by DRK
Xavier Bright stepped out past the well polished brass door of the Governor's House, a modest mansion of what appeared to be marble and much expensive wood, a dwelling befitting his position, although not quite as much as his office truly deserved. Well, times were indeed tough on this tiny world, so he had to settle for a mere twenty-room dwelling. The sacrifices he had to make-
Gov. Bright felt the top of his head, to be sure his hair was not messed up. Of course it wasn't, but sometimes it pays to double-check these things. Even though some would classify him middle-aged, he still had all his hair, and not a one had yet turned grey. His physique lied about his age, too, as though he were still in his young prime.
The morning sun promised another beautiful day ahead. As usual, the governor expected little free time to actually enjoy it in the Morning Garden just across the lawn to his left.
Security Leader Tretl Clyden, Gov. Bright's junior by a decade, stood by his side. "I know what you're thinking, Gov. Xavier. All these gardens and landscaping in your yard, but no time to spend relaxing, to appreciate the governor's estate. Well, you know what I think-"
"Yes, I do, Security Leader Clyden; just because I may not have time to sit in the gardens does not mean that I cannot appreciate their beauty as I pass by. I like to surround myself with things which are aesthetically pleasing. Furthermore, even if I were unable to see them in passing, I still enjoy merely knowing they are here. You, Sec. Ldr. Clyden, are a Philistine."
Security Agent Samm brought the limousine down the driveway and stopped in front of the governor and Sec. Ldr. Clyden. The uniformed Agent Samm got out the limo to open the back door for Gov. Bright, but B-12, one of the two robots accompanying Gov. Bright, beat Samm to the door. The five-foot tall metal and plastic biped machine held open the car door, waiting, pleased to be able to serve.
Gov. Bright made no move to enter the limo. He remained standing on the official governor's welcome mat, breathing in the air. "The Enviro-Gens are doing an excellent job today, I see. Sec. Ldr. Clyden, please tuck in your shirt. I suppose I should be glad you at least put on your uniform today."
Suddenly, from behind a nearby row of hedges, a desperate-looking man jumped out, the blaster in his shaking hand trained on Gov. Bright. He bellowed, "Where's my brother?! Did you put him in the mines? You can't do that to my brother! I- I'll kill you for that, Leader Bright!"
"It is only Governor Bright. I govern for the Leaders of Earth. I am not a Leader. Not yet, but give it time."
"I don't think you will live long enough for that to happen," said the other. His hand still trembled with anxious excitement as he tried to do the deed, while Gov. Bright remained cool, not even batting an eye.
Gov. Bright did, however, raise an eyebrow, staring at the shaking weapon held by the man. "Now wherever did you get a blaster? I doubt you have the proper permits."
Clyden stepped between the governor and the intense citizen. "Listen, son, you don't want to do anything foolish-"
"M-move out of the way! I- I don't want to hurt you, Sec. Ldr. Clyden, only the governor!"
Clyden shook his head. "You know I can't let you do that."
From behind, Agent Samm clubbed the trespasser with his own Security Agent blaster. The man swooned and Clyden leaped to him, easily pulling the contraband gun from his grasp. The man fell to his knees, holding onto his head, moaning.
Xavier Bright checked his watch. "If we are going to have so many interruptions today, I am not sure we can make it to the rocketport on time."
As Sec. Ldr. Clyden cuffed the man, he scolded his superior. "I told you we need more guards about the grounds. And see, this is exactly why I tell you we shouldn't have so many bushes and trees about, providing so many places for would-be assassins to hide behind."
"What? Ruin the landscaping and the view because of a nobody like this?” scoffed Gov. Bright. “We already have enough Security Agents moving about the grounds. Besides that, Sec. Ldr. Clyden, the Security Agency building is just over that rise over there, abutting the estate. No, I don't think we need more. I trust you and your agents can get the job done just fine with the setup we already have here."
“Yes, sir," Clyden grumbled.
The governor turned to the scared but glaring interloper. "Good news. You will be able to once more be with your brother- at the mines."
Clyden pulled the man to his feet and shoved him forward. "Okay, let's get moving, bud. This way. March!"
Xavier Bright gestured with his hand for Clyden to stop. "Where, may I ask, are you taking this man?"
“To the lock-up at the Security Building, of course."
Gov. Bright frowned. "Sec. Ldr. Clyden, we really should be leaving by now for the rocketport. Why don't you just, oh, ah, just tie him to that tree there and call for one of your agents to come fetch him- Speaking of your agents, why is it that no others have yet come to see what this disturbance is about?"
Clyden reminded, "Like I said, we need more guards patrolling-"
Impatient, Gov. Bright said, as he walked toward the limo and got inside, "So you say."
B-12, who had been patiently waiting all this time, holding open the door, now closed it for the governor. B-12 went to the back of the car and climbed into the trunk of the limo. The other robot, a shorter model, held open the door on the other side of the limo for Clyden, who entered after tying the man to a thin but sturdy oak tree with the man's own belt and then calling for one of his agents to take care of the man.
Gov. Bright told Agent Samm, who sat behind the steering wheel, "Thank you for your help, Mr. Samm. Yours, too, Sec. Ldr. Clyden, of course. Now drive, please, Agent Samm, to the rocketport. We are going to meet some VIP's from Earth." He said "VIP's" with lots of sarcasm.
Clyden noticed someone missing. "I thought Sheila was coming with."
"Oh, she's shopping," Gov. Bright explained as Samm pulled from the driveway. "She has her truck. She said she will meet us there."
Clyden rolled his eyes. "I hope she will show up- and on time, too. You know how unreliable she is."
Unconcerned, the other answered, "Oh, she will. She won't let down her Uncle Xavier. She knows how important it is for me that she be there. And not just for me, but for the whole World of Hope. If all goes well, it could lead to a much better future for us."
"And if things don't go the way you plan, Gov. Xavier?"
Xavier Bright chuckled. Confidently, he assured his security leader, "Oh, they will. I know how to attain what I want. That is why I have been so successful as governor of the World of Hope."
Lift-Off!