That evening , while the officials were holding their meeting and their families were exploring the city , all of the inhabitants of the island entered the colony to claim their residences .
They were told that they wouldn’t need to worry about whether their residences had furniture , as their chosen residences would take priority to be outfitted with the next shipments .
Since the regular apartments where so spacious , people weren’t bothered if they didn’t meet the criteria to claim a larger residence .
Many people even claimed that the regular residences were larger than the houses they occupied before moving to the island .
There was a festive atmosphere about the whole event and people were chatting happily in the streets .
The families of the officials mingled with the islanders , asking them questions about everything that came to their mind .
They were surprised to learn that everyone was only 25 years old , to which most just smiled , not willing to spill the beans .
The bars , restaurants and other establishments that were supposed to offer services to the refugees opened , and everyone made use of the opportunity to dine and drink.
As Helena had predicted , everyone was enjoying themselves with booze and partying well into the night , completely ruining Alex’s plan to return to the island after choosing their residences .
At three o’clock in the morning , Alex decided to send a message to all the establishments to close and stop serving , and to the rest of the islanders to return to their homes on the island .
It wasn’t until five o’clock in the morning that the last of the islanders left the colony , with the help of others who were more inclined to follow the order to leave for their homes on the island .
The next shipments were due to arrive in a few hours , and a considerable number of people decided to keep partying on the island until it was time to transport the goods to the colony , after which they left for their homes .
The next day , Alex received a message from John informing him that they made a decision concerning the tier 4 city and that they had heard strange rumours from their families , who had been partying with the islanders a few day’s ago .
Helena just laughed and told Alex that he couldn’t expect to keep everything a secret while they were living together in the same colony .
So Alex decided to meet up with John at a bar in the colony to listen at what he had to say and to answer any questions he might have .
Helena decided to visit her brother and mother while he was visiting John , which made Alex’s eye twitch .
Noticing this , Helena chuckled and told him that he was big enough to handle it on his own , which brought a smile to Alex’s lips .
He kissed Helena goodbye and left to meet John , who was waiting at the bar in the colony .
“Alex , over here” said a visibly relieved John after Alex arrived at the bar .
“Hello John” replied Alex as he sat down .
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“First , let me thank you again on behalf of everyone you took in and gave a new place to call home” said John
Second , I heard the most unbelievable stories from family members who were exploring the city while we were holding the meeting what to do with the option of a tier 4 city .
And just to clarify , we decided to build it with the help of El’Anor ; it’s just to good to let pass.
“You do know it means that the capital of the human race moves to Mars” answered Alex .
“We do , but we think it’s worth the trouble in the long run” replied John .
We’ve discussed it intensively and even asked El’Anor her opinion through messages .
Apparently , she never heard of a tier 4 city while she was still on her home planet ; the highest she had heard of was a tier 3 city , and that race was one of the oldest she knew of .
She did tell us that the older races tend to be reclusive , so she doesn’t know exactly how we rate on a universal scale .
But the fact that we just joined the Nexus and already have a tier 4 city at our disposal will make us the envy of many species and a boost for our development .
As I said , it’s to good to let pass !
“You’re the government , so the decision is yours to make .
As long as you know what you’re doing , I won’t interfere” replied Alex .
“Thank you , Alex” answered John .
Now , the reason I asked you to meet up with me instead of sending you a message with our decision is because of the stories we heard from our family members .
The ball started rolling when the son of one of our officials made a move on a girl he liked .
After spending some time with her and her friends , he made his intentions clear so that they could swap contact information , at which point her friends started laughing .
She then told him that he could be her grandson and that she had been married for over 40 years .
The poor guy thought they were making fun at his expense and started getting mad , at which point they all showed him their identification cards .
After that , they all heard the most amazing stories from different people at how they got injected with something that made them younger and smarter .
The point is that there were no inconsistencies in their stories , except for some who said they were injected by you personally and that their diseases were cured .
“And you want to know if this is true and if I can offer you guy’s the same treatment?” asked Alex .
“In a nutshell , yes” replied John .
“I selected these people after careful investigations and knew they would contribute to this little society” answered Alex .
The investigations ensured that there wouldn’t be need of behaviour adjustments by the treatment .
I don’t think it would be a problem for the officials who went through the test to get elected , but I fear that after investigating the rest of your families , there might be some who need behaviour adjustments if they want the treatment .
It wouldn’t change them ; they would be still the same person , but the bad parts would have been cut out of them .
Are you still willing to take the treatment , knowing that it would cut part of your family’s self out if they don’t pass the investigation ?
“If you give them the choice after the investigation , a lot of them would be willing” said a shaken John after gulping down his saliva .
You know , most people on the island think they just got younger and smarter , but they don’t know I’m offering them pseudo immortality answered Alex who was having fun seeing a stunned John .
After he told that to john , he heard glasses fall and break and looked at a bewildered waitress who was frantically cleaning up the mess she made .
“Damn” thought Alex , “I let myself go while having fun , I shouldn’t have told him before I told everyone else”.
“Are you serious?” said a practically yelling John .
Forget that some would be willing their bad parts removed ; everyone on earth who is in his right mind would be willing .
“I’ll start the investigations as soon as possible and let everyone know their results .
They’ll have the option to refuse the treatment but won’t have the right to make objections” said a now down to earth Alex .
“Thank you Alex , I don’t know if you fully realize what power you have in your hands but thank you” answered John .
“Maybe I don’t , but I know that every country on earth would go to war for this knowledge .
Murder is but a small stepping stone for this , but sadly I can only to share it with my own faction” replied Alex .
So welcome to my faction , John .
After this revelation , they made small talk and had some drinks served from a grateful waitress until it was time to go home .
Alex truly enjoyed the talk with John after the big stuff was handled , and he walked home satisfied .