Chapter 2

[Year 2540 - July 14th – 2:07am]

ONE of the crewmembers for the Descent Team, Kena Lee, an Asian female who was born in the Metro City at the year 2510, sat in the café lounge with a cup of coffee placed on the table. Her laptop was silently working away with new analysis of the bacterium samples that she had collected from the Stellar Probes that were sent to Saturn a year ago. She had hoped that through the microbes that were discovered on one of the moons would generate a brand-new series of vaccinations where cancerous cells could be prevented.

Even with medical technologies advancing many times from the previous generations, cancers were still among one of many diseases where no effective treatment had existed. Kena wished that she could be the one to bring an end to the untimely demise of innocent people whom were succumbed to the destructive cellular mutations within their bodies.

Kena Lee was a well-known physicist. At the age of thirty, she had already earned multiple awards for her theory on cellular fracture mutations that had never been discovered by conventional means. Such fractures were detected after the Nuclear War of 2197 where the combination of neutron, thermal nuclear radiation, and super-charged EMP had generated a strange side effect to the human body.

Some people had claimed that they could see their family members glowing in the dark. Others had told their family physicians that they could not touch water because it burned their skin. Strange things were happening throughout the world. Previously, doctors had seen cells mutating through chemical and DNA imbalances. As they checked their patients, they could not find anything wrong. They had never understood what had constituted the exact changes aside from outer influences, such as radiations and chemical contacts both externally and internally. The usual chemotherapies were not effective in treating the sick people.

It was then that Kena had found out the cellular fracture where micro-lines of sub atomic shears damaged the cells overtime. It was as if the cells were living time bombs that would fracture and explode after the exposure of the thermal fallout in year 2197. Many of the people were still living in areas where the nuclear bombs had gone off. The effects still lingered even after four centuries. When Kena’s theory was put into practice, new medicines were created to slow down the cellular fractures. Eventually the sub atomic shears were mended and people’s life expectancy at the affected zones had been increased greatly.

Kena sat in the comfortable lounge chair and took a light sip from the stainless-steel cup. The fan at the ceiling started to turn when the computer had detected an increase of temperature by point-two degrees. Other workers around the café were leisurely sitting around with their companions. Some were talking about their projects. A few of them were discussing whether if they should hang out at the bar for the weekend. One thing was for sure: All of them were prisoners of the ARC complex. They could not venture outside the boundary of the heavily secured compound. A military institute would not risk sensitive materials being leaked to the outside world.

Soft, white light from the lighting tubes around the room had cast a faint glow to all corners of the lounge. Angular shadows created by the bends of the light gray tables had draped across the spongy chairs and onto the light milky carpet. The room was deep underground, as with the rest of the facility. Twenty sixty-inch crystal monitors were positioned on the walls. They took their places as windows with different shows and displays projecting from the screens that were less than a quarter-inch thick. An engineer had decided to change the view from a park with sparkling lake to a space image by voice command. The multi-colored nova bent and swirled in space with a neutron star shining like a thousand suns nearby.

“Hi!” A man stood in front of her.

Kena looked up and saw Payton Lane smiling warmly within the soft shadows. “Hey!”

“Mind if I sit down?”

She gestured to the seat across from the table. The man pulled out the chair and sat on it with a sigh.

“So, what brings you here at this hour? Can’t sleep?” Kena took another sip from her cup while gazing at the Payton with her dark brown eyes.

“Oh…you know, office politics.”

“Uh-huh. Something’s troubling you greatly and don’t tell me it’s nothing.”

Payton made a face and said: “What? Now everyone can read my mind? You’re the second person to say that to me in the last few days.”

“You are an easy man to read, my good sir,” she giggled and said jokingly. “Whenever you seemed to be annoyed at something or were pondering about some tricky issues, a look of worry and distaste is clearly displayed on your face.”

“Sometimes I don’t know if being as blunt as I am is a good thing,” Payton muttered while he told a waitress to bring him a cup of coffee.

“You’re drinking coffee this late at night?”

Payton smiled. “You’re drinking it too, aren’t you? What’s so special about me savoring this devilish drink of delight?”

