CII
February 5th, 2007, 12:27 AM
Thought I show this. This is a story that happens almost 40 years after the defeat of King Ghidorah. Of course there are things that happen in between, but I have yet to write those. Kiryuu ponders the new position that he has and what the future may bring for him, especially when he looses someone important and is left with a job he wasn't prepared to have.
The first part of this story is based off of the Shadowrun source book 'Dunkelzahn's Secrets'.
Enjoy this short story.
I Do Solemnly Swear…
“This is Irena Naylor, reporting live from the nation’s capitol. Inside the Watergate Hotel, the festivities are in full swing at the Mrs. Grundland’s Peanut Butter Cookie Inaugural Ball. The soon-to-be-President arrived here just a quarter of an hour ago, making one of his many appearances at inauguration-night parties being thrown in his honor all over town. Washington FDC is in a party mood tonight—champagne and good will are flowing freely. The city seems reborn, brimming over with possibilities. As they say, there’s ‘something in the air’—perhaps the beating of silvery-blue dragon wings. Whatever the source of all this good cheer—Dunkelzahn’s amazing triumph at the polls, relief that this long and bitter contest is finally over, or a little of both—the people of Washington FDC are welcoming it with open arms.”
She walked among the people, getting various opinions about the election and their new president.
“I’ve been livin’ in this town a long time, and I’ve never seen so many smiles on people’s faces. It’s great. If things feel this good when the Prez ain’t hardly been in office a day, then I say more power to the dragon,” began a Dwarf cabbie.
“I was just a little nervous about him, you know—I’m sure I’m not the only one who finds dragons intimidating—but after seeing him at the swearing-in ceremony, I feel so much better. He looked like such a nice man. Distinguished, dignified…but friendly, too. I think he’ll make a good President,” said a Human woman, the house wife type.
“He’s given us hope when we most needed it. This crazy world has got to change, and Dunkelzahn’s the one to do it. God bless him,” said an elf student.
“Here in the Grand Ballroom, the good cheer is even more apparent. All the movers and shakers in Washington have turned out to honor Dunkelzahn being sworn in today as President of the UCAS and leader of the free world. A new-minted UCAS citizen, a Great Dragon, an entity who’s lived longer and seen more than everyone in this room put together...and now he's embarking on a whole new venture, governing the vast and diverse nation of humans, metahumans and even stranger beings that all of us call home. The Presidency of the UCAS, the most powerful political office in the land, has been won in a free and fair election by a being that our grandparents wouldn’t have believed existed. No doubt about it—this is one for the history books!”
Naylor turned to the ballroom floor, seeing the newly elected President Dunkelzahn take Nadia Daviar out onto the dance floor. Standing on the edge of the floor, decked out in a tie and tails was the new Vice-President Kiryuu Knight, watching with a smile.
“Point the camera over left, Joe, there’s something –Oh, they’re clearing the dance floor. Hey, that’s Lorelei Angel! Since when does she sing jazz?! Wait, I know this song...ohhh, beautiful! Lynn, how’s your pickup? Can you sort out the lyrics from all the background noise? I’ve got an idea for the perfect touch—and with that voice, oo...Okay, Joe, roll it.”
They all watched as the music played as Dunkelzahn danced with Nadia.
“The president has just led Nadia Daviar, his chief personal assistant, out onto the dance floor...and quite a handsome couple they make,” Naylor continued. “It’s somehow reassuring to know that a dragon can dance, even if only in human guise. Tomorrow, Dunkelzahn will take up the burden of governance that the voters of the UCAS have given him…but for one last night, he can enjoy himself. And he’s making the most of the opportunity. And there’s VP Kiryuu Knight. That’s the first time I’ve ever seen his green dreadlocks tied back in a pony tail. He looks dashing in that suit for a mutated-cybernetic dinosaur. Dunkelzahn would never want to be anywhere without Knight’s company. He always shares the spotlight. This victory is for both of them.”
Naylor walked up to the crowd of well-wishers and hand shakers as Dunkelzahn greeted them one and all. Anyone, from the common people to the elite had a chance at shaking the draconic president’s hand, giving him all the best wishes for his new job at the White House, and receiving hearty thanks from him as well. And she got an interview with him.
“Tired though he must be from the endless ceremonies of this long inauguration Day, the President seems to have a warm smile and a few kind words for every well-wisher. Whether sharing a dance with Nadia Daviar or quaffing champagne with the volunteer chairwoman of Poughkeepsie Orcs for Dunkelzahn, the newly anointed leader of the UCAS looks like he’s having a wonderful time. Tonight of all nights, no one is beneath his benevolent attention—not even a lowly journalist!”
