Paradise Burning (The Virtagwalla Series Book 2)

paradise

burning

The Virtagwalla Series

written by

Kyle Malinowski

Cover designed by

Jordon Lamping

In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the author constitute unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), prior written permission must be obtained by contacting the author at
[email protected]
.

Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.

To my friends that have supported me all these years by encouraging my crazy hobby…

Book Two

of

The Virtagwalla Series

1

Eric Larynx pulled up to the front drive of Morgan Jobst Memorial Hall, home of the College of Engineering on the University of Virtagwalla’s campus. The sun played beautifully off the trees and flowers planted around the engineering building. This made the hall far more appealing to the eye than its barbaric and gothic architecture allowed. Larynx marveled at the ingenuity that came out of that building – many of his greatest engineers and innovators found their technical underpinnings within those walls.

              Rachel Rove elegantly exited the structure still in her teaching attire. Dressed formally in a skirt suit the first lady never seemed to let anyone down with her fashion sense. Her sunglasses even coordinated with her shoes, a hallmark of her eye for trends. Larynx leaned against his truck as Rachel moved down the front staircase, spreading a smile across her face.

              “I thought I would was meeting you at Larynx Station?” Rachel suggested, surprised.

              “Are you disappointed? I figured we could take the scenic route out to the site,” he smiled.

              “Oh such a romantic,” she said removing her shades seductively, “You just want to get me in your truck.”

              Larynx greeted her by kissing her twice on the cheeks, “We should probably be a little more discreet, Dr. Rove?”

              She stood back up, a frown now on her face, “I’m not sorry for being excited to spend the afternoon with you.”

              Pausing for a moment, he opened her door, and she wiggled in. Slamming it shut, he walked around to the other side, himself climbing in. Starting the engine, it churned to life, yet it was silent. Larynx was always amazed by what car companies did to support Virtagwalla’s electric initiative. He slid the pickup into gear, and began to pull away.

              Looking over at Rachel, he found her snooping about the truck. Asking, as he turned onto the entrance ramp of the expressway, “Do you like what you see?”

              “Its huge,” she suggested about the truck, with her sunglasses’ arm in her mouth she commented, “And its not the only thing I like of yours.”

              He gave a laugh, “We are still in the city.”

              “That didn’t stop us in your office just a couple days ago,” she said looking out the window. Pressing the accelerator harder, the truck zoomed up onto the elevated freeway, heading away from the University towards the Capital Square loop. The freeway not only looped the city, but it also formed a square around Capital Tower, and the other national governmental buildings, effectively giving boundaries to Capital Square. Two relatively strait spokes in the freeway loop were added later to cut through the city, as if like two parallel veins flying over the metropolis. One vein was named the University Freeway due to its close association with the University District, and the other was known as the Baxter Freeway, because of its access to the nation’s largest airport the Houston Baxter Memorial International Airport.

              Rachel and Larynx had met up three times since the initial christening of their secret love affair on the patio of the Virtagwalla World Bank. Two of the times were at his office, and the third was in one of the labs of Morgan Jobst Hall. Larynx couldn’t explain it, but he was so enraptured by Rachel that he persistently had to tell himself to refrain from discussing the budding relationship or acting differently towards her in public. Rachel, in the same way, found it equally as challenging to keep it to herself. She too felt so strongly about Larynx that she often approached the idea in her head about leaving Xavier to be with him, and be public about it.

Larynx had to talk her down from that idea at least once before. He explained how horrific it would look if she, the first lady and wife of the beloved President, left him to be with the billionaire playboy. She conceded he was right, but would continue to toy around with the idea. Whenever she wasn’t with him, she found herself thinking about him. Larynx on the other hand found Rachel infatuating but was nervous that the glamour and mystique of it all would wear off. He needed to keep it from moving too fast.

              The truck quietly skated around Capital Square, taking the western most exit of the freeway. The quickly found themselves on a narrow road cutting up the steep sides of the mounts. ‘This is why HWY 100 needs a line,’ Larynx thought to himself, navigating the treacherous historic route. The mounts were natural to the island, and were more like glorified hills than actually mountains. The founders of the island referred to them as mounts as opposed to mountains so as to not disappoint future settlers. At one time the mounts would have extended to the very edge of the island and down to the ocean, but Ponchertrain had been built in the bay at their oceanic bases. Climbing higher and higher into the mounts, the forest around them became denser. Rachel had always loved the mounts; she found them extremely romantic. The two of them proceeded with the usual conversation topics, from their days, to their most recent projects, to gossiping about their friends. The two held hands over the center consul as the terrain and road became more difficult to navigate.

