Amazon's Coliseum III (ENG)

Chapter 69: Siam Shade

The City

In the hospital where Armando Cabrera was recovering, he received a visit from none other than the Governor. As expected, a considerable security detail had been deployed to prevent any mishaps.

—I give you your job back, and the first thing that happens is you're out again due to a "work accident." You're hopeless! —the Governor quipped, teasing him.

—Very funny, ma'am —the convalescing man replied—, but I prefer not to spoil your joke. Everything must be hell right now.

—Well, fortunately, "the worst" is over; or at least, concerning Navarez. There are still a lot of people at large who need to answer for their crimes, but at least they won't be turning this place into a battlefield.

—Yeah... that's the only thing that brings me joy.

—You clearly care a lot about that young woman.

—Who?

—Don't play coy. And I understand, after... that...

—It has nothing to do with not being able to have children, nor was that one of the reasons my previous marriage didn't work; in fact, I wasn't even comfortable with the idea of parenthood, but... I don't know, maybe that girl reminded me that I have a good reason to fight for this country's security and for justice to prevail. I don't want to go as far as to consider her my daughter, but if she needs it, I can assume that role.

—I see, although... I don't know, maybe you should talk to her. Once everything with the Coliseum is over, perhaps she'll want to... explore other paths.

—Despite everything, she has the right to make whatever decision she wants with her life, as long as it doesn't harm anyone or herself. But right now, that doesn't concern me; I'm eager to get out of here as soon as possible... I'm bored as hell.

—I envy you. Once you're out, you'll see how topsy-turvy the entire political situation is. We've managed to control it, but it's been a tremendous headache. Furthermore, a swift cartel war is expected after the restructuring of the main criminal groups, following the capture of their leaders. They'll want to dispute control of their respective organizations, there will be splits, or some group will try to seize other's plazas.

—Do you know how much danger there will be here?

—For now, it seems unlikely, but if violence erupts in the rest of the republic, the opposition will use that for the upcoming elections. At least the state elections are already secured.

—If you keep worrying about what happens with your party, things will remain the same, Governor. I say that with all due respect.

—Until partidocracy is eradicated from the collective consciousness, it's difficult for us to do anything about it. Political parties serve as a platform, but people believe that everyone in a party is friends and gets along, that we're one entity, and therefore, we must pretend everything is in order. What makes me happy now is that, at least, the president finally noticed the elephant in the room and did something about those people.

—Sure, just expel them. He'll find another party or start a new one.

—Well, we have to show our voters that "only the good ones" are in our party.

—...

—I know it's idiotic, but you have to understand.

—Of course, I understand; I just can't help but to not like it. But, as you rightly say, at least the party stopped protecting those people to make the public believe that if the system fails, it can be fixed. The question is... will they be able to?