The elevator took Gay to the top floor. The penthouse for the man in charge of the entire operation. Compared to the viewing gallery a few floors down, the hallway was decorated with the finest art and sculptures. All of them were Italian renaissance art.
Though impressed with the display of wealth and the taste for the arts. Gay could tell it was all a front. Walking past them, he noticed the walls behind some of the frames had subtle dust marks that indicated a different painting used to hang on the wall. The floors had scuff marks near the sculptures that further prove to him that the art in the hallway was always changed around like clockwork.
It broke the illusion of wealth and power, the art was placed there to appease. Displays that could be changed around depending on the situation. In that case, it was to appeal to Gay’s age and refinement. An attempt to make Gay friendlier to hide something, or another aspect of control. Gay wasn’t sure which was worse.
Brian’s face lit up as Gay went through the oak doors into his private suite. ‘Finally! Took you long enough.’ He said in a raspy voice. His frail hand fumbled with his electric wheelchair controls as he ecstatically drove to Gay to shake his hand.
‘I was told to wait for you.’ Gay replied before taking his hand.
Brian, a 97-year-old man, chuckled at Gay’s remark. He was the CEO of ProTech’s energy department, the man who designed the Ra Engine and figured out how to make a new and reliable energy source. While his body was slowly falling apart, failing him due to his old age. His mind remained sharp. Some could argue he would be eligible to run for congress.
‘Well friend, it has been long enough.’ Brian said as he rode his chair back to his table to pick up a magazine. ‘Look here, 97 and I finally made it to Time’s Magazine person of the year. 2015, this year will be a historical one for the company. But next year. That will be a historical moment for humanity!’
Gay walked over to stand beside Brian to look out of the window. ‘Let me guess, the Ra Engine will be turned on?’
‘Precisely! Enough energy will enter the grid to power the entire state. My power plant, my Ra Engine, will single-handedly close down almost 300 plants across the state.’ Brian smirked, excited that he took pleasure at the thought of dominating his competition. ‘It will eliminate thousands of jobs, there is no denying it. But that is a workforce I can gladly take and utilise in the construction of more Ra Engines throughout the country. Maybe even the world!’
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‘You are so sure of yourself.’
‘I have the data to back me up, my old friend. I am taking part in the most important step to bring about change, all according to plan.’
Gay frowned. ‘You know I don’t like miracle promises. I am aware of the impact the engine will have if it succeeded in its mission. But words mean nothing if I don’t have proof of it working as intended.’
‘Professional as always.’ Brian grumbled before he slammed the magazine down on his desk. ‘Did you forget already? I always deliver on my promises. Unlike others who either fail or die before they could hold their end of the bargain. I kept my word and followed through.’
‘Then this shouldn’t be difficult for you. Will it?’
‘No, it shouldn’t.’ Brain moved to his front desk to look over his computer. ‘I’ll print out all the relevant data for you to go over. But that will take time. How about we move the discussion to dinner? I’m sure red wine and steak will make you eager to look through hundreds of pages of documents.’ He gestures at one end of the building with his left hand. ‘Take the left and you’ll find the guess room.’
A waste of time, but fine, I’ll play along. Gay bowed before heading off to his room to wait and gather his thoughts. When he got in, he was surprised to find that his bed was a waterbed. After taking off his suit jacket, he reached for his concealed pistol to expect it.
While he needed to understand the Ra Engine does work and that Brian didn’t share dangerous information. Gay had a third mission. Termination.
There would always be a threat humanity would face. A force the Order would do everything in their power to stop it. But not that time, they didn’t have the knowledge of its existence. Brian was following steps for a plan orchestrated long ago. A plan Gay himself wasn’t sure if it should be allowed to continue or not.
Paranoia came with the job. Gay never trusted anyone, and he always believed the worse would happen. Even if he could competently use magic, he acknowledged he wasn’t as good as he used to be. But at the same time, a bullet could solve any problem. It was all he needed given the situation.
