Sirius Zero: Building A Corporate Kingdom After Being Expelled

Chapter 146 - 146: Aftermath and Revelations

"This car is on toddler settings," grumbled Stefan as he drove Annette's Hyundai Ioniq.Anna was sitting in the front passenger seat, staring forlornly out the window.

"I wasn't trying to make Mikaela upset," she said finally.

"I know you didn't sweetie," said Stefan, trying to reassure her.

"But, it felt nice. Holding Ms. Petra's hand felt nice," said Anna.

"I know, Anna. I'm not exactly a good substitute for your mom. I miss her too, quite a lot," said Stefan.

He finally arrived at the house, and buzzed open the gates.

"Daddy? Can we go somewhere tomorrow? Just the two of us?" asked Anna, as they entered the house.

"Of course sweetie," said Stefan.

Feeling much better, Anna went upstairs to shower and change.

---

"Mikaela? I've made some tea," said Annette, as Mikaela came down to the living room after her shower.

"Thanks, Mom," said Mikaela, inhaling the warming scent of Earl Grey.

Annette sat opposite Mikaela, and looked into her own steaming cup.

"I'm sorry if it seemed that I was favoring Anna over you, but it is so much easier when she and I think and agree on the same things," said Annette.

"She said she was just doing it to be the teacher's pet once you start teaching our class, but now I'm not so sure," sighed Mikaela.

"And I suppose you don't agree with her?" asked Annette.

"No, I don't. I'm fine with some things, like eating vegetables, and I don't mind riding around in your electric car. I just would like some excitement like today," said Mikaela.

"I know that now. It is just a little hard for me to enjoy those things. They just remind me of Ivan, and I've frankly had enough of that," sighed Annette.

"How did you and Daddy marry in the first place if you hate each other so much?" asked Mikaela.

"It didn't start out like that at first. He is very smart, and we used to get along pretty well with our back and forth over stuff. It was only later that our differences became a source of conflict, particularly over how to raise you," said Annette.

"Hmm, well you can put up with it once in a while right?" asked Mikaela.

"I suppose I could, but for the rest of the time, I'd like you to stop fighting me every step of the way, deal?" asked Annette.

"Deal," said Mikaela.

The doorbell rang, and Annette rose to answer it.

"Here you go, Ms. Petra, your car keys, and your car in one piece," said Stefan, as Annette opened the door.

"Would you like to come in for tea?" asked Annette.

Stefan raised an eyebrow.

"Don't give me that look. I'm trying to be civil here," snapped Annette.

"Thank you, I'll have a drop, and then leave," said Stefan, a little sheepishly.

Annette opened the door wider to let him in.

"Is Anna OK, Mr. Stanislaus? I knew that her mom had died, I... shouldn't have gotten so upset," said Mikaela.

"She's OK. It wasn't your fault, so don't sweat it," said Stefan.

"OK," said Mikaela.

"Well, I best be off. I made a deal with Anna to spend tomorrow with just her," said Stefan, draining his tea, and getting up.

"Mr. Stanislaus, may I take a minute of your time? I want to know just what I'm up against. Who, or rather what is Ivan Zakhrov?" asked Annette, as Stefan walked to his car.

"OK. Here's the short version. Ivan has moved on from you, in almost every way. Mikaela is the only reason he tolerates your presence. He still consults for Sirius Software, but he's not dependent on Aaron's financial support, and has built his own fortune by investing in ventures like WonderWorld. Don't let the mild-mannered exiled MIT professor act fool you. He's Aaron's father, and is just as formidable," said Stefan.

"That's what I'm afraid of, Stefan. I want a normal life for Mikaela, not one filled with billionaire things," said Annette.

"He's well aware of that. Which is why he's holding back and playing ball with you," said Stefan, getting into his Aventador.

"You call today holding back? He practically rubbed the fact that he owned Wonderworld in my face!" said Annette.

"If he really wanted to let loose, you would have been in the back of his HellVortex instead of his BMW," said Stefan.

"H-he has a HellVortex?" asked Annette, unable to believe her ears.

"A fully armed one. He actually participated in the secession operation. Gunned down a couple of Army drones," said Stefan.

With that, Stefan started his car, and drove off.

---

"All right, any questions over what we covered so far?" asked Maria, as she surveyed the faces of her fifth grade class.

"Ms. Washington, how was the Southern states forming their own Confederate different from what the Sirius Zone did?" asked Mikaela.

"An excellent question, Mikaela. What the Sirius Zone did is considered a civil war and insurrection in the eyes of US law, but the Sirius Zone has two things the Confederates never had - nuclear weapons, and the support from other countries. That's why their break from the Union has worked," explained Maria.

"Then do you need a passport and stuff to come out of the Sirius Zone?" asked Anna.

"No, you don't. The Sirius Zone has put in place a dual citizenship system, you are both a citizen of the Sirius Zone and a citizen of the United States, living in the State of Massachusetts," said Maria.

"But how does that work? If those Sirius Zone assholes are rebels? Why bother?" demanded another girl.

"I won't have any of you name-calling like that," warned Maria.

"OK, why bother with citizenship if they are rebels?" asked the girl, rephrasing her question, while still glaring.

