Probably out of mutual respect, Chon and Xen shared a comforting nod. But I was sure the solace was about to diminish. It had felt as though Tengfei's Double Dragon were ready to breathe controversial fire upon one another. So, Mikey and I powered up our AV-Holo Suite, pushed the tiny holo-transmitters back in, and prepared to record more flammable history-in-the-making.

    "WorldTube viewers, good afternoon," Chon started. "Now, earlier today at the climate summit, the world witnessed the revelation of The Solution. Interestingly, it turned out to be an intricate global proposal for the majority of humanity to seek refuge in orbital space. As many of you know," he assumed with a pause, "the man behind this grand idea is none other than my older brother, Xen Lai, sat here opposite me."

    Leaned back with his legs crossed, Xen had looked a little smug. At least I thought so. Still, for Chon's sake, I tried to keep my faith in Xen, and observed.

    "Now, obviously this is an awkward setting for a few reasons..." Chon stated.

    At this point, I didn't know where he was taking his line of questioning.

    "...Awkward," Chon retorted, "because I'm not silly enough to try and ignore the reasons.

    "At the beginning of the year; and during our nation's Spring Festival; our father, Tengfei, was suddenly killed in an accident. Months after, Xen here, was exposed in a controversial scandal which I led for BTV. In and around our bereavement, Xen had chosen to deal with it by regularly visiting a gentlemen's den, and becoming involved in frowned-upon acts, albeit, consensual..."

    I couldn't believe it. Chon had finally embraced his shame and was, 'going there'.

    "...Worse still," he continued, "the world saw a leaked holo-recording of one of his taboo encounters..."

    I'd never felt so uncomfortable in my entire life and I could only imagine how Xen was taking his broadcasted dismemberment. Slowly, Xen put a hand to his bottom lip and pulled at it. Slowly, I could sense Xen feeling Chon's burn.

    "...However," Chon pressed, "with all of that now in the past, Xen Lai; the visionary of The Solution; has granted me this post interview.

    "Furthermore, viewers, Xen has also declared that our interview conversation today will be his last ever... And so, it will naturally be an interview in which I'll address some of the remaining aspects of The Solution Program Proposal."

    Chon was making me so proud and I knew they were both on their way to family redemption.

    "So, without further-ado," Chon then piped up, "let's start with some quick-fire questions. Xen, that okay?"

    "Sure, go for it," his brother had agreed.

    "Great. Xen, why something as drastic as this?"

    "Because, sadly Chon, we're still living in the age of stupid. In September 2011, there was three hundred and eighty-nine parts per million (ppm) of CO2 in the atmosphere. Last year, September 2047, there was seven hundred and seventy-seven parts per million. Time is running out. The solution has to be drastic. Chon, I feel it's our only real chance to initiate an enterprise and lay a concrete foundation of hope and prosperity towards a guaranteed future."

    "Well, Xen, having seen the first-hand damage that Sadie did, I'll agree that humanity's future on Earth is undoubtedly questionable," Chon added. "But, what if the World-Ender storm doesn't happen at all? Wouldn't we have spent quadrillions for nothing?"

    "Chon, one day, it will happen. At least this way, we'll always be prepared for it. The plan and technology will be there."

    Chon had looked away from his brother, potentially to gather more relevant questions. "Xen, if a person doesn't vote, what happens?"

    "Their national government will have the power to cast that vote as either confident or non-confident."

    Chon nodded and then continued the professional tirade. "At the end of December, if the majority result is a non-confident one, what will you do next in wake of the disappointment?"

    "I'm sure I'll think of something," the secretary had smiled.

    "Xen, try not to be vague."

    "Oh, I don't know," Xen snickered dismissively. "Maybe I'll join Green Justice if Albers will let me!"

     "Xen, that's laughable," Chon said with raised brows, "and I'll get onto her momentarily, but seriously, what can the world expect?"

     "Well, Chon, I suppose just more creative ingenuity in order to battle destabilization," Xen surmised. "I'd only do this from behind the scenes, though. Destabilization isn't going to get any better so that will still be my focus."

    "Okay," Chon said. "Now, I thought this part was quite controversial when you said it... Xen, your Lottery Draft suggests that no one over the age of sixty be eligible for the exodus. This would include most of the world's rich who you wish to be a part of The Central Column consortium, not forgetting our own mother, unless they're all exempt of course? Xen, wouldn't this be unfair, ageist, wrong? I think it would..."

     "...Chon, for the greater good, Earthian Star would need to protect the strong, the fit, the healthy and the young. With those of the consortium being the necessary exception, the program would last for at least ten years in order to let Earth breathe. Possibly including even our mother, sixty-year-olds would be seventy-year-olds by the time we returned. Remember, if this goes ahead, Eligible Patrons would need basic astronaut training. It could be deemed too intensive and pose a high health risk for some, especially those in that age bracket."

    Xen had made some good points, even though I'd hated to admit it.

    "Xen, onto The Medical then," Chon gestured with open palms. "What if fit, healthy and young people couldn't get to grips with the centrifuge G-Force preparation - or the medication?"

