Calan - The Immortality Paradox

Chapter Four: Ashes of the Greenpalm Union, Part Two

Louis di Gunga stood on the threshold of the Salón de Elecciones, the cavernous dominion of deliberation and legislation. Eight hundred seats were arranged in a semi-circle of ten rows wrapping around a central podium. The podium was made of golden wood and carved in the form of two hands cupping a pool of water: the emblem of the Aquarius Chapter. The hall's ceiling was elevated enough such that it extended above the roof of the ministerial building, and blazing beams of sunlight refracted through a ring of pellucid windows. A few circular vents had been installed to allow the stifling ministers some respite, but the humid climate and dark, mahogany-screened walls did nothing to keep the heat at bay.

The young civil servant had only seen the hall before while visiting his brother a few years ago. Back then, it had been swarming with cloaked, supercilious political archetypes, jostling for the stage and berating each other on subject matters that seemed trivial in the present. Arguments over voting fraud and holiday permits were all but extinct. All that remained was a lonely grey-haired minister staring fixedly at a screen desktop. Judging from the severe expression on his face, Louis guessed he did not want to be disturbed.

Respectfully, he rattled his knuckles on the varnished mahogany. The initially timid sound rattled like hail on the glass around the hall. The minister turned silently in his direction. His tone was civil, but his expression betrayed his annoyance.

'What do you want?'

Louis felt suddenly out of place. The hall's reputation was one of reverence and institution. It was customary for the population of Lleno de Vida to hold their representatives to account. Still, when the social structure has collapsed around them, accountability is very much lacking. What does a government do when there's no one left to govern? Louis didn't quite understand the procedure after the Greenpalm Union disbandment, but he was only here to represent his brother. Carlos could disseminate the specifics later.

'I'm looking for the emergency parliamentary meeting.' Louis tried not to display his ignorance.

'In El Hoyo as always. I was just heading there now.' The minister had a double take. 'I don't recognise you? You're not a minister.'

'No... I'm representing my brother...Carlos di Gunga.'

'Di Gunga, eh?' He chuckled. 'The foreign minister will be interested to hear about the latest propositions. In fact, the new acting first minister has a job for him specifically. It seems the Calan have contacted us about an interplanetary conference. They've sent us a formal invitation.'

Louis was intrigued. Carlos had spoken highly of the Calan, his time on their planet, and his close relationship with the Llywydd. Many family arguments began with his outspoken admiration for that foreign race. 'What do they want?'

'What Calan always want.' The minister said this casually as if it was common knowledge. He detached a data drive from the desktop and gestured to the corridor. 'Come, I'll show you the way.'

Louis was led down an illustrious hallway wide enough for ten people abreast. The bronze floors and ceilings had been painted with intricate designs in a rainbow of colours. They weaved patterns like river currents throughout the building. Lining one side of the corridor were digital portraits of former prime ministers and notable parliamentarians dressed in ministerial robes and accompanying trenchers. Their gazes were humourless, and their eyes followed everyone who walked the halls - judging. On the opposite side were twenty-feet tall window panes overlooking the city centre concourse. Louis watched as a twisting cloud of sand passed down the calle principal, obscuring the once consummate exteriors of the retail centre and dramatic theatre. The entire street had been heaving only the previous month during Lleno de Vida's annual Día del Ecuerdo celebrations.