Point Zero: Of Gods Old And New: 8

Point Zero: Of Gods Old And New: 8

…

Commissioned by Ichypa

Word count: 2500

…

“It’s almost hard to believe people ate food like this normally before everything.” I stated, and Gwen gave a nod. We were still at the buffet. Surprisingly, our enthusiasm garnered positive attention. After the sushi section, we were invited to try Spanish cuisine, and we were seated next to several enthusiasts who were eager to share what they recalled from the past. “You’re saying there were entire swathes of land dedicated to just specific trees and animals?”

“Yes. Jamon Iberico. Hogs raised only in lands of acorn trees. They lived a handful of years before being processed, which took years as well. It was only thanks to large herds and swathes of land that it could reach dinner tables of even the regular people.” Rodrigo was a wizened man with scars all over his face, and he was accompanied by his wife. A former general who fought in Spain and was part of its government in exile before it fell. He apparently laid the groundwork for the reconquest of the peninsula before retiring after reaching the limit of his corruption. Gwen was happy to hand him and his wife a sample of the new drug she developed. A horn growing on his head fell off moments after application. Gwen, naturally, made two new friends. “I have one such facility now. It used all my funding to acquire it and regrow the breed, but the Intrepid finds it very delicious. I hope that one day it’ll reach the tables of regular people once again, thanks to their patronage.”

A leg of a hog smoked and cured in salt was being carved into paper-thin pieces before us. Striations of ruby-red meat between bands of faintly yellow fat were placed on lightly toasted bread. It melted instantly on the bread and faintly clung to our fingers as we partook with wine. The flavor was ham but with notes of nuttiness at the end. Every bite made the fat release a luxurious sweetness that was almost creamy, while the meat was smoky, porky, and salty and cut through the fat. The bread held a faint sour note, but the taste of wheat was the most present and provided a foundation for jamon to leap from onto greater heights.

Every bite made me want to go back into the past, before the Earth was brought to ruin, and experience life as it was then.

Life as Rodrigo had experienced it, but saw fall.

I was curious about the past, but I kept quiet and just accepted what he was willing to offer.

Gwen, despite her usual bluntness, also didn’t ask.

Though that may be due to her fixation on potatoes and squid of all things.

“This is amazing.” I was familiar with mashed potatoes. I even had the real thing, but not with seafood. The octopus was boiled for hours, grilled over a wooden fire, and then lathered in herbs, olive oil, and paprika to give it a faint red sheen. The red oil was draped over a golden mesh. I hadn’t tasted it yet, focused as I was on cured meat and bread, but Gwen was on her third plate, and her eyes were glittering. “I’ve never had octopus this tender before. The texture is almost like steak!”

Rodrigo laughed at her statement.

“It may as well be. Those tentacles are massive. They used to just be the length of a finger, and they used to only have eight of them!” Rodrigo grinned at Gwen’s enjoyment, while I took a plate for myself. The ‘tapas’ were assembled and placed on a large table where everyone eating at the section loitered. Specialties were on offer to be made upon request, but the majority of the food on the table was enjoyed at room temperature. “These new octopuses are also sweeter. Dangerous beasts, but their deliciousness is undeniable.”

Octopi were dangerous creatures. Smart enough to use tools and plan with their kin. Their short lives were a blessing; otherwise, they’d carve out territories in the oceans.

Oh, Gwen wasn’t kidding.

The medallion of octopus was grilled enough to give it flavor and for the outside to be slightly crisp. The texture was like tender steak, but it was solid and didn’t have striations. I was vaguely reminded of rubber, with a faint squeak to each bite, but it wasn’t unpleasant to bite through and chew. It gave way, releasing a faint briny and meaty savoriness, which was helped by the faint paprika spice and aroma from the thyme. The spice and savoriness from the octopus was elevated by the smoothness and butteriness from the prepared puree of mash, which fell apart on the tongue and gave the meat a background to dazzle even more.