              He looked at her, and she stared at him with seducing eyes. Realizing he couldn’t wait anymore to have her, he pulled the truck over to the side of the road. Feeling and acting similar to that of a horny high school senior, he threw the truck into park, and began passionately kissing his mistress. Rachel thrust herself forward over the consul, and into his lap, bumping the steering wheel. The horn to blared! Laughing Rachel and Larynx proceeded, steaming up the windows. Rachel could feel the rumbling of the engine shaking the vehicle, causing her to become euphoric that much sooner. After about ten minutes and multiple unbuttoned articles of clothing later, the two of them resumed their seats. Combing out her hair in the flip down mirror, Larynx piloted the truck back onto the road and continued forward.

              After turning off the main path of the Everett Pass, Larynx threw the truck into four-wheel drive. The trail they were on was much rougher than Highway 100, and Rachel found it exciting to be in a great deviation to usual city driving.

              Grabbing her hand again Larynx said, “Now what you are going to see is something truly fantastic - a project coming to life before your eyes. It’s a beautiful thing!”

              She looked at him and batted her eyelashes. He rolled his eyes, smiling, “Not as beautiful as you though.”

              He turned a bend, and they found themselves in a massive open grove. A silo of steam billowed from the ground, as earthmovers were fast at work all around. Erupting from the ground around the steamer were massive cement walls, and wood and steel building materials lay about the site. Shocked by what she saw, Rachel commented enthusiastically, “Wow they are making speedy progress.”

              Stopping the car and pushing it into ‘park’ they jumped out. Larynx remarked, “I figured this was our top priority, even more so than the HWY 100 line. So I had the shovels ready to start digging, literally the operators sitting in them, when the vote was passed in Parliament.”

              Rachel removed her sunglasses, as she crossed the work site away from the truck. Screaming back to Eric over the noise, “What’s with the haste? Still worried about RPC collapsing?”

              Laughing and attempting to keep up, “No not at all. I figured this however would be the more beneficial addition to the company over the rail line. Plus the Parliament forced me to agree to complete my projects in about half the time I told them we could. Meaning I had to hire nearly double the people I originally forecast.”

              Stopping she glanced back, “So? What does that mean?”

              “It means that this is a live- in site, in that those who come to work on this project are going to be living in company barracks for the duration of the project. I figured we should get this project done, so we used the barracks from when we built the highway loop. I also figure we needed to ensure as a corporation, that we had enough capital to complete this project,” he smiled looking at the rising structure.

              Staring at the structure, she asked, “How long until completion?”

              He stared at Rachel with admiration for her brilliance, and keen sense of understanding, “My engineers are telling me just a couple weeks.”

              “And then?” She inquired coming back towards him, giving him a seductive look.

              “And then we are going to slowly, so as to not draw attention, cut ourselves off from the Republic Power Company. It is imperative that Larynx Light Rail become completely autonomous from them for the future of the company” he smiled as he slid his arm over her shoulder and she nuzzled into him. For the first time, in a long time, she felt alive.

2

              Xavier Rove walked into his office and found a man and a woman waiting for him. The man stood in full National Guard dress complete with the floppy beret and ceremonial saber, while the woman sat patiently on his couch. Putting down the folder he was looking at, he removed his readers and pointed at the man, “Who are you?”

              The guardsman, who had his hands behind his back, saluted the President, and stood taller, “Mr. President, I am Officer Stuart Knaub. I have been assigned to you for your protection by General Laurels. As I understand it your last security detail was dismissed following questionable conduct,” Rove chuckled to himself thinking of Harvey’s unfortunate run in with his apparent black belted secretary.

Rove thought for a few moments, and then asked, “Do you guys ever get to use your sabers? I see each of the Guards with them but I can never imagine an instance where you would have to use them.”

The young soldier nodded, “No sir, we are strictly forbidden to ever use the sabers unless under dire situations.”

              Glancing at the finely dressed lady on the sofa and winking, he walked over to guardsman shaking his hand, “Oh well that’s unfortunate. Are you trained to fight with them at least?”

The soldier nodded his head, “General Laurels is an avid fan of saber dueling. New Guards are required to learn the basics of handling a sword. Outside of that, our training is very minimal.”

Rove smirked, nodding his head, “Very interesting. Well Knaub it is quite nice to meet you, but,” grabbing his shoulders, “as was protocol with the last guy, and now with you, when I am in my office you are not,” he opened his office door as the officer walked with him, “I will let you know if I am being attacked by Finance Minister Jacqueline Sensado.”

              Pushing him out of the door, the Officer turned, “Sir I am under direct orders from General Laurel, himself, to not allow you out of my sights.”

              Smiling and nodding his head, winking at his secretary who snickered across the foyer, “Do none of you Guardsman know the chain of command in this nation. I am the President, thereby the Commander and Chief of all armed forces under this nation’s command. Therefore, I am the boss of your boss, General Laurels. Trust me when I say I will be fine in my office,” he peered around smiling, “I think you’ll find the bigger threats are actually out here, as opposed to in there.”

