Well, suffice to say that after the grand exposure in the cafeteria and without any other escape route besides the one in front of her, she was swiftly and without fuss captured by the guards.
One of the unnamed guards escorted the relieved scientist somewhere else while the other unnamed guard put both of his hands on her shoulders and sternly steered her forward until both of us enters an executive office.
Thankfully, they didn't take anything from her, and her disguise is still on, so she attracted less attention from everyone that she passed on the way to this office.
And based on the plaque on the door and the luxurious setting it’s fair that the person she will see is undoubtedly an important person in this place.
Inside the office, the first thing she saw was the back of a swivel chair facing the large window in front of her.
“We have her. The scientist is being held in her quarter for now. What do you want me to do next, director?” Said the unnamed guard who is holding her captive.
The swivel chair turns around, and she can see sitting on the chair, a woman with gray eyes, with blonde hairs tied into a ponytail, wearing a black long sleeve sweater with one hand under her chin and the other hand stroking a white Persian cat, purring on her legs. The sight reminded her of a cliche James Bond villain. If she wanted to convey the image of villainy and power, then she has certainly achieved that.
“No, thank you. You can leave us and go back to the scientist quarter, inform her that I will reinstate her position and convey my apology to her for the trouble.” said the cliche James Bond villain.
Her guard stood at attention and fisted his right hand over his heart as he crisply turns around and exits the office room, leaving her behind with the woman in front of her.
“Greetings honored ancestor, you have given us quite the scare by disappearing on us last night. However, now that you are here with us I suppose all’s well that end’s well. Oh, where are my manners? Let me introduce myself, my name is Alakoni Ishanoya, the CEO of Lai Dai group of companies and I will be the host for your esteemed being while you are here with us. Please come closer and take a seat” Said the woman as she genuinely smiled at her, then gesturing at her from across the large executive desk.
Raising her eyes, she approached her and took a seat on one of the chairs on Alakoni’s opposite.
“Honored ancestor? No offense. But you don’t look Asian to me.” she said with uncertainty.
“Ah, I apologized honored ancestor for my appearance. However nowadays everyone is of mixed-blood, there are very few pure-blooded people nowadays. I am afraid pure Asian, Caucasian and other races of the past are a rarity in today’s society.” Said Alakoni Ishanoya.
“No, that is not an issue, I apologize for asking such a question in our first meeting.” She said with politeness.
The woman across her then let go of the cat sitting on her leg, as the cat hissed at her while raising her tail and walked away with an annoyed pose. She then picked up a tray from her desk and offered it to her by placing it in front of her.
“Are you hungry? You can eat this if you wish.” Said Alakoni as she lifted the cover of the dish.
In front of her she sees a plate of golden nuggets with a side of dipping sauce beside it, feeling hungry, she reached out, dipping it in the sauce and eats it with gusto. Feeling bliss at the taste of the golden nuggets, she continues stuffing the golden nuggets with alacrity.
“I am glad you enjoyed it, honored ancestor. My daughter also enjoys eating it so I suspect you might as well.” Mrs. Alakoni said with relief.
“Hmm, it is good. What is it called?” She said as she chews with a mouthful of food.
“It’s called protein delicacies, honored ancestor.” Mrs. Alakoni said with respect.
“It’s very nice, but I don’t recognize the taste. What is it made of?” She said as she swallowed the food in her mouth.
“Mostly organic waste, honored ancestor.” Mrs. Alakoni said with a straight face.
She was stretching her hand to take another nugget before what she said registered in her mind, and she freezes, looking at her in horror. Mrs. Alakoni seems to take a look at her and laughs softly.
“Oh, that never gets old.” Said Mrs. Alakoni as she reached out, took a nugget, dipping it in sauce and promptly throws it into her mouth, eating it.
She stared at Mrs. Alakoni while looking bewildered at the fact that it's made of organic waste, but she still can eat it like there is nothing wrong with it.
“It’s perfectly safe to eat honored ancestor. Protein delicacies are safe for human consumption, it went through a strict safety process in a sterile environment and made using advanced bioreactor by the Sukuvestaa corporation. And above all, it i nutritious, cheap and in abundance. The flavor can also be adjusted inside the bioreactor.” Said Mrs. Alakoni as she swallows the food in her mouth.
“Even if it is, what would force people to make the decision to resort to this?” She said in confusion as she stares at Mrs. Alakoni.
“Well, it's because it is no longer possible to grow food in a wasteland, honored ancestor.” said Mrs. Alakoni.
