Despite being so remote from everything, Norilsk had a city status thanks to just one company. Norilsk Nickel, often known as Nornickel, was a Russian mining and smelting firm for nickel and palladium. This company was basically responsible for the hustle and bustle in the city as it employed almost 80% of the people in the city. People would still travel here to work despite the severe pollution since the pay was higher than most other places in Russia for similar job.
The luxurious train finally reached the train station. The CEO of Nornickel personally met the President as he exited the coach.
"Weclome Mr. President." The CEO, Vladimir said. (Yes, Vladimir is also his name.)
The President looked visibly distressed as he stepped his foot in this colder and harsher environment. He simply nodded, eager to get to the comfortable location in the city that was waiting for him. Despite the high levels of air pollution in the city, families and regular citizens chose to live underground to avoid the bitter cold and to shield themselves from the pollution.
Nearly every home had an air purifier, and Nornickel had made an effort to install one in every residence. Naturally, though, this was just for the wealthy, and families in the lower middle class would not be able to buy it.
"Mr. President, some industrial workers are quitting due to what they have heard and seen on TV regarding North Korea's ongoing expansion. We may have to close one or two factories here if we lose workers in this way." The CEO said as he expressed his concern about the dwindling work force.
He had made enquiries and apparently the people were either returning to the place they were came from because there were more opportunities now because in the last few days many had been arrested and some even got swift trials. The fact that the inmates were transported outside of Russia instead of being held in any Russian gulags gave them the confidence to return.
North Korea had made prisons specially for the criminals. It was done so because history had always shown that even prisons might not be able to stop their influence in the public. North Korea therefore desired to completely end their presence and let the populace to live in peace.
This only represented a portion of those who desired to reside in the same nation; the remainder fled Norilsk as a result of North Korea's announcement via the internet and social media that it was in need of workers and would pay well for them.
Many people were initially dubious, but after hearing about the possibility of money, some left the country and went to North Korea, where they only spoke highly of the new task they were given. Norilsk was one of the few cities that was severely harmed by North Korea's new policies.
Since the working circumstances were so bad, many people had begun to leave. The President hearing the complaint of the CEO just nodded his head again and didn't reply. He arrived soon at his formerly well-furnished home.
He skipped bringing his family along. He had a wife and two mistresses. Along with his daughter, they had all been exiled abroad. He didn't trust anyone anymore after what had happened with North Korea.
He was enjoying a satisfying lunch at his table when the Ghost Corps unexpectedly materialized nearby and dragged him into a shadowy room—in his own fucking house, where his security team was unaware that he was being kept against his will. He began to fear everything as a result, even his own shadow.
But after the initial terror, bitterness followed. He wanted to exact retribution for what had transpired, and at one point he was on the verge of pressing his nuclear button, but he refrained. He didn't click the button because he knew the army's commander-in-chief wouldn't approve of it and because he didn't think he would still be alive if he did.
Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.
He had witnessed the demise of some notable figures. Poor Rockefeller! That guy didn't even know what killed him. He also realized that he was running out of time and would soon have to serve time in prison. He would be put on the cutting block since he had done some terrible atrocities during his time in office.
And in order to escape the inevitability he was here.
21 October 2023.
He headed to the gym after getting up early to work out. Even though his health issues had gotten worse over the years, he hadn't broken his habit for a very long time. He had his breakfast brought to his room after a good workout and a hot bath. He then prepared to start the work he had come to undertake.
He left his room and immediately headed to the Nornickel main factory. Once more, the CEO was there to greet him.
"Good Morning, Mr. President." - CEO
"Good Morning." The President responded this time instead of remaining silent. If one looked closely, they could see a glimmer of excitement in the President's eyes and a slight tremble in his palms.
"Mr. President, this place is in perfect order. You are welcome to take a look." The CEO said, "You didn't have to come all the way here just to visit this factory."
"It's okay. I also have another goal." stated the President.
"Another goal? OH.. Okay." The CEO spoke while nodding. His guards and the CEO followed him inside the plant. The President seemed genuinely interested in the factory as they continued to take a close look around it.
He also shook hands with several of the workers after meeting them and thanking them for their commitment to the nation. No matter what, the workers were pleased that the President had visited and offered their congratulations. The President took an hour-long tour of the entire facility before he excused himself to use the restroom.
To make sure the bathroom was secure, the guards wanted to follow him. The President, however, stated.
"I am in the middle of nowhere, and the war is over. Who would assassinate here? It takes only a few minutes. I need some tranquility." stated the President. He had always detested the additional protection that was always offered to him and only put up with it when it was required. However, as nearly no one was aware of his travel before he arrived, there was almost no chance that he would be assassinated here. Only the ministers who had accompanied him and the guards were aware of the journey.
The guards hesitated but let him go. The President went in and then didn't go to pee directly, instead he looked at the mirror. He turned to see his aging face. His once-firm jawline now had some skin that was drooping. Although he had a clean shaven appearance, the little hairs under his chin and the once-grey hair on his head both showed signs of turning white.
The water was too cold to use to wash his face, even though he wanted to. Of course, the plant was only running hot enough to keep things from freezing in this godforsaken location and not as hot as he would have liked.
After looking at his face, he sighed deeply and went inside the third toilet of the washroom. The third restroom was unique since it had a sign in Russian stating that the toilet was broken. He opened the door without pausing to read the sign.
In the compact area, a toilet was broken. However, it was clean. Instead of using the restroom, the President just took out a large key from his pocket. He then went ahead and opened the cover on the toilet's tank. Normally, when the lid was opened, water or an empty place to fill with water could be seen, but this time there was nothing of the like. The tank had a key hole on one side and a steel board. The shape of the key that the President had just brought appeared in the keyhole.
The President turned the key twice after inserting it. And in the next instant, it appeared as though the earth beneath the toilet had risen by a small amount of space. The President stepped at the side and proceeded to pull a ring that seemed to attached to the ground.
While wasting no time, he pulled the ring forcefully and the whole floor along with the toilet came apart from the ground. It was a cellar. The President entered the cellar and made sure that he closed the door while entering.
The cellar had a staircase that led to the bottom but there were enough lights to see around. After climbing down he reached a huge basement. Basement would not be the exact word here because this place could fit in at least 10 football fields and had an height of about 30 feet.
And in the middle of this huge underground space, there was a unconventional and unidentified object lying under the bright light. Its silhouette presents a combination of smooth curves and sharp angles, creating a sense of both elegance and otherworldliness.