She turns to Dunkelzahn, grinning as brightly as she was.
“So, how does it feel to be the president, sir?” she asked.
Dunkelzahn gave an emphatic two thumps-up. She could tell he was excited, that grin of his broadened even more.
“Wonderful,” Dunkelzahn replied. “Of course, I may not say that after a few sessions with Congress. I’ve noticed they have a tendency to turn Presidents’ hair gray.”
Naylor giggled at his reply.
“On a more serious note...this hard-fought campaign exposed some deep divisions in this country. How do you plan to overcome them?”
Dunkelzahn rubbed his hands together, taking a thought to the question. Then, he smiled again.
“Healing is a long process, Irena. All we can do is take it a step at a time,” he said. “From the first day of my term to the last, I will do everything necessary to safeguard the rights and well-being of every UCAS citizen. Those who feel apprehensive now about being governed by a dragon will see by my actions that their fears are unfounded....once they do; our differences will cease to divide us.”
“Do you have any message for the people of the UCAS as you begin your term of office?” she asked, passing the mic back to the dragon.
“What can I say but thank you? Thank you all for your trust in me. I assure you it is well placed.”
“Thank you, President Dunkelzahn,” Naylor nodded. She turned back to the camera with Dunkelzahn still standing beside her. “So there you have it, straight from the horse’s—or should I say dragon’s—mouth.” She heard a slight amused chuckle come from Dunkelzahn about her comment. “But what about the dragon’s opponents? What other candidates doing? For the first of many answers, we go to Judy Kamura of KNUT-Toronto.”
“And we’re out,” said Joe.
Naylor returned to Dunkelzahn: “Thank you so much for that interview, Mr. President.”
Dunkelzahn took her hand, shaking it: “My pleasure, Ms. Naylor. If you would excuse me, I must return to the party.”
“Of course,” she smiled. Dunkelzahn swiftly filed his way through the crowd. Inside, it was Kiryuu’s turn to dance with Nadia. And Dunkelzahn stopped, admiring the sight before him. Kiryuu had perfected the Mass Displacement spell that made him shrink to human size, and he was an excellent dancer.
Those two are perfect for each other, Dunkelzahn grinned.
Kiryuu spun Nadia around, and then pulling her back close to him. He dipped the Elf slightly, leaning just a breath away from her face. For a moment, Dunkelzahn held his breath, hoping those two would kiss. Ever since Nadia had met Kiryuu, it was love at first sight. She melted into his voice and he melted into her arms. Kiryuu spun her around again, snapping his fingers as he did so. A display of brightly colored sparks flew about their feet, sending a ripple of dancing lights about the floor. Onlookers clapped and cheered at the playful display of lights. Kiryuu’s little show of lights was another proof of his Technomantic abilities—the only form of magic something like he could perform. He was indeed a Technomancer, like those of Lexington and Oak Ridge. As the music stopped, Kiryuu slowly let go of Nadia’s hands and turned back to the band playing, clapping. Dunkelzahn clapped as well, walking over to the two standing in the middle of the dance floor.
“You two make an item for the media,” he chuckled. “Be careful, now, Kiryuu. You’re my Vice-President. Can’t have you stealing the show all the time.”
“Never meant to take the light away from you, Dunkelzahn,” Kiryuu chuckled. “You know I work better in the shadows.”
“A Runner through and through—to the end,” Dunkelzahn sighed. “You need to stop that, now. You’re a politician.”
“Same business, different title,” Kiryuu rumbled. “Nothing has changed.”
“Everything has,” Nadia said.
“You will do fine, Kiryuu,” Dunkelzahn smiled as he patted the cyborg dinosaur on the shoulder. “I did right by choosing you to be my running mate. Together, we will change this world for the good of all.”
“I know we will,” Kiryuu nodded.
Kiryuu sighed again, running a metallic claw through his green, biosyntech dreadlocks. Nadia held onto his arm, patting his claw. Dunkelzahn smiled again.
The party went on as Kiryuu handed Nadia back over to Dunkelzahn again. He crossed his arms once more, trying to reflect on what is to come. ‘Vice-President Knight’, that sounded odd to him. Some actually thought that he would want the seat, take the seat away from Dunkelzahn, but he did better as the guy standing behind the one in charge. He never liked being in the spotlight all that much. He was a Shadowrunner, as well as the CEO of the Utah Foundation, but that did not mean that he was always in the spotlight. Kiryuu parted himself from the crowd as they watched the newly elected President dance with his ‘voice’. He sat down at the bar, resting his head on his claw. The bartender was a Dwarf, standing on an elevated platform. He was cleaning some of the wine glasses with a damp cloth. His brown beard was neatly trimmed up around his face. He looked more like a bearded midget than a Dwarf because of his neatly kept beard. But his broad, muscular shoulders betrayed his form.