“I don’t know. You just don’t seem to be the coffee-type of guy in my eyes.” Kena rearranged the documents on the desk to the side. Folding her fingers together under her chin, she asked: “So rather than sleeping at two in the morning, you have decided to come to the café. What’s on your mind?”

“I need a second opinion.”

“Oh? That’s a first.”

“Come on! What’s with everyone giving me such a sour comeback lately? First my girlfriend, now you….”

“But I’m not your girlfriend, therefore, I’m entitled to be a bit scornful.” Kena laughed out loud.

Payton waved at her remark dismissively. “I need you to tell me that I’m not making a mistake, that hacking into Nelson Fekonson’s bank accounts is not something that will land me in hot water, so to speak.”

Ever since the day that he had “illegally” transferred the old man’s money, the Descent Project was able to continue its development. However, the sudden surge of funding had raised eyes from the management, and Liam Ope certainly wasn’t happy as he knew Payton must had done something under the table to obtain the huge sum of money needed to build the ship.

It wasn’t long after a board meeting was called and Liam Ope was being questioned about his subordinates’ whereabouts and actions. After the unpleasant conference with several investigators and shareholders, Liam went directly to Payton who confessed breaking into Fekonson’s bank accounts and committed theft.

Liam was furious nonetheless, but at the same time, he couldn’t bring Payton in. The stake was too great and letting the leader of Freedom Party know about this little stunt of Payton’s would certainly bring about great repercussions. Naturally, he decided to turn a blind eye to the incident.

But word somehow got out in ARC and most of the people on the Descent Team had found out about Payton’s little exhibition of modern hacker ingenuity. Still, despite the talks, everyone had respected the scientist and his commitment to the development of the project for the better good of the human race. As such, none of the federal investigators were notified about who the culprit was that had stolen Nelson Fekonson’s money.

Ironically enough, Payton was now asking one of his team members about the possible ramifications.

Kena couldn’t contain her laughter as her elegance face was showing a look of surprise. “If breaking into someone’s account illegally is not considered as something that is bad then I don’t know what else to tell you, Payton. It’s true that none of us like that old man any more than you do but you do have to admit, this will result in some kind of reaction from Fekonson, if and when he finds out who did it.”

“You mean retaliation from him?”

“Whether if it’s a big retaliation is yet to be seen but he will do something to get you back. You and I both know he is a man of radical ideals. He will do things that no normal people would do. His wild and audacious behaviors shown in the past had made clear that he’s not a person you’d want to mess with.” When she noticed the expression on his face, she quickly reassured: “But, then again, if our team and the entire Descent Project were being threatened to shut down, I see no other choice than to do what you have done almost two weeks ago.”

“Thanks, that really helped a lot,” Payton mumbled sarcastically while taking a large gulp of soothing hot coffee. He coughed a little at the steaming heat while Kena was staring at him with amusement obviously shown on her face. “Are you taking delight in seeing me like this?”

“Well, I wouldn’t call it that way. You’re usually very confident about the things that you do. Tonight, it was a rarity, a type of…peculiar side of you that I’ve never seen before.”

“What do you mean?”

“You look…vulnerable.”

“And…you are happy to see me like this?”

Kena waved a hand and grimaced with a smile. “Oh, come on, Payton. Everyone knows how egoistic you can be. The image of sureness and conviction you’ve always displayed is what had kept everyone working to the best of their abilities. And of course, sometimes you do piss off a bunch of people when you rebuked and challenged their ideas and suggestions during meetings.”

“My God, you sound like Tracy right now.”

“Everyone needs a good counseling session from time to time, my dear boy,” Kena giggled and patted his hands.

Payton sighed deeply and downed the last mouthful of black coffee. Placing the cup on the table, he said: “You have a very keen mind that has proven to be mature and thoughtful. Despite your age, and a very young age for your profession, by the way, you have shown aptitude far exceeding that of a regular everyday person.”

“Why, thank you.” Kena beamed.

“Uh, yeah, anyway,” Payton cleared his throat and continued: “I came here to see you because I trust in your ability to analyze things, things that most people would have overlooked. That’s all.”

“You could have gone to Tracy and seek professional help.” The young female medical officer teased.

Payton faked an angry frown as he shook his head. “I don’t think asking another person for an opinion requires a psychologist.”

