Ramjammer
Confirmed Memelord
Richard watched the digital display over the Elevator's doors in silence, the numbers on it changing at what felt like a Snail's pace. He wasn't late for his meeting with the CEO. He was never late. But that didn't make the wait any more bearable. The Chief of Security grumbled softly, a gloved hand coming up to fiddle with his tie. These meetings were not uncommon as Lorette took the safety of the building and all inside of it as seriously as she did the rest of her duties. However, she rarely called Richard to her Office so late in the evening, especially without making sure to schedule an appointment with him beforehand. He knew that the matter had to be serious if Lorette was willing to go off schedule and mentally prepared himself for the worst.
The Elevator dinged softly as it finally reached the top floor, and the doors had barely opened before Richard stepped through them. The floor was eerily silent, the Receptionist's desk empty in the dimly lit area. The Chief of Security set off at a brisk pace towards the imposing double doors situated just beyond the large desk, his footfalls muffled by the plush carpet on the floor. He didn't even make ready to knock as the CEO's voice rang loudly from within her office. She had expected him to arrive on time as he always did and wasted no time in bidding him enter. Years ago, Richard had found her perception and timing unsettling, but now he could only appreciate the efficiency it afforded him. The massive office was as dimly lit as the rest of the floor and Richard could make out Lorette's form as she stood facing the floor to ceiling windows at the opposite end of the room. The many lights illuminating Arnvista cast a soft glow around the room, and for a moment the CEO was silent as she stared out at the busy streets.
"Lorette, think you stop bein' dramatic tonight and just tell me why I'm here?" Richard closed the heavy wooden door with a small grunt before turning to face the woman once more. Lorette pivoted sharply on a heel to face Richard, a stern glare leveled on him. A lesser man might have shrunk back from her gaze, but Richard had found himself under it for many years now and it had long since become exhausting to constantly cower before her. Instead the taller man grunted softly at her trudging towards the plush chair situated behind her desk and seating himself into it heavily. The woman wasted no time, moving forward unflinchingly as was her custom. "Lucius Dominic Dunn. You know who that is, don't you?" Richard sighed and sank further into the plush black chair. "Son of a bitch owns the Western Seaboard, works in entertainment but has his fingers in a whole lotta pies." Lorette snorted derisively at Richard's quip and moved on. "He does. But they're not the pies an entertainer usually partakes in. Weapons, tech, energy. That doesn't just happen Richard. And one also just doesn't just happen to stumble upon one of the building blocks of creation."
The Chief of Security smirked up at her from his seat. "You did."
"These things don't happen on accident, Richard. And you know that what we have is exists outside the realm of Creation as we know it."
The man hummed softly and gave her a critical look. Richard wondered if Nikhil was beginning to rub off on her a little and resolved to speak to the Lead Researcher about his frequent tirades concerning fate and the metaphysical.
"I'm going to go ahead and assume there's more you have for me. I can't imagine that you'd call me all the way up here for a little chat about a man everybody knows about." Richard leaned back in the plush chair, spinning it side to side as he eyed the CEO carefully. As was usual, her face betrayed none of her inner thoughts, but the man was not stupid enough to believe that she had nothing else planned for him. She resumed staring out the window, eyes affixed on the cars passing on the dark streets far below them. "Mr.Dunn has seen fit to make me an offer, Richard. He wishes to enter into an agreement, as he so succinctly put it." Richard was not often surprised, his years spent in the company of things best left in the shadows afforded him that luxury, something only further solidified by his chosen profession, but even he could not halt the pang shock striking him, though it was quickly replaced by suspicion.
"That so? He offer you a record deal?" Richard drawled. He of course, already knew what this was about. From the moment Lorette had told him, the man knew instinctively what was going on. "I wish it were something so foolish." Lorette quipped. "No, this is about his little pet project. Vril." Richard glowered at the CEO's back, though he was not irritated with her, so much as he was with where this whole thing implied. A man holding one of the keys of life was cause for deep concern, even if the rest of the world was eating it up. Richard could say with all honesty that he did not like the man. He'd thrown discretion out the window for fame and money. And while not surprising behavior for a Billionaire it only made Apex's job, and more importantly HIS all the more difficult.
