Gencultura Technologies Group
June 15, 2049
Victor Lawson
Maroch Prime Solution Centre, Bastion facility Tribus
The Bastion Group facility within the Maroch Prime Sol centre was a state of the art high tech facility that extended deep underground, housing their most sinister experimental divisions. It was also one of the locations that fell directly and exclusively under Victor Lawson, reporting to no other part of the company and as such he used it to house many of his ‘projects’ and launch his ploys from.
He sat within a luxurious black armchair, a holographic display floating mere inches above him which he was manipulating to change the display over and over. He paused to watch the ‘heartfelt’ speech that fool Rowe had made several days ago, his lips twisting into a bemused sneer as he did. Closing the link before it had finished he dismissed the thought, after all he paid little heed to exactly what the ‘Director’ of the company was doing. His father had the joyful responsibility of watching that little bleeding heart and making sure he didn’t do anything too stupid. If it was up to Victor he’d be replaced by someone far more complacent, but that would come soon enough.
There was a beep in his ear which told him he had an incoming call, which seconds later he accepted.
“Mr Lawson, the second Einherjar order has been dispatched” reported the voice quickly “as foreseen orders have increased sixty-eight percent domestically and ninety-one percent internationally.”
“Good” he replied “and project Speculo?”
“Proceeding to schedule” came the reply.
“Is Mason’s strike force on route?”
“... yes” came a slow response.
“Hesitation?” asked Victor darkly.
“Imperator Mason’s team was delayed. They came across a hostile encampment and identified a few... tourists, that had fallen into their hands. They extracted them before continuing, they are two hours behind.”
Victor Lawson digested this briefly before he replied “understood” and ended the call. It seemed he was surrounded by those that let emotion stand in the way of progress one way or another. He sighed to himself, at least it was only a two hour delay – there would be little real repercussions but none the less it irritated him. He placated himself with the fact that regardless the head of the anti- Gencultura ‘rebels’ would soon be within his custody and with that he would be able to utterly crush them. Once he had removed the last real obstacle to further expansion on the African continent all that would be left would be to mop up what was left of the native populations. Once the governments had fallen the little order that had existed had melted away and numerous despots and chaotic groups had destroyed each other, leaving the majority a harsh lawless wasteland – but soon that would all change. His father foresaw Gencultura turning the entire continent into a breadbasket for the world, its small population being wiped out or absorbed into the cosmopolitan culture as their Sol-centres expanded. Victor couldn’t see an issue with his plans, other than their rather limited scope. He would ensure that the resources of the continent were seized and utilised by Bastion. With resources and the successful completion of Project Speculo he would have the world at his fingertips, and his ambitions reached much further than what he saw as practically the poorest continent on the planet.
Mr Lawson
Domus Corde, Troodos Mountains
Charles Dante Lawson stood and gazed into the roaring flames within the colossal fireplace that dominated this part of the room. He was surrounded by opulence, art and decor of the highest quality adorned every inch of his home. He moved back away from the fireplace and made his way back through to the lavish study where he sat at his grand ebony desk. Before him there was an array of priceless items he had acquired through his life, though today he paid these little heed. He turned his eyes to the series of reports he had received over the prior few days. These were from Victor, Director Rowe and countless other division heads and his agents that were scattered throughout both his company and the rest of the world. He knew that knowledge was the key to success and so he always endeavoured to know what was happening anywhere important – and these days important things were happening everywhere.
He was pleased with much of what he saw. Altogether the profits of the Gencultura Technologies Group were rising swiftly, as were those of many other major corporations. Currently he felt at ease with the state of the world and his holdings within. His son was occupied with his projects in Africa which would go on to further Gencultura massively, an investment that would pay off heavily in the future once control was established. Director Rowe was handling things magnificently, both in Rome and the company itself – the citizens were happy and content, diligent in their work and in their commitment to the company.
He would need to closely watch the situations in Scandinavia and ensure stability was maintained, as well as he would need to monitor the ambitions of Titan and the EDA to ensure there was no major conflicts closer to home and that progress was not interrupted.
He spent several hours sending out instructions and reviewing documents as the sun made its way across the sky through the large window that dominated one wall of the room. His head began to feel a little fuzzy and the familiar ache once more began to slowly sink into his joints as he worked. He glanced at his swizz watch and saw the time before he finished his final message and stretched out. He often forgot he was almost one-hundred years old, the numerous implants and treatments that he endured to keep himself feeling youthful. He stood and made his way through the many rooms and corridors until he reached his personal ‘spa’. To greet him was as always was Tanya, the woman responsible for his health and continued longevity. Of course she was also one of his lovers, Charles knowing that love was one of the few ways to ensure real loyalty and devotion. She was a brilliant woman, once a scientist within Bioheal he had snatched her up years ago. She herself was eighty-three, though didn’t look older than her mid-twenties with her flawless figure, skin and enchanting smile. He greeted her with an embrace and passionate kiss before they quickly got to work. His daily maintenance routine consisted of several injections and creams, as well other more extreme monthly and yearly procedures. Several of his organs were augmented by technology reverse engineered from EDAC products, some shared willingly others obtained through careful corporate espionage – Mr Lawson had spared no expense when it came to his continued survival.
Once he had finished he made his way towards his lavish dining hall, where his personal chief had prepared him an extravagant meal for one, the food all produced and engineered specifically to be superior in every way. He dined alone today, occupied within his own thoughts he desired little company. Of course usually he dined with a beautiful woman or some important business connection, however he had decided tonight he would take for himself. Once he had eaten he made his way down to his library and gallery an began to spend an evening of indulgence of culture and arts, before finally making his way back to Tanya’s quarters where he invited her back to his private sanctum, the remainder of the day spent within each other’s embrace.
