John gripped his phone so tightly he thought it might crack as he spoke with Adrian Fournier, CEO of Fournier Enterprises. The man's gloating tone set John's teeth on edge.

"As I was saying, our quarterly profits are up 40% thanks to the exceptional performance of our portal teams," Fournier bragged. "Led by our highest-ranked awakened asset Astor, of course. The boy is a prodigy."

"Yes, quite impressive," John ground out, barely containing his envy and fury. While Fournier's fortunes had skyrocketed on the back of their brainwashed superpowered youths, John's own GateCruiser company lagged behind despite more resources.

"With such exponential growth, we project controlling over two-thirds of all portal excavations within five years," Fournier continued smugly. "But I'm sure your Flower Guild will manage to stake out some periphery sites."

John's grip on the phone threatened to shatter the casing. The sheer arrogance of this upstart taunting him, John Masters! He had spent decades building his empire, only to be outmatched now by a small firm with a handful of exploited teenagers.

"We'll see about that," John spat back. "Your tactics may be producing short term gains, but they'll provoke a backlash soon enough. Public opinion is already turning."

Fournier merely chuckled. "Let them grumble. The awakenings cannot be stopped now, and we control the choicest subjects. Your ethics are quaint, but progress waits for no one."

With an effort, John kept his voice cool. "Time will tell if your ruthless approach pays off long term. For now, congratulations on the numbers."

"Indeed. Well, I must be off. Do take care, John," Fournier said smugly before hanging up.

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

John stood breathing hard, fists trembling with the urge to destroy something. How dare Fournier dismiss him as irrelevant! John had crushed many an upstart rival before. He would topple Fournier's empire by any means necessary, then seize control of their pet psychics for himself.

Let his adversary glut himself on short-term spoils. John's revenge would be the long game. Striking only once the fruit seemed ripest, to savor Fournier's downfall all the more exquisitely.

For now, John would bide his time, moving chess pieces discreetly to set up his checkmate. Hubris would be Fournier's undoing. He underestimated the depths John would plumb to reclaim his rightful place of power.

The portal awakened youth would serve him yet, as the living weapons of Fournier's annihilation. Then John's Flower Guild would rise from the ashes to usher in a new era of innovation and control.

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Joshua paced back and forth in his office, waiting for his two informants to arrive. He was meeting covertly with Captain Raven Darkholme of the Army and a corporate whistleblower to collect evidence of unethical practices by the Flower Guild.

Soon there was a sharp rap at his door, and Raven entered, followed closely by a nervous man in a rumpled suit clutching a briefcase.

"Captain Darkholme, thank you for coming," Joshua said, shaking her hand firmly. He nodded to the other man. "And you must be Mr. Dalton. I appreciate you taking this risk."

"Of course, sir," Raven said. "The Guild's exploitation has gone too far. Our mission reports leave no doubt."

She removed several folders from her bag and handed them to Joshua. "Details of the casualties and extreme conditions we've encountered beyond the portals."

Joshua scanned through them, his expression darkening. "Barbaric disregard for human life..." he muttered.

He turned to Dalton. "And I assume you have documentation of financial malfeasance and legal violations?"

Dalton licked his lips nervously. "Yes, enough evidence to bury Masters and his whole operation." He opened the briefcase to reveal files and ledgers.

Joshua took them, quickly cross-referencing with the recent expose by investigative journalist Reed Hayes. The picture coming together was damning.

"You both realize what a risk you're taking exposing this," Joshua said solemnly. "Masters has powerful allies."

Raven nodded firmly. "I took an oath to protect lives and defend this country. Standing by while he exploits veterans and civilians alike would make me complicit."

Dalton lifted his chin, steadying himself. "My conscience demands I speak out, regardless of consequences."

Joshua clasped each of their shoulders. "You exemplify true courage and honor. I promise your sacrifices won't be in vain."

He moved to his desk and began rapidly compiling evidence into a formal case against the Flower Guild and John Masters.

"With your testimony, we can shut their deadly operation down for good," Joshua said. "Justice and ethics must prevail, no matter how ruthless the adversary."

Raven and Dalton watched with stoic resolve as he prepared their damning report for prosecutors. Together, they would take a stand against the darkness and corruption twisting the promise of the portals. Serving the greater good demanded no less.