“Can I get you something, Mr. Vice-President?” he asked.
“Scotch,” Kiryuu sighed, shifting his head to his other claw. “Make it a double.”
“You seem to be in a particularly somber mood today,” the Dwarf continued as he began to make Kiryuu’s drink. “You should be happy. You and Dunkelzahn won the election.”
“I should,” he sighed. “But I’m not. I don’t know why, but something is about to happen. It’s the Technomancy talking. I just don’t like this.”
The Dwarf shook his head as he handed Kiryuu the Scotch. Kiryuu gripped the glass, tipped his head back and poured the elixir down his throat. He shivered for a moment, tasting the sharp sting of the alcohol and gasped as he rested his head on his claw again.
“I need another,” he sighed again. “Same thing.”
“Sure thing, boss,” the Dwarf nodded, pouring another. Kiryuu could not get drunk, no matter how hard he tried to. His regeneration ability would not allow it. But it did not mean he could not feel some effect of the alcohol going into his system. It was a bad habit, but these days, he was prone to bad habits. He took the glass from the Dwarf bartender again, and gulped down the poison. He had several after that, and the glasses just piled up along the bar until there was barely even enough room to fit another glass filled with Scotch.
“Tomorrow, I am the Vice-President…” Kiryuu wagged his head balefully. “Tomorrow…my new job starts. I—I don’t even know what to do right now. There’s an old saying, you know. Harry Truman said this when after Roosevelt died and he was made President. ‘The position of Vice-President ain’t worth a bucket full of spit.’ That’s what he said. You know why he said that?”
“No,” the bartender asked. “Why?”
“Because of the damned A-bomb,” Kiryuu chuckled, wiping a single tear from his eyes. “The *******ed A-bomb. Roosevelt never told Truman that he was creating a weapon that could completely erase an entire city—that could kill millions. And Truman never found out about it until after he was sworn in as the new President of the United States of America. And that’s when he said that the Vice-Presidency ain’t worth a bucket of spit. How ironic that because of the A-bomb, I’m here as the Vice-President, a position Truman held—thinking the exact same words he was when he was told about the A-bomb.”
Kiryuu sighed again, and glanced back at the dance floor. His golden eyes scanned for President Dunkelzahn and Ms. Daviar, but he could not find them. He slapped a nuyen down on the bar table and walked off. He walked through the crowds, trying to find where Dunkelzahn had gone. And there was Nadia Daviar, standing alone, with a face of stone.
“Nadia, where is he?” Kiryuu asked.
“He—he said that he had a phone call,” she replied. “And, he said that he needed to leave. He told me to wait for him at Prince Edward Sound for him to return within the week, that he had important business.”
“What business?” Kiryuu asked. “He never told me about any…” He paused for a moment, feeling a charge in the air. Kiryuu bolted off. “Dunkelzahn!”
He knew that charge, he could sense it. He felt the charge before, long ago—a century ago.
“Kiryuu!” Nadia called. “Where are you going?”
She ran after him as he ran towards the opening of the Watergate Hotel. When both got outside, they saw the limo pull away from the curb. Then, it happened. It was a bright, blinding flash of light and a shockwave that tore through the air itself. Kiryuu grabbed Nadia and wrapped his arms around her, protecting her from the explosion. He glanced back again, seeing the energy itself being drawn upward into a spiraling, fluctuating mass of light. Then, that was when he saw the dragon. It was blue and silver, and it cried out in pain. The dragon was nothing more than a spirit, translucent, lacking any solidity. Kiryuu breathed as he saw the dragon rise up from the flaming limo, entering the torn, swirling mass of light above.
“Dunkelzahn!” Kiryuu cried. “Dunkelzahn!”
“Dunkelzahn!” Nadia cried. “No!”
“It’s in your hands now…” whispered a voice coming from the glowing rift into Kiryuu’s mind. “Take good care of it, Mr. President.”
“No!” Kiryuu cried. “No, damn-it, no! Not again…”
Kiryuu sank down onto his knees, untying his tie and unbuttoning his shirt. His tux jacket slid off his shoulders. Around him was chaos. Fires raged on from the blast, fire trucks raced onto the scene, spraying water to put out the fire. And above, clouds gathered. And it rained.
“Kiryuu…” Nadia breathed. “He’s dead. I can’t even feel him inside of my mind anymore.”
“Everyone I have ever met has died,” Kiryuu said. “And now, so has he.”