“Counselor,” Kena corrected. “She’s a counselor, not a psychologist. You’re not out of your mind yet.”

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

“Whatever! The point is, I’m…at a loss. I mean, I’m happy that our work can continue and soon the ship will be completed. But at the same time, I just have this nagging feeling in the back of my mind that I may have made the wrong decision.”

“You mean you’re regretting stealing Fekonson’s money? Are you currently feeling guilty right now?”

“Well…I wouldn’t say I’m feeling guilty.” Payton sighed. “But I’m just not sure if the decisions that I’ve made are always correct, that’s all. The past few weeks had made me doubt my own abilities, as it seems that people are not really pulling their own weight and constantly asking me to help them, to make decisions for them. And after the argument with Liam regarding Fekonson’s money, I’m just not sure if I’m still doing the right thing…if you get what I mean.”

Kena leaned forward on the desk with her hands crossed on the table. Gentle atmospheric light surrounding the two individuals had casted a curtain of extraordinary effect, as the velvety illumination was enveloping their outlines and providing a blooming dream-like radiant beauty that could only be envied upon by others nearby.

“Payton, you don’t need me to tell you if the decision you have made is correct or not. You are the project’s leader. As much as I appreciate you coming to me and asking me for my view on things, I honestly don’t think my words can have any direct positive impact upon the actions that you have taken. Truth to be told, I’m still learning how to work with others. I still have uncertainties that I will be required to ask for your guidance.”

“You flatter me.”

“No. It’s the truth. When you’ve first approached me and asked me to join your team two years ago, I was still a person that secluded herself and shut off from the rest of the world. I was so entrenched with my research that I had forgotten the importance of human contact.”

“You were just dedicated to your work.”

Kena laughed softly. “No. Dedication has nothing to do with ignorance. I may not be as well-educated as Tracy in the field of counseling but I do know the value and the significance of communication. With me spending days and months sifting through thousands of pages of documents and thousands of petabytes of data, the sheer obsession that I have towards my research has caused me to become segregated from the rest of the society.”

“A society that is just as cold and thoughtless as numbers and texts on the screens.” Payton corrected. “Sometimes having your own personal space isn’t a bad thing, Kena.”

“True. But there are limitations and there are boundaries which we shouldn’t cross.”

“I don’t refute against that.” Payton nodded solemnly. “In fact, the whole reason why the Descent Project has come to fruition is because our society has become one that’s being succumbed to the nature of information technology. The convenience of personalized computers and quantum chips has forced humanity to become isolated individuals priding themselves with selfish indulgence. The Descent Project is a dream of mine, to explore the stars and to expand the boundary that our civilization has limited itself within. I want to broaden our scope to encompass the true nature of the galaxy because I truly believe there’s something more out there, something amazing that will enrich our tiny mind.”

“Wow, that’s deep,” the medical office raised an eyebrow. “And…somehow I get the feeling that we’re off topic.”

Payton smiled dumbly. “Yeah, yeah we certainly are off topic. Anyway, forget the things I’ve just said. I don’t know what’s going on with me lately. I find myself mumbling things that have nothing to do with anything.”

“I think you’re just stressed out and needed someone to talk to.”

“I guess.”

“May I recommend, say, Tracy?”

Payton noticed the gleam in the female medical officer’s eyes. “Christ, you just can’t resist, can you?”

“I’m just trying to lighten the mood! I’m not saying that you need therapy!”

“Wait, wait a minute, I need therapy?”

“I didn’t say you need therapy-”

“What do I need therapy for? You’re a doctor, you tell me!”

Kena held up a hand to stop the argument. After a brief moment of silence, she calmly said: “Look, Payton, just relax. That was just a joke and I guess I made it at the wrong time. I’m sorry, okay? No need to be defensive about it.”

Payton leaned back and groaned. “God, I hate this. Sometimes, I just wish I can relinquish my role as the project leader and just head out somewhere in rural forest by a lake, spending an entire afternoon just fishing.”

“You have the knowledge, the ability, and the skillset to be the team leader. That’s why everyone’s looked up to you. You just have to trust yourself and stop second guess things that you’ve done.” Kena stated with a solid conviction in her voice.

Now it was Payton that raised his eyebrows. “You really believe so?”

