Chapter 160: The Families
"That concludes this debate session. Students, please cast your votes," said Catherine, a vein throbbing in her temple.
---
"We totally smoked those bitches," crowed Adelaide, as she and her team walked across the parking lot.
"Still though, what the hell were those fools blabbering about? I understood some stuff, but what’s the Hawthorne effect?" asked Yue.
"I looked it up. It’s this thing that says workers work better when they know their being watched or feel like the company cares about them. So when you keep changing uniform styles, it tricks workers into thinking that you care, even if you don’t," said William.
Axel and Ivan approached them.
"You girls are coming with me. There’s going to be a bit of a showdown at the school this evening," said Axel.
"Same goes for the two of you, Mr. Rahman and Mr. Thompson. We’re taking all of you to the Sirius Software campus," said Ivan.
"Why, Mr. Zakhrov?" asked William, nervous around Ivan.
"The parents who watched the debate are not happy. There is an emergency session of the PTA being convened, so we’re taking you out safely in case things get out of hand," said Ivan, giving William a reassuring smile.
With that, Axel beckoned the girls into his Stormkreuzer, and Ivan led the boys to his BMW M5.
---
"This farce has gone on far enough! I don’t care what the hell you say about this school, Mr. David. I ask you to take your daughter, and please leave!" said Catherine, glaring angrily at Joshua.
"After what that transphobic bigot and her little friends did? Absolutely not!" shouted Joshua.
"Voting polls are in. Team Adelaide scored a 60% while Team Ester scored a 20% with the remaining 20% undecided. I’ve seen legislation passed with slimmer numbers," said Fr. Joseph, showing Joshua the polling numbers.
"This is just Day one," scoffed Joshua.
"You seriously think you can pull off a miracle? Even if you can sway the remaining undecided votes, swaying a majority like what Team Adelaide has gotten is next to impossible. Face it, Josh. Your little stunt has failed. Pack it up before those kids further humiliate your PR machine and spin doctors," said Fr. Joseph.
"Don’t you dare call me Josh! I’m not backing down from a fight with Sirius Software and their indoctrinated shills! God has saved my people against worse odds than a measly sixty percent!" shouted Joshua.
"Mr. David, if you’re insinuating that Sirius Software is coaching or otherwise preparing Ms. Albrecht and her team, then you are sorely mistaken. I will not have you belittle and slander their intelligence," said Catherine.
"And God’s track record of saving your people isn’t exactly the best, given the atrocities you so lovingly whip out at the drop of a hat," said Fr. Joseph.
"You said six debate rounds, and four polls. You stick to that, Fr. Joseph. You stick to that, and we’re all good," said Joshua.
Just then the door opened, and Saladin, attired in full military dress uniform walked in, followed by Friedrich and Hajime.
"Is this the worm, Fr. Joseph?" asked Friedrich.
Fr. Joseph nodded.
With lightning-quick speed, Friedrich slapped the Jewish cap from Joshua’s head, and seized him by the neck.
"You forced my daughter to share a deeply private and personal experience! My family doesn’t go about broadcasting their personal problems unlike your people’s love of kvetching! Now, you listen to me very carefully. You will take your spawn, and leave this school and Zone, or you will suffer a fate far worse than the Holocaust you keep whining about. Do I make myself clear Jew?" threatened Friedrich as Joshua whimpered, powerless against Friedrich’s iron grip on his throat.
Saladin drew his ceremonial sword.
"You wanted Sharia law, didn’t you? Well, for slandering my daughter’s authenticity of the Faith, I demand your head as satisfaction," he said, raising the sword.
"Stay your blade, Mr. Saladin! I will not allow bloodshed in this school!" commanded Fr. Joseph with all the righteous authority he could muster.
"As you wish, Father," said Saladin, sheathing his sword.
"I still think we need to beat this little man into a pulp for slut-shaming my daughter. Let’s take it outside shall we?" suggested Hajime, cracking his knuckles ominously.
"Indeed," said Saladin, seizing Joshua’s left arm, while Friedrich seized the other.
"Get your hands off me! I have rights! You can’t do this!" screamed Joshua.
"Silence!" barked Hajime striking Joshua roughly in the mouth.
Friedrich and Saladin frog marched the now whimpering Joshua out of Fr. Joseph’s office.
"May God have mercy on poor innocent Ester, and save her from distress," sighed Fr. Joseph, making the sign of the cross.
---
"Sarah!" gasped Joshua as Saladin, Friedrich and Hajime dragged him outside the gates of St. Ignatius Academy.
Just outside, was his wife, Sarah, kneeling at the feet of two women - a tall Libyan woman in a severe black skirt-suit and headscarf, and a petite Chinese woman in a sleek black leather skirt-suit.
Sarah’s headscarf had been ripped from her head, revealing her thin and wiry curly brown hair.
Her caftan was in tatters, exposing the white t-shirt and sweatpants she was wearing underneath.
Both the women were holding black leather riding crops, clearly having finished beating Sarah.
SZPD Stormkreuzer patrol cars had cleared the area, and blocked off the access road, ensuring that they would not be disturbed.