A sip of bright wine after a single bite finished the experience, preparing the mouth for another bite, and I found myself drawn to the exotic combination again and again.

Before I knew it, the plate was finished, and I had to stop myself from getting another plate.

I only had so much space left.

“Ah, I haven’t had these in years. Seafood has always had so much genetic corruption. Now, with these purifiers, I can finally enjoy it again. It tastes exactly as my mother cooked it.” Rodrigo’s voice was filled with gratitude, and he smiled at faint memories. The chef overheard and gave a proud nod that Rodrigo returned. “Lady Elliot, if you have need for more investors, I’ll be happy to send you what I can. Just make sure that these are available for more than just soldiers!”

“I’ll make sure of it.” Gwen nodded with grave seriousness, which Rodrigo gave a light laugh at. He probably thought she was making a small promise, but I knew for a fact she was going to take all she could from him, then allocate some of the industrial output for what she was making for fine dining. The UN will make a fuss about the corruption reducers not being dedicated for soldiers, but I’m sure it’ll die down when more people can start enjoying and eating real food. “Everyone deserves a chance to eat real food.”

“I’m glad to hear that you think that way, young lady.” Rodrigo gave her a smile and then gave me a firm pat on the shoulder. “You’ve caught yourself a fine partner. Don’t lose her.”

I nodded and felt faintly embarrassed at someone we just met seeing our relationship so easily.

Was I that obvious?

Rodrigo must’ve noticed my embarrassment, because he suddenly called out to the chef.

“My friend, how long until the lechon!? We have people starving here!” I blinked at the sudden declaration. I didn’t see lechon on the menu, but I knew of it. It was a whole roasted big. An entire animal prepared for days to provide the most holistic eating experience possible of an animal. It was meant only for special occasions, especially since consuming a bioweapon in such a whole state practically guaranteed that one’s life would be ending soon. That wasn’t the case now. “If you wouldn’t mind, Lady Gwen, it would be very nice to have an evening of enjoyment without fear.”

It was obviously a way for him to get the word out. He was going to invest in her. This was a hotel filled with dozens of wealthy and influential people. This was going to be the talk of the town. People were going to invite us back just for a chance at getting to eat normal food without fearing genetic taint. Some part of me wanted to stop him, and it felt like he was taking advantage of Gwen, but I knew her.

While others would want to use their power and assets to further only themselves, Gwen had no issues with working within the existing system.

“I have twenty injectors here.” She stated simply. Each one could carve down five percent of total corruption from below fifty percent. After fifty percent, the cutoff point where deadly instinct took most people over, their efficacy faded. Twenty was theoretically capable of bringing someone below fifty percent after they hit seventy-five percent infection with full dosages. For a room of people nearing fifty, though? Twenty injectors were more than enough. “More than enough for everyone to enjoy, but I will need access to a medical fabricator.”

Hotel staff were eager to escort her to their pharmaceutical fabricator, while a buzz of excitement flowed over the entire room.

I took a moment to sip some wine and look at Rodrigo before broaching the subject.

“The UN will be interested in keeping the majority of production for their military.” I told him simply, and he nodded. “So, the plan is to get as many investors as possible and make sure there’s more than they need?”

That would make him exceedingly wealthy, especially if he catered first to the elite.

“No. The plan is to have enough for everyone.” Rodrigo’s reply and the nod from his wife made me blink. He was going to turn a possible monopoly that would elevate him to absurd wealth into a commodity? “We’ll entice those with influence and power for funding first, but this procedure should be available to all. Not just the military or the elite. We will all benefit from not having to fear corruption.”

I looked at him, and it seemed clear that he wasn’t lying.

I had a nose for it thanks to all the politicking I endured.

“Gwen will work with you then. Keep everything aboveboard and to the letter of the law, and everything will be fine.” Rodrigo raised his wine my way and nodded. I was tempted to toast to him, but I needed to stay neutral. “I’ll be keeping an eye on things as well, but you don’t have to worry about me too much. Only if you start taking advantage of her.”

