For over an hour, Meiko and Brenda watched streaming news reports of the effect the new powers were having on the community. Most of the stories included a shot of their home, usually listed as “cult headquarters,” and not for the first time the two of them considered moving their base to a remote island or mountaintop. On the whole, though, they were pleased with what they saw.
“Well, it looks like the more reasonable news outlets are emphasizing the defensive nature of the new powers,” Meiko observed. “As for the more extreme conservative sources…”
“Fuck ‘em,” Brenda interjected. “If they’re going to cheer for potential murderers and rapists, they’re only going to further marginalize themselves. As long as we can nudge the general population away from their position, I think we’re safe. And I think that innocents will be safer, now that potential attackers have instant karma to worry about.”
Meiko snuggled tightly into Brenda’s lap. The gamer’s chair they shared was a tight but cozy fit for the two of them. “So, Brenda, did you ever think about removing that little problem…?” She was being circumspect, but her gaze went to the control for the Chronivac app in the tool bar.
Brenda raised an eyebrow at Meiko’s veiled suggestion. Usually it was her that suggested shortcuts. “Every fucking moment of every fucking day,” she stated. “We’ve been busy for the past few days dealing with crises. And honestly, I’m proud of the way we handled them without having to resort to the nuclear option.And the way our powers and abilities are growing, it won’t be long before the app becomes irrelevant. But it’s hard to shake the little voice in my head that says we can have everything we want, right now.”
“That’s the compulsion we set for ourselves. Does that ever bother you? We have this world we’re moving towards, and it’s all the result of a momentary impulse we had. What if we’re wrong?”
Brenda shrugged, further squeezing the two of them together. “The way I see it, we’re hardly making the world a worse place. And each step we take towards our goal feels so right. Maybe that’s why I’ve refrained from encouraging you to take the obvious shortcut.”
“That, and you’re scared of Regina and Barry,” laughed Meiko.
“Aren’t you? They seemed cool with what we were doing, but who knows how they would react if we started to recklessly play God? Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger.”
“But maybe we could fine-tune things in a way they might approve of?” Meiko asked. “Do you remember how hot they were? I imagine that everyone on their world is as hot as them. What if we, you know, tweaked the virus again…?”
Brenda could hardly believe what she was hearing from the normally sober and sensible Meiko. “You’re incorrigible!” she laughed. “And you know I’m not the person to talk you out of a plan like that. Just say the word and I’ll start typing…”
A knock on the door interrupted them. It was Shannon, who apologetically peeked in.
“Sorry to bother you. We have a visitor.”
“I’m sure you can come up with a creative way to scare them off,” Brenda said.
“Erm, not this one. It’s the President.”
Brenda and Meiko gawked at Shannon. The dragon-girl was telling the truth.