“Excuse me…” began a voice from behind him. “Mr. Knight, if I may have a word.”
Kiryuu glanced up to see that reporter Dunkelzahn was talking to earlier. Irene Naylor. He did not even say a word.
“Mr. President,” she began. “If I may ask—what are your feelings on this travesty?”
“What did you call me?” he asked.
“Mr. President?” Naylor asked. Kiryuu glanced over to an Orc standing there with his arms crossed. Already the secret service around to remove anyone who did not belong on the site. Kiryuu gave a prompt nod and the Orc took Naylor by the arms.
“Hey!” she cried. “Hey! You can’t do this! The people have a right to know! You can’t silence the press!”
Kiryuu sighed again: “Truman, you were right. I can’t go on about this alone, Dunkelzahn. But I must. No one else in this world would have been able to see your dream come alive—no one except me. I have to do it.”
It was morning, 6 AM to be exact, and he was getting dressed for the new day. Usually, Kiryuu dressed in a black turtleneck sweater with tan khakis and a tan blazer, but not today. Today, he was dressed in a black suit and a red, plain tie. Though, he was having problems with tying a Windsor knot.
“I downloaded that damned program last night!” he growled. “It must have been corrupted.”
“It isn’t,” Nadia began. “You’re just nervous.”
“Computers don’t get nervous,” Kiryuu growled.
“Computers don’t,” she agreed. “But you do. Calm down.”
“Calm?” he glanced back at her. “The dragon dies, and what do I get? His job! This was supposed to be his job!”
“Dunkelzahn knew that you could do anything,” Nadia said.
“Not this,” Kiryuu shook his head. “Not this. He planned this. He planned this, faked his death, and left me the seat.”
“Why would he do that?” Nadia asked. “Why would Dunkelzahn fake his own death after winning an election? Just to make you the President?”
Kiryuu shook his head again: “I’ve heard on the Matrix that there are those who think I did it. They would think that I had killed Dunkelzahn just to take the Presidency from him. I could never do something like that to him.”
“Then, go out there and prove it,” Nadia began, rubbing his back.
“Go out there and resign?” he asked.
“No, go out there and be the best President that Dunkelzahn knew that you could be,” she smiled. “Make him proud of you.”
“No one could ever make his dream real,” Kiryuu whispered. “He wanted a new Golden Age, he will get that wish. One way or another, I will put this torn country back together again.”
He knelt down to her and cupped her face with his metallic claw. In one swoop down, he pressed his lips against hers, his fingers rubbing against the points of her ears. Nadia wrapped her arms around his neck as she felt him pull her close. It was going to be a day to remember.
Secret service agents were around him, a mixture of Orcs, Trolls, and Humans, guarded his every step. Not like he needed them anyways, they were more for show. But in recent light—the assassination of President Dunkelzahn, perhaps even a bio-organic dinosaur may have a weakness to be exploited. And so, Kiryuu allowed them to be around him. His fingers were tingling, and he was biting his lip. He had never felt so nervous in his existence before. There was a crowd of onlookers at the Capitol Building. Before him was Chief Justice David Roberts of the Supreme Court. Nadia Daviar stood beside him, her arm locked around his. She guided Kiryuu towards the center of the ceremony. He could not go on alone. The death of his dear friend Dunkelzahn was still fresh in his mind, as it was in the minds of the audience that gathered. They all had solemn faces as he approached the Chief Justice. Roberts was dressed in his black robe, with seven golden bands around his upper arm sleeves. Kiryuu swallowed as he climbed the stairs up towards the Chief Justice. He finally came to a halt before the microphone. Before him were also other past Presidents, such as Dunkelzahn’s predecessor Amy-Jo Pritchard, and 1st/46th USA/UCAS President Andrew McAlister.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” began Roberts. “We are gathered here to day bestow upon Kiryuu Knight the rights and duties of the Presidency of the United Canadian-American States. Mr. Knight, please, place your left hand on the Bible, and raise you right hand.”
Kiryuu Knight stared at the Bible for a moment. It seemed almost redundant for him to do such an action. He had no faith in a supreme deity. At least not anymore. Though, Dunkelzahn did it. Now he must do it. Kiryuu placed his left claw on the book and his right he lifted up in the air.
“Now, repeat after me,” Roberts continued. “I, Kiryuu Knight…”
“I, Kiryuu Knight,” he began.
“Do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United Canadian-American States,” Roberts said.
“Do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United Canadian-American States,” Kiryuu repeated.
“And will try to the best of my ability to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United Canadian-American States,” Roberts said.
“And will try to the best of my ability to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United Canadian-American States,” Kiryuu repeated. “So help me, God.”
