Macbeth, Act III part i

I know no one's reading this, but I thought I'd finish it up, so I'll keep posting until it's done.

III.

A year passed; Macbeth had changed, and Banquo knew it. Life on Olympus was different. No longer did everyone have the great freedoms to which they were once accustomed. Their new leader was not the kind man they once knew; no longer was he the man who had saved them from countless Lednarian attacks. He was a heartless fool. The stabilization computers were frequently out of commission, and he did little to help the people dying from lack of oxygen or excess atmospheric contaminants. People died of diseases left unchecked by the waste-management systems. No computer workers were half as skilled as the master Macbeth. Misery struck all: freedoms were revoked, disease and hunger were rampant. Macbeth no longer evenly distributed food, but instead sent much of it to the rich and powerful, while little was left to the poor. Olympus was falling.

During the previous year, President Jason Macbeth had not yet slept a full night's sleep and his state of mind—ever cautious and paranoid—showed it. He felt that even his best friend was preparing to rebel. Without their knowing it, Macbeth hired spies to keep track of his subordinates' activities and sectors. The spy in Banquo's offices retrieved and submitted a document that Banquo wrote one late night, similar to Macbeth's own distress-writing. The document said:

Thou hast it now: hero, leader, power, all, as the Velda promised, and I fear thou playedst most foully for it. Yet it was said that thou shalt not have any leaders after thee, but that succeeding presidents will be of my bloodline. As upon thee, Macbeth, their speeches shine—their prophecies came to pass—may they not be my oracles as well and set me up in hope?

Macbeth, being the power-corrupt, paranoid man he had become, believed these writings implied that his dearest friend was planning a coup d'etat to claim the throne for his own family. But he had been left in charge of Olympus, the citizens voted for him as leader! All was rightfully his!

Macbeth made his own plans for Banquo.

The two friends met in the president's private office where Macbeth personally invited Banquo to the large banquet he was preparing as a celebration of the prosperous year. Banquo almost laughed at the concept of a “prosperous year” but knew better. Macbeth may have noticed the restrained chuckle, or simply changed his mind, but he elevated his invitation to an order. Whereafter, Banquo assured Macbeth that he would perform every order with exactness, and would attend the dinner, no matter the circumstances.

Banquo left the office, and, as he exited, met two gruff-looking men who appeared to be waiting for an opportunity to speak with the president. The three exchanged pleasantries and Banquo, noticing their poorly-hidden malice for him, excused himself to tend to his duties with exactness.

The unshaven and, poor-looking men entered the office and Macbeth greeted them with a question.

Macbeth skipped greetings, “Have you considered what I have told you? Do you realize that it was Steeva Banquo who has caused these misfortunes upon you and your families? The environmental and biological regulation systems are down, and he has done nothing. Have you realized that he is to blame for your troubles and you have been deceived and hurt by him?”

“You made it known to us.” The first man replied.

“Yes, I did. Are you ready to perform the necessary deeds to help all of us? Are you man enough to kill for your families?

“We are men, my liege.” The second answered, slightly offended.

“Banquo is both your enemy and mine, and you must cleanse Olympus of the taint that is the Banquo family name. I know that on this day of every week, the Steeva and his son sit in the third ring commons, where they are generally alone. They to speak with one another and have family time—used to plan a rebellion and the commoners' and Olympus's destruction. You must murder them then.”

They tried.