Read Aligned for Free Online Page B

benefits of it for the people in the Zone. I put my head in my hands, trying to fight back the tears that are threatening. All I want is to make everyone happy, keep everyone safe, and I’m finding it impossible. You can’t please everyone, because as soon as you make something better for one group another suffers.
    “How?” I rasp out. I look up into Malik’s eyes with tears in my own. “How am I supposed to make everyone happy, Malik? I only want to bring unity. That’s all I’ve ever wanted for this country…unity, peace, safety. How can I bring these things?”
    “Sweet child, if anyone had that answer the world wouldn’t be where it is today. There isn’t a good leader alive today who wakes up and thinks, ‘How can I bring misery and discord to my country today?’ The presidents before you, even the ones when the States were intact, weren’t trying to ruin the country. Things like greed, power, dishonesty, corruption…those can leak in and influence the greatest of men and ruin a country. Those things are present because of human nature, Roz. You can’t change human nature, and until you can, there is no perfect solution. You do what you think is the best for the masses. Someone will always foil your plan. The only thing you can do is align yourself with what is right.”
    “What do you think is the best way to proceed, Malik? Do you think I should open up the Free Zone to everyone, or do you think it will cause more discord?”
    He sighs. “Roz, it doesn’t matter what I think. I’ve been sitting here trying to come up with the best plan, but someone always loses in some way. I don’t want to see our gates open and have the masses descend upon us and change our way of life. I also don’t want to be responsible for keeping the people in the dark. You need to contemplate the best plan of action. Don’t be in such a hurry to make a change, Roz. With haste comes mistakes. Think it over, toss around ideas. I’ll be there to help with anything you need and I will try my best.”
    “Thank you Malik, that means so much to me. If it were up to you though, would you find a way to keep this place from being invaded by others?” I ask and he nods.
    “And you also think others have a right to be free from the Ministry?” He nods again.
    “Good. I’m glad there’s an easy solution to this mess,” I say sarcastically.
    He chuckles. “You have drive, girl, and compassion, with a strong dose of empathy. You will make this work. Do you still want me to find and train some reps to go to the Zones?”
    “Yes, if you can. Please assure the people for me that nothing has been decided yet. I’m going find a way to make this work.”
    “Of that I have no doubt, little one. You once told me your father is fond of quotes. I have a rather fitting one for you,” Malik says with a wide smile that makes him look less stressed and exhausted and more like himself.
    “I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure, which is: Try to please everybody.”
    “Wow, that’s fitting!” I exclaim. “And completely frustrating! Who said that?”
    “A smart man by the name of Herbert B. Swope. He was long before your time. Think on it, Roz. You’ll come up with something.”
    I say good-bye, leave the compound, and make my way back to the Ministry. Once there, I call Karl, who is Dex’s personal assistant, and ask him if Dex was free to meet with me at some point today. It seems weird calling his assistant to make time for us to talk when we live together and I can easily ask him at home. However, since he’s moved in, I’ve made it a point to try and separate work and home as much as possible. Karl calls me right back and says Dex can see me in half an hour in his office.
    After squaring away a few things with Judy, I head to his office. The Council members’ offices are on the same floor as their meeting room. I am the only one besides the members and their assistants who