The Solution (2nd Edition)

Xen

As expected, Chon was devastated by our Mother's drastic decision.

    It was also made evident by the hours he'd spent pleading to change her mind. Deep down, though, Chon knew his efforts were painstakingly futile. Therefore, he stopped his insurrection a few days later. Widow Lai had only left Chon with a very sad notion. 'The idea of a happy ending is pointless. Such an idea is fallacy, which comes from minds that believe the world is kind. Sadly, the world is unforgiving, therefore incapable of granting such kindness.'

    Despite her own mixed feelings, Sarah had suggested that Chon forgive The Elder.

    Instead of growing up with our matriarch in close situ, their infant daughter would have to learn about her grandmother through the woman's achievements.

    And to some degree, I thought this was better than nothing.

    Aboard the orbital city, the time had now come for mùqīn to, leave.

    Rested atop her hover platform, my maker glided over to all of us who made up her leaving party. We were stood in a half circle, and ready to receive her. Stood back and looking on, Yan, Anho, Olaf and Aurora gestured respectful nods. So did Stephen and Lee.

    Meanwhile, a selected few of us, had stepped forwards...

    "Laina, let's get you down from there," Cassius offered.

    "Thank you," mùqīn reciprocated, clasping his hand for balance.

    "My dear, fellow, Elder, the pleasure is mine," he said. In smooth succession, Stephen's father had also raised my mother's hand to his mouth and kissed the top of it with fondness. "I will miss you, Laina. More than you know... Nevertheless, I hope that my Shadow Project lights your way, when all other light, goes out..."

    "Again, thank you, Cassius," my mother said. "And please, understand that I have always known how you feel... Even though my heart was always Tengfei's, I was deeply fond of you, too. So, thank you for battling away your desires. Thank you for helping me with everything. And soon, all will be reminded why you have the rank of, Elder." Mùqīn leaned in and placed a tender kiss on the old man's cheek.

    Then as she slipped away, Cassius held at it with desperate fingers. "Farewell, my love, farewell."

    The goodbye was an endearing one.

    Even more than that, if mùqīn was to ever embrace love again, Stephen's father had my vote.

    Casting cheeky eyes onto Mikey, my mother beckoned for the geek. "Mr. Chang. In your own way, I know that you helped my sons with The Solution, with The Contingency, with everything. In my stead, all I ask is that you continue to stay close by their sides..."

    "...Widow Lai," the honored GGE buzzed, "'Mother of Dragons' - I wouldn't have it any other way. And to you, I say, 'Live long and prosper'. Of all The Elders, I think you deserve the Vulcan sentiment the most." When Mikey stepped back into the semi circle, his eyes seemed to drift off, until settling on mùqīn's star shuttle gate.

    It was positioned a short distance away.

    For anyone else wearing iLenses, they also would've been able to zoom in on the small cluster of orange letters, which made up the hyphenated acronym, 'SS-CSP'. And thankfully, when Mikey did absorb it, he was somewhat, discreet. "...No way," he grumbled quietly. "Surely, it can't be...?" In that moment, it seemed as though the GGE had made complete sense of The Shadow Project, and its long-standing secret, which had eluded Chon for years.

    Back inside the semi circle, mùqīn turned her attention to the rest of us - her family.

    "Suki Soreigha Lai, thank you for putting up with me. Over these last few years, Cassius and I really put you through your paces. But I know you understand the sacrifice. Now you are as competent as he, Ling, and I. Furthermore, the future will have our knowledge, if and when, it is needed..."