"What does he know?" The words left him without hesitation. And while his tone was harsher than it should have been, Richard new that Lorette would not be put off by it. The woman continued to stare out the window arms clasped behind her back and her posture betraying nothing. "I've told him nothing, that much should be obvious. But I think I know what he wants. There are plenty of companies wanting to do business him, but none of them deal in weapons to the degree that we do Richard." She paused then, turning to look the seated man dead in the eye. "And the United States Government is QUITE fond of him, you know that." Richard muttered something incomprehensible then, shifting to a more comfortable position in the chair. "Oh yeah, I know. They love him. I doubt they have any complaints about how 'difficult' he is to work with." The Chief of Security chuckled gruffly to himself, even as his superior glared at him from her spot by the windows. "Excuse me for having higher standards." Came the woman's curt reply.
The man chuffed softly at her, a wry smile gracing his lips. "You and I both know that 'aint true, Lorette."
The CEO pursed her lips, seeming less amused with the man with each passing moment. "That aside, I have reason to be suspicious. We need to assume that he's either moving in to take out his competition or that he's in the Government's pocket. The first is a non-issue. We don't do what we do to be popular. The second is a headache and a distraction that I cannot afford, Richard. Not with Hanshiro Sato breathing down my neck, and not with us preparing to move our research to the new facility."
"You want me to shoot him?" Richard asked suddenly, staring at Lorette with a level of intensity that told her he wasn't joking.
Lorette's expression took a thoughtful turn and seemed to be considering the man's offer before replying. "No. That's not necessary.....yet."
Richard huffed in an uncommonly petulant manner at her refusal, slouching back in the chair. "Never lemme shoot anybody....."
"That's not true and you know it. I let you shoot all those people just last week."
The Chief of Security groaned, throwing up his hands in an exasperated manner. "Whatever. Fine then. So you takin' his offer or what?" Lorette steepled her fingers together and regarded the man sternly. "Well, I should at least hear what he has to say. At the very least our energy costs will see a noticeable decrease, the extra funds would help a lot. But nothing comes free. And he'll want something in return. That is the nature of the beast, after all. Naturally, my decision won't miss your notice, Richard. They certainly never have before. But I need him watched closely while he's here so you'll need to stay close to Headquarters for the time being. Just because Mr. Dunn will be a guest here doesn't mean he gets free reign to do as he pleases in my building. Lord knows Nikhil will have a fit if he starts asking too many questions" Richard mumbled to himself quietly and lifted a hand to rub thoughtfully at his chin. He needed to shave soon. His beard was starting to become unmanageable, but he knew he wouldn't be doing anything about it in the near future. "Alright then. And what about your trip to Japan?"
"On hold. At most for the next week. Mr. Sato will have to deal with it. Once this is all settled I'll be heading to Tokyo and YOU will be seeing to finding a Security Force for the new Facility." Richard only slumped farther down in Lorette's desk chair, his over-sized bulk nearly sprawling onto the floor at the realization that he'd be sleeping in his office for at least the next month. "Lorette, did you know that I have a house? I wanna see it sometime this year." Lorette's expression did not change, seeming unbothered by the man's concerns. "Junior Officer Kinnaird is more than capable of carrying the workload with you, Richard. Her....exuberance aside, she's proven to be more than effective at her job. And I'm sure she'll be able to handle things while we're away. Besides she won't be completely alone. You worry too much." Richard scowled deeply at the Businesswoman. "That's what you hired me for, Lorette. It's why you pay me. To worry about all the crazy shit that could possibly happen. You damn sure didn't hire me for my good company."
Lorette moved away from the windows, her footsteps ringing loudly on the polished stone floor as she approached the sulking Chief of Security. A gloved hand settled gently on his shoulder and gave it a small reassuring squeeze. "It'll be fine Richard. I know I'm asking a lot of you right now, but it's because you're best suited to the job. You've always been" Richard glanced up at the woman, the small smile gracing the edge of her mouth not escaping his notice. "And besides, it's not as if I sleep in my own house any more than you do in yours. Sometimes I wonder if I'll forget where it is one day." The hand moved away along with Lorette as she walked away before coming to pause before the double doors of her office."I'll get in touch tomorrow. Be ready for Mr. Dunn's arrival. And please turn the lights off when you leave." Richard didn't bother watching her as she left, and once the doors had slammed shut the office descended back into silence.
