"I think we covered all we can."
Nodding at the ginger man sitting across from me, Vincent, I couldn't help but allow a large grin to split my face. "And you've made sure this would be legal?"
Sarah, the blond woman sitting next to the man, nodded with a pleased smile on her face. "Indeed, Mister Kingston. I've already gone over the framework a dozen times. The problem is not legality but whether or not it will pass at all. Many people would not like to see this come to fruition."
I nodded at her statement. What I'm planning shall bring eyes of all types, friendly and hostile, but I'm prepared. My gaze came up to examine the team of five sitting quietly around the table. "Just leave it to me. You all have done Mars a great service."
"It would have been my biggest regret not to accept this. My family is Martian and the chaos Mars suffers from caused me to lose my brother. I couldn't look at myself if I didn't help." Synthia, a chubby black woman with a fro admitted.
"Yeah, even if this doesn't make it, at least we can say we tried. Which is better than nothing."
Everyone let out shouts of agreement at Vincent's words.
"I just wanna say, what you're doing is so brave, Darius, especially from a young man like yourself, but it's to be expected from one of the heroes of Mars."
Heroes of Mars. Quite the title for a PMC just doing their jobs, but all good regardless. "Thank you all. There's not much I can say here except that I shall do my damnedest to get this to pass."
With a few more words of encouragement and thanks, the little group left. Everyone here was key to ensuring my goal for Martian governance comes to pass. With their job over, I needed to do my part.
Sighing heavily, I turned my datapad off and lazily lounged in my seat for a moment. I really wish I had time, but this window doesn't present itself often. If I don't take this risk now, the likelihood of this passing going from a gamble to an impossibility widens.
Gjallahorn is a mess, a parliament not against Martian autonomy, friendly relations with the prime minister and the Martian autonomy movement still in its prime and growing. Any longer and one of these benefits could disappear. Hell, elections in Arbrau are happening next year. Who knows what could happen then?
I've already set up something of a foundation for this. Well, it's better to say I'm just building on what's there, but what I'm planning and what the members may be willing to tolerate are two different things. Unlike what Kudelia got to pass, this has a massive impact on potentially the entirety of Mars and all the blocs.
Picking up my datapad again, I opened to my notepad. It's been a fe-
Bang!
Dropping my pad, I leapt under my desk and retrieved the gun in the hidden compartment. Whoever the hell thought they could bre-
" Darius, boys' night. Come out, it's us!" shouted who I guessed was Andre.
"Sorry, Boss, I tried to stop them, but they dragged me along." Richy grumbled.
Coming out of hiding after making sure it was, in fact, my dumbass friends, I put the gun away with a sigh. "It's fine, Richy."
My eyes roamed over the gaggle of guys, and I immediately knew this would not be a good night. Everyone but Richy looked buzzed, the worst being Robby. Judging by that half-bottle of whiskey in his hand, he already had a good amount.
"Guys, I don't know. It was fun back then, but…I'm starting to become somebody who can't risk doing dumb shit anymore."
I got a load of boos at that.
"Yeah, yeah, get it out. It's true. I'm sorry, but I can't. Give Richy my usual amount of booze for me."
" BOSS!?"
Despite my protests, I was dragged along. Surprisingly, we weren't headed for any fun districts I was aware of. In fact, we weren't headed for any district. We were out of the city and a thirty-minute drive deep into a forested area when we took a turn onto a dirt road and another ten-minute drive into the forest.
When we stopped and walked for five or so minutes along a forest trail, I was surprised to see a set-up camping site.
"Surprise." Andre shouted, taking a seat in one of the set-up outdoor chairs. "We couldn't have a cool guys' night out without you."
" I say we could." Robby muttered with a smirk, taking a seat and pulling out a drink from a nearby cooler box.
" Then you wouldn't be invited." David snorted out as he took his own seat, causing everyone to burst out laughing.
"You guys could have told us we would be going somewhere outdoors." Sighing, I took a seat along with Richy, removing our suit jackets and ties.
It didn't take long for us to get a few drinks in our system too, and things felt as fun as they did when we were street hooligans.