Rodrigo gave an affirmative in reply, then Gwen returned with four waiters with a series of small pouches and capped needles ready to be administered.

The air in the room turned electric when even the staff and chefs were given dosages so that they could finally eat the meals they made as well.

Every eye was on Gwen, even as the whole buffet became flush with glee.

I idly wondered how the hotel will make up for the sudden voracious guest room, but my question was answered when expensive wine bottles began to be ordered at a ludicrous rate.

This was going to end up on the news, wasn’t it?

…

Apparently, the UN rewards Verdict commanders when they go to a restaurant in the evening and end up securing hundreds of millions to fund a massive pharmaceutical production plant.

“A modest pay increase and a commendation.” Gwen hung the commendation up in her office and looked at it with pride. The fact that she was going to be heading up a massive company that’ll provide a much-needed drug to the planet? Barely got her to blink. She shook hands, thanked people, and gave her contact information. She put aside the payment packages and said she’s primarily interested in getting as many treatment pens out as possible, rather than taking pay. “I did a good job.”

She also asked our investors to find members for the board who’ll focus on the work, too. Pay, but within nonprofit margins rather than for-profit. After it’s established, it could move to for-profit. The UN offered its support through subsidies until that time came.

Right, an official came halfway through the all-nighter.

They likely had to make sure that the commendation and pay raise were ready for the paparazzi in the morning.

“At the very least, you won’t have more work on your plate.” Everything was too high-visibility for anyone to take advantage of it now. Too many fingers were in the pie, so to speak, so if anyone took a cut bigger than needed, it could spoil the entirety of it. I had a feeling Rodrigo was the one who called in the UN, since he most likely retained a few contacts in the military. “So, with that over with, what’s next?”

Just like that, Gwen went into work mode.

“Stabilization of our region is in place, so it is time for improvement. We will be the first Verdict branch to participate in public outreach.” Gwen pulled up a few files, flung them to her work table, and they opened automatically. It was a far cry from the mechanized walkers that just arrived and were put to service. “What do you think?

I looked them over.

The first option of outreach was the reopening of community shelters. They used to provide places for people to set up classes, get together, and just play sports in. As things got more dangerous, gangs began congregating around them, violence increased, territory was claimed, and eventually they started getting targeted. Eventually they had to be liquidated with only the shells of the buildings remaining as armored emergency shelters, because they were set to be used by gangs as bases.

“The community centers are definitely a good idea. It shows change. That we’re in charge and the past is behind us.” They were monuments to the UN’s failures, and Verdict being appointed and making waves was meant to wash them away. “Top pick, honestly. It helps and polishes Verdict’s image.”

Gwen nodded but gestured towards the other two to get my opinion on them.

I saw the second one and just raised an eyebrow.

“Yeah, that’s not happening. Who comes up with this sort of thing?” A media campaign focused on Gwen? Looking over it, they wanted to play up the Minos persona. Judge of the dead. Someone who brought down criminals. Her time was going to be eaten up by interviews and public events. “You should show up to an annual gala or something, but not go around as a celebrity. Even they do think it’ll inspire kids.”

“I agree.” Gwen stated and pushed the second option aside.

That left the third.

“Hunting expeditions with the military?” It seemed like a crazy suggestion, if not for the budget increase. We could expand our entire operation. Two new buildings with their own labs and hangars. More agents, more drones, more walkers. All for just a couple of expeditions. High-danger expeditions, but the rewards on offer were commensurate. “That’s an option. A good one, but you’ll be in danger. They’re hunting powerful bioweapons… but we’ll be able to build and expand after succeeding.”

I almost thought Gwen would agree on that point alone, but she made a quick decision.

“Money can’t be spent if we’re dead.” It was a stark and simple statement, but it was sound. “We’ll retake the community centers and show our worth to the people. It’s the most benefit for the least risk. It also saves time, which is in short supply.”

With that said, she selected the option and accepted it.

I almost fainted in relief.

The thought of losing Gwen almost gave me a heart attack.