Richard rubbed tiredly at his face and resigned himself to his fate, knowing there was no point in crying over things as they were. He knew that there was no stopping Lorette and he knew that no matter the decision she made, he would have to deal with it one way or another. But the man could not help the stirring doubts at the back of his mind. This meeting was far too timely, and Vril was a material best left out the hands of anyone that offered to pay for it. The man's gut had saved him countless times, and he knew that an agreement with remained as Apex's sole competitor in the U.S would bring more trouble than it was worth.
But it was his job to ward off trouble, wasn't it?
"Afnet."
The man spoke, but there was no one in the room to hear him. That did not stop the voices from answering. "Yessssssss?" Came the hissing reply. "I don't need to tell you what needs to be done when our 'guest' gets here. He don't pay the keep the lights on here, and I don't want him struttin' around as if he does. You're to keep tabs on him while he's here. I don't want him to so much fart without me knowin' about it."
"Disgusting." The dry rubbing sound of scales scraping against each other accompanied the word and Richard grumbled. "I'm not happy with this, Afnet."
"You doubt her? And so blatantly, oh Richard this will not do at all." Came the sing-song reply.
"That's not it."
It truly wasn't, Richard held no shame in admitting it. Lorette was about the closest one could get to being decent while managing to hold more wealth than most of the country. CEO's with a functioning soul were in short supply these days, and Richard knew quite well that none were to be trusted in the slightest. Businessmen didn't make friends, and the Chief of Security would not be fooled by any offers of goodwill for a moment. "Just be ready and do what I tell you. I'll prep the Lieutenant and Sagaron in the morning and we'll see what's what. Better that we're ready for somethin' to happen, even if it don't." A shadow rippled along one of the far walls and for a split second the man caught the pattern of reptilian spines displayed against it. "Very well. We watch, and we listen."
"Good." Was the man's only reply.
"And Richard?"
The man sighed, seeming to already know what was coming. "Yes?"
"May we eat him?" The voices queried.
"We'll see."
The Elevator dinged softly as it finally reached the top floor, and the doors had barely opened before Richard stepped through them. The floor was eerily silent, the Receptionist's desk empty in the dimly lit area. The Chief of Security set off at a brisk pace towards the imposing double doors situated just beyond the large desk, his footfalls muffled by the plush carpet on the floor. He didn't even make ready to knock as the CEO's voice rang loudly from within her office. She had expected him to arrive on time as he always did and wasted no time in bidding him enter. Years ago, Richard had found her perception and timing unsettling, but now he could only appreciate the efficiency it afforded him. The massive office was as dimly lit as the rest of the floor and Richard could make out Lorette's form as she stood facing the floor to ceiling windows at the opposite end of the room. The many lights illuminating Arnvista cast a soft glow around the room, and for a moment the CEO was silent as she stared out at the busy streets.
"Lorette, think you stop bein' dramatic tonight and just tell me why I'm here?" Richard closed the heavy wooden door with a small grunt before turning to face the woman once more. Lorette pivoted sharply on a heel to face Richard, a stern glare leveled on him. A lesser man might have shrunk back from her gaze, but Richard had found himself under it for many years now and it had long since become exhausting to constantly cower before her. Instead the taller man grunted softly at her trudging towards the plush chair situated behind her desk and seating himself into it heavily. The woman wasted no time, moving forward unflinchingly as was her custom. "Lucius Dominic Dunn. You know who that is, don't you?" Richard sighed and sank further into the plush black chair. "Son of a bitch owns the Western Seaboard, works in entertainment but has his fingers in a whole lotta pies." Lorette snorted derisively at Richard's quip and moved on. "He does. But they're not the pies an entertainer usually partakes in. Weapons, tech, energy. That doesn't just happen Richard. And one also just doesn't just happen to stumble upon one of the building blocks of creation."