              The Officer nodded, as Rove scooted backwards into his office, shutting the doors. Turning, “Jacqueline what a pleasant surprise! And on your big day, what brings you to my humble abode?” He asked moving towards the sofas.

              Winking, “How do you know about that?”

              Sitting on the sofa, “You know funny coincidence,” he shrugged scratching the back of his ear, “The other day I was searching for my lucky marble. You know it can really get away from me when I’m not paying attention,” he crossed his legs, “The blue one, you know what I’m talking about right? Any who, I just happened to find myself in the observation deck of the Parliament. Low and behold the Parliament was in session, and not just any session, but a Sealed Session nonetheless. Whereby I sat down and decided to watch, you know, to see how that “Sealed Parliament” thing worked seeing as I have never witnessed one before,” he smiled maliciously at her.

              “Did you hear a young private of the National Guard thrashed his way into the Parliament, claiming, without naming, you and your fellow marble hunters of having breached a Sealed Parliament?” she asked with a sarcastic gloat.

              “I have heard that rumor, believe it or not,” he said spreading his arms on the back of the sofa, “Too bad my guardsman, that exact guardsman that cried wolf, also mysteriously attacked me that afternoon before crazily disrupting your session,” he nodded his head, “All because I was searching for my marble.”

              “And, sir, have you also heard the rumblings of certain opponent partied Minister’s calling for you, Mr. Hampton, Ms. Lyons, and multiple others to be subpoenaed? There are also whispers of individuals wanting an official investigation to be opened with the Ministry of Justice and the Attorney General’s office?” Minister Sensado asked calmly.

              Rove’s grin drooped and he didn’t respond immediately. Taking a deep breath he cleared his throat, “I have heard those rumblings. Ministers Paquein, Delgado, and Simpson’s offices have already contacted my office to coordinate a sit down, closed-door discussion. Were these the opponent partied individuals you are hearing rumblings about?” Rove asked solemnly.

              Sensado nodded her head, “Sir, I am afraid they are gunning for your job, and with an enormous and embarrassing investigation going on I would imagine that it would be exceptionally difficult for even the most respected politician to mount a campaign.”

              Rove nodded, “Well then luckily I was merely searching for my marble.” He smiled and Sensado understood he was ready to move on.

              Pulling out her folder, “Marbles aside, sir, I think you do have a right to be present in the financial review today with the parliament. I speculate that it will be another closed session since the request for my attendance was done in a closed session. I believe that’s kind of how these things will work from now on,” she rolled her eyes, paused, and then continued, “I attempt to avoid most of the political aspects of my job. Nevertheless, I have discovered the only person who can call for a vote on breaching a Sealed Parliament to allow a visitor, let alone the President, is the Prime Minister himself.”

              “A Prime Minister that over the past week, has accused me of not only breaching Parliament but assaulting a National Guardsman, publicly,” Rove smiled nodding his head, “Judging upon those two accusations, and a couple of our past run ins, I highly doubt that will happen.”

              “Right,” Sensado agreeing, “That’s why I have brought you a hard copy of the report I will be making to the Parliament today.”

              “You’re breaching a Sealed Parliament?” Rove accused taking the file from Sensado’s outstretched hand, “Indirectly that is. I guess the Parliament hasn’t been officially sealed yet, but I have a diligent amount of faith you understand what I mean,” he grinned, standing up, putting his readers back on.

              Moving to his desk, he opened the folder to find a long written out speech on multiple pieces of paper. Just as he turned to ask Sensado a question about the content, he heard a loud ruckus from outside his door. Rolling his eyes, and closing the folder he looked at Sensado, who seemed startled. The next moment the doors to his office opened, Prime Minister Artimus Zhang yelled at the President’s secretary, Kate Lyons, “I need to the see the President right now! I will not wait one more moment.”

              Stopping just as he entered, Rove laid his hand on the folder, as Lyons dashed in, “I am sorry, Mr. President, I couldn’t stop him!”

Casually taking off his readers, he sighed, “It’s alright Ms. Lyons, I can handle him from here,” turning his attention, “Artimus, can I help you with something?”

              The tension in the room was palpable, as Artimus, not even realizing Sensado was in the room approached Rove, “Xavier, we need to speak right now.”

              “In private?” Rove asked looking into Zhang’s eyes.

              “Yes, in private,” Zhang growled under his graying mustache.

              Nodding his head, Rove looked over Zhang’s shoulder towards his sofa asking, “Jacqueline can you please give us a few moments, alone?”

              Zhang spun to find Sensado standing from the sofa. He narrowed his eyes, and asked, “Jacqueline what are you doing here?”

