4/7/2019

  11 AM

  Daniel walked out of the mayor's office like a mummy. Half of his face was wrapped up in bandages. It was expected to be removed today. Doctor Annia told him not to take it off unless she was present. However, today, he was meeting with the farmers in West Colemond. So, he removed them, disobeying his doctor's requests. Lian was with him, and she helped pull it all out.

  She stopped Daniel and got a better look at him. "Ah, you're alright. There's scars left behind, but it is not too deep."

  Daniel was given a mirror and looked at it. "These look cool. Funny how it was only now that I got these facial marks."

  "Makes it exciting, does it?"

  The two continued walking. Daniel was holding a packet. A recent review of the city budget and former Mayor Burman's extravagant spending. Not in the billions but very close. He knew during his time as Chief of Operations that spending habits were there. As the mayor with all access to Colemond's government records, the numbers were horrifying. Government debt inevitability was set. From his projections and review with the city council yesterday on his hospital bed, one hundred percent in debt was likely in a year. And the monthly deficit was at least a hundred-twenty percent. The trend hasn't gone below three digits, which was an insane trajectory.

  Daniel has a developing plan in his mind. He and Lian entered the elevator, going down to the parking garage. The mayor's office was lower than his former office, heading down to the ground floor much faster. Fifth floor instead of fifteen.

  The drive to the farm district took about half an hour. A full drive on Colemond Highway One was humbling. There were many portions of the highway elevated, giving a better view of the city. Damage metrics and reports needed to take a few more days to confirm the true scale. As the mayor, it hurt Daniel's pride that he got from unintentionally unleashing a nuclear blast.

  In the west, downtown and its surrounding districts were way out of view and notice. The vibe was much calmer and soothing. From left to right, lively fields dominated the space. It didn't feel like this region was part of Colemond's Metropolitan area, but out in the country. And the Colemond Highway One stopped a few miles ago, connecting to the main six-lane avenue.

  Only two came along with Daniel. Obviously, Lian came along. Solomon decided to come along. A developing polymath, he was only getting started to explore a variety of subjects, only to halt when Raal got destroyed. Now on Earth, his opportunity reopened.

  They arrived in the central area of Chandler at the intersection. A farming city of twelve thousand people. Ninety percent of residents were all farmers and involved in agriculture. The other ten percent were the white-collar or indoor work, like schools, offices, and restaurants. Mainly, they were located in Downtown Chandler. Entering the district was tight. Many pedestrians walk every block like in Colemond. The speed limit was low. Thirty-five for the most part, and not many vehicles on the road.

  When the light turned green, Daniel drove into the depths of the city. He passed by the farmer's market that looked like a town square. Not far from it was a parking lot, so Daniel steered the wheel left, heading to find a parking space.

  "Farmer's market?"

  "All the farmers sell their produce and foods here. I have a few friends here that we will be talking to."

  "What are they selling?" Solomon asked.

  "You'll see." Daniel parked his truck at a perfect spot.

  All got out to a packed crowd of customers scouting around the market. Daniel led the way, heading through the gateway sign reading: "Grand Chandler Farmer's Market."

  Pure outdoor. No indoor except the bathrooms.

  Quiet and closed on weekdays, but open from early morning to ten at night on the weekends. The incentive on weekends brought opportunities for exclusives. The weekend specials bulletin was right ahead. Daniel and Lian looked at the list. Solomon was interested in the first one.

  "Oh, Chandler's Pork Butt Roast. That shit's good the first time I tried it," Daniel said, turning to Solomon and Lian. "Damn, it's back already. I remembered it was always once a month. You two should try it. I'll take you there." He headed deep into the market, and the two followed, not sure what to expect from it. The smell though was capitulating.

  “I'm starving,” Lian murmured.

  “Then come on,” Daniel said as he fast-walked to the vendor. The spot was packed with a line. Daniel pointed out for the two to see. “Head to the back of the line. You got money on you?"

  Lian didn't, but Solomon did. Daniel gave the former a twenty-dollar bill out of his pocket, and they went to the line. Daniel excused through the packed line and crowd, heading to the front of the vendor. It caught a few patient customers, who were about to call him out. Only then did they hold back their mouths when he was only watching.

  Today's menu size was rare. Fifteen entrees and three locally made drink specialties. The person he was meeting at this vendor was right ahead, managing the front end. When she saw Daniel present, she almost broke her stoic expression. He saw the tweak and greeted her. "Didn’t think I’d find you playing customer service," he said.

  Ling Wu looked up after packing one bag for a customer. Her gloved hands were soaked in BBQ sauce and grease. "Daniel? Jesus, if it wasn't for your voice, I wouldn't have recognized you. I haven't seen you for two months."

  Daniel looked back at the long line, realizing the talk wasn't going to help the pace. "We'll talk once the traffic is down."

  By fifteen minutes, the line is cleared down to Lian and Solomon. Daniel joined them after Ling Wu declared their last customers. A large sign was set up that her vendor was closing.

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  "Get inside," Ling Wu said, opening the way for the three to get inside the vendor. "Here…Take one." She gave Daniel, Lian, and Solomon a full plate. "Are these your friends?"

  "Yes. This is Lian, my friend who also advises me on many issues. And this is Solomon, my knowledgeable friend. He built a lot of unusual, extraordinary products."

  Ling Wu gestured the three to a small table with empty chairs. "Nice to meet you, Solomon and Lian. Please, have a seat."

