Nathaniel Saint And The Elements

Nathaniel would've never, in his wildest dreams ever imagined himself willingly going to a Republic-licensed therapist. Not that he had anything againsg therapists. It was simply his belief that anything that seemingly came freely from the generosity of the global federation would, in time turn out to be neither free nor generous. And yet, here he found himself. Sitting in the admittely comfortable couch of one of the federation's best and brightest. He would never be here were it up to him. Unfortunately, it wasn't up to him. "What seems to be the problem Mr. Saint?" Mr Temple asked with the smooth, direct, trained confidence of a professional. "I don't remember telling you I have a problem" Nathan replied in with the careless, lackluster tone of a man who would rather be anywhere else. "Oh, you don't need to tell me. Its so obvious it might as well be written all over your face. Besides, the council of the city, as per mandates passed down directly from the capital, can't allow people of your status doing ah....questionable things." The office sat at the 16th floor of one of those large fancy office buildings. The kind that you'd see but not really pay attention to because it was just so damn common. The kind that you'd mistake for five others if you were new because they all looked the same and seemed to all serve the same purpose. One that wasn't even clear. "It doesn't make any sense. Its all just a show of force. An exercise of their authority. A pissing contest that their determined to win, one I never signed up for". "Still, you're here. So what does it matter". Mr. Temple raised an eyebrow while jotting on his pad. "Unless you're willing to try something and prove them right". Nathan set his jaw. "Fine. Let's just get it over with". "Remember, the more honest you are-" "Yeah yeah, the more it helps". "What seems to be the problem?. Any man in your position would be rather quite satisfied at life. They would be rather satisfied with the federation. So, why aren't you?". "The fact that I'm being madated to a psychological evaluation just for not buying every bullshit they sell should be reason enough". "That didn't answer the question." Mr. Temple replied his voice even. Nathan sighed. "Fine. I feel something bad is about to happen and not enough people are worried". "And is the federation is responsible for the bad that's coming or the people not being worried enough?". "Damned if I know. But I shouldn't have to dance along" "And you feel you don't need to do that based on what?" Nathan neglected to answer that so Mr. Temple kept talking. "Has it ever occurred to you that you might be wrong". "Being your own person is never a wrong step in my book". "Perhaps, but positioning your own predispositions and personal preferences above that of the united world federation that sees to the good of all its citizens does seem a tad erratic doesn't it? Especially since, all things being considered, they haven't been doing too bad. You're a rational man, you should at least acknowledge what was in store for humanity and how the federation changed that". "Look, I know the stories. I've read the history books and I've seen the documentaries. Two centuries ago an asteroid with a large chunk of the Element landed on earth. Humanity did what humanity does when something great and powerful is handed to them on a silver platter, they mess it up. That in turn messed the world up. Then the ones who messed it up got the bright idea to band together and try to fix things. No more countries, no more republics, no more nations. Just one unitary world government. The federation. They took the remnants of civilization, and over the course of another half century, managed to bring them all here". He gestured about with his hands. "Terra-6 our new home". "You do know your history". "Their actions weren't heroic. Just a desperate ploy to clean up their own mess". "That's subject to opinion. Not to mention irrelevant today. Now, I think that you want to keep your company out of the hands of the federation despite vehement protests from even members of your own board of exectives for more......personal reasons". Nathan was silent for a moment. Then he stole a glance at the wall clock and felt relief wash over him. "Would you look at that. Our time is up".