[2202 | Opinions]
The following day, footage of the assassination is trending across the world. It is estimated that within twenty-four hours of Zaavi’s passing, 97.8 per cent of the world’s population, including children, has witnessed her death, along with the newly-infamous statement, “For the glory of Australia.” The feed that Alexa is watching lists various numbers, which just confuse the child:
- “Summary of opinion polls: Australia:
- Agree with Australia’s actions—47.5%
- Disagree with Australia’s actions—32.8%
- Undecided about Australia’s actions—19.7%
- “Summary of opinion polls: Countries under YutopiCorp’s control:
- Agree with Australia’s actions—63.7%
- Disagree with Australia’s actions—12.9%
- Undecided about Australia’s actions—23.4%
- “Summary of opinion polls: Countries under corporate control (not YutopiCorp):
- Agree with Australia’s actions—42.1%
- Disagree with Australia’s actions—39.6%
- Undecided about Australia’s actions—18.3%”
As the numbers fade from view, they are replaced with a second set of numbers which serve as a juxtaposition to the others.
- “Summary of opinion polls: New Zealand:
- Agree with Australia’s actions—0.3%
- Disagree with Australia’s actions—97.4%
- Undecided about Australia’s actions—2.3%
- “Summary of opinion polls: Countries not under corporate control:
- Agree with Australia’s actions—1.4%
- Disagree with Australia’s actions—96.9%
- Undecided about Australia’s actions—1.6%”
“What is your opinion of Australia’s actions?” Nanny asks Alexa. “Do you agree, disagree, or are you undecided?”
“I agree,” Alexa responds.
“Thank you. Your response has been recorded.”
The footage changes to Canberra, Australia, and a protest being undertaken outside Parliament House by New Zealand nationals. About two thousand protestors have gathered, each of them holding digital placards featuring phrases such as “Murderer,” “Xavix the killer,” “Warmonger,” and “Pay for your crimes.”
The protest continues into the evening, yet the crowds are refusing to move on until Prime Minister Jak Xavix has addressed them. Xavix doesn’t relish the idea of having rotten fruit hurled at him, which his minders have been reminding him is the best case scenario after Australia relaxed its gun laws in the early twenty-second century.
As the night carries on, the protest has not yet quietened down. Xavix would like to retire to the Lodge for the night, but his security staff are unable to guarantee that any route would keep him clear of protesters. The Prime Minister is surrounded by his cabinet of egomaniacal politicians as the Head of Security arrives.
“We’ve made a decision,” Xavix informs the Head of Security. “Put an end to this mess.”
The Head of Security nods his head. “Affirmative,” he says, before leaving the meeting room.
Minutes later, Xavix’s instruction is carried out to the Prime Minister’s satisfaction. Twenty-four turrets rise from the grounds outside Parliament House. They do not take aim, they simply open fire, firing round after round of hot plasma at a rate of fifteen shots per second, per turret. Given the power that plasma affords compared to the simple lasers carried by individuals, the power of the turrets, and the two thousand protesters not wearing armour, the protestors are all dead in under a minute. The turrets keep shooting for another two minutes, just to be certain.
As the turrets retract into the ground, the lawns of parliament house are nothing but scorch marks, plasma remnants and globs of perforated fat that, mere moments ago, resembled human beings. The following day, New Zealand would formally declare war on its once closest ally.
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