╭────────────────────╮
︶╯CONTRACT╰︶
????
FABRICATE WEAKNESS
╰─────────╮╭────────╯
╰︶ACTIVATE︶╯
He was led outside and handcuffed to a buggy. Eight soldiers surrounded him, pointing their guns at him. The field medic cleaned sweat off his forehead, gluing three suction pads with wires that connected to a handheld device the size of a brick.
If that thing can detect real Aura, I’m screwed!
He thought about excuses to explain it away without contradicting any of the things that he already told Wells.
“This must clearly be a mistake!” Arcen heard Torga arguing with Commander Wells.
“We’ll have to verify first. If it is a mistake, I will apologize.” Wells replied, watching the procedure with his arms crossed.
Morgav, the fierce man, stood above others, glaring at Arcen with his red eye. The contract was activated a bit late, but Arcen had managed to sneak it in a moment Morgav looked away. He was back to being a weakling now. He had no idea how Morgav saw his Aura. He had other problems too.
If Morgav saw Aura, he’d had the opportunity to see his contract as well. He wondered if the man saw it. There was no indication on his fierce face that he did.
He’d be making a bigger fuss if he did!
Morgav was livid when he couldn’t detect the eight million Aura a second or third time. If he saw the contract, he’d have said it by now. Even in his most unlucky moment, Arcen had lucked out.
Maybe he didn’t pay attention to anything else because he was shocked by eight million.
Arcen didn’t fully understand what Morgav’s problem was. From what he could gather, he was from some sort of guild called Nostrum that Helviter had hired for the research station Gamma-17.
He’d eaten some of Morgav’s people in his rampage as King. Arcen vaguely remembered some people who were more noticeable than others. People with bigger flames, who wounded him with various attacks. In hindsight, they must’ve been experienced climbers. Safe to say, Morgav was more than pissed about losing his team.
Wells had arranged his men to sort out the corpses from Nostrum. It wasn’t enough for him. He wanted to prove that he indeed saw eight million Aura.
“Well, how is it?” Torga asked from the field medic after almost two minutes of silence. He wasn’t allowed to come near Arcen, he was being held by a soldier to make sure of that.
“It only shows 379 Aura. And zero Gold. That’s not surprising. He has no gold on his skin.”
“Let the test run for longer,” Morgav hissed.
“I fail to see how it can grow from three hundred something to eight million the longer it runs!” Commander Wells interrupted him. “Do you have an explanation, Mr. Henwick?”
“Uhm,” Arcen gagged. He’d been silent all along. “The creature in the egg—It was very powerful, from what I understand. Maybe something brushed off me when I interacted with it?”
Torga looked at the field medic, who gestured a ‘could be, I don’t know’ with his hands. Wells looked at Morgav.
“That’s not how Aura works!” he thundered.
“Sounded reasonable to me, based on other things I know about this,” Wells objected.
Thank god! At least he believes me!
“He’s lying to you! I know it!” Morgav howled.
“I-I don’t know how things work to lie about them.” Arcen tried to sound like the dumbest person within a fifty-mile radius. “I don’t remember what happened!”
Morgav glared at him as if he’d not expected to hear a word from him. To be fair, Morgav was unusually hostile even if Arcen wasn’t lying. It was like the man had a personal vendetta against him.
“Enough of this! Ready Mr. Henwick, and Mr. Torga with Miss Jenna for transport.” Wells barked orders at his men. They obeyed swiftly, unshackling Arcen’s arms from the buggy.
“I know he weaseled out some way!” Morgav protested, pointing a sharp claw in Arcen’s direction.
“If he did, it will be dealt with internally. These are Helviter employees. You have no say in the matter, Mr. Morgav. You are a contractor.”
“I sure fucking hope I’m getting paid for it all. Five of my climbers are dead!. If you think I’m letting this go-“
“I don’t want you to let go of anything. You can sort it out with management. I’m sure you’ll get your compensation. Now, please get out of the way.”