“Sure. Let’s take the hacking incident for an example, whether if that decision is right or wrong isn’t the point; the point is that you need to figure out whether if what you have done is something that you truly believed in – as long as it’s ethically right of course.”

“I wouldn’t say hacking into someone’s bank account is ethically right…,” the man muttered.

Kena waved her hand as she gazed deeply into his eyes. “What’s done is done. Besides, Fekonson’s money came from years of exploitation of the general population with dummy funds and sponsorships. The only reason why he wasn’t caught is because of the connections he’s had with powerful political figures. There are people who stand by him and support him.”

Payton heaved another deep breath. “Thanks, Kena. I really appreciate you listening to me rambling about random things.”

“As long as you pay for my lunch tomorrow, we’ll call it even.” She laughed as she raised her head and watched Payton getting up, shaking his head and walking away.

OOOOOO

Two days later, Tracy Huegard, the Descent Project’s counselor, walked down one of the many corridors within ARC complex. Her slightly chubby figure had not diminished her gracefulness, as she walked down the hallway in the standard silver-colored uniform. In her left arm was a large tablet where a list of patients she was visiting was displayed in light green texts inside a black background.

“Tracy!” A voice called out from behind.

The short counselor wheeled around, her long, braided black hair followed the motion and lightly draped over her shoulders. Kena Lee ran up to her colleague while waving her hand.

“You walk too fast!” Kena exclaimed while she was catching her breath.

Tracy grinned and said: “If a person with the same body size as I am can make someone like you so out of breath then it’s obvious you need to exercise more.”

The medical officer scowled jokingly and walked with Tracy down the corridor. “I’m sure you’ve heard about Payton’s little escapade on Fekonson’s bank accounts, right?”

“I’ve heard something about that from another worker earlier today.”

“Words travel fast. Luckily all of us here are working on the same Descent Project.” Kena shook her head as she folded her arms in front of her chest. “Payton talked to me early this morning at two in the morning.”

“Oh? About what?”

“About the nature of ethics and other things that are too deep for my liking.”

“That’s a first,” Tracy couldn’t contain her laughter as her larger body frame moved along with her chuckles. “I’m surprised that he’s questioning about himself. Knowing him for the last three years, Payton is a man that usually won’t admit mistakes or weaknesses. He’s confident and in a way, proud of himself. But what surprised me isn’t the fact that he doubts his actions, rather, it’s him coming to you to discuss philosophical issues that I’m shocked to hear.”

“Uh-huh. I basically winged the entire conversation, all at two in the morning. I almost couldn’t wake up today.” Kena grimaced as she took in the mischievous expression of her teammate. “Oh, please, Tracy, it’s not like I can’t handle discussions like this. It’s just that I’m surprised at how much he’s changed over the course of last year or so.”

“The project is so close to being completed and the new ship is just about ready to be built. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Payton maturing quite a bit through the amount of stress, workload, and responsibilities that he has as a project team leader.”

“Well, now that you’ve also heard about it, it shows that a lot more people have the knowledge that Payton is the master mind behind the hack. Hopefully, Fekonson won’t hear a word about this.”

Tracy nodded in agreement. “For sure. If that old man finds out, who knows what he’ll do.”

“What is your plan for today?”

“Just visiting a few patients today. One is having a nervous breakdown after complaining something about hearing voices through the walls of his room and the other is feeling the need for family companionship after being stuck down here in ARC for the last five years or so. Why do you ask?”

“Ah, well, just wanted to see if you are interested in a free lunch today. Payton’s treating.”

Tracy’s smile broadened significantly as she hooked her large left arm around Kena’s thin right arm. “How can anyone say no to that?”

Both women laughed and chatted as they continued down the bright hallway. It was relatively early in the morning and the area was rather empty. Come noontime, however, the cold hallway monitored by the central ventilation system would be packed with workers from different departments. Sounds of activeness would proliferate every corner of the floor, as people went about their businesses while navigating a sea of heads that bopped up and down the long stretch of corridor.

OOOOOO

[Year 2541 – March 23rd – 11:01pm]

A few months had passed.

In a large briefing room that was enshrouded in a sea of oppressing darkness, the only radiance was from the ten massive monitors adorning the wall behind the old man. Nelson Fekonson’s aged face was even more menacing through the angled shadows that were casted upon him, as his light blue eyes shimmered with unannounced schemes.

