The Solution (2nd Edition)

Xen

Even though I had a million and one things to do before The Solution began, I wanted to try and get Chon back onside. So, I planned to tackle him in person, hoping a face to face scenario might change things.

    In a similar fashion to how Charlie Lamoon was probably able to track my GPS, I'd paid a nerd to make the necessary hack modifications to my iDot. The main reason was to keep a watchful eye over Suki, mùqīn, and Chon, moving forward...

    When Chon's GPS finally stopped moving, my entourage and a member of airport security helped me navigate the secluded retail corridors and enter Lantern. Once inside, I bribed a keen salesman with five hundred iDot credits. Naturally, the man was quick to isolate the shop door when I'd asked, then I moved up behind Chon. After getting his attention, I put an arm around his neck and wore a look of honest sorrow. Luckily, Chon didn't shun it. Instead, he took a deep sigh, and embraced me with a brotherly hug.

    I didn't vocalize it, but I treasured the moment.

    After a brief pause, Chon curled my arm off his shoulders and offered a surprising apology. "Xen, sorry for being rude earlier on. I'm just tired of all the, 'politics'. On a more pressurized note, your summit, this Solution, had better be our saving grace. Because right now, all I see is the dark cloud looming over us, and ready to burst if you don't handle everything with finesse."

    "Chon, Chon, there's nothing to worry about," I said dismissively. "And we'll make history, little brother, history!"

    But unconvincingly, Chon huffed and raised his brow. "Xen, 'we shall see', and more importantly, 'only time will tell'...

    "Anyway, when's your flight leaving?"

    "About half an hour after yours," I said, respecting he was trying to change the subject. Then stupidly, I tried my luck at having a little banter with him. "Me and my guys will catch some transport buggies over to the private wing in a minute or two - that's how the big boys roll!"

    In response, Chon just shook his head, then detoured the subject matter again. "By any chance, did you see Mikey and Sarah on your way through?"

    "Chon, of course," I revealed. "They were originally in front of me. But thanks to my position, security was kind enough to let us slip through. They shouldn't be too far behind," I explained with an upbeat demeanor. Seconds later, I seized the opportunity to try and share some positive aspects of The Solution, and how the world would be astonished when I revealed it. Unfortunately, Chon's attention seemed elsewhere, and he began looking out of the shop window - most likely for his buddies. Frustrated, I tried to snap him out of his distraction. "Little brother, are you listening to anything I'm saying?"

    "Not really," Chon said brazenly. "Xen, if I'm honest, you're too indirect when it comes to The Solution, and so respectfully, I'll just wait for the proper unveiling like everyone else."

    "Okay, Chon, okay," I said disappointingly. "I suppose I can't argue with that. I was just trying to keep you engaged with it."

    "I understand," he responded, "but again, I'll wait. What I would like to know is, how comes you didn't link mùqīn this morning?"

    "Chon, I did, once you'd walked away from her," I revealed. "When we eventually got onto you, I reminded her you're obviously still upset about, everything."

    Chon gave me a piercing look. "Of course, I am," he responded. "The summit and election drawing nearer doesn't help either. Nor does mùqīn's biased support."

    Even though I knew otherwise when it came to my plans, I tried to put myself in Chon's position. And so humbly, I yielded, and looked away from him. "Chon, I'm confident you two will sort your differences, especially once everything has been revealed..."

    "Xen, whatever," Chon said while scowling, and he refocused on his friends' whereabouts. "Now, did you actually see them?"

    "Yes, yes," I reassured, and having had enough of my efforts squandered, I made an honest demand of Chon. "Little brother, after The Solution, everything will change. So, with that in mind, will you have a preliminary drink with me? We may never get another chance..."

    The candle shop void was silent until Chon responded. "...Alright, Xen, alright. It'll be a good opportunity to get the mung bean taste out of my mouth."

    "Glad to hear it," I smiled, while the salesman canceled the isolation and dematerialized the door. "Chon, The Five Star Bar awaits, and luckily, the owner has a thing for discretion and subtlety, as long as one is paying."