“Or what? what can you do to me in a tower?!”
All the soldiers aimed their guns at Morgav. Commander Wells raised his hand.
“You don’t scare me, Mr. Morgav. I don’t see how you’re going to get your payout if you don’t behave here,” Wells said calmly, hiding all of his threats in his tone. Morgav was a climber, but Wells was a killer long before Mayday. There was a weight there that only a man of his experience could pack into his voice. “Take your people, and Leave.”
Morgav groaned, turned on his heels and wandered off with a final red-eyed glare at Arcen. He felt his stomach drop whenever the man looked at him.
“Mr. Henwick, Mr. Torga, there is one more thing to discuss, Please stay in the tent for me,” Wells told them, gesturing two of his soldiers toward them.
Arcen quickly reactivated the contract just to be sure. He didn’t want anyone else to back Morgav with more evidence. He’d barely made it to the other side of this by making Morgav look like a lunatic. He intended to keep it that way.
“What a crazy son of a bitch!” Torga sighed, crashing back into a foldable chair once they’re inside the tent. “Just when I thought this day can’t get any worse. Here comes an asshole with claws for fingers. Fucking unreal.” He’d dropped all semblance of his professional manners at this point. The man looked disheveled, on the edge of snapping.
Arcen actually felt bad about lying. Torga had always been on his side of any issue. He was the project manager, and he cared about his team. He was a good man.
“At least it’s over now.” Arcen tried to push some positivity out of his mouth. It felt like trying to pull teeth.
“Yeah. At least we can get the hell out of here now.” He sighed. “I’m gonna quit so fucking hard, I can’t wait to put the two week notice and fuck off to a different state.”
“Changing jobs? What are you going to do?”
“Teach elementary or something. I used to do that before.”
“Sounds… fun?” Arcen had run out of all of his positivity a few sentences into this conversation.
“Better than ever having to step into a hell tower like this. I’m done!” he clapped his hands. “Wife can hate me, kids can live with less toys. I swear I’m moving the fuck away in two weeks.”
Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.
“I mean, she’ll understand if you tell her what happened, won’t she?” this was quickly turning into a therapy session with the world’s worst therapist.
“I wish… man.” Torga leaned back and closed his eyes.
About half an hour and a contract activation later, Wells came into the tent with two folders. He placed them at opposite ends of the table and sat in the middle.
“Go through these documents, once you’re finished with them, you’ll be transported to the nearest hospital.”
Wells pointed to Arcen’s side of the table when he stood up. Torga groaned and dragged his feet to the opposite side.
Arcen opened his file.
──────────────────────────
Resolution Framework & Continued Employment Following the Gamma-17 Incident.
Mr. A. Henwick,
My office has been fully briefed on the unfortunate events that transpired at our Gamma-17 research station. While preparing for the aftermath, a review of your performance metrics confirmed your status as a high-value asset and cemented your strategic importance to our Fertility division. Helviter Industries is committed to the wellbeing of its key personnel, especially in the face of operational variance.
We recognize that systemic challenges led to this outcome. To that end, and to mitigate any potential exposure for all involved parties, we are mandating total confidentiality regarding this matter. Upholding brand integrity is paramount, and we trust you understand the necessity of mutually beneficial discretion.
In recognition of your value and as a component of this resolution, we have structured the following comprehensive compensation package, contingent upon your signature:
-
An immediate 300% upward revision of your current hourly and OT remuneration, effective upon your return.
-
A fully compensated six (6) month sabbatical to facilitate your recovery and to consider a negotiable career path adjustment, including promotion.
-
Comprehensive coverage of all associated medical expenditures, be it physical or psychological.
-
A one-time, tax-advantaged settlement of $550,000.
To expedite this resolution and as a demonstration of our commitment, I have proactively authorized the transfer of the settlement amount to your spending account. This payment is yours to retain, irrespective of your final decision.
