Day 14
Sunday, June 19, 2045
Kaden checked the time again. It was 11:45am, fifteen minutes past the agreed upon time to meet David.
He sat in the lobby of the Four Seasons, trying to keep tabs on everyone who came in and out, without looking like he was doing so. He had arrived early, anxious to meet the man who had been his father’s business partner and now worked for the Company.
He pulled up his mobile to check if David had responded to his message yet. Instead, he had a message from Sandy.
Kid – you’ll never guess who I saw come out of a conference room a few minutes ago.
Kaden typed out his reply. You’re right, I have no idea. Who was it?
Remember that guy you tried to meet on the 19th Floor? The VP of R&D, David whats-his-face?
Kaden sat up straight, re-reading the message. Are you sure?
I tell you what, you tell why you’re so interested in that guy and I’ll tell you when he’s leaving.
Kaden stood up, running his hand through his hair. He wondered what was going on.
Another message popped on his mobile.
Kaden – apologies for the late notice – something urgent came up and I won’t be able to make our lunch meeting. Rain check? So sorry to do this, but would love to catch up again soon. Best of luck with the remainder of your internship! – David
He started for the door, striding quickly out of the lobby. Either the situation was as David purported it to be, or Kaden had been played. He suspected the latter, because it made sense – David probably suspected Kaden wanted to talk to him about his dad.
He debated with himself for a moment before pulling out his mobile and dashing off a quick message to Sandy.
I’ll explain. Just tell me when he’s getting ready to leave.
Sandy’s response came right back. He’s wrapping up a meeting right now. He’s got his luggage with him. I’d bet his next stop is the airport.
He cursed under his breath, scrambling to think of the best way back to the office. Calling a ride would take at least fifteen to twenty minutes at the fastest, and there was no guarantee he wouldn’t get snarled up in some random manifestation of midday traffic. Scanning his surroundings, he spotted an old Citi bike, some spotted rust showing through the aged blue paint. It was rare to find one of those around, after the rebranding with the Company as the new sponsor.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
Making his decision, he sprinted to the bike, jumping on it and pedaling into traffic. It had been a few years since he had been on a bicycle, and the city’s bike lanes were not as safe as they used to be. But this was the fastest way for him to get back to the office. Cars, pedestrians, and other cyclists passed in a blur as he rushed down the city streets. He pushed the pedals as fast he could make them go, weaving through traffic and shooting across more than one red light.
A flashing light in the periphery of his glasses warned him in time to stop ahead of a garbage truck roaring through the intersection ahead. He slowed, letting the truck go by before renewing his sprint down the hill. Without the warning, he would have been crushed under its massive wheels.
Wordlessly thanking Peter for helping him configure some of the AI-assisted safety protocols last week, he pedaled as fast as he could. The city passed in a blur as he threaded a path along the fastest route back to the Tower.
As he pulled up, he ditched the bike and jogged across the intersection, struggling to catch his breath. He was sweating and breathing heavily from the sprint. His legs felt like jelly. Scanning the block, he looked for his target as walked toward the Tower entrance.
On his left, waiting on the curb of the cross street, he spotted a man waiting with his luggage. He had made it in time.
A large, black vehicle pulled up next to the man with the luggage. The trunk opened and Kaden watched as David Olson put his luggage into the back. Kaden jogged to catch David before he left.
“Mr. Olson!” he called.
David saw him approaching and looked down, shaking his head with resigned acceptance. “Hey Kaden,” he said, a tired smile on the corner of his lips.
“So – I wanted to ask you – “
“I’m really sorry about what happened with your father,” David interrupted. “Truly.” He glanced at the waiting car. “Unfortunately, I have to go. We’ll catch up some other time, yeah?”
David reached for the car door, opening it and starting to climb in.
A writhing knot of emotions coiled and uncoiled in Kaden’s chest. With each rapid heartbeat, he felt the frustration of ignorance combined with the desire for revelation threaten to overwhelm him. With an effort, he held the heat of his emotion in check – just barely.
He reached out and held the door, preventing David from closing it.
“What about the dungeon seed? What does that mean?” Kaden said in a raspy voice, his breath still short from the bicycle sprint.
David looked up, his face flashing with surprise before quickly becoming cold and calculating. And a little fearful.
“Kid. Listen. I can’t help you. You shouldn’t know anything about that. Also, I don’t know why you’re talking to me. Why aren’t you talking to Julia? Isn’t she your manager?”
“Why Julia?”
David just shook his head, looking a little relieved. “You really don’t know anything, do you.”
“Know what?”
“Look. If I had to guess, you want to know about the history between the Company and Tetrionics. It all started with Julia, and it all ended with her. Everything to do with the acquisition of Tetrionics, the company I helped your father get off the ground. Ask her. She didn’t tell you? She was the driving force behind the acquisition, back when she was in charge of such matters.”
Kaden was stunned. He released his hold on the door.
“Be careful. Seriously. You’re treading on dangerous ground.”
Kaden let go of the door, stepping back. He didn’t know what to say.
“Goodbye, Kaden,” David said, pulling the door shut. The taxi took off, leaving Kaden alone on the street, in the shadow of the Tower rising behind him.
Large raindrops hit the sidewalk in a staccato rhythm as Kaden turned and walked into the Tower.