Democracy
People cheered themselves hoarse at the largest sporting venue seen built in this harbor city. After the new Olympic stadium was completed it could seat up to one hundred thousand average sized people. Tested by bringing in large secondary schools in to fill up the seats for a dry run of all the facilities, the stadium was massive. Its skyscraper sized tiled screens were fed images from the constantly hovering drones. School students were allowed to send photo requests to these drones via their smartphones. An Olympics smartphone app allowed people from all over Australia to download their video images live from the stadium. The security for such a stadium was a nightmare. National Security Director Leopold was flat out organizing her ten thousand strong security personnel. They were all on duty today getting their protocols right and working out any procedural bugs. Leopold was having a meeting with Major Otrera Doras. As always this meeting was not going to plan. Exasperated, Leopold said in a tired tone of voice,
"Major Doras what can you possibly do with ten more snipers? You already have twenty commando trained snipers under your command. Plus helicopter and drone support. Surely that is enough firepower?"
But Doras was a perfectionist who was driven by her past failures. She was still smarting from losing six of her commandos to that rebel 'bi**h' Amelia Leong. Not since the bad old days when she repeatedly failed to kill Cain Flint had Doras so hated a rebel sniper. Funny how that name Cain Flint still drove her insane with impotence. After six years since his officially recognized death she thought that she could let go of these failures. Doras realized that they should go under the heading of past and forgotten. But Amelia Leong was known to have been trained by Cain Flint so it was like he was still out there killing her commandos via this new threat. For this reason Major Doras was setting a trap for Amelia Leong. She was certain that this rebel sniper would be at the opening ceremony according. As far as Major Doras was concerned that opening ceremony will see the death of Amelia Leong. Maybe then, Doras thought, she could finally forget about Cain Flint.
In a determinedly stubborn tone of voice Doras replied to the National Security Director's question by saying,
"If you want to risk the lives of President Dent, his cabinet ministers and all those important dignitaries then by all means skimp on sniper coverage. But Amelia Leong and her band of rebel snipers will just thank you for making it easy for them"
The name of Amelia Leong stopped Leopold in her tracks. She had been getting ready to dismiss Doras's concerns. But if the number one rebel sniper and her team were going to try something then there was no such thing as too much protection. The most powerful world leader would be present. Her secret service protection team was already bugging Leopold to be allowed to carry automatic weapons into the stadium. Given that they supplied Australia with the cyber traffic coming out of rebel enclaves Leopold was sure that they would know about Amelia Leong. So the National Security Director said in a defeated tone of voice,
"Alright Major you have made your point. You can have the extra twenty snipers. Just please keep them hidden from sight. This opening ceremony is meant to be a political winner for President Dent not a killing field for your trigger happy commandos. Keep all your team's actions in the background please."
Doras looked with contempt at this back room commander. Probably never been on a roof in her life let alone held a gun, was Doras's first unkind thought. Still Doras reminded herself that Leopold was the third most powerful person in the government. If Doras wanted to make Colonel she either, needed this woman's support, or, at the very least, did not want her as an enemy. So Doras swallowed her sarcastic comeback, instead answering in a neutral tone of voice,
"Thank you Director. I can almost guarantee you the head of that pesky rebel Amelia Leong. It will be done out of sight of any public scrutiny. All our kills will be done in a way that the government can later deny all responsibility."
Leopold sensed that Doras still did not get the primacy of the need for no media attracting incident at this opening ceremony. So she tried one last time to open this woman's eyes to political realities. She said in a firm tone of voice,
"Your main job is to keep everyone safe! Of course the official party get maximum protection priority but lets have no collateral damage. Get to the rebel terrorists early and dispose of them quietly. Even if that means you have to burn some of your commandos you must not hesitate. If you want that Colonel's appointment, show the President that you can make the tough decisions ,including the ones that make underlings lives expendable. I have ten thousand security forces lives in my hands. But I will sacrifice as many as I have to in keeping the official party safe! Do I make myself clear?"
Major Doras did not hesitate to consider the moral issues of what she was being asked to agree to if she took this on board. Instead her response was even firmer than the Directors's when she said,
"I will burn as many as it takes to eliminate the rebel menace! Never question my ruthlessness. It is my one constant combat tactic. That is why I always win."
Sensing that Doras was not just talking about the current assignment, Leopold reminded herself of how dangerously knowledgeable this officer was of her own past war crimes. Perhaps it was time that Major Doras die in action. Leopold might make that call to someone she knew who could eliminate this annoying roadblock to her career. He was a rebel after all and was a former killer for the Irish revolutionary forces. Doras would never see him coming until it was too late. Yes best to use her for this opening ceremony then get rid of her. Smiling like the Australian crocodiles do before they strike, Leopold used a friendly tone of voice to say,
"Then I can guarantee you that promotion to Colonel at the next round of military appointments. I know that President Dent wants to have a clean sweep of his military command postings. That man will not let anyone threaten his political supremacy. But that is just between us girls. You can have an unlimited budget for your sniper shield. Your success will be rewarded the way you deserve to be rewarded. You have my promise."
Major Doras also had a crocodile smile. She would now make Colonel this year. Then she would get the one job she really wanted. That job was National Security Director. Of course the current occupant of that position would have to die. But such assassinations were becoming more common. Doras had two sisters would could do the job. Then she would be the third most powerful person in Australia.
In New Zealand a family was saying goodbye to a loved one. That this loved one was sneaking over to Australia to join her father's rebel fighters is a source of sadness for her mother. Nahid Fitzgerald could not stop her now eighteen year old daughter from going. It would be pointless to refuse her permission to hitch a ride with the people smugglers. Zaheer would just find another less safe way to get into Australia. So a mother gave her eldest daughter a farewell kiss goodbye. Her last words were very motherly but said in her softest tone of voice,
"Now Zaheer when you arrive find Bill Han. He is the biggest rebel commander still active on the east coast. Give him this letter. Have you got enough warm clothes for the crossing? You know how the wind affects your sinuses. Please stay safe my darling one."
Zaheer was too excited to notice the tears in her mother's eyes. She said hurriedly in a casual tone of voice,
"I will be fine . Fiery Fitz has taught me well. I am the best shot in the district. Don't worry Mum."
With that she got into the truck that would drive her to the nearest port. Then she was gone.
Equality
Over in Australia Hera, Hannah, Mossy and Colonel Hutch Matterson were facing up to their own disappointments. Hera was fighting against religious