The Chief of Security smirked up at her from his seat. "You did."
"These things don't happen on accident, Richard. And you know that what we have is exists outside the realm of Creation as we know it."
The man hummed softly and gave her a critical look. Richard wondered if Nikhil was beginning to rub off on her a little and resolved to speak to the Lead Researcher about his frequent tirades concerning fate and the metaphysical.
"I'm going to go ahead and assume there's more you have for me. I can't imagine that you'd call me all the way up here for a little chat about a man everybody knows about." Richard leaned back in the plush chair, spinning it side to side as he eyed the CEO carefully. As was usual, her face betrayed none of her inner thoughts, but the man was not stupid enough to believe that she had nothing else planned for him. She resumed staring out the window, eyes affixed on the cars passing on the dark streets far below them. "Mr.Dunn has seen fit to make me an offer, Richard. He wishes to enter into an agreement, as he so succinctly put it." Richard was not often surprised, his years spent in the company of things best left in the shadows afforded him that luxury, something only further solidified by his chosen profession, but even he could not halt the pang shock striking him, though it was quickly replaced by suspicion.
"That so? He offer you a record deal?" Richard drawled. He of course, already knew what this was about. From the moment Lorette had told him, the man knew instinctively what was going on. "I wish it were something so foolish." Lorette quipped. "No, this is about his little pet project. Vril." Richard glowered at the CEO's back, though he was not irritated with her, so much as he was with where this whole thing implied. A man holding one of the keys of life was cause for deep concern, even if the rest of the world was eating it up. Richard could say with all honesty that he did not like the man. He'd thrown discretion out the window for fame and money. And while not surprising behavior for a Billionaire it only made Apex's job, and more importantly HIS all the more difficult.
"What does he know?" The words left him without hesitation. And while his tone was harsher than it should have been, Richard new that Lorette would not be put off by it. The woman continued to stare out the window arms clasped behind her back and her posture betraying nothing. "I've told him nothing, that much should be obvious. But I think I know what he wants. There are plenty of companies wanting to do business him, but none of them deal in weapons to the degree that we do Richard." She paused then, turning to look the seated man dead in the eye. "And the United States Government is QUITE fond of him, you know that." Richard muttered something incomprehensible then, shifting to a more comfortable position in the chair. "Oh yeah, I know. They love him. I doubt they have any complaints about how 'difficult' he is to work with." The Chief of Security chuckled gruffly to himself, even as his superior glared at him from her spot by the windows. "Excuse me for having higher standards." Came the woman's curt reply.
The man chuffed softly at her, a wry smile gracing his lips. "You and I both know that 'aint true, Lorette."
The CEO pursed her lips, seeming less amused with the man with each passing moment. "That aside, I have reason to be suspicious. We need to assume that he's either moving in to take out his competition or that he's in the Government's pocket. The first is a non-issue. We don't do what we do to be popular. The second is a headache and a distraction that I cannot afford, Richard. Not with Hanshiro Sato breathing down my neck, and not with us preparing to move our research to the new facility."
"You want me to shoot him?" Richard asked suddenly, staring at Lorette with a level of intensity that told her he wasn't joking.
Lorette's expression took a thoughtful turn and seemed to be considering the man's offer before replying. "No. That's not necessary.....yet."
Richard huffed in an uncommonly petulant manner at her refusal, slouching back in the chair. "Never lemme shoot anybody....."
"That's not true and you know it. I let you shoot all those people just last week."
The Chief of Security groaned, throwing up his hands in an exasperated manner. "Whatever. Fine then. So you takin' his offer or what?" Lorette steepled her fingers together and regarded the man sternly. "Well, I should at least hear what he has to say. At the very least our energy costs will see a noticeable decrease, the extra funds would help a lot. But nothing comes free. And he'll want something in return. That is the nature of the beast, after all. Naturally, my decision won't miss your notice, Richard. They certainly never have before. But I need him watched closely while he's here so you'll need to stay close to Headquarters for the time being. Just because Mr. Dunn will be a guest here doesn't mean he gets free reign to do as he pleases in my building. Lord knows Nikhil will have a fit if he starts asking too many questions" Richard mumbled to himself quietly and lifted a hand to rub thoughtfully at his chin. He needed to shave soon. His beard was starting to become unmanageable, but he knew he wouldn't be doing anything about it in the near future. "Alright then. And what about your trip to Japan?"
