the night. Sara struck him as a woman used to being in control of herself and her environment. It was likely she was out of sorts now, in limbo as she struggled to come to terms with the heavy hand fate was dealing her.

He stared at her, puzzled anew by the attraction he felt for this well-rounded woman. Her frame was large, from her shoulders to her hips. Underneath the jacket she wore, her big breasts strained against the fabric of her shirt. The buttons were just a breath away from gaping open. He hoped they would, desperate for a glimpse of the creamy globes underneath.

What type of bra was she wearing underneath the plain, brown jacket? He imagined her in red and nearly groaned out loud. It was more likely she stuck with white underwear. Sara was a no-frills type of woman, full of common sense and practical ideas, he'd seen that already. In other words, boring to a man like him that craved decadent delights and excitement.

The television came to life. The owner quickly turned the volume up, leaning across the counter for a better look. It was the beginning of an emergency news conference. A man in a business suit stepped up to the podium, grinning broadly at the sounds of the half-hearted applause from the room he was in. All of them watched, curious to see what the mortal had to say about the current state of events.

He began to talk, a well-practiced speech that rang with insincerity. With their enhanced senses, they had no problems picking up on the untruths behind his words. Ian listened, but his thoughts were distracted by the woman in front of him.

“People of this country, my people, you know my thoughts and prayers are with you. I know that many of you won't have the ability to see this, due to the devastating weather patterns we've been experiencing. I'm counting on those of you that are watching to share what I have to say here. Lives depend on it.”

His eyes shifted minutely to the side of the camera. Like a switch being turned off, his expression changed from confidence to one of compassion. “I'm deeply grieved by the severe tragedies that keep happening. It's a time of suffering for all of us, in proportions none of us have ever seen before. Citizens are dying left and right, from illness, starvation, and exposure to the elements. A solution had to be found and fast.”

“I bet,” Ian bit out, sarcastically. “More like they knew people were desperate and decided it was their time to jump on it.”

“My staff and I have been working day and night, fueled by our determination to make things better. We finally came to terms. In two days time, this new agreement will go into effect. No longer will be known by the country we come from. There will be no more boundaries. In two days time, all of us will be members of a one-world government, enacted to protect you and bring you back to the quality of life you're used to.”

“Son-of-a-bitch,” the coffee shop owner said, his jaw slack.

The man on television smiled into the camera, his teeth bright and white. Ian wondered if he'd had them freshly bleached. Maybe it was a routine procedure before any television appearance. Everything about him was fake and phony, from his words to his appearance.

“Have no fears,” he continued, his voice filled with the authority of his position. “I'll still be your leader. We are going to bring the entire world into the twenty-first century. There will be some changes, though. We are improving the quality of life for an entire world, and I'm sure that you will agree. Change is needed.”

He looked down at his podium before clearing his throat. “To make it easier for all, we're dispensing with photo identification. I'm sure this will come as a relief to many of you. Identity theft has been on the rise, and no longer will you have to worry about this. Instead, every person will be embedded with a tiny chip inside their hand. This is a pain-free, quick process that eliminates many of the everyday hassles that we've all had to deal with.”

“Bastard,” Jeremiah muttered, slamming his fist down on the table. “He's making it sound all pretty to a beat-down, exhausted, and worried society of mortals.”

“This chip will eliminate all your problems. Over the next several weeks, we will be setting up feeding and housing centers in every major city across the world. All you will have to do is make your way to your closest city, you'll find the signs once you hit the city limits. The technicians at the center will get your chips installed, and you'll be free to eat. Food rations will be provided to you, as well as gasoline and kerosine, should you decide to remain in your homes. Otherwise, you'll be welcome to avail yourself of the housing we offer. It's your choice.”

“It's here,” Sara whispered, her face blanched of all color. Her eyes glistened with the sheen of tears before she blinked them away. “It came faster than I was expecting.”

“Drink your soda,” Ian bit out, irritated by the concern he felt at her paleness. “When is the last time you ate? We can't be carrying you around, just because you aren't taking care of yourself.”

Sara blushed, ignoring him as she turned her face back to the television. “This is only the start of the benefits of having the chip installed. With it, you'll be able to collect weekly food rations, more than enough to keep your kitchens stocked. You'll also be entitled to free medial care and medicine. We will take care of you, I wouldn't settle for anything less.”

A male voice interrupted him. “What happens if a person doesn't get your chip?”

For a split second, his expression revealed irritation at the unexpected interruption. It was quickly covered up. “I'd be very surprised if someone doesn't get the chip. After all, there are no disadvantages to this. Get the chip, and you get free food, medical, and the means to heat your home or run your generators. All you have to do is come in, agree to become a full-fledged citizen of our new government, and get your identification. It's that easy.”

