"I nodded."I tried my best to protect you guys," I offered."I know you did," he said sadly. "It's only been very recently that we finally have a firm ...nough grasp on the industry to understand that. I'm sorry I didn't take the time to find out what happened."There was little I could say."You're doing well now though," I said with a smile. "I'm happy for you."He looked around my somewhat spartan apartment."Don't worry," I said. "I live simply because I want to, not because I have to. I have. Although it was a cool and harmless feeling, Zax’s hunch told him that despite this sea and sky being his, he should not underestimate them.‘I wonder... ‘ Zax mused before calming himself completely. As he did, the sea water was subdued into a state of tranquility and the grayish sky also stood still.‘They are affected by my mood’. Zax smiled in satisfaction. Nevertheless, he continued to refrain from stepping into the sea. He somewhat had the impression that regardless of its state, it would. Altogether, an estimated 700 people were still missing, although no one was sure of the exact number.Work at this point was proceeding with agonizing slowness because of the fear that what was left of the Capitol would collapse. Still, no one knew just how many people had been in the Capitol at the time of the bombing.The infusion of Egyptian troops into Saudi Arabia had been just in time to save Riyadh. The uprising against the Saudi government itself had been quashed, but the rebels still. For a few of my very special friends.”Dave’s face had then crinkled up in that strange giggle-chuckle he usually reserved for finding an unusual or obscure problem with the system. “I’m only inviting single people your age or younger,” he had promised. His hands waved across the air in front of them as if displaying a sign while he said exuberantly, “Free booze... free food... good music... good times.” His excitement was obviously growing as he spoke.He leaned in close to Matt and said,.