  Daniel pulled out a fifty-dollar bill. Ling Wu immediately refused, not accepting tips. She said it was ‘on the house’. And Daniel insisted she take the bill for having to close early for an overdue friend talk. He wasn't done and gave her another hundred, totaling one hundred fifty dollars.

  Next to the table was a large grill. Smoke prevented him from seeing who was behind it. Daniel knew who it was, so he called out her name. "Amara?! I know you behind the grill."

  "That voice!" A tall woman peeked out, showing her face. "Daniel? Why do you look so different?" She looked at Ling Wu, hoping it was somebody else. The latter shook her head.

  "Two months of change, I know. It's good to see you, Amara."

  Amara cleaned up the grill, and Ling Wu sat down with the three, bringing her and Amara's plates. The food's aroma took over the entire vendor. A smoky and tasty smell hovered around the table.

  "How's Colemond doing?" Ling Wu asked.

  "Eleven days as mayor. Hell got its foot in the door as I stepped in."

  "Wow, you really took the job," Amara muttered as she took a bite of the roast.

  "Sooner than I thought."

  "What happened to Burman?"

  "Dead. Good riddance to him…You guys are lucky. Chandler being independent from the city is a blessing, but I'm afraid that won't be the case much longer," Daniel said as he took a scoop of rice from his plate.

  Amara raised her hand halfway. "What happened? You were gone for two months, and today, you came with the bad news. Seriously, what is going on?" She then glared at Lian and Solomon. "I haven't seen you two before. Have we met?"

  Lian denied it. "We never did."

  "Who are you two, according to him?"

  Lian looked at Daniel. "Shall we tell them?"

  "I don't see why not. If they think we are crazy, it's a start."

  "Me and Solmon are human aliens from a different planet that is just like Earth. I came in person on the twenty-first of March. Solomon came two days after."

  Daniel was focused on Amara and Ling Wu's expressions. He was on point, self-nodding. They looked more concerned with their furrowed eyebrows and eyes narrowed towards Lian. Ling Wu's head turned to Daniel. "Is this some kind of joke? Aliens? I don't believe this."

  "That's fine. Many don't at first," Daniel said while looking at the grill a few feet away. He knew summoning his sword would blow the Farmer's Market, so it was a no-go. "There's one thing I don't like about magic tricks and their tv shows. It's all planned and scripted. Even if we know that, people can't escape the awe of how they pulled it off well on the front end."

  "What's your point?"

  "This is what he meant." Solomon leaned forward, snapping his fingers. A sword appeared by his side, between him and Lian. He grabbed it and put it on the table. "On the table is my sword…The one and only. What you guys call stage magic was for entertainment. But for us, in our world, access to and studying magic for life is our culture. You are one of the few humans to see this…So, take it how you will because—"

  Amara jumped in mid-sentence. "Sorry, but I need you to go."

  "Why?" Daniel asked.

  "I don't want attention in the market."

  Daniel grabbed his plate, turning to Lian and Solomon. "Take our plate. We are leaving."

  All three stood.

  "Meet us at our farm," Lian said, "at two."

  "See you then."

  The three walk out with their backs straight. Daniel didn't notice and almost hit his head on the metal frame. Swoosh!

  A close call, but one problem. It was very attractive and not stealthy. Everybody in the small part of the Chandler Farmer's Market saw it. Daniel didn't hesitate to look back or anything. He focused on eating his plate and walked out of the market with Lian and Solomon as if nothing happened.

  "What was wrong with her?" Solomon asked.

  "She meant no harm. It's just too many people and getting all the unwarranted attention," Daniel said. "It's best to continue the conversation at Ling Wu's farm."

  1:50 PM

  Chandler

  Chandler was one of a kind. Its city limits were comparable to areas as large as New York or Los Angeles. Most were either farmlands, ranches, or large plots of land. Downtown Chandler was the only centralized site of the entire city.

  After Daniel, Lian, and Solomon left the Chandler Farmer's Market, they traveled around the city for more than an hour. Ling Wu sent the address through text despite Daniel remembering the place.

  The Ling Ranch lasted for generations. Ling Wu was the fourth-generation owner. A turn left into the driveway, entering its territory. Lasted for generations indeed. Enormous plots of land as the truck drove into the property. Lian and Solomon looked at their windows. They never saw how one individual or family could own this much land. Raal's farms were much smaller and stricter.

  "All of this is hers?" Lian asked.

  Daniel nodded. "Mhm. It's all owned by Ling Wu and the future generations. Seven hundred acres of land. One large town can fit in this entire ranch."

  "That is just insane. No magic and having to handle all the crops," Solomon commented. He then saw a row-crop tractor, dragging its lengthy plow across a lot. "Is that what they use?"

  "It's called a tractor. Like a vehicle, there are many kinds of tractors. One for farms and the other used for construction or mining."

  After a mile, they arrived at the Ling Ranch house. The wheels of Daniel's F-150 Raptor climbed onto the wide circular driveway.

  Ling Wu could be seen coming out of the house, going down the stairs. She changed her outfit to be more casual. Black jeans with boots, with an open button shirt, and the wind revealed a tank top underneath.

  Daniel parked his F-150 Raptor in an open space. He and the two exited the truck.

  "Sorry for that trouble," Ling Wu spoke loudly.

  "It's all in the past. Was that Hank in the tractor?”

  “He'll be surprised to see you.” Ling Wu sighed. “My goodness, you are fucking taller than we last met.”

  “Thanks to Lian, I did. Is Amara here?”

  “No, she won't be available until late at night. If you want to stay over for dinner, then you will see her again.”

  Daniel declined the offer as the schedule was too hectic to alter any further.