Conor helped unlock Kerrigan's chair and they continued their stroll through the park, with Conor gently guiding her wheelchair.
"Why here Conor?" she asked softly.
"I hope that you will not be in that chair for long. I hope that one day you will be able to stroll this path on your own, and will know of its beauty for what it is."
"Why?"
"Because, Miss Lokir. While things may seem uncertain right now, I realize that soon enough you will return to your desk and continue your pursuit of business. This is what you and I do. However, I have seen you in Jinstain before. My staff have already mapped some of your intentions for Jinstain. I am not saying for you to stay out of my town, but I am asking for you to see if for its true potential. See it for what and who it was ment for. These people mean far more than millions of dragon coins in my own coffers. I just hope you can see a glimpse of that before you make too many decisions about their future."
"What are you asking of me?"
Conor was silent for a long moment as he walked, gently pushing her along. Finally they came to a small rise that looked down on playground with a single swing, and a seesaw with several kids chasing each other around a short tower with a slide. Several parents watched the kids play.
Finally she heard him sigh, "I am not asking you to change anything when you go back to your company. But I want you to consider their lives before you do anything in Jinstain. This is the city I have decided to work and live in, and chosen to make a difference in. People like you and I have become the business leaders of our area's. Granted, I try to stick to the shadows as much as possible and you run a huge conglomerate, but still. Our decisions effect their lives in very real ways. If the city sells this land an I buy it, I can build houses here. I could build low end rentals and make money by providing housing to those who need such homes. I could use this area to build mansions and attract wealthy clients to Jinstain who will spend money at my other future businesses. I could build a factory here and provide jobs. Each of those decisions would have an effect on the lives of the people of this city. The question is, which decision is the right one for them?"
Kerrigan watched the kids play, and considered the question. She wished Abraxas was aware enough to join her thoughts but in this she wondered what her own feelings were. "Well paying jobs is always a boon to a town." She said finally. "With more income they can afford better living."
"You are not wrong in this. However, Consider what is lost by putting jobs here. The kids lose a park to burn off energy. The parents lose an outdoor space to meet and socialize. The older generation lose a place to socialize and play their games. The whole town loses a green space to exercise and be festive. Is that really quantifiable for jobs when other locations are possible for a factory?"
Kerrigan looked up at Conor, who was looking out over the green fields, almost lost in his own thoughts. She wondered what he saw in his minds eye.
He spoke again, softly, "I dream of this place being recovered. It looks nice right now, but you don't even understand how much it is neglected. Those stone benches are all cracked. That playground was there when I was a child. This town needs people who have the resources to build its people and care about it. If we invest in the people, they will invest in us."
"How will you know what is best for them and what they need?" Kerrigan asked, overwhelmed with the concept.
Conor chuckled. "While it is easy to see basic needs and for us to build businesses that meet those needs, why not ask them ourselves what they feel they need and then supply what they want in their community?"
Kerrigan was struck by the simplicity of it. She spent so much time in the top levels of Dragon Corporation listening to her vice presidents talking about the latest trends that she never really got out and talked to the people. She was successful, sure, but she could see that Conor had a feeling for the pulse of his town.
"See that dead area?" Conor asked pointing to a wide expanse of flat dirt just past the playground.
"Yes?"
"This park is about 150 acres of land, and that area is another 120 acres there between the park and an apartment complex. If Benedict Sr. has his way with it, the city will turn this whole area into his new chemical plant."
"Here? This is the spot you all were talking about in the meeting?"
"Yes. And this is what I mean. I have other reasons to hate the Benedict family. But they could bring decent paying jobs to this area. A chemical factory would pay well, even under the Benedicts. But people would have to decide between feeding their families, and choking on the fumes form work, and likely still have to choke when they got home. That is only part of why I want something different for this area."
"You seem awful wise and possibly even stowic for someone of our age." Kerrigan quipped, trying to lighten the mood a bit. Conor grinned at her and looked out over the playground again. That simple grin ignited something in Kerrigan she had not felt before.
"Just a year a year ago, I was like them. No, I was worse than them. I had failed at my business and failed my wife and her family. It was a dark time. It has been an interesting time where I managed to get the right help, and some guidance from a friend of my mother's. I live among these people now, and know what they must do to exist. In another year, I will still be living here, more than likely, and still apart of this community. I would rather it be a better place for them by then if I have the power to make the difference."
"What if someone like Kelan has other plans?"
