The Bridge | Bots 'R Us

Chapter 39 | Unstoppable

MANHATTAN - STUDIO OF 'ORIGINAL NEW YORK'
4 MAY 634 - 7:07 HOURS

My speech didn't change our future; it ensured we had one after the fall. On that morning, coats were turning faster than windmills in a storm. The most popular morning show in North America, 'Your Bridge to New York,' didn't wait long to 'adapt' to the new circumstances. Its ties with the local Council government may have accelerated the process, too. New York Metro's Council leader, Patrick O'Malley, a Lander, called the new Czar to be named Russian Empire Patriarch for New York. He vowed to convert from Catholicism to Orthodoxy in exchange for keeping his rank and growing his power in the new Imperial order.

That morning, NV, as we chose to call him, flew in from London to be the first guest of the revamped and renamed show, 'Original New York,' and attend Pietrov Malevsky's conversion live, including his renouncing the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church for those of the Eastern Orthodox Church, and his anointment with the Holy Myrrh on his hands, feet, back, chest and forehead.

At the White House, Simone, Chad, Vic, Phil, Michael, and I were packed and ready to go. We humans were grabbing a quick breakfast at the Mess, following the news breaking live on the multi-screens from that show.

I almost spat my coffee when I saw Steffany Santchevska (Sanchez, the day before), with a rosy cheek make-up and lacy froufrou. She had dropped the direct and inquisitive tone that characterized the show for an obsequious pander.

"Gosh, aren't we lucky today! It's a brand new day. Originals and their followers have found a new voice here, at 'Original New York,' and a new leader, a strong, buff heartthrob who's swept the planet in a matter of days. Women swoon when he enters the room, and men, men, they convert, like our new Patriarch! Let's have a round of applause for Czar Nicolai-Vladimir I! We are infinitely honored to welcome you to our studios this morning, your Imperial Highness, Czar Nicolai-Vladimir I, ruler of the Holy Western World. This is your official title, isn't it?"

"Something like that, Steffany. You will all learn how I must be announced in any circumstance. But between us, you can address me as Your Highness," NV answered with a soft and steely tone.

"Wonderful! This is quite a change for those who have lived in our city-states for the past centuries to see the rise of a powerful man. Do you think they are ready for this change?"

"I hope so, Steffany, I hope so— for their sakes." He gave the camera another one of his rueful smiles. "I flew to New York today to congratulate your new Patriarch and New York's joining the hundreds of city-states begging us to welcome them in the Empire and protect them from the degenerate rule of the Council System. But I also thought I needed to be here to show the North American people I am with them in this transition. It doesn't have to be a painful process. The Empire wants to welcome you generously. I am talking to all humans, of course. And particularly to our Original brothers and sisters who have heroically survived the cruelty of the Council rule. I want to assure you that we'll have no mercy for those who have oppressed us for centuries and continue to play their little game with us!"

"Is this a response to First Councilor's Hawthorne speech last night?"

"Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!" NV forced the loudest laugh you ever heard on a stream outside a comedy show. "Did that deserve a response? I saw a frumpy little girl pretending to be the leader of our God-forsaken planet and announcing all sorts of changes that were supposed to bring her citizens hope. I'm not impressed. David Hawthorne, may his soul rest in peace, was a decent but weak and corrupt man. He, and his 'First Councilor' GINI-puppet accomplices, are guilty of the death of billions of people abandoned by his so-called civilization, a degenerate world we will erase once and for all."