"On hold. At most for the next week. Mr. Sato will have to deal with it. Once this is all settled I'll be heading to Tokyo and YOU will be seeing to finding a Security Force for the new Facility." Richard only slumped farther down in Lorette's desk chair, his over-sized bulk nearly sprawling onto the floor at the realization that he'd be sleeping in his office for at least the next month. "Lorette, did you know that I have a house? I wanna see it sometime this year." Lorette's expression did not change, seeming unbothered by the man's concerns. "Junior Officer Kinnaird is more than capable of carrying the workload with you, Richard. Her....exuberance aside, she's proven to be more than effective at her job. And I'm sure she'll be able to handle things while we're away. Besides she won't be completely alone. You worry too much." Richard scowled deeply at the Businesswoman. "That's what you hired me for, Lorette. It's why you pay me. To worry about all the crazy shit that could possibly happen. You damn sure didn't hire me for my good company."
Lorette moved away from the windows, her footsteps ringing loudly on the polished stone floor as she approached the sulking Chief of Security. A gloved hand settled gently on his shoulder and gave it a small reassuring squeeze. "It'll be fine Richard. I know I'm asking a lot of you right now, but it's because you're best suited to the job. You've always been" Richard glanced up at the woman, the small smile gracing the edge of her mouth not escaping his notice. "And besides, it's not as if I sleep in my own house any more than you do in yours. Sometimes I wonder if I'll forget where it is one day." The hand moved away along with Lorette as she walked away before coming to pause before the double doors of her office."I'll get in touch tomorrow. Be ready for Mr. Dunn's arrival. And please turn the lights off when you leave." Richard didn't bother watching her as she left, and once the doors had slammed shut the office descended back into silence.
Richard rubbed tiredly at his face and resigned himself to his fate, knowing there was no point in crying over things as they were. He knew that there was no stopping Lorette and he knew that no matter the decision she made, he would have to deal with it one way or another. But the man could not help the stirring doubts at the back of his mind. This meeting was far too timely, and Vril was a material best left out the hands of anyone that offered to pay for it. The man's gut had saved him countless times, and he knew that an agreement with remained as Apex's sole competitor in the U.S would bring more trouble than it was worth.
But it was his job to ward off trouble, wasn't it?
"Afnet."
The man spoke, but there was no one in the room to hear him. That did not stop the voices from answering. "Yessssssss?" Came the hissing reply. "I don't need to tell you what needs to be done when our 'guest' gets here. He don't pay the keep the lights on here, and I don't want him struttin' around as if he does. You're to keep tabs on him while he's here. I don't want him to so much fart without me knowin' about it."
"Disgusting." The dry rubbing sound of scales scraping against each other accompanied the word and Richard grumbled. "I'm not happy with this, Afnet."
"You doubt her? And so blatantly, oh Richard this will not do at all." Came the sing-song reply.
"That's not it."
It truly wasn't, Richard held no shame in admitting it. Lorette was about the closest one could get to being decent while managing to hold more wealth than most of the country. CEO's with a functioning soul were in short supply these days, and Richard knew quite well that none were to be trusted in the slightest. Businessmen didn't make friends, and the Chief of Security would not be fooled by any offers of goodwill for a moment. "Just be ready and do what I tell you. I'll prep the Lieutenant and Sagaron in the morning and we'll see what's what. Better that we're ready for somethin' to happen, even if it don't." A shadow rippled along one of the far walls and for a split second the man caught the pattern of reptilian spines displayed against it. "Very well. We watch, and we listen."
"Good." Was the man's only reply.
"And Richard?"
The man sighed, seeming to already know what was coming. "Yes?"
"May we eat him?" The voices queried.
"We'll see."
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