Conor glared at the sky for a time before letting out a long sigh. "Someone dear to my heart told me, 'Burn brighter'. Burn bright, not by putting out other's candles, but by lighting those around you. Lift others up, and shine farther'. The Benedicts may have other plans. It will be up to me to have a brighter light for the people to follow. If the hope and light I can offer is better than what the Benedicts are offering, the community will rally themselves to this mission. They just need to be shown the way forward and provided the tools."
Kerrigan looked up at this man who she barely knew, and felt her heart declare its willingness to follow. Just as she was about to reach for his hand, Conor stood straight and unlocked the wheels of her chair.
"We should get back. Sadly I have a few things that still need doing. You are welcome to stay outside if you like but I am going to have to leave you. Would you like me to call one of your guards?"
Kerrigan sighed, sinking deeper into the chair as Conor began rolling her back to the parking lot. "No, I suppose that is enough for today. Though I appreciate you bringing me out. Any chance I can start working with a therapist soon? I am so ready to get back to my old self."
"I will be sure to check on that first thing Monday for you. I don't see why it would be an issue. Mr. Nuri has some excellent connections."
"Thank you again, Conor."
Kerrigan watched as Conor climbed into an SUV with Parker and drove off. Evelynn come up behind her then, "Well, that seemed to go well. Did you two have a good chat?"
"A very enlightening one, that is for sure. He is more than he seems." Kerrigan replied softly.
"I'll say." Evelynn smirked. "Of all the places you could be for your recovery, I have to thank you for bringing us here. At least the 'scenery' is rather improved over what we had in Velyki."
Kerrigan cracked a small smile. "Perhaps it is at that. Well, I suppose it is time to take me back. I need to check in with Natalie anyway."
"Are you not giving that poor girl the weekend off?"
"I promised her I would check in. she seems to think the sky will fall if I don't call her."
"Fine, but you need to tell her to rest some. I know she is use to you being there to deal with the big issues, but she needs to relax some too!"
"And what of you three? You guard my door day and night!"
"Well, Someone does anyway. Colonel Eli has rather tight security, so we are not all on duty all the time. Only for outings like this." Evelynn explained. "He made sure we had accommodations for when we were off duty. Mr. Nuri actually has a whole floor dedicated to staff quarters now it seems. I have no idea how that man has been planned so far in advance."
When they got back to the office, Kerrigan had the computer set up on Conor's desk, and wheeled her chair in place. She was still in her long sweeter but it concealed her shoulder injury well. The computer screen come to life and Natalie looked back at her with Breanne looking over her shoulder.
"Kerrigan! You are ok right?"
"Yes! Why wouldn't I be? Nothing has changed since I spoke to you last."
"Right, well, are you coming back soon?"
"Natalie, it may be a while. I need to work remote."
"Kelan came by the other day and Breanne kicked him out. I fear he is going to do something rash."
Kerrigan looked to Breanne on the screen. "Do what you must. I will sign what ever you need to make it official."
"Thank you, ma'am."
"You all just stay safe, ok? How is Katie?"
"Katie is doing ok. Her family is still being guarded but no one has attempted anything." Breanne said.
"Good. Anything else?"
Natalie flipped through a few notes, "No, this will all be in your email later... oh, the spice merchants came again. They seemed rather pissed off. Something about legal actions. But I told them there was nothing we could do for them, it wasn't our negotiation it was Dreadnaught."
Kerrigan just smirked. "They will always huff and puff. Not much we can do about that. Ok thank you Natalie. You both get some rest. I am fine, so don't worry about me."
"Be safe, Kerrigan." Natalie said.
Before the screen cut, Breanne stepped forward. "Kerrigan, a word."
"What's the matter?"
"My guards tell me there is a chance Zadok is making moves. Kelan has been seen meeting with him, but it has been behind closed doors and those loyal to me have been increasingly limited on access to the temple. Zadok has also increased his own guard. Kerrigan, he brought in a technical expert. I fear these chats may have to be limited moving forward. His people are trained with the same protocols in dragoon encryption as we are. It is possible they will crack this if we use it too often."
"Understood. Ok well, then send me the emailed packets when you can, and let Mr. Nuri handle the rest."
"Very good, ma'am. Be safe."
The screen went dark and Kerrigan sat back. "Evelynn,"
"Yes ma'am."
"Never mind. It can wait for Monday when everyone comes in. Let's get some rest."