Within minutes of the White Horde footage and showcase being broadcasted, uproar and outrage had engulfed the world again, and no doubt to O-Kenai's bizarre delight.

    Over following weeks, the amount of votes registered on votethesolution.weebly.com had also increased, tenfold. In all likelihood, it was an indication that new voters might've been those who'd never intended on doing so, but who were now desperately inclined to vote, in order to thwart the queenpin's ascension. Based on the severance of my little finger, people of the world had a real example and now knew what O-Kenai was capable of.

    Subsequently, in Běijīng, chaos was rife as local authorities struggled to maintain law and order. "...Xen, at this rate, we'll have to call in the army," Lee despaired. "The police just aren't coping with this level of protest. Not to mention the looting and arson! Plus, with Robin Albers holo-vlogging on this day and night, it's only going to escalate. I knew this period of Phase One was never going to be easy, but The Result could now end my presidency all together."

    "Lee, I understand your concerns," I acknowledged, while my hands gripped his drooping shoulders. "But don't lose faith in the true spirit of people, especially at this time of year. Sometimes, bad things need to happen before good things can. More importantly, do not forget our vision. Do not forget our goal. And do not forget our destiny."

    "Xen, you're right," my commander finally said. "Please, forgive me for my moment of weakness. Let's go in there, stand with the rest of The Coalition, and witness what the world has decided."

    I issued a stern nod of confidence. Then I followed Lee out of his west-wing chamber and into Zhōngnánhǎi's central one. As we entered the prestigious room, everyone set their eyes on us and it wasn't long before questions of concern followed. "With all things considered, is everything, alright?" Aurora asked.

    "Madame President, it is," Lee answered his Kazakhstani counterpart.

    "Are you sure?" Anho then pressed.

    "Yes, Emperor Heimachi, I am," Lee bowed. "And, we are ready and primed to hear it."

    "Very well then," the New Japanese leader said acceptingly. "Let us proceed."

    With confidence in my program reaffirmed, The Solution's remaining politicians, scientists, engineers and guests all swarmed around a large holotron, waiting for the UN transmission to start.

    "Xen, what are you thinking," Chon asked. Including Mikey and Sarah who stood at his side, my little brother had been exclusively invited to PRC headquarters to witness The Result.

    So had our matriarch, mùqīn, who was on the other side of the room analyzing statistics with Ling.

    "Chon, as expected, I'm nervous," I admitted. "However, I'm actually thinking about something fùqīn once told me."

    "What's that?" Chon questioned, as his eyes widened at the mention of our patriarch.

    "Chon, he'd once said that, 'The two most important days in your life are, the day you are born, and the day you find out why.' Little brother, I believe that today is the day I get my answer."

    We shared a compassionate smile.

    Seconds after, we'd fixed our sights onto the illuminating holotron as the United Nation's official A.I.D.A fizzled into being and promptly began.

    "Designated Alert: to the people of Earth, to the united citizens of The Tripod Coalition, greetings to you all. On June 5th of this year, Xen Lai, the Environment Secretary of The People's Republic of China revealed The Solution Program Proposal..."

    While the A.I.D.A paused, Chon squeezed softly at my forearm, knowing exactly how important this moment was. Like everyone present, he knew that I had waited years for this moment.

    "...In brief," the A.I.D.A continued, "the proposal suggested the mass orbital exodus of approximately 7.9 billion people; although only those fit, strong, young, and randomly selected as eligible. There were additional reasons for this, however, the main environmental one being to alleviate the strain which our species has had upon our planet of origin. At the center of this proposal was a democratic referendum; The Vote; which has been collating since June 2048. At this current time, the United Nations can now verify that The Vote has officially ceased, and that The Result will follow momentarily..."

    It felt as though everyone present held a deep breath, waiting for the words they wanted to hear. As time stood still, the answer came.

    "The Result is as follows:

    "All those with a confident vote, and in favor of The Solution is, 8%

    "All those with a non-confident vote, and not in favor of The Solution is, 92%

    "Conclusively, the majority vote is, negative. Therefore, the program proposal has been unsuccessful for international implementation. Thank you - transmission ended."

    With an exception of Ling and mùqīn's, everyone else's heads had sunken, and silence ensued. Probably in a positive bid to analyze the data, the two scientists poked at the holotron with pace and navigated stats which allowed them to see which regions had the poorest amounts of votes - and why - The Nordic Realm being an obvious exemption...

    Ling spoke first. "Confidence over in South America and Africa was low. Total rainforest loss was the main concern, followed by security worries over the remaining flows of The Amazon and The Nile. The Middle East also had good reason. Israel, too. None of the native subgroups wanted to abandon their oil fields or desert The Promised Land."

    Mùqīn was next to add her observation. "Expectantly, I had foreseen those possibilities. The same for Russia. However, with all its melting permafrost - and threat to Baikal - I am surprised The Eleventh Tsar showed little promise."

    I'd nodded expectantly, then grimaced. "Yes, and the probability is that it's all thanks to commentating saboteurs like Robin Albers."

    As I tried to ward off the obvious frustration, mùqīn's inevitable gaze fell on me. "Mr. Secretary; everybody; despite this dreadful outcome, we should still be thankful for it. It is merely an ethereal prompt. One which urges our Tripod Coalition to make history, rise together, and dwell successfully upon a star."

    "Widow Lai," I eventually breathed, "thank you for your wise words, and, for the bold reminder."

    Positivity seemed to grow inside of everyone again and Lee was the first to belch it out in the form of organized words. "Members of the Tripod Coalition. With our three media guests as witnesses, we must now take the time to revise our casted votes on The Contingency, for the very last time.

    "Xen, back over to you."

    I nodded at Lee. Gulped my throat. Then sniffed my nose, all to trigger my game-face. "Thank you, Mr. President, thank you.

    "Emperor Heimachi and Prime Minister Kazuya; what say you...?"

    "Mr. Secretary, we are agreed," Anho answered. "We both say, 'aye'."

    "Thank you," I bowed with clasped hands.

    Next, I turned to the golden eagles. "Madame President Lebedev and Prime Minister Fedor; what say you...?"

    "Mr. Secretary, in addition to the New Japanese, we too, are still agreed," Aurora responded. "We say, 'aye'! More importantly, we will contribute eighty per cent of our Uranium stores to put our Freighters into Earth's orbit and keep them there for a thousand years!"

    I was enamoured. "As always, Madame President, your enthusiasm is captivating, and your contributions, beyond generous!" In 2030, Iran had violated the proliferation of the Landmark Enrichment Protocol - a longstanding nuclear sanction from the West. As a result, Aurora's government had intervened to prevent war, with their commission being the acquirement, absorption, and safeguarding of Persia's lofty uranium stockpile for peace and exploration.

    Conclusively, my next point addressed mine and Lee's stance. "Everyone, as to be expected, the President and I are still agreed. Therefore, all that remains is the hardest part of this democratic process... We must issue a new vote, specifically one for our coalition citizens to decide if The Contingency, and Dwarven Earthian Star, is to become a reality..."

    While everyone else applauded, Chon and mùqīn had moved in on me and rubbed at my back, supportively.

    As expected, Plan A had failed.

    However, thankfully, it wasn't over. As of today, Plan B was now in motion, and it was the sole reason for my very existence.