"Because unlike the civil war in the 19th Century, the Sirius Zone only seceded because of political disagreements. They were already accused of insurrection, so instead of fighting that in court which they viewed as a rigged game, they just declared independence. Aside from the guys running the show, there is absolutely no difference between you and a person living in the Sirius Zone," said Maria.

"How come nobody got killed this time around?" asked a boy.

"All thanks to a treaty called the Lunar Mining Alliance Treaty. It says that any attack on the Sirius Zone will be met with nukes, and nobody on either side wanted to call that kind of bluff," said Maria.

"OK, but who are the good guys now? The US government, or the Sirius Zone?" asked the boy.

"There are no good guys or bad guys this time around. As I explained earlier, the civil war didn't start over slavery, but over a state's right to leave the union. It was only after President Lincoln declared the Emancipation Proclamation, and allowed Black people to enlist in the Union forces did the war fully become about ending slavery. With the Sirius Zone, it was over the Zone's right to exist," said Maria.

"Sounds complicated, and they could have just been part of the US," commented Mikaela.

"Yes, it is complicated. Even now, we don't know the full details," said Maria.

The bell rang, signaling the end of the school day.

"OK, remember, the Civil War will be on the mid-terms, so prepare accordingly. Enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday," said Maria, as the class dispersed.

---

"Hey, Maria, would you like to come over for Thanksgiving?" asked Annette, as Maria packed away her things in the staff room.

"I don't mind, but wouldn't I be intruding on a family event?" asked Maria, uncertain why Annette was seeking her out.

"Please. You'll be doing me a solid, given that my ex-husband is going to be there," said Annette.

"Will Mr. Stanislaus and Anna be there?" asked Maria, trying to sound casual, but secretly hoping that the handsome lawyer would be present.

"Yes, they will be," said Annette.

"Well, I'm honored that you would ask me. I accept," said Maria.

"Great! See you tomorrow then," said Annette.

---

"Hey there, Princess. I've brought a turkey," said Ivan, as he entered the house, carrying a massive container.

"Will that even fit in our oven?" asked Mikaela.

"Oh yeah, it will fit. I got it from Emanuel, that Hot Dog vendor you like in WonderWorld. Slaughtered and skinned before my very eyes," bragged Ivan.

"Ooh! Thank you Ms turkey for your noble sacrifice," said Mikaela, theatrically performing an exaggerated Native American dance.

"Yes, yes. Put a lid on it, will you? I'm trying not to get my stomach turn," said Annette petulantly.

Ivan chuckled, and proceeded to the kitchen to prep the turkey.

The doorbell rang, and Annette went to get it.

"Maria! Welcome!" said Annette, as Maria, came in, carrying a large basket of corn bread.

"This is my first time cooking for other people, so I'm not sure about these," said Maria nervously.

"Oh don't worry. I'm fine with anything as long as it is vegan," said Annette.

"That's an oxymoron," chuckled Maria.

"I'm aware," said Annette.

"Mr. Zakhrov, are you trying to kill us?" asked Maria, as she observed Ivan wrapping the turkey with thick strips of bacon.

"Hey, there are six people coming over who are not vegan, and at least two who are certified carnivores. Besides, the only thing that this bird is cooking in will be this awesome bacon grease," said Ivan, as he put the bacon covered turkey sitting on a bed of chopped onions and herbs into the oven.

The tell-tale sound of Stefan's Aventador announced his arrival, and a minute later, he walked through the front door, with Anna in tow.

"Hi, Ms. Petra, hi Mikaela," greeted Anna.

"Hey Anna. Are you going to eat the turkey or are you still doing the vegan thing?" asked Mikaela.

"I actually kind of like the vegan thing," said Anna a little defensively.

"Fine, come on. Help me with these potatoes," said Mikaela, handing Anna a potato peeler.

"Fine," said Anna, and joined Mikaela at the dining table, peeling a pile of potatoes.

"How have you been Mr. Stanislaus?" asked Maria.

"I've been good, Ms. Washington," said Stefan, accepting a glass of tea from Annette.

"Actually, I'd like your help. I got hounded with questions about the citizenship status of the Sirius Zone today, and I'm not sure about it and the current diplomatic status. Can you give me the legal nuts and bolts so that I can explain it next class?" asked Maria.

"OK. The dual citizenship status is kind of similar to the situation of Puerto Rico. Residents of the Sirius Zone are US citizens, but cannot participate in federal elections. The Sirius Zone is governed by the Sirius Zone Redevelopment Authority, and they elect two representatives in that body. While, the Sirius Zone functions without Federal or state oversight, it has adopted the same Constitutional rights and legal frameworks, with a few modifications such as the repealing of the Environmental Protection Act, and other such regulations that the SZRA deems incompatible," said Stefan.

"I see," said Maria, taking notes.

"Quite dedicated are you?" chuckled Stefan.

"Sometimes to a fault. I actually turned down a position at St. Ignatius because I wanted to help the public school kids," chuckled Maria.

"Well, I for one, am happy that there is at least someone in there who isn't a raging firebrand," chuckled Stefan.

"I heard that you know," said Annette.

"Present company excluded of course," amended Stefan.

Annette pursed her lips, but chose to keep things civil, Stefan's words about Ivan's influence in the Sirius Zone ringing in her ears.