“I now present the 8th/53rd President of the United Canadian-American States,” Roberts began. “President Kiryuu Knight.”
Didn't expect that, did you? Don't bash it too hard.
The first part of this story is based off of the Shadowrun source book 'Dunkelzahn's Secrets'.
Enjoy this short story.
I Do Solemnly Swear…
“This is Irena Naylor, reporting live from the nation’s capitol. Inside the Watergate Hotel, the festivities are in full swing at the Mrs. Grundland’s Peanut Butter Cookie Inaugural Ball. The soon-to-be-President arrived here just a quarter of an hour ago, making one of his many appearances at inauguration-night parties being thrown in his honor all over town. Washington FDC is in a party mood tonight—champagne and good will are flowing freely. The city seems reborn, brimming over with possibilities. As they say, there’s ‘something in the air’—perhaps the beating of silvery-blue dragon wings. Whatever the source of all this good cheer—Dunkelzahn’s amazing triumph at the polls, relief that this long and bitter contest is finally over, or a little of both—the people of Washington FDC are welcoming it with open arms.”
She walked among the people, getting various opinions about the election and their new president.
“I’ve been livin’ in this town a long time, and I’ve never seen so many smiles on people’s faces. It’s great. If things feel this good when the Prez ain’t hardly been in office a day, then I say more power to the dragon,” began a Dwarf cabbie.
“I was just a little nervous about him, you know—I’m sure I’m not the only one who finds dragons intimidating—but after seeing him at the swearing-in ceremony, I feel so much better. He looked like such a nice man. Distinguished, dignified…but friendly, too. I think he’ll make a good President,” said a Human woman, the house wife type.
“He’s given us hope when we most needed it. This crazy world has got to change, and Dunkelzahn’s the one to do it. God bless him,” said an elf student.
“Here in the Grand Ballroom, the good cheer is even more apparent. All the movers and shakers in Washington have turned out to honor Dunkelzahn being sworn in today as President of the UCAS and leader of the free world. A new-minted UCAS citizen, a Great Dragon, an entity who’s lived longer and seen more than everyone in this room put together...and now he's embarking on a whole new venture, governing the vast and diverse nation of humans, metahumans and even stranger beings that all of us call home. The Presidency of the UCAS, the most powerful political office in the land, has been won in a free and fair election by a being that our grandparents wouldn’t have believed existed. No doubt about it—this is one for the history books!”
Naylor turned to the ballroom floor, seeing the newly elected President Dunkelzahn take Nadia Daviar out onto the dance floor. Standing on the edge of the floor, decked out in a tie and tails was the new Vice-President Kiryuu Knight, watching with a smile.
“Point the camera over left, Joe, there’s something –Oh, they’re clearing the dance floor. Hey, that’s Lorelei Angel! Since when does she sing jazz?! Wait, I know this song...ohhh, beautiful! Lynn, how’s your pickup? Can you sort out the lyrics from all the background noise? I’ve got an idea for the perfect touch—and with that voice, oo...Okay, Joe, roll it.”
They all watched as the music played as Dunkelzahn danced with Nadia.
“The president has just led Nadia Daviar, his chief personal assistant, out onto the dance floor...and quite a handsome couple they make,” Naylor continued. “It’s somehow reassuring to know that a dragon can dance, even if only in human guise. Tomorrow, Dunkelzahn will take up the burden of governance that the voters of the UCAS have given him…but for one last night, he can enjoy himself. And he’s making the most of the opportunity. And there’s VP Kiryuu Knight. That’s the first time I’ve ever seen his green dreadlocks tied back in a pony tail. He looks dashing in that suit for a mutated-cybernetic dinosaur. Dunkelzahn would never want to be anywhere without Knight’s company. He always shares the spotlight. This victory is for both of them.”
Naylor walked up to the crowd of well-wishers and hand shakers as Dunkelzahn greeted them one and all. Anyone, from the common people to the elite had a chance at shaking the draconic president’s hand, giving him all the best wishes for his new job at the White House, and receiving hearty thanks from him as well. And she got an interview with him.
“Tired though he must be from the endless ceremonies of this long inauguration Day, the President seems to have a warm smile and a few kind words for every well-wisher. Whether sharing a dance with Nadia Daviar or quaffing champagne with the volunteer chairwoman of Poughkeepsie Orcs for Dunkelzahn, the newly anointed leader of the UCAS looks like he’s having a wonderful time. Tonight of all nights, no one is beneath his benevolent attention—not even a lowly journalist!”
She turns to Dunkelzahn, grinning as brightly as she was.
“So, how does it feel to be the president, sir?” she asked.