"Commander Rahman, excellent work," said Saladin, recognizing the Libyan woman as Sadiq’s mother, and one of the commanders in his Army.
"Thank you, Premier. It seemed only fitting that this harlot answer for trying to paint my Sadiq as a mindless predator," said Commander Rahman, giving Sarah a swat on the back with her riding crop.
"Indeed, my William already endures suspicion for his passion for cosplay. I refuse to let his character be called into question," said Mei, who was William’s mother, also giving Sarah a swat.
"Now then. Let’s begin shall we?" asked Friedrich, throwing Joshua onto the road beside his wife.
"No! No! Please! We’ll leave!" begged Joshua, shaking in terror.
"Shut up and listen! You will post a full confession, detailing your full involvement in this issue, and then you will be banished from the Sirius Zone. If you refuse, you die by my blade. Do I make myself clear, Mr. David?" asked Saladin, his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"Yes! Yes! Perfectly clear!" screamed Joshua.
"Good. Now these fine police officers will drop you to your home. Consider yourself under house arrest until the video of your confession is delivered and broadcast," said Saladin, as a pair of burly SZPD officers, hauled a shaking and sobbing Joshua and Sarah to their feet, and helped them into a patrol car.
---
"You know, I misjudged and underestimated you, William. I had pegged you as an awkward nerd, but you really held your own in the debate. So, for that I apologize," said Adelaide, blushing slightly, as they all sat in the Sirius Software Conference Bar.
"I might not have Sadiq’s gravitas, but I know my stuff. Besides, Sirius Software saved my father’s tailoring company from bankruptcy by partnering with him. I wasn’t about to let someone attack them about their tech," said William.
"Well, it certainly was impressive," said Adelaide.
"Mr. Albrecht, do you have a girlfriend?" asked Yue, sideling up to Axel, who was sitting with them.
"No, not yet," said Axel, and Yue blushed happily.
"Yue, I warned you. Cousin Axel is too old," said Adelaide, raising an eyebrow.
"Maybe. But I can still be friends with him right?" asked Yue, though she instinctively grabbed onto Axel’s arm.
"Well, yes, we can be friends, or maybe I could be like a big brother," said Axel, trying to disengage himself from Yue.
"Hehe, I like the sound of that, Axel oni-chan," said Yue, clinging tighter to him.
"I think, Axel-san, or Axel-senpai, is a better form of address," said Axel, gently pulling away from Yue.
Yue pouted, but let go of him.
"Fine," she grumbled.
Axel decided to switch places, and sat between Sadiq and William, so that he and the two boys were opposite Adelaide, Yue and Yasmin.
The door to the Conference Bar opened, and Friedrich, Hajime and Saladin came in.
"Premier Saladin!" gasped Sadiq, springing to his feet and bowing.
"Relax, Mr. Rahman. I’m here in the capacity as a father, not your Sovereign," chuckled Saladin, gesturing him to be at ease.
Sadiq nervously sat back down, and shot Yasmin a look that was half fearful, and half furious.
"My daughter. That was an excellent performance," said Saladin, warmly embracing Yasmin.
"Thank you, Father," said Yasmin, giving Sadiq an apologetic look.
"Sadiq! That was so wonderful the way you handled yourself. I’m proud of you my son," said Sadiq’s father, Mustafa coming in with his wife, Nadira.
"Thank you, Dad, Mom did you know?" asked Sadiq, as his mother embraced him.
"That your girlfriend was Premier Saladin’s daughter? Yes, but that doesn’t mean that you don’t deserve a shot at winning her over," chuckled Nadira.
"Indeed, from what Yasmin has told me, and from what I’ve seen today, you’re an honorable young man, you have nothing to fear from me, unless you hurt my precious Yasmin. Do we understand each other, Mr. Rahman?" asked Saladin, his eyes sparkling.
Sadiq stood and bowed.
"Yes, my Premier. I understand. I’ll do my best to live up to your expectations," he said, despite the sweat forming on his brow.
"What happened, Father? Why are we here instead of home?" asked Adelaide, after Friedrich had congratulated her.
"Well, for one thing, we’ve had to deal with Mr. David and his ilk, so we are keeping you kids here where it’s safest," said Friedrich.
"My, my, this place is pretty impressive," said Mei, coming in with Elliot Thompson, to congratulate William.
"Mom! Dad! You came!" exclaimed William, surprised to see them.
"While we haven’t spoken much lately, Mr. Zakhrov used to be one of my regular customers," chuckled Eliot, embracing William.
"You were very impressive, William. I’m so happy that you’ve found a good circle of friends," said Mei.
"I’m not-" began William, but Adelaide cut him off.
"We’re friends now, William. Yes, you may be new to the group, but I for one, am glad you joined us," she said.
Hajime and Yue were conversing quietly in Japanese. After a moment, Hajime approached Axel.
"I don’t know what you’ve done to make my daughter crush so hard on you. It maybe a passing phase, but let me be clear. You may not encourage it, or pursue her until she comes of age, or you’ll soon find that Saladin is not the only one with a blade," said Hajime, his eyes boring into Axel’s.
"I understand, sir," said Axel, swallowing nervously.