“Wasteland? What sort of wasteland?” she said with curiosity.
“The kind of wasteland with an everlasting winter. The whole world is covered in snow and ice, even now outside this facility there is a blizzard raging.” Mrs. Alakoni answered.
“A blizzard in South East Asia?!” She said with shock.
“Yes, and the climate is still milder here under the equator, compared to anywhere else.The difference is we have more blizzard than other places.” Replied Mrs. Alakoni.
“Why would there be winter wasteland across the world? Did we have a nuclear war and bombed each other into oblivion during my absence? What happened to Global Warming?” She said mildly as she calmed down and shot a barrage of questions.
“Oh, nothing of the sort I assure you. And I forget that in your time global warming was still an issue. Alright, so at one point global warming has worsened and as ocean level rises and extreme weather event was happening once a month. Keep in mind that at that time we already have spaceships in orbit and was colonizing Mars after the moon was fully developed as a colony. Well, the current governing body of the world at that time have the brilliant idea of making a large hole in the ozone layer using the spaceships in orbit. The theory was to let out the greenhouse gases by venting it into space, for comparison, it's like opening the lid of a pot which is boiling over. The plan was to do it over the Atlantic ocean and done during the nighttime so as not to be exposed to the sun’s radiation without an ozone layer.” said Mrs. Alakoni like a lecturer.
She nodded, and from the sound of it, it does make some sense.
“What went wrong? She said as she realizes that something was missing from the equation.
“Well, they miscalculate how the ozone layer will cover the hole after we made the hole in the first place. It was assumed that the hole would be covered fairly quickly after the build up heat escapes to space. At first, the plan works, as the temperature rapidly dropped as the built up greenhouse gases escaped to space. What we did not consider at that time was the same built up greenhouse gases was blocking the ozone layer which was trying to fill in the gap in the atmosphere. Like trying to close a balloon which is deflating and expecting the opening to seal itself while air is still escaping. Long story short by the time the ozone hole closes itself 12 hours later, there are no more greenhouse gasses inside the planet atmosphere, the Atlantic ocean became one big chunk of ice, forming the new central pole, this was after the north pole, and south pole disappears mind you. You can imagine what this does to agriculture, with the temperature dropping, harvests failed, and there was a food shortage. It would have been a problem to feed so many people, but unfortunately billions perished in the cold, frozen to death in the aftermath. There are survivors, but they are faced with starvation as we cannot grow food with the weather condition as it is. Back then, the decision was made to use bioreactor to feed our population by recycling our waste. Ironically, another effect was that overnight this killed the green industry as we would need to add more greenhouse gases to the atmosphere instead of reducing it, that means more coal powered plants needed to be built and cars using fossil fuels needed to be used to restore life to the planet. At first, people resist eating such food, but faced with starvation and death, people’s perception changed as well as priority. Nowadays even after the crisis has passed, we continue production as people’s perception changed and as culturally it is something which is considered as something that has saved our species from extinction.” said Mrs. Alakoni still in her lecturer mode.
She nodded and filed it in her memory as something which is considered common sense in this new world.
“Now that you have known some of our histories, you now know one of the major change that happened during your absence, honored ancestor. May I know what is your plan now?” Mrs. Alakoni asked her.
“I am not a prisoner?” She asked with a tilt of her head.
“Oh no, we would never dream of holding an esteemed person such as yourself as a prisoner. Everything you see here now and everything the Lai Dai group of companies has achieved can be traced to the seed you gave to the clan more than three hundred years ago, in the form of the inheritance you have given to our ancestors. Even now the Lai Dai group of companies is the only family-owned company among the mega-corporations of the state, free from the pressure and demands of public shareholders as the Lai Dai is not publicly listed on the market. As far as I am concerned, as the CEO of the Lai Dai group, the rest of the clan and I would be behind your wishes one hundred percent.” Gushes Mrs. Alakoni.
In awe and feeling some pride in her descendants and everything that they have achieved.
She’s happy as they have seemed to make something of themselves with the assets and cash that she has given them so long ago.
“Plus, I wouldn’t dare charge anything to you. Do you know every one of us is married in front of the tree you are buried in? The tree is very important to us, and every generation gets married in front of the tree as a witness to the union, with everyone of import and family member attending. To us, the tree is considered sacred and holy because it's related to you honored ancestor. You who is considered the progenitor of the clan and the mighty Lai Dai group of companies.” Said Mrs. Alakoni with passion.