    "Then those Eligible Patrons would possibly be sedated for launch, Chon. Regarding their nausea doses, they'd be increased. If after this there wasn't any significant improvement in their tolerance levels, such patrons would be deemed ineligible, and referred to a national Base Team One. An SMC Physician would ultimately make both decisions."

    Xen was on fire!

    "Alright, Xen, let's talk Base Team Two - which would be essentially made up of belligerent felons."

    "Okay," Xen quipped, while adjusting in his seat.

    "How would army personnel supervise so many of the violently dangerous back on the ground?" Chon shrugged.

    "Well, as we know, all army personnel are trained in the firearm martial art of Sho-Ghun. But as an additional safety measure, Base Team Two persons would have slightly different coded implants compared to those in a Base Team One," Xen explained. "Theirs would have paralysis nodes which army A.I.S.U's could activate in order to render them unconscious."

    With every answer, I could feel myself becoming one of Xen's believers.

    "Mr. Secretary," Chon then said, "regarding army personnel and The Draft, would they be ineligible from the get-go?"

    "...I'm afraid so," Xen hesitated. "The program would require their skills on a permanent basis, and consider their participation as compulsory duty, the same as in a time of war. However, there would be a roster of granted leave where personnel could recoup on Earthian Star, or on some of Earths' remaining haven spots."

    "Alright," Chon nodded in a conceded fashion. "Let's move onto some other points."

    "Sounds good," Xen responded.

    "Talk to me about people safety with regards to Land Chosen Areas, as well as during construction of the Land and Aviation Technology?"

    "Chon, Land Chosen Areas, or 'LCA's' as we've dubbed them, would be in remote and barren places. If any of the locations suffer from extreme temperatures like the Australian outback, then Habitat Suits would be issued.

    "Onto working conditions. Supervised by qualified foremen, all persons would wear protective hardhats, goggles and holomesh gloves at the very least. They would work four-hour shifts followed by a half hour break, with basic provisions and refreshments. Freely available, this would include fruit and water. This would ensure well-being, alertness, and maximum productivity when carrying out any element of the monumental works.

    "Oh, and the construction would never stop," Xen added. "Each national operation would run over a twenty-four-hour period.

    "Lastly, with super equipment operating on site, army A.I.S.U's would ensure that personnel were clear of all hazards."

    As I'd listened, I'd ran a hand through my cropped hair. It was a means of stress release. I couldn't fathom where Xen had found time to come up with all of this, especially in the final months before he was caught in Boudoir.

    While my mind continued to wander, Chon asked more. "Xen, you just made a point about there being readily-available food provisions and so on. But you suggest it with such ease, as though food and water are abundant and free?"

    "Chon, all over the world, there is an abundance of food, at least. Every day, retail giants throw away tons upon tons of distressed long-life food which has reached a best-before date, rather than a use-by one - food still perfectly good enough to eat. Proactively, we would work with organizations that wholesale best-before provisions and look to reform processes where possible. Perhaps with intervention from WFP - the World Food Program - we would urge all governments to subsidize the provisions in order to offer it for little or nothing at all. Along with support from Water Aid, we would also urge governments to make water available via temporary drinking fountains and wells."

    "Okay, Xen. I'm satisfied with that," Chon had said with satisfaction coating his words.

    I knew enough about Chon's heart to know that he would feel as though Lord Huányīn was walking with the Lais once again.

    "So, Xen, I made a brief reference to them earlier - the world's rich who you wish to be a part of The Central Column consortium."

    "Yes, Chon," Xen responded. "What about them?"

    "Well, are you aware that right now in Mexico City, riots have broken out, along with even more mass kidnappings than usual?"

    Chon had explained this while scanning his iPad Micro. "Worst of all, that the world's richest man is 'estate-bound'? Xen, along with the rest of Forbes' Finest, this is a man who you would no doubt expect to donate a considerable amount of his fortune if the mass pilgrimage was to happen, right...?"

    "...Right," Xen sighed, possibly annoyed that he'd overlooked the possibility of Mexico's recent events. "Chon, I agree that it's unfortunate he and his family are immobile. However, I trust the Mexican authorities will aid them, soon."

    "Okay Xen. So, if you were on com-link with Carlos Slim Domit II right now, what exactly would you say to him in his frustrating circumstance? And to get him on your side?"

    "Chon, I would say, 'Carlos. Thank you for persevering in these times of austerity. Moreover, that, I believe the only thing worse than being blind, is having sight but no vision. Mr. Domit; Carlos; please endorse The Solution to help the world open its eyes'."

    "Xen, it all sounds very inspirational, but I can't ignore negative opinions against your proposal - opinions like Robin Albers'. On her Green Justice holo-vlog, these are the highlights of what she had to say in addition to her rant on the Damon Weaver show...

    "Xen, can I share them with you in exchange for obligatory responses?"

    Xen wanted no part of this. It was obvious by the way he gritted his teeth. Furthermore, he had nowhere to hide.