              “Excuse me?” she smirked.

              Rove chuckled, “That’s a little intrusive now isn’t it Artimus?” asking, looking towards Sensado, “We will only be a few minutes I assure you.”

              Sensado glared at the Prime Minister who clearly didn’t understand what he did wrong, then turned and left the office. Zhang listened to the door close, and then turned towards Rove, “What was she doing in your office Rove?”

              Shaking his head and moving behind his desk towards his chair, “That’s really none of your business, is it Artimus? Now, what can I help you with?”

              Leaning over Rove’s desk, “I heard you leaked to the media that Sensado will be making a report to the Parliament today on the financial status of the nation,” he glared, “You know damn well that topic of discussion is considered classified, seeing as the session will be a Sealed Parliament.”

              Sitting down in his chair, Rove sighed, “Now how would I know about a topic to be discussed in a Sealed Parliament, Artimus? And furthermore why would I breach the sanctity of a Sealed Parliament like that?”

              Narrowing his eyes, “Who told you she would be speaking on that topic today? Is that why she was in here just now, giving you the run down on what is going to be said?”

              Laughing, and leaning back in his chair, “A little birdie told me so. You want to know something else the little birdie told me?” he eyed the Prime Minister, “The fact that last week the Parliament suspended the Constitution, in order to cast an official vote in a Sealed Parliament.”

              Zhang leaned forward further, applying all of his weight into his palms on the desk, “How do you know that?”

              Rove smiled, “Because you just confirmed my suspicions, on both accounts.”

              Standing up, “You were the one that breached the Parliament last week, weren’t you?” he asked drilling into Rove with his eyes.

              Standing up, he growled “How dare you accuse me, again, of something like that?”

              “How else would you know about that vote?” Zhang asked slightly shaken from Rove’s confidence.

              Chuckling again and shaking his head, “Because you, once again, just verified my wild guesses.”

              “Rove I could have you impeached for committing a felony against this nation!” Zhang razzed getting frustrated.

              Turning sharply grinning a toothy smile, “And I can call for the dissolution of Parliament”.

              Zhang was shocked by the threat, “You wouldn’t have the gall to do such a thing.”

              Putting his hands in his pocket and walking out from behind his desk, “I am firmly in my ability of the constitution - that of calling for its dissolution. I do not have to suspend the constitution to do what may be best for this island. And why shouldn’t I? The Prime Minister himself just confirmed my hunches about this unconstitutional vote, and when I bring criminal charges to all of you, perjury will be your devil.”

              “Yes but you wouldn’t have the majority vote of the Ministers that chair this government’s ministries,” Zhang growled.

              “Oh, I wouldn’t?” Rove asked walking towards his door, “Why don’t we ask Ms. Sensado her opinion on the matter? I can imagine she could give us a better insight into the Minister’s minds. Especially when I argue with them the fact that under this parliament, they have not only flushed this nation’s treasury, but for the first time in history voted to suspend the constitution!” he paused for a few moments, “I can see it now. Plastered all over the newspapers of the world, ‘For the first time in history the President of Virtagwalla has invoked his Constitutional authority and dissolved parliament claiming the lack of confidence in the Prime Minister and the entire assembly’s competence to faithfully lead their nation’,” he looked up at the ceiling than back at Zhang, “You will finally make it into the history books my friend. Surely your name won’t be forgotten.”

              Heaving and burrowing his eyes into Rove’s chest, he asked, “What do you want, Xavier?”

              “Excuse me?” Rove asked acting as if he were insulted.

              “You wouldn’t be throwing around these bold threats, and taking to opinions of Minister’s unless you wanted something. I’ve played this game for far too long to not recognize this type of behavior. So what is it?” Zhang asked frustrated.

              Biting his lip, he started up, “Now that you mention it, there is a little something I do want,” Zhang smiled with entrapment, as Rove continued, “Artimus I want to be permitted into Jacqueline Sensado’s report today. I want to be invited into a Sealed Parliament.”

              “That’s preposterous,” Zhang spat, “No President has ever been allowed to enter a Sealed Parliament before.”

              “Yes well no Parliament has ever voted to suspend the constitution before now have they?” Rove bellowed. Calming down, “So I am sure they would love to keep up with their record setting performance.”

              Zhang folded his arms, “And if I don’t ask for them to unseal Parliament for you to enter?”

              Sitting back down, he shrugged calmly, “Then I will call for the dissolution of Parliament, and order the National Guard to arrest each and everyone one of you on the grounds of breaching your oaths, and more importantly, treason against the national government,” Zhang’s eyes narrowed with hatred, as Rove continued, “And even if you were able to escape, once I explain why I called for the dissolution to the public, I highly doubt any of you would be reelected anyways.”