Ashley Jason

5. CHAPTER TWO-2

“So Superbia does have normal citizens after all?” said Dane, scratching his chin. “That’s intriguing. The popular, if inaccurate, perception is that only supers can become Superbian citizens, perhaps not helped by the fact that you have a law which allows supers from any country to come to Superbia and claim citizenship.”

President Marcus’ brow furrowed. “That is a bald-faced lie. While Superbia does indeed allow supers from any country to immigrate, we do allow normals to immigrate to our country and live, work, marry, vote, and have access to all the same rights, responsibilities, and privileges that all Superbian citizens are guaranteed by our constitution. Normals who wish to immigrate to Superbia need only understand that Superbia was built for supers and thus they will need to change themselves to fit in with our nation’s norms and laws, like any other country on the planet.”

Was it me, or did President Marcus seem a little defensive about that question? Barrett always acted like he had never spent much time with normals, but maybe they were such a tiny minority in Superbia that he had never met one. It was interesting nonetheless, his dad’s defensiveness notwithstanding.

“Good to hear,” said Dane. “Yes, there are lots of rumors and misconceptions about your country swirling around in the wider world. Perhaps if you spent more time reaching out to the world and allowing travel into the country, you might—”

“That is unnecessary,” said President Marcus, cutting off Dane without hesitation or even seeming rude. He steepled his fingers together. “As the President of Superbia, the safety of my people comes first. Were I to allow anyone to enter Superbia, it would endanger my citizens, many of whom come from countries, like China, Venezuela, and North Korea, where supers are harshly discriminated against or even outright oppressed. Heavy travel restrictions are necessary to ensure the safety of my nation and its people.”

“I get that,” said Dane, “but that has led to the perception that Superbia is an insular nation unconcerned with the affairs of the world and even indifferent to the challenges facing the planet today. Some would even say it makes you look unfriendly.”

President Marcus’ eyes flashed red for a moment, but then they went back to their normal color. “You know that is false, Mr. Dane. I’ve spent most of my political career supporting superhuman rights not just in Superbia, but all over the world. Superbian students regularly attend superhuman schools in other countries. My own son, Barrett, is currently attending the Theodore Jason Academy for Young Superhumans right here in the US. My government agents regularly work with America’s G-Men, Britain’s MI20, and the superhuman-oriented government agencies from other countries on security issues. As well, I have personally donated millions of dollars to various superhuman charities and organizations all over the world. Superbia is far from indifferent about the world’s problems.”

I smiled slightly when President Marcus mentioned Barrett. I did wonder what Barrett was doing now, though. He had gone back to Superbia for the summer and I hadn’t spoken to him since. Guess I’d find out in a couple of weeks when I went to Superbia myself.

“Yes, I am aware of all of that,” said Dane. “But some say that you only care about supers and even hate normals.”

“Another false accusation,” said President Marcus without missing a beat. “If I am overly concerned with the plight of oppressed super brothers and sisters around the world, it’s only because the rest of the world is not. Were the other normal nations to care for their super citizens as much as their normals, perhaps Superbia would not even be needed. The Guardians of Humanity alone prove why Superbia’s travel restrictions are not only necessary but even moral.”

President Marcus made a good argument. Especially about the Guardians of Humanity, who I had way too much interaction with last year.

Dane, however, frowned, looking like he had been knocked off-balance. “Well, I see where you’re coming from, but—”

“But I am not overly critical of all normal governments,” President Marcus continued as if Dane hadn’t said a word. “I was thrilled to hear that you elected Karen Parker as your president, the first super President of the United States if I am not mistaken. President Parker has done an excellent job prioritizing superhuman rights in her administration and has shown a willingness to work alongside the Superbia government to fight for superhuman rights worldwide. I look forward to many productive years of working with President Parker on these important issues facing both of our countries.”

Dane opened his mouth to say something, but then the TV suddenly shut down.

“Boring,” said Cora, who was pointing the remote at the TV. “No need to watch that stuff.”

“What?” I said, whipping my head to look at Cora. “But I was watching that.”

“I know, but it’s my birthday and my house,” said Cora. “And I don’t want to watch an obvious anti-super bigot like Dane trying to goad President Marcus into saying something that will make him look bad.”

“Cora, how can Dane be anti-super if his parents are supers?” said Mr. Bistro with a shake of his head. “And his brother, too. In fact, his brother, Nathan Dane, is actually a professor at your school, Ashley.”

“Nathan ‘Harden’ Dane?” I said. “The same one?”

“Yes,” said Mr. Bistro, nodding. “Mark has even had Nathan on his show a few times as a guest. They seem to get along great.”

Now that Mr. Bistro mentioned it, I now realized why Mark Dane had looked so familiar to me. He looked similar to his brother, if smaller and with fewer muscles. I probably wouldn’t have realized it if Mr. Bistro hadn’t pointed it out, though.

“I know, Dad,” said Cora, “but he’s always promoting anti-super stuff. It makes me uncomfortable. President Marcus is both cooler and way more handsome. I especially like his support of super rights.”

“He’s just asking President Marcus hard questions like any good reporter would do in his situation,” said Mr. Bistro. “He’s this way toward all of his interviewees.”

“I guess,” said Cora, “but still, it is my birthday and I don’t want to watch that.”

“Fair enough,” said Mr. Bistro with a nod. “I’ll have plenty of time to watch it myself later. What do you want to do instead?”

Cora sat back down at the table and began eating her bacon and eggs. “Finish breakfast first, for one. And then maybe go hang out with Bart.”

Mr. Bistro nodded and looked at me. “Ashley, are you going home today?”

I yawned. “Yeah. After breakfast, I need to head home. But thanks for letting me stay for the night.”

“No problem,” Mr. Bistro said with a wink. “You’re practically family here, so you can come and stay whenever you want. Good luck with your next year at school, though.”

I smiled. “Thanks, Mr. Bistro.”

Even as I said that, though, I found myself wondering more about how Superbia was going to be. President Marcus certainly left a powerful impression on me. He made Superbia sound like a good place to live. He seemed like a really good politician and leader, especially with his concern about his people and his worries about the Guardians. I could respect that.

On the other hand, he also seemed intense and even defensive. I had no idea if Dane was actually anti-super or not, but he did ask President Marcus some fair questions. President Marcus answered them well enough, but he still seemed a little too defensive to me.

Oh, well. I guess I would be finding out more about Superbia myself soon enough when I went there myself in two weeks.