Outskirts Press, INC.

ONE POSSIBLE FUTURE

In the year 2068, America is a high-tech society that is bordering on anarchy. Crime and vice are rampant as three new political parties attempt to control the government. Uncertainty looms as overworked law-enforcement agencies try to maintain order in a society that accepts the drug culture and the criminal warlords that vie for power. The borders are gone. Half of the one billion people now living in America are on welfare. Enforcement of law is sporadic as local government entities must find new ways to continue to pay their departments. Private security firms become popular; but many are for sale to the highest bidder. Amidst the chaos, a new American hero emerges. Navajo Ben Ayani is determined to help his people. He seeks a nomination to the state congress of New Mexico; hoping to gather support for neglected children living in poverty on the Navajo reservation. Murder, blackmail and betrayal set the stage as Ayani manages to survive an assassination attempt. The Navajo Tribal Council hires George Solidae’s private security firm to protect him. Find out what happens next as Solidae investigates and Ayani is thrown into the arena of ruthless politics. Organized crime figures heavily in this glimpse into one possible future of the United States of America.

     1:00 p.m.  Ayani pushes his food tray away and sits back on his bed.  He checks the time.  As if on cue, the knock at the door.
    Ayani: “Come in.”
    Kelly enters with a man in a business suit.  His gray hair belies his age, but he appears very fit.  His muscular frame cannot be hidden by the jacket and tie.
    The policeman at the door waves; signaling that he has checked the visitors.
    Kelly: “Ben, this is George Solidae.”
    The man offers his hand.  “Nice to meet you.”
    Ayani shakes his hand. “And you as well.  Please pull up a chair.”
    Kelly and Solidae pull chairs near the bed.
    Kelly: “How are the headaches?”
    Ayani: “Not too bad now.  My focus has moved to this cut on my shoulder.”
    Solidae: “Shrapnel?”
    Ayani nods. “The doctor said I have several shrapnel wounds; but only this one hurts.”
    Solidae: “Must be near a nerve.”
    Ayani nods again.  “I’ll be fine.  So, let’s get to it.  Kelly says that I should have some protection.  Um... what do you think?”
    Solidae: “Anyone that has been the subject of an assassination attempt needs some kind of protection.  My experience tells me that this was not just a warning.  Persons unknown want you dead.”
    Ayani: “Okay.  What do you propose?”
    Solidae: “I can start an investigation.  I can provide bodyguards.  I can work with the police.  I can stop these persons unknown from making another attempt on your life.”
    Ayani: “That’s pretty positive.  How do you know that you can actually stop them?”
    Solidae: “I have resources at my disposal.  And I am not restricted in my procedures; as the police are.”
    Ayani: “What does that mean?”
    Solidae: “It means that I can protect you until I can find these persons unknown and eliminate the threat.”
    Ayani: “Detective Harrison said that he could protect me while he is working on the case.”
    Solidae: “Harrison?”
    Ayani: “He is the one that is working on this for Gallup.”
    Solidae: “Good.  The police do good work here in Gallup.  They have a reputation for being scrupulously honest.”
    Ayani: “That sounds like a ‘but’ is coming.”
    Solidae nods. “But… they are subject to a mountain of regulations and restrictions that do not apply to resident citizens.  We can do better.”
    Ayani: “Hm.  Will this protection in any way prevent me from doing what I need to do?”
    Solidae shifts in his seat. “What do you need to do?”
    Ayani: “I need to talk with the Director of Blue Party operations here in Gallup.  I need to have meetings with a whole lot of people as I explore the possibility of running for office.”
    Solidae nods.  “Of course, it would be much better if you would stand still so I could put a wall around you.  However, my men are exceptionally good at what they do.  We can make allowances for your movements.”
    Ayani turns to Kelly. “What about the fee?”
    Kelly: “I spoke with Joe Moomaw this morning.  He is in favor.  He’ll submit it to the council.  They’ll approve it.”
    Ayani: “Okay.  Well, then; welcome aboard.”  The men shake hands.
    Solidae: “Good.  I’ll begin immediately.”  He stands.
    Ayani: “Um... I do have a couple more questions.”
    Solidae reseats himself.  He nods.
    Ayani: “How do you... I mean... what experience do you have that gives you this kind of knowledge?”
    Solidae: “Mostly, I was a street cop.  Secondly, I was a homicide detective.  Thirdly, I was an officer in charge of security at three different embassies when I was in the Marine Corps as well as being a security officer at the White House.  I have experience in cyber research, and I am an expert in terrorist tactics and weapons.”
    Ayani: “Wow.  Have you... you know; ever killed anyone?”
    Solidae: “Of course.”
    Ayani: “In the line of duty, or... since... or...”
    Solidae: “About that, I can only tell you this: I will kill only when absolutely necessary.  I will not hesitate, and neither will my men.  You will be safe.”
Ayani looks in the man’s eyes.  His eyes are not cold; rather, he seems to be concerned.  Interesting.
    Ayani: “I see that you are in pretty good shape.  How old are you?”
    Solidae: “I’m fifty-seven years old.”
    Ayani: “And you keep yourself fit for this job?”
    Solidae: “I keep myself fit for my own health.  I train my body in combat skills for this job.”
    Ayani: “I see.  Ah... but you are a Red person?”
    Solidae: “Yes.”
    Ayani: “I don’t mean to pry; but doesn’t that kind of... create a conflict of interest?”
    Solidae: “No.”
    Ayani: “But we’re... I mean... I’m... Blue and I don’t believe in some of the things...”
    Solidae: “You want to know if I’m onboard with your political philosophy.”
    Ayani: “I guess I do.”
    Solidae: “I’m Red because I work.  I’m also Red because I can help people.  That’s what I do.  When the police can’t help, people can come to us.  We always come down on the side of right.  And right knows no color.”
    Ayani: “And get paid a lot of money?”
    Solidae: “Not always.  I must admit, we prefer to take cases from people that can afford to pay us because we have a high overhead and payroll to meet.  However, if we come across a situation that is unreasonable and unfair, we have been known to take the case with no compensation.”
    Ayani: “Hm.  Why would you do that?”
    Solidae: “Because we know what’s right.  Not unlike you.”
    Ayani nods.  “Okay.  I can accept that.  What’s next?”
    Solidae: “I’ll have a man here in two minutes to assist with your protection detail.”
    Ayani raises his eyebrows. “Two minutes?”
    Solidae: “I had a team follow me.  It’s S.O.P.”
    Ayani: “Okay.  Good.  Then, we must be all set.  Do you have a contract for me to sign?”
    Solidae: “No.  Ms Ala can act as solicitor, but I must have someone from the council sign, since they are going to pay my fee.  The way this works is that I am technically working for them.  It is actually better for security’s sake if your name is not listed anywhere in our contract or any other documents.  We will give you a code name and refer to you only as that.”
    Ayani: “What’s my code name?”
    Solidae: “You are “The Driver.”
    Ayani gives a half smile. “You know what?  I just got a feeling of confidence from you.”
    Solidae stands. “Good.  I’ll go see the council with The Barrister and we’ll finish up the formalities.”
    Ayani: “The what?”
    Solidae: “Ms Ala must have a code name as well.  She is “The Barrister.”
    Ayani smiles.  “She is.”