The Solution (2nd Edition)

Chon

Even though Xen had gotten the message, I wanted to go on. It was my chance to let go of what had built up inside. But I was inclined to stop in the middle of my rant. My iDot had generated a 'link-waiting' from one of my peers. Apprehension struck me and I worried, knowing Xen's footage had likely reached all corners of the Earth and found its way back to Běijīng already, specifically my office, and the ruthless vipers I worked with. "Xen, hang on a second," I'd said. "I'll put you on hold, but don't you dare cut the link!" He nodded and his face dematerialized.

    "Hi Michelle..."

    She cut straight to the chase and looked me dead in the eyes. "Chon, you know I'm fond of you. But what Charlie mailed everyone is true and genuine, isn't it?"

    "No way!" I snickered, "no way. I'll put money on it that Charlie's just had some sort of footage doctored and wants to remain 'Mr. Popular'. It'll be nothing but a hoax-"

    Unsurprisingly, I was interrupted again. "-Sorry Michelle, hang on a minute," I huffed. "I need to put you on hold, too. I've got hotbox messages, and they're blinking red." I reached to the patch of skin behind my right ear, stroked my second iDot, and listened to the first mind-message that urgently beeped.

    'Chon, it's Carla Dwyer, ATV.'

    If I begged and pleaded, Carla was the source who could update me on the Skytree terror attack. Reason being, like me, the veteran reporter had a knack of always being everywhere at once. And, she'd jumped on Xen's scandal while still in New Japan...

    'If you've got a minute, Australia wants to know if you've got any comments on your brother's awful actions-'

    Without hesitation, I cut it off. I was in no mood for her, so held back that minute. Nervously, I listened to another.

    'Chon, old friend, it's Myagi! Was wondering if you'll give me an exclusive on Xen for Rising Sun News? It's not every day one of our own gets caught up in scandal! Anyway, I'm still on the same link, so hotbox me back, sayonara!'

    Of course, from that moment forward, I was inundated with messages and requests from my inconsiderate peers - and as Mikey and Tarantino would put it - they were nothing but 'Inglorious Basterds'.

    Before reconnecting my live links, I took a few moments to compose myself. Then I lunged back in. "Michelle, are you still there?"

    "Yep," she said impatiently. "So honestly Chon, you're telling me what we've all seen trending isn't real? C'mon..."

    It was never easy to pull the wool over Michelle's eyes. She was BTV's morning anchor and had honed her skills by scrutinizing many guests over the years. "Michelle, of course it's not. As I've already said, it's clearly a hoax, just one of Charlie's sick jokes and I'll be reporting it to the cops as soon as I end this link. Anyway, I have to go. I'll see you in the morning." She threw up a nonchalant wave and later told me I was an awful liar. I was just frustrated I had to try and dupe people in the first place and knew it would only get worse as things progressed. As I absorbed my harsh reality, I couldn't help but sit aimlessly in the darkness. I kept the tears at bay and gulped a few times. I also sniffed back my upset and finally summoned the energy to swipe back the first holoscreen. "Xen, you still there?"

    "I am..."

    "...Xiōngdi. You've started something that will affect us all, and we need to move quickly. I'll head over to Suki's. I suggest you check in with mùqīn. They're our main priorities for now. But once I know they're safe; once we're alone; I might need more than just words with you..."

    'A.I.D.A', my modern-day 'S.I.R.I', cut the link on my behalf. I had nothing more to say. Thereafter, I threw on my jacket and headed out - adrenalin coursing through my veins, and it wasn't until I got moving that I was gawped at by the entire world.

    By no fault of my own, the condemnation had begun.

End of Chapter 1