While you are entitled to pursue external legal channels, I must advise that such a course of action would involve protracted litigation and, according to our legal counsel, would invariably result in a less favorable outcome for you. This offer represents the most efficient and amicable path forward.
Helviter Industries invests in its people. We anticipate your return and your continued high-value contributions to our success.
Sincerely,
Lionel Helviter CEO, Helviter Industries.
──────────────────────────
Half a fucking million?!
Arcen almost jumped out of the chair. Helviter had made an offer he couldn’t refuse. A three times increase in his hourly rate would put him closer to the department head level. This was life-changing money being thrown at him like free candy by none other than the CEO of the company.
They really want to keep this silent.
He summoned his Mind Matrix with the familiar eye gestures. He checked his World Bank account.
┌──────────────═══════─────────────┐
GFCC WORLD BANK
Greetings, Mr. Arcen
?───────────────────────?
Choose A Transaction
?───────────────────────?
?──────────────────?
Quick Transfer
?──────────────────?
Check Balance
?──────────────────?
Other Services
?──────────────────?
Payments
?──────────────────?
└──────────────═══════─────────────┘
He wanted to check balance. He’d checked his spending account balance hundreds of times in the last few years, praying for it to magically display a number that couldn’t be there.
And here I’m doing that right now.
┌──────────────═══════─────────────┐
GFCC WORLD BANK
?───────────────────────?
$550,432
?───────────────────────?
?──────────────────?
View Transaction History
?──────────────────?
└──────────────═══════─────────────┘
Holy shit, it’s real!
“What the fuck is this!” Torga exploded.
“Please keep the details confidential, Mr. Torga,” Wells warned. “Miss Jenna also got a similar offer. She’s in no condition to sign it. She’ll be taken care of until she recovers to that point.”
“How do we know this is best offer?!“ Torga asked, clearly annoyed. “Doing this in the same tower while loading corpses? Are you insane?!”
“You’ll only get this offer while you’re in this tower. It’s like the letter says. You can drag it out and end up with less, not more. Do you really want to go against the company with 3.9 trillion dollars?” Wells rubbed his thumbs. “Sometimes, a good deal’s a good deal, Mr. Torga.”
Arcen wasn’t going to rage against the machine with half a million in his account. He didn’t have the same concerns Torga did. He didn’t have a wife or children. Mayday had ripped normalcy out of his life.
He had this, or nothing. He hadn’t finished high school. He hadn’t gone to college. There was no other job that he could imagine himself doing. He didn’t have the same stakes in the world an older, and honestly, a better man did.
He could refuse the offer, become a whistleblower and ruin his siblings’ lives alongside his own. Helviter had him by the balls. They knew what other things were squeezing them. They’ve already addressed all of it in a single offer. Helviter knew Arcen would gladly go into another tower if the offer was half a million. Everyone had a price. They’ve perfectly calculated his.
“You’re signing it?” Torga asked when Arcen grabbed the pen off the table. He looked betrayed.
“Please don’t try to influence his decision. Mr. Torga,” Wells told him sternly.
“I’m signing as well,” Torga said, changing his hostile demeanor. It had been an act. He had been trying to negotiate higher numbers. “I’ll admit it. The offer’s quite good. Maybe I can move to a different branch somewhere else.”
“Good choice, Mr. Torga.” Wells shook his hand. He took the folder and the pen. Arcen signed his and handed it over. “You too, Mr. Henwick.” Wells shook his hand firmly.
“I hope we can all put this horrible incident behind us.”
The convoy was ready for them to leave. A truck had joined it at some point, now packed with all sorts of debris from the campsite. Another truck carried all the dead bodies, neatly packed in body bags.
Two soldiers carried a stretcher past them as they arrived at the last vehicle in the convoy, a black tinted SUV, the same kind that Arcen came here in.