She is now getting embarrassed from the high praise she is receiving and nervously rubs the back of her head, but her hand is blocked by the sombrero hat she is still wearing, so she removed her hat and shook her head to straighten out her leaves on her head.
“Amazing, I have heard of it from the scientists, but seeing it for myself makes a difference.” Said Mrs. Alakoni as she stretches her hand and touches her head feeling the smooth leaves.
“The fact that you are not human must never be widely known. Thankfully you have the presence of mind to disguise yourself, so not many people know that you are inhuman. With members of the science task group under house arrest, we will take measure to keep the information from spreading. Publically, it's not their business anyway and any knowledge regarding yourself we can make it as a company secret.” Said Mrs. Alakoni.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
“How are you going to do that? I can’t wear this hat forever, and it's not like it's appropriate to wear my current outfit all the time.” She said with trepidation.
“Don’t you worry honored ancestor, I have an idea, though it will take time and some resources to implement. Tell me, have you heard the expression, to hide a tree you must put it in the forest?” Said Mrs. Alakoni with a grin.
“I have, what do you have in mind?” She said with a schooled expression.
“If you will allow me to scan your head with this Omni-tool. I can start in the design, manufacturing, and marketing of Lai Dai newest product. The Dryad leaves wig. We will market it and make sure it became fashionable enough that it will be popular in schools as a fashion statement. With some of our population wearing this, when the time comes for you to be seen in public eyes, no one will bat an eye as they will assume you to be a student wearing one of our product.” Said Mrs. Alakoni as her arm suddenly glowed and what looks like a holographic control panel appeared and solidified on her arm.
“Sounds devious..” She said as she stretches her hand at the glowing device on Mrs. Alakoni arm, the device scanned her head and sounded a ping of completion as the process finishes in a few seconds.
“Oh, are you interested in my Omni-tool? Just a minute…” Mrs. Alakoni said as she opened the drawer beside her and took out a device which looks like high-tech vambraces and stretches her hand offering it to her.
“This is a new 8th generation Orange Omni-tool that I have purchased for my daughter, it just came out today, and I was going to give it to her, but I suppose you need it more. I will purchase another one for her next time.” Said Mrs. Alakoni as she holds the device in front of her.
She accepted the device and attached the vambrace to her right arm, with the help of Mrs. Alakoni, she turned on the device, and the device glows with holographic control panel and display.
“An Omni-tool is a handheld device that combines a computer micro frame, sensor analysis pack, and a mini fabricator. It’s very versatile and reliable, Omni-tools are a multi-purpose diagnostic and manufacturing tools as well as computers used for a variety of civilian and battlefield tasks, such as hacking, decryption, or repair. I will help you register with this unit, use it well.” Explains Mrs. Alakoni as she helps fiddle with the setting and registering herself as the primary user and opens all the function to be available for her.
“Oh, so it’s like an apple smart-phone from my time?” She said in childlike wonder.
“Oh, you can’t compare an apple with an orange. Again, haven’t you heard the expression before? Apple is an ancient brand of computer and would have been obsolete nowadays if it comes out in the market today. No, this Omni-tool is manufactured by Orange, a subsidiary of one of the mega-corporation. Their product is the leading brand of Omni-tool in the market as I’ve said and there is legion of loyal customer for their product. There should be a long line of them today waiting for the chance to secure the same device you now wear on your arm.” Mrs. Alakoni said as she fiddled with her Omni-tool.
“Hmmm..” She nodded and let her do her work.
“There, you could use it now. Just type on the solid holo keyboard, it uses hard-light technology, so even though it looks incorporeal, you can touch it with no issue and would feel solid to you.” Said Mrs. Alakoni.
She marveled at the active and glowing device on her arms and played with it checking the available function on the menu displayed on a holographic screen.
“Just remember to charge it once a week, more often if you used it heavily.” Said Mrs. Alakoni as she nodded absent mindedly at Mrs. Alakoni words.
“Anyway while we wait for more people to adopt your look, you can go to the laboratory later for a more… sophisticated look compared to the mishmash you are wearing now. And while the Dryad wig project is ongoing, we can discuss what do you plan to do in the meanwhile, and there is the matter of arranging your bodyguards.” Said Mrs. Alakoni
She stopped fiddling with her new toy and shifted her attention entirely to Mrs. Alakoni.
“Hmm, I am not certain what I am going to do now. What do you recommend?” She said uncertainly.