Dunkelzahn gave an emphatic two thumps-up. She could tell he was excited, that grin of his broadened even more.
“Wonderful,” Dunkelzahn replied. “Of course, I may not say that after a few sessions with Congress. I’ve noticed they have a tendency to turn Presidents’ hair gray.”
Naylor giggled at his reply.
“On a more serious note...this hard-fought campaign exposed some deep divisions in this country. How do you plan to overcome them?”
Dunkelzahn rubbed his hands together, taking a thought to the question. Then, he smiled again.
“Healing is a long process, Irena. All we can do is take it a step at a time,” he said. “From the first day of my term to the last, I will do everything necessary to safeguard the rights and well-being of every UCAS citizen. Those who feel apprehensive now about being governed by a dragon will see by my actions that their fears are unfounded....once they do; our differences will cease to divide us.”
“Do you have any message for the people of the UCAS as you begin your term of office?” she asked, passing the mic back to the dragon.
“What can I say but thank you? Thank you all for your trust in me. I assure you it is well placed.”
“Thank you, President Dunkelzahn,” Naylor nodded. She turned back to the camera with Dunkelzahn still standing beside her. “So there you have it, straight from the horse’s—or should I say dragon’s—mouth.” She heard a slight amused chuckle come from Dunkelzahn about her comment. “But what about the dragon’s opponents? What other candidates doing? For the first of many answers, we go to Judy Kamura of KNUT-Toronto.”
“And we’re out,” said Joe.
Naylor returned to Dunkelzahn: “Thank you so much for that interview, Mr. President.”
Dunkelzahn took her hand, shaking it: “My pleasure, Ms. Naylor. If you would excuse me, I must return to the party.”
“Of course,” she smiled. Dunkelzahn swiftly filed his way through the crowd. Inside, it was Kiryuu’s turn to dance with Nadia. And Dunkelzahn stopped, admiring the sight before him. Kiryuu had perfected the Mass Displacement spell that made him shrink to human size, and he was an excellent dancer.
Those two are perfect for each other, Dunkelzahn grinned.
Kiryuu spun Nadia around, and then pulling her back close to him. He dipped the Elf slightly, leaning just a breath away from her face. For a moment, Dunkelzahn held his breath, hoping those two would kiss. Ever since Nadia had met Kiryuu, it was love at first sight. She melted into his voice and he melted into her arms. Kiryuu spun her around again, snapping his fingers as he did so. A display of brightly colored sparks flew about their feet, sending a ripple of dancing lights about the floor. Onlookers clapped and cheered at the playful display of lights. Kiryuu’s little show of lights was another proof of his Technomantic abilities—the only form of magic something like he could perform. He was indeed a Technomancer, like those of Lexington and Oak Ridge. As the music stopped, Kiryuu slowly let go of Nadia’s hands and turned back to the band playing, clapping. Dunkelzahn clapped as well, walking over to the two standing in the middle of the dance floor.
“You two make an item for the media,” he chuckled. “Be careful, now, Kiryuu. You’re my Vice-President. Can’t have you stealing the show all the time.”
“Never meant to take the light away from you, Dunkelzahn,” Kiryuu chuckled. “You know I work better in the shadows.”
“A Runner through and through—to the end,” Dunkelzahn sighed. “You need to stop that, now. You’re a politician.”
“Same business, different title,” Kiryuu rumbled. “Nothing has changed.”
“Everything has,” Nadia said.
“You will do fine, Kiryuu,” Dunkelzahn smiled as he patted the cyborg dinosaur on the shoulder. “I did right by choosing you to be my running mate. Together, we will change this world for the good of all.”
“I know we will,” Kiryuu nodded.
Kiryuu sighed again, running a metallic claw through his green, biosyntech dreadlocks. Nadia held onto his arm, patting his claw. Dunkelzahn smiled again.
The party went on as Kiryuu handed Nadia back over to Dunkelzahn again. He crossed his arms once more, trying to reflect on what is to come. ‘Vice-President Knight’, that sounded odd to him. Some actually thought that he would want the seat, take the seat away from Dunkelzahn, but he did better as the guy standing behind the one in charge. He never liked being in the spotlight all that much. He was a Shadowrunner, as well as the CEO of the Utah Foundation, but that did not mean that he was always in the spotlight. Kiryuu parted himself from the crowd as they watched the newly elected President dance with his ‘voice’. He sat down at the bar, resting his head on his claw. The bartender was a Dwarf, standing on an elevated platform. He was cleaning some of the wine glasses with a damp cloth. His brown beard was neatly trimmed up around his face. He looked more like a bearded midget than a Dwarf because of his neatly kept beard. But his broad, muscular shoulders betrayed his form.