“One more look, if you please,” Torga stopped the stretcher. It was Jenna, firmly strapped to it. Arcen peered at her, his heart heavy.
So, this is how we leave.
He remembered how lively she was when they arrived here. She made him a coffee. She talked about the weather. She had worn a nice dress and had life in her eyes. Now she lay half dead, bandaged from head to toe like a mummy. Her eyes staring into nothing.
“You’ll be just fine, Miss Jenna.” Torga whispered, touching her hair gently. Arcen tried to come up with something to say, but gave up. He adjusted her covers back when Torga was done reassuring her. There was no telling Jenna was even in there. She looked paralyzed. The soldiers took her into an ambulance at the front of the convoy.
Wells opened the SUV door for them, and all three of them got in.
“You’re coming with us?” Torga asked as Wells slammed the door behind him.
“Yes. I’ve had a rough day driving that off-road deathtrap. I’m getting old.” Wells chuckled, tossing the files next to him on the seat. Arcen and Torga sat opposite him. They heard all engines start, the hiss of the truck’s hydraulics.
The convoy started to move.
They traveled up, down and sideways. Few minutes in, Arcen lost track of all movement. The tinted windows showed him nothing, and he was already beginning to fall asleep. Torga lay curled up in the corner, face pressed against the glass. Wells was leaning on the table, his face resting on his hands, planted firmly on his elbows. His eyes were already closed.
A sudden jolt snapped all three of them awake but the vehicle stabilized. They had just gone up a slope.
“Must be a rock.” Wells sighed. “These cars aren’t built to handle uneven ground.”
“Good thing to keep in mind now that I’m in the market for one,” Torga said dreamily. The man was about to quit the job and move states an hour ago. Now, he was dreaming about a new car with his hush money.
“What are you thinking?” Arcen asked, just to keep the conversation going. He liked Torga. Man was simple, and good to him. He became a real person as soon as he dropped his professional manners.
“A big one. I’ve been drooling at a GMC Denali for a while now,” He said, yawning. “Wife’s not into it though.”
“My older brother’s got a brand new one back in 2016,” Wells said. “Heard no complaints back then.”
“I wonder how it runs now?” Torga asked.
“Ah well, it’s a piece of junk, and he’s growing inside it.” Wells chuckled. “My brother turned into a tree on Mayday. He was on his way back home.”
“Holy shit, sorry. I didn’t know.” Torga apologized.
“You’re fine! Mr. Torga,” Wells said with a scoff. “I meant it as a joke.”
“So, what do you drive?” Torga asked, adjusting himself back into a sitting position. He wanted out of this conversation where brothers turn into trees.
“Still have my Challenger GT my dad bought for me when I was in college. Spend more time being driven around these days. So, it’s rotting in a garage. Car days are behind me, I’m afraid,” Wells said, shifting to his left, rubbing his jaw.
Arcen held a yawn. The hiss of the truck before them had all but vanished. They were still inside the tower, or it was dark outside. He actually had lost track of time. He expected to see some light filter through these heavily tinted windows when the vehicle to roll out of the tower.
After that, he imagined going back to his apartment. Kysa and Kylan will be pleased to see him. He had a different plan for living with them from here on. He wanted to make them happy. He’d want to visit his mother’s tree with them. There was a lot that he had to do, and it was all outside the tower.
“What time is it?” he asked, pointing at Wells’ watch.
“I think it’s about time now.”
“Oh finally, we’re out of this—” Torga’s voice trailed off. Arcen turned back to the window. He’d gotten a notification on his Mind Matrix when coming in. He wondered whether it would happen when going out.
He turned back to Torga, swallowing another yawn.
A pistol swung toward him out of nowhere, the hollow barrel stopping inches away from his face. Wells stared blankly at him from behind it.
His body didn’t even get time to react. It was as if time itself froze. It happened too fast, when he was completely relaxed.
“You motherf—” He screamed.
He saw a flash, and then there was silence.