“Well you can enroll in the school of applied knowledge, we are the majority investor in the school with 60% share, so arranging your enrollment would not be an issue. The School of Applied Knowledge focuses mainly on technical studies and is considered the best school for aspiring engineers. The school collaborates with many leading Caldari corporations, which benefits the school, the companies and not the least the students.” Explained Mrs. Alakoni
She imagined going back to school and interacting with the students every day while listening and practicing new things to learn and memorize. She considers but is still uncertain whether that is something that she want to do without knowing other options.
“Hmmm, can you give me time to consider before I can make a decision?” she said with some thoughtfulness on her face.
“That should be fine, but the matter of bodyguards should still be arranged no matter your decision on the school.” said Mrs. Alakoni while nodding.
“Umu.” She nodded and gave consent on the issue of bodyguards. She's a 4-foot tall girl with no power to speak of. Is it any wonder she would accept some bodyguards while traveling here and there?
“Splendid. I will make the call. Please wait here while I make the arrangement outside.” Said Mrs. Alakoni as she stands up and exits the office room, leaving her alone inside the office.
Finally alone, she used the chance to explore her Omni-tool more.
Seeing an app named Scope News, she tapped on it.
The holo display grows larger on her arm as it became a television screen with just the right size and an amazing full-colour resolution. There she can see a person serving as a reporter facing her just like a real television back in her time.
“...And now live from the street, we can see a long line of customers, some of which has waited in line for days just to get the new 8th generation Orange omni-tool which has just been released today. We are now speaking with the person who has the honor of receiving the first ever product available to the public from the Orange store and has also received store vouchers for all his effort. And get these folks, this person has queued for days naked under the freezing condition and has gotten not one but two Omni-tools which he has worn on both arms. We will now speak with this person to know more.” Said a young looking woman who happens to be the reporter for Scope News. The camera then shifted towards a buff and naked looking man, with teal colored hair and strangely appropriate orange colored eyes, and on his buff and chiseled chest are tattooed a large full colored orange fruit.
“Hello there sir, may I know your name?” Asked the young woman journalist to the naked man.
“Hello there! Yes! My name is Jeremiah Gottwald! 29 Years old, blood type A, status single and my sign is Leo!” Exclaimed the naked man loudly.
“Wonderful sir! May we ask what makes you decide to wait in line naked and for days for the new 8th Gen Orange Omni-tool? You even go so far as tattooing your chest with the company logo.” asked the young woman journalist.
“Yes! My goal is to promote the company, who produces this amazing product! If I can get on the news with what I have done, then it's a small price to pay! The Orange tattoo on my chest is the mark of my loyalty! Being naked under this blizzard is nothing compared to the storm of my loyalty! ALL HAIL ORANGE!” Exclaimed Jeremiah Gottwald naked and raised both arms to show off both 8th Gen Orange omni-tool attached.
“... And there we have it from a loyal fan of Orange! Let’s get back to you in the studio!” said the young woman reporter while looking at the screen.
The screen then switches to the Scope studio with a middle-aged man as the newscaster staring straight ahead with a serious expression.
“Ahem! There we have it live from the official opening of the new Orange 8th Gen Omni-tool which is available starting today, looks like the company can again express another profit this year with loyal customers like Mr. Jeremiah Gottwald there. Next, we will cover the coronation of Empress Jamyl Sarum the 1st from the Dwarven Amarr Empire, and her proclamation from her Abaddon class battleship as the proceeding is underway. Can we see the recording of her proclamation again?” Said the newscaster as the screen behind him showing the recording from the Amarr Certified News of the event.
The screen then changed to a recording of a regal looking female dwarf, wearing a royal gown, looking stern, dignified and beautiful as she stands on the podium looking straight ahead and starts proclaiming.
“I... am the harbinger of hope. I am the sword of the righteous… And to all who hear my words, I say this! What you give to this empire. I shall give back unto you.” Said the dwarven woman who identified herself as Empress Jamyl Sarum the 1st.
The screen then changed back to the newscaster man still looking serious and straight ahead.
“Now everyone who has heard the new empress proclamation are wondering what does this mean for the whole galaxy as some has been reporting that the empire is declaring a new reclamation. Especially considering the fact that the new empress with her Abaddon class battleship has single-handedly destroyed a whole elder fleet belonging to another separate faction of the Orc’s Minmatar Republic with a new, never before seen, Amarr super weapon. Speculation has been rife that…” Said the newscaster before she cuts him off by closing the control panel of her Omni-tool as she could see that Mrs. Alakoni is back from outside the office.