The unseen man persisted. “You haven't answered the question, though. What happens to the people that don't get this chip? What's the catch here?”

He smiled into the camera, his expression relaxed and easy. “The protection of our people is of the utmost concern. It's essential that everyone has one, to keep our people safe. Those unwilling to comply won't have access to our care facilities or food centers. We will need to validate that each person who utilizes our services is the person that they state they are. The chip will not only do this, but it will also keeps track of everything, from the rations given to medical records.”

The camera zoomed in. “People have been restrained for too long, ordered to live in an overly-controlled society that goes against our freedoms. No more. No longer will you have religion rammed down your throats, told that you need to follow a fake set of outdated commandments. Feel the need to tell a little lie? Go ahead, we all have to at some point or another. Caught in an affair with your neighbor's wife? So what? We all make mistakes.”

The audience chuckled, some of the clapping. Arch and Ian exchanged disgusted looks. “He's using their selfish desires to encourage them. How horrible it is, when humanity justifies acts like that,” Arch said, his voice grieved.

“And here's the big one. No longer will we be issuing marriage licenses. As we've seen over the last fifty years or so, marriage is an outdated practice. We are now encouraging co-habitation, and when it's over, move on. Marriage has no value anymore, except for a negative one on the pocketbook. By eliminating it, we are protecting your best interests, saving you time and money. Why should anyone be forced to stay with one person their entire lives?” He smiled at the applause that filled the room.

“What about shopping? Will money still have the same value?”

“Everything will still be the same,” he assured her. “We are just making things better for all of you, while we ride out the storm. Go in, get your chip, and live your life as you like. We'll take care of the rest.”

The news conference ended quickly after that. Clicking off the television, the coffee shop owner sat down with a smile. “That's the best news I've heard since this mess started. About time they considered our needs.”

The three men glared at him, but before any of them could say anything, Sara stood up. “Are you really that foolish?” She asked him, walking over to the counter. “Or are you so blinded by living a selfish life that you simply don't care?”

In her hands, she carried a Bible. Laying it on the counter, she met his surprised eyes. “I'd advise you to read this, especially the final chapter. It was especially written for fools like you. Maybe you'll be blessed enough to understand what it says, or maybe not, I can't say. I hope for your sake you are, though. If not, you'll find yourself with plenty of company in Hell when it's all said and done.”

She turned to walk back to the table, but he stopped her. “Hey, lady, what exactly do you mean?”

Sara turned back to him. “I mean that all of this was foretold years ago and written as a warning. People scoffed at it, though, saying that it was archaic and outdated nonsense. But that wasn't why they refused to believe it. The real truth is they wanted to do things that they shouldn't be doing, such as cheating, lying, and sinning. Society as a whole has done everything they can to refuse to live like the Bible says,
because they simply don't want to
. After all, what's the fun in being faithful to one woman or being chaste with their bodies and appearance.”

She walked back to the counter and flipped the pages open to the last chapter. Pointing at it, she met his eyes. “You won't to know what your so-called freedom is going to cost you? Read this, and remember nothing in life comes free. These years you have spent here is just a drop in the bucket, compared to the eternity still facing you. Life isn't over when you leave this realm, and you can't expect to enter into Heaven when you never believed in it. Open the door to believing, and you've just made your first step into understanding.”

“I will,” he agreed, pulling it to him. He looked back at her, his eyes serious. “I don't know if I can be as good as I'm supposed to be, though. What if I mess up?”

“Oh, you will mess up,” she assured him, her tone confident. He stared back at her in shock, completely speechless. “It's to be expected because your human. I'm not talking about your mistakes, though. Build your faith and believe. Everything else will fall into place.”

Sara turned and walked back to the table. Her eyes were alight with a spark behind her glasses. She was magnificent when stirred up, and her passion in their cause hadn't escaped his notice.  Ian found it stimulating, his body tight with need.

“What now, Arch?” She asked, sitting back down at the table. “You said you'd explain once we got here. Could you start now? To tell the truth, I'm exhausted.”

“Me too, Arch,” Jeremiah said. “I want an answer about my request to transfer. Even now, my balls are shrinking in anticipation of going back out in the cold. I said I'd give my life protecting humanity, but my balls were never in the bargain.”

“Don't hold nothing back, Jeremiah. Tell us how you really feel,” Arch said wryly, shaking his head. “What about you?” He asked Ian, raising his dark eyebrow enquiringly. “You might as well put your complaints out on the table, as well.”

Ian shrugged, leaning back and stretching his legs out. “I don't care if I'm here or somewhere else, as long as I'm left alone.”

Arch sighed, drumming his fingers on the table rapidly. He turned to face Sara, who watched their exchange silently. “Earlier I told you that a hit was placed on your head. Without the ability to protect yourself, it's no longer safe for you to be alone, so your protection falls to us.”