“Can I get you something, Mr. Vice-President?” he asked.
“Scotch,” Kiryuu sighed, shifting his head to his other claw. “Make it a double.”
“You seem to be in a particularly somber mood today,” the Dwarf continued as he began to make Kiryuu’s drink. “You should be happy. You and Dunkelzahn won the election.”
“I should,” he sighed. “But I’m not. I don’t know why, but something is about to happen. It’s the Technomancy talking. I just don’t like this.”
The Dwarf shook his head as he handed Kiryuu the Scotch. Kiryuu gripped the glass, tipped his head back and poured the elixir down his throat. He shivered for a moment, tasting the sharp sting of the alcohol and gasped as he rested his head on his claw again.
“I need another,” he sighed again. “Same thing.”
“Sure thing, boss,” the Dwarf nodded, pouring another. Kiryuu could not get drunk, no matter how hard he tried to. His regeneration ability would not allow it. But it did not mean he could not feel some effect of the alcohol going into his system. It was a bad habit, but these days, he was prone to bad habits. He took the glass from the Dwarf bartender again, and gulped down the poison. He had several after that, and the glasses just piled up along the bar until there was barely even enough room to fit another glass filled with Scotch.
“Tomorrow, I am the Vice-President…” Kiryuu wagged his head balefully. “Tomorrow…my new job starts. I—I don’t even know what to do right now. There’s an old saying, you know. Harry Truman said this when after Roosevelt died and he was made President. ‘The position of Vice-President ain’t worth a bucket full of spit.’ That’s what he said. You know why he said that?”
“No,” the bartender asked. “Why?”
“Because of the damned A-bomb,” Kiryuu chuckled, wiping a single tear from his eyes. “The *******ed A-bomb. Roosevelt never told Truman that he was creating a weapon that could completely erase an entire city—that could kill millions. And Truman never found out about it until after he was sworn in as the new President of the United States of America. And that’s when he said that the Vice-Presidency ain’t worth a bucket of spit. How ironic that because of the A-bomb, I’m here as the Vice-President, a position Truman held—thinking the exact same words he was when he was told about the A-bomb.”
Kiryuu sighed again, and glanced back at the dance floor. His golden eyes scanned for President Dunkelzahn and Ms. Daviar, but he could not find them. He slapped a nuyen down on the bar table and walked off. He walked through the crowds, trying to find where Dunkelzahn had gone. And there was Nadia Daviar, standing alone, with a face of stone.
“Nadia, where is he?” Kiryuu asked.
“He—he said that he had a phone call,” she replied. “And, he said that he needed to leave. He told me to wait for him at Prince Edward Sound for him to return within the week, that he had important business.”
“What business?” Kiryuu asked. “He never told me about any…” He paused for a moment, feeling a charge in the air. Kiryuu bolted off. “Dunkelzahn!”
He knew that charge, he could sense it. He felt the charge before, long ago—a century ago.
“Kiryuu!” Nadia called. “Where are you going?”
She ran after him as he ran towards the opening of the Watergate Hotel. When both got outside, they saw the limo pull away from the curb. Then, it happened. It was a bright, blinding flash of light and a shockwave that tore through the air itself. Kiryuu grabbed Nadia and wrapped his arms around her, protecting her from the explosion. He glanced back again, seeing the energy itself being drawn upward into a spiraling, fluctuating mass of light. Then, that was when he saw the dragon. It was blue and silver, and it cried out in pain. The dragon was nothing more than a spirit, translucent, lacking any solidity. Kiryuu breathed as he saw the dragon rise up from the flaming limo, entering the torn, swirling mass of light above.
“Dunkelzahn!” Kiryuu cried. “Dunkelzahn!”
“Dunkelzahn!” Nadia cried. “No!”
“It’s in your hands now…” whispered a voice coming from the glowing rift into Kiryuu’s mind. “Take good care of it, Mr. President.”
“No!” Kiryuu cried. “No, damn-it, no! Not again…”
Kiryuu sank down onto his knees, untying his tie and unbuttoning his shirt. His tux jacket slid off his shoulders. Around him was chaos. Fires raged on from the blast, fire trucks raced onto the scene, spraying water to put out the fire. And above, clouds gathered. And it rained.
“Kiryuu…” Nadia breathed. “He’s dead. I can’t even feel him inside of my mind anymore.”
“Everyone I have ever met has died,” Kiryuu said. “And now, so has he.”
“Excuse me…” began a voice from behind him. “Mr. Knight, if I may have a word.”
Kiryuu glanced up to see that reporter Dunkelzahn was talking to earlier. Irene Naylor. He did not even say a word.
