Dr. Thomas Bradley - 2 Hours Before Server Activation

“And you’re completely sure about this? If we choose to move forward with the contingency, any thoughts of turning it back off goes right out the window. It has to be that way, else the risks to the general population would be too drastic for the plan to be worth it.” Philip asked him. The man was understandably concerned given what Thomas had just revealed to him. For as long as Thomas had worked for him, the man before him had come across severely paranoid, though admittedly otherwise sane. Now however, Thomas saw that the man was as brilliant as his current status would suggest. The person who sat before him was Philip Scott the current richest man in the world but with the fears Thomas had just confirmed his wealth wouldn’t matter for long. “I’m sure, there is absolutely no other option. The data is clear, whatever happens not moving your plan forward will cause a catastrophic loss of life.” With a heavy sigh the man sunk into his chair and reached for the phone line on his desk giving Thomas one last look. “And you’re certain there’s no other option?” He nodded and Philip pulled the phone off the hook and put it to his ear, punching a number into the keypad with his other hand. A scant few seconds later the phone started ringing and the other end picked up the same moment. A decidedly female voice crackled through the receiver. “Mr. Scott I hope you better be calling to give the go order, my team and I’ve been stuck down here keeping this beast of a machine from bursting at the seams going on three days. If this server isn’t on by midnight you’ll be losing my team and your generator, it may even blow the city power grid.”  The voice was sharp but somewhat dulled by a distinct air of weariness. “Well then Marie.” Philip replied evenly. “It seems I have some good news, we’re turning on Server Sixteen.” Sighing, the woman, apparently named Marie, let out a heavy sigh of relief. “Will do boss, I’ve just got one last thing.” “Yes?” “It’s about the records.” For a moment Philip fell silent before turning to Thomas. “Thank you for your services Mr. Bradley but you can’t be in the room for this.” Thomas felt almost relieved. He was more than just a little concerned about what the man before him was doing. It was better for him to be gone when the man actually did it. Despite this, as he rose from his seat nodding and bidding Mr. Scott goodbye, Thomas felt more concerned that he had been asked to leave. The things his friend and employer had kept from him were few and far between, and it made Thomas worry far more than he would like that there were things Philip still kept from him. Regardless, he wouldn’t argue with the man on this, and with a soft click closed the door behind him, and began the long journey down through the building alone with his thoughts.

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