“Alright, the arrangement for your bodyguards is complete. They will arrive here tomorrow, and I will be there with you and introduce you to each other as well.” Said Mrs. Alakoni while walking closer towards her.
“Umu, thank you Mrs. Alakoni for everything.” She said bashfully to Mrs. Alakoni.
“It’s my pleasure, honored ancestor. Ah, one more thing before we leave for the laboratory. In public, it's not like I can refer to yourself as honored ancestor. And we need to register yourself in our database, and for that, I need to give you an ID name so we can recognize you whenever you are in our company network. What name would suit you? Maybe Mithril? As you are as precious and beautiful as one?” Enquired Mrs. Alakoni.
“Mithril? Can I be registered as Being Y instead?” She said with a thoughtful expression.
“I don’t mind since it's your decision, but why being Y?” Asked Mrs. Alakoni.
“Well, since I don’t know what I am, I think being called a being is appropriate. And since I look like part of a plant, I think the letter Y is appropriate because just as a seed sprouted and grow into a tree, it first started as a sprout, which resembles the letter Y. So I think the name would suit me, plus it doesn’t say whether I am a male or female so it would be harder for people to guess my identity.” She explained.
“It is as good a reason as any other, honored ancestor. Let me register it within the company database.” said Mrs. Alakoni as she opens the control panel of her Omni-tool and starts typing into her database.
“Done, I have ranked the ID name as a VIP within our network, and our people will address themselves appropriately when you need assistance. Now I will make a separate ID. This one would be for your everyday name and usage during your travel. We will make sure that this ID is not linked to Lai Dai, as this ID will be registered inside the State network and available for everyone. What name would you want this one to be?” Asked Mrs. Alakoni as she continues typing on her Omni-tool.
“I have already decided my name to be Raine.” She answers Mrs. Alakoni.
“Alright, any family name? Or do you want to use your old family name?” Asked Mrs. Alakoni.
“Hmm, no I don’t want to use the old family name, lease just put it down as Sioux as it is close enough and it sounds more modern.” She answered Mrs. Alakoni.
“Alright, so your full name would be Raine Sioux. Can you confirm that? And what age would you be?” Said Mrs. Alakoni.
“Hmm, put me down as nine years old.” She nodded, confirming the name selection as she answers.
“Alright, I will save this inside the State database, your age is nine, and I have taken the liberty of classifying yourself as an orphan being funded under State stipend. This stipend is fair and will still make you independent from the influence of any mega-corporation, at least until the stipend expires when you reach the legal age of 17 under State law.” Explained Mrs. Alakoni as she finally finishes typing into her Omni-tool and closes its panel.
“Now that everything is done and over with I hope you will forgive me for addressing you as either Raine or Sioux from now on while under the public eyes, honored ancestor.” Said Mrs. Alakoni as she bowed towards me.
“Yes, it's fine with me. Thank you, Mrs. Alakoni.” She said politely.
“And even though it’s not relevant to us now, I would like to inform you of our unofficial clan motto and what every clan member has adopted.” Said Mrs. Alakoni.
“Umu, alright what is the clan motto?” She asked with curiosity.
“ It’s, we are Lai Dai! Come and die!” Answered Mrs. Alakoni with mirth.
“... why is that the motto?” She asked with confusion.
“Well there is a bit of wordplay as the word ‘lai’ in Chinese means ‘come’ and the word ‘dai’, when spoken, can be taken as ‘die'. So essentially we are saying to our enemies who we are and that we are asking them to come at us and die under our might. Though the interesting part is that we can use it in the event of defeat, by saying that we are willing to come and die fighting our enemies.” Answered Mrs. Alakoni with a smile.
“That is witty and morbid. I like it.” She said with approval.
“I am glad that our honored ancestor thinks so as well.” Said Mrs. Alakoni with a smile.
“But enough about fun facts, let's go to the laboratory now, I am sure they can whip up something for you to wear instead of that horrid thing you are wearing now.” Said Mrs. Alakoni as she gently lifted Raine's small body from the chair to the ground.
Next, Mrs. Alakoni took the sombrero hat from the top of the desk and making sure all the leaves are inside it, then tied it securely.
After that Mrs. Alakoni offered one hand facing upward for guidance to the laboratory.
As she took Mrs. Alakoni hand, she was glad that everything turns out alright.
Compared to the bleak future being presented at the end of the previous chapter of her life, this is much better.
Now she is simply excited about where would future chapters of her life will take her.