"I told you guys that in confidence." Andre shouted, but we continued to laugh.
" I fucking knew you had mommy issues the moment I saw you cosy up to that broad." Richy coughed out.
"It's okay, Andre, we all have a little bit of mommy issues. While some others seek therapy, others make it their kink." David said once he calmed down.
"Guys, Andre was just sharing. We shouldn't bully his weird fetishes." Richy said, even as a smile still touched his lips.
"Not you, Richy." Andre muttered.
"No, we're happy for you. Plus, while these guys are laughing, they would kill to be in your situation. I mean, look at Robby, that dude needs a strict mommy, else he might just kill himself with his inventions, and don't get me started on Richy." I teased, slapping Andre's back.
"The fuck? I only like women who can match me in my exploits as the best engineer of the entire universe." Robby stated with an upturned head.
"Where was this on Naze's ship?" David asked with a raised eyebrow, causing Robby to splutter.
" Tha-tha-that was different. I wasn't myself then. Plus, you guys dragged me there." Robby retorted. "And what about you then? I don't see you with anyone."
"Yeah, what's your type anyway?" Andre added.
"I like a girl who can beat my ass." David said simply, taking a swig of his beer.
Richy and Robby's eyes widened while Andre and I nodded in respect.
"Fucking hell, you're worse than Andre. Are you a masochist or something?" Robby asked, taking a sip from his own drink.
"No, it's kinda like you in a way. I like a girl who can match me at what I love to do."
"Since we're asking, what about you, Richy?" I asked the boy next to me.
" Me?" He squeaked out, nervous now that the attention was on him. "Well, I guess it's just a woman who's kind."
"Boring." Andre muttered, earning a smack from me.
" Don't listen to mama's boy. A kind, nice girl is something many a sane man would wish for. You're just hanging out with psychos."
That earned a few snorts and chuckles.
" Yeah, psychos alright. Like the guy who beds anything that resembles a female." Andre said with a grin.
" Oh shut it. I don't do that."
Everyone just paused to send me unimpressed looks.
"Okay, I may be a man of woman."
"Didn't you bang a fembo-"
"Lalalala. We don't speak of my escapades from a time beyond this verse." I interrupted Andre, who only smirked at me.
"Fine, we still have many cases here too. What is your nickname among the noble women of Mars again? There are so many, but my favourite is Aladdin, the heart-stealing street rat." Andre stated with a grin, dodging the smack I sent his way.
"That's cause you started that one, you fucker." I huffed, leaning back into my seat. "The only thing I admit to is trying to bring happiness to many beautiful women; is that so wrong?"
That earned a few unbelieving hums.
"That's gonna kill you someday if your plans for the future doesn't." David muttered as he leaned back in his chair, looking at the sky.
Seeing an opening to change the discussion, I took it. " Talking about the future. Do you guys have any plans or goals? I'm sure you've all been doing something I'm unaware of during these three years since the Edmonton thing."
"You guys already know mine." Andre said, and we all nodded.
"I plan to create something so spectacular, it changes the world in a way never seen before, like the person who created suits." Robby said, raising his glass.
"I don't have any grand ambition besides living long enough to see what the hell our mighty leader's been cooking up. Maybe start a martial arts school and take disciples like those Oceanic federation movies." David stated.
" Me too. I…I was never one to do great things, but from what I've seen you do Darius, I wanna help. I wanna see your plan come to fruition to help as many people as possible." Richy said after, looking at me.
" I'll also help when I can." Andre added.
" Well, I can't be the only one not helping," Robby snorted, grinning at me. " Plus, who else can I get to test my creations?"
My eyes went around examining my friends with a small smile. " I-thanks guys."
I raised my glass towards them. "To living a long and prosperous life."
"That feels like a death flag." Andre muttered, raising his beer can.
"I'm pretty sure saying that made it worse. "Richy said as he did the same.
"Well, if we're gonna die, it better be doing something amazing." David added, raising his own, and Robby followed.
Clinking our drinks together, we downed whatever we had and allowed a comfortable silence to take hold.
Staring at the sky, I couldn't help but shake my head. Idiots, the lot of em, but I can't think of better people to call friends.