A few minutes later I'd approached Fuxing Street and slowed my bike to a hovering stop. The downtown business district was congested. Almost twelve times more than usual. So, to avoid the masses and their combined drama, A.I.D.A was quick to reroute me. I'd taken some detour roads which added minutes but reached the rear of BTV without violation. I entered the underground vehicle vault; put my bike away; then headed up to the lobby. Once there, I'd glimpsed a dozen dormant A.I.S.U's. They were clearly in place to keep the peace. Next, I'd graced the security desk and signed in via iDot. Henry smiled at me like a Cheshire Cat and was clearly pumped. "Chon, just so you know, my A.I.S.U's are present for your protection, should anyone step out of line!" I buffered my lips at Henry, thankful for the expensive precaution. "Also, Chon, I have to say it - Xen coming up with The Solution in time for Election Day is just genius! Now it could be the most historic ever!"

    "Indeed, it could," I acknowledged. Keen to change the subject though, I then asked a more pressing question. "Henry, are my three here yet?"

    "They are," he said with a professional nod. "Sarah was in bright and early; then Gail strolled in on Charlie's arm; and your wingman got here five minutes ago. He's in the coffee concession queueing for something aromatic."

    Thirsty as hell, the news was music to my ears! Moments later, Mikey moved towards us with his pink hoverboard in-hand, and my holo-cup in the other. "Sup bitch?" he breathed in a sluggish Jesse Pinkman voice. "You good?"

    "Oh, hell yes!" I boomed, relinquishing my tea from his grasp. "You ready to head up there?"

    "No not, really," he yawned.

    "Big guy, sorry for dragging you out of bed, but you know we've got 'bigger pigs to poke'."

    "I know," he seethed, "I know."

    We clasped onto our belongings, bade Henry farewell, then headed for the unused stairs. While ascending, I took the chance to probe Mikey's mind again. "Big guy, have you had any luck with that acronym? The one mùqīn wanted me to hear?"

    "Ah, possibly," he said with an optimistic hiss. "Based on playbacks of The Solution, I now think the 'SS' part is referrin' to the 'Star Shuttle' evacuation pods inside Freighters."

    "Okay, good work," I praised. "And the second half - 'CSP'...?"

    "I've struggled with this," the geek admitted, "and hope I'm right..."

    "Go on," I said.

    "Chon, with the Central Column in mind, I'm gonna go with 'Column Strategic Placement'. Maybe Earthian Star's core has to be aligned correctly, so that evac pods have the right trajectory back to Land Chosen Areas?"

    "Big guy, good effort!" I said, even though I knew Mikey was way off. For mùqīn to be involved, I knew 'SS-CSP' meant something far more significant. After all, our matriarch wasn't only the Mother of Dragons, she was one of The Elders.

    I think Mikey sensed that my mind was wandering, and he was right. 'SS-CSP' would have loomed in my frontal lobe, had he not been quick to change the subject. "So, Chon, when you gonna make this move on Sarah, eh? You know fortune favors the bold, so be bold."

    "I will, I will," I protested. "I'm just waiting for the right time. Anyway, you can't talk - what's happening with you, eh? Thought you liked Michelle?"

    "I do..." Mikey mumbled, "but I've heard she's, taken.

    "Anyway, back to you and Sarah; listen Chon; I'm no expert, but I do know there's never a right time with these sorta things. Rule #76 - you just need to make a move."

    "Alright, I will," I said, even though I was shit-scared. I didn't want to ruin things with Sarah. Maybe I'd stayed in the friendzone for too long? Still, Mikey had his points, fùqīn, too. I had to make a leap when opportunity next presented itself.

    Finally, Mikey and I reached our floor and entered the technology plain. Upon doing so, what we observed and experienced, was beyond typical.