“Mr. President,” she began. “If I may ask—what are your feelings on this travesty?”
“What did you call me?” he asked.
“Mr. President?” Naylor asked. Kiryuu glanced over to an Orc standing there with his arms crossed. Already the secret service around to remove anyone who did not belong on the site. Kiryuu gave a prompt nod and the Orc took Naylor by the arms.
“Hey!” she cried. “Hey! You can’t do this! The people have a right to know! You can’t silence the press!”
Kiryuu sighed again: “Truman, you were right. I can’t go on about this alone, Dunkelzahn. But I must. No one else in this world would have been able to see your dream come alive—no one except me. I have to do it.”
It was morning, 6 AM to be exact, and he was getting dressed for the new day. Usually, Kiryuu dressed in a black turtleneck sweater with tan khakis and a tan blazer, but not today. Today, he was dressed in a black suit and a red, plain tie. Though, he was having problems with tying a Windsor knot.
“I downloaded that damned program last night!” he growled. “It must have been corrupted.”
“It isn’t,” Nadia began. “You’re just nervous.”
“Computers don’t get nervous,” Kiryuu growled.
“Computers don’t,” she agreed. “But you do. Calm down.”
“Calm?” he glanced back at her. “The dragon dies, and what do I get? His job! This was supposed to be his job!”
“Dunkelzahn knew that you could do anything,” Nadia said.
“Not this,” Kiryuu shook his head. “Not this. He planned this. He planned this, faked his death, and left me the seat.”
“Why would he do that?” Nadia asked. “Why would Dunkelzahn fake his own death after winning an election? Just to make you the President?”
Kiryuu shook his head again: “I’ve heard on the Matrix that there are those who think I did it. They would think that I had killed Dunkelzahn just to take the Presidency from him. I could never do something like that to him.”
“Then, go out there and prove it,” Nadia began, rubbing his back.
“Go out there and resign?” he asked.
“No, go out there and be the best President that Dunkelzahn knew that you could be,” she smiled. “Make him proud of you.”
“No one could ever make his dream real,” Kiryuu whispered. “He wanted a new Golden Age, he will get that wish. One way or another, I will put this torn country back together again.”
He knelt down to her and cupped her face with his metallic claw. In one swoop down, he pressed his lips against hers, his fingers rubbing against the points of her ears. Nadia wrapped her arms around his neck as she felt him pull her close. It was going to be a day to remember.
Secret service agents were around him, a mixture of Orcs, Trolls, and Humans, guarded his every step. Not like he needed them anyways, they were more for show. But in recent light—the assassination of President Dunkelzahn, perhaps even a bio-organic dinosaur may have a weakness to be exploited. And so, Kiryuu allowed them to be around him. His fingers were tingling, and he was biting his lip. He had never felt so nervous in his existence before. There was a crowd of onlookers at the Capitol Building. Before him was Chief Justice David Roberts of the Supreme Court. Nadia Daviar stood beside him, her arm locked around his. She guided Kiryuu towards the center of the ceremony. He could not go on alone. The death of his dear friend Dunkelzahn was still fresh in his mind, as it was in the minds of the audience that gathered. They all had solemn faces as he approached the Chief Justice. Roberts was dressed in his black robe, with seven golden bands around his upper arm sleeves. Kiryuu swallowed as he climbed the stairs up towards the Chief Justice. He finally came to a halt before the microphone. Before him were also other past Presidents, such as Dunkelzahn’s predecessor Amy-Jo Pritchard, and 1st/46th USA/UCAS President Andrew McAlister.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” began Roberts. “We are gathered here to day bestow upon Kiryuu Knight the rights and duties of the Presidency of the United Canadian-American States. Mr. Knight, please, place your left hand on the Bible, and raise you right hand.”
Kiryuu Knight stared at the Bible for a moment. It seemed almost redundant for him to do such an action. He had no faith in a supreme deity. At least not anymore. Though, Dunkelzahn did it. Now he must do it. Kiryuu placed his left claw on the book and his right he lifted up in the air.
“Now, repeat after me,” Roberts continued. “I, Kiryuu Knight…”
“I, Kiryuu Knight,” he began.
“Do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United Canadian-American States,” Roberts said.
“Do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United Canadian-American States,” Kiryuu repeated.
“And will try to the best of my ability to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United Canadian-American States,” Roberts said.
“And will try to the best of my ability to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United Canadian-American States,” Kiryuu repeated. “So help me, God.”
“I now present the 8th/53rd President of the United Canadian-American States,” Roberts began. “President Kiryuu Knight.”
Didn't expect that, did you? Don't bash it too hard.