After an eight-hour flight, Lolita, Axel, and Artemis debarked.
She glanced at the screen of her cell phone, and hissed, "Oh, for the love of—!"
Axel, squinting in the blistering heat, smirked. "What's got your diamonds in a twist, Lolita?"
"The limo's late, and this country's climate is trying to roast me alive!" Lolita mopped sweat from her forehead, her diamond-encrusted sunglasses glinting.
Ten minutes later, the limo pulled up. The driver stepped out, offering, "Vape pens for the ride? Got mango, mint, or mystery flavor!"
Axel's eyes lit up like a kid at a candy store. "Mango? You're my new best friend!"
Artemis raised a hand, ever the buzzkill. "Pass. My lungs like being boring.
Lolita and Axel snatched the pens.
Artemis asked, "What's your name?"
The driver smiled. "ǃ¡ÂssǁFǃ¡uckerǂ."
Axel's jaw dropped. "Ass Fucker? Seriously?"
"No, it's ǃ¡ÂssǁFǃ¡uckerǂ," the driver corrected, unfazed. "It's from the Zo-pak language. Means 'beautiful ruby.'"
Axel stifled a laugh, clutching his mouth as they climbed into the limo's leather seats. Lolita, nursing a sunburn, applied moisturizer from her purse.
"I can't believe his name," Axel muttered, puffing his vape. "What's next, ǃ¡BitchǁFǃ¡âce?"
The limo stopped at a Chaulukya-style palace, where they passed palm trees and a marble toucan fountain. A guard blocked the entrance. "I need to check your purse, ma'am."
Lolita clutched her bag like it was her firstborn. "No. This purse is mine; keep your filthy hands off it!"
"It's protocol," the guard said. "You could be carrying a weapon."
"Fine, but don't smudge the leather." She shoved it at him. He rummaged briefly and handed it back
Inside, the palace gleamed with polished gold tiles and black figurines. The guard said, "You must bow to the Ruler of Cascadia."
"Bow?" Lolita snorted. "He should bow to me!"
"It's respect," the guard insisted. "He's your superior here."
"Superior?" Lolita's voice dripped with disdain.
"Lolita," Axel hissed, pulling her aside. "We're guests. Follow their customs."
She rolled her eyes. "Fine. I'll bow to seal the deal."
The guard grabbed the gold handle on door. They walked inside onto the red carpet. Osa Jackson sat on his throne, with a smug grin on his round face. He wore ten gold box chain necklaces and on his bald head was a kufi. His finger-tenting exuded confidence. Diamonds embedded in the straps of his sandals.
The abstract art on the walls was breathtaking. It looked like he'd commissioned Pablo Picasso to paint the throne room.
Artemis and Axel gave Osa a deep long bow, whereas Lolita gave a small jerk of her, barely bending over.
Osa said, "Lolita, I've met you before."
Lolita shook her head. "No, this is the first time I've meet you in person."
"No, remember the party on the cruise ship? I was your server."
"Oh." Lolita raised her eyebrows. "That's was a long time ago. Why isn't Milton Sudan in power anymore?"
"I can't disclose that information to you. Tell me why've you come all the way from Intermarium to see me?"
"We need your army to help assist us in the war against Technate.
"Hmmm…. He stroked his chin; his black beard was a faint stubble.
"I'm willing to help you. However; I'm not going to give you my army for free. I know that your country has the largest freshwater reservoir in the world. I want you to give me nine hundred billion litres of water and in exchange, I'll send over one hundred thousand troops to help your country. You'll have to sign a contract, to transport the agreed amount of water to Cascadia over the next five years."
Lolita smiled. "Deal—"
"Wait!" Artemis cut in, grabbing her arm. "We need to talk first."
She smirked. "What's to talk about? It's decided."
"Outside," Artemis insisted. "Can we have a moment?"
Osa leaned back. "Make it quick, or I'll reconsider."
Axel, Lolita and Artemis exited the room. The guard stood by the door.
Outside, Artemis rounded on Lolita. "This deal's insane! That much water? We'll be drinking dust!"
Lolita crossed her arms, unfazed. "We need their army, Artemis. War's not a tea party."
Artemis's voice rose. "Lolita, giving up that water means tripling household bills. People will die without clean water!"
"We'll lose the war without their help," she shot back. "I won't lose everything."
"Lolita," Artemis pleaded, "water's too precious—"
"I'm doing this." She stormed back inside, Axel and Artemis trailing.
Osa narrowed his nut-brown eyes. "Your decision?"
"We accept," Lolita said, flatly. "We'll sign."
Osa rose from his chair.
"Excellent," Osa said. "My best troops will ensure victory."
Osa strutted down the red-carpeted stairs. He approached Lolita and extended his hand to her. Lolita shook Osa's hand. His ebony skin was smooth and polished like a black diamond. He shook Axel and Artemis's hands.
Artemis's jaw clenched, barely containing his urge to scream that the deal was off.