The sheer silence was only interrupted by the occasional activation of the air conditioning system that was circulating the air around the room. Velvety carpet of light grey covered the floor creating a perfect complement with the dark brown colored oak desk. The immense surface that stretched out before the flimsy-looking old man was rather prodigious, showcasing a level of class that was unparalleled by any ordinary means.

The door chimed softly, signaling the arrival of an expected guest late at night. Then a muscular figure walked in.

“It’s nice to see you again, sir.”

Nelson’s face was showing more of a displeasure rather than happiness as he grunted. “Why haven’t you executed your plan yet? I don’t want to see Payton Lane and his team completing the ship.”

“I do understand your frustration. After all, billions of credits were stolen from you.”

“And yet, it is you who has come to me to point out the culprit behind the hack. Now that you’ve betrayed your friends and colleagues, I want to know why.”

The man laughed as he shrugged. “Money. What else could it be? They have underpaid me and trapped me inside that forsaken complex for so many years anyone would have decided to seek out alternative opportunities. It just so happened that you are the person who’s willing to pay more, a lot more, to see your enemy destroyed.”

“Killed. I want him killed. I want all of his teammates killed!” Nelson pounded the table angrily.

The man was unmoved by the ferocity displayed before him. “Of course. But you must understand that this takes time. I can’t just wave a gun and start shooting people. After all, I want to live long enough to enjoy the money that I’ve earned.”

“What is your next course of action?”

“We’ll let Payton and his team finished the ship. Once the timing is right, you and I can attack from both outside and from within. We need to catch him when he least expects it. Right now, he’s on full alert worrying the retaliation that you are about to unleash upon him.”

“I’m warning you, Jake Roman, don’t fuck with me. If I see you betraying me, I swear I will do everything in my power to make you suffer.”

The man that was supposed to be Payton Lane’s friend and colleague sneered darkly, completely disregarded the threat. “I’m afraid that you are in no position to make this kind of threat against me, Nelson, for I am the only person inside the complex that’s willing to sacrifice everything that he has to help you. If I were to be killed, you would lose as well.”

“That may be but I have many ways to make a person suffer.”

“That doesn’t sound like a man with a religious belief talking,” Jake smirked. “Luckily I’m a business man, and like all business proposals and schemes, as long as I benefit from the initial investment, I am willing to be as cold-hearted as possible.”

“Do entertain me and answer this, Jake,” the old man leaned forward with a frown on his aged face. “How do you propose to lure Payton Lane and his confederates into the trap that we’ve set for them? After all, you are still a lowly maintenance worker.”

The man straightened his back and scoffed. “An engineering maintenance worker that has over twelve years of friendship with Payton Lane, I’m sure I have some levels of influence over the dear ‘old buddy’ of mine. With his trust, I can manipulate him.”

“He’s not a fool, Jake,” Nelson cautioned.

“And I never said he is. The trick is to know how to perform a convincing act in front of everyone to lower their guard.”

The leader of Freedom Party lifted a finger and gently waved at the devious individual across from the table. “You are a very dangerous man, Jake Roman. Very dangerous indeed; sacrificing your colleagues and friends like this for your personal gain.”

Jake lifted his arms and shrugged irrespectively. “Hey, that’s life. Being kind to others won’t put food on the table. Only a fool will believe that compassion can bring prosperity and opportunities to a wearisome lifestyle that’s being overrun by some bureaucratic social system designed to benefit that one percent of the population.”

“Anti-socialism, I like how you think.”

“Let’s just say I embrace capitalism because history has shown social equality hinders the progress of society. Regardless of how mankind tries to promote impartiality through political, economical and social theologies, the world thrives with inequality by attempting, fruitlessly, to bring balance to the stringent lifestyle of human race.”

Nelson chuckled lightly within the darkness of the room. “If you can’t beat them, join them. Great minds think alike.”

“No,” said Jake. “You and I are nothing alike but due to the circumstance I am forced to partner up with you. Remember, while you are my boss and a certain level of respect will be given, I expect to be paid fully when this is over.”

Nelson Fekonson didn’t reply as he glowered at the figure before him.

End Chapter 2