The Irangel | Prequel Story |

Chapter 9 ~ Nathan Shaw

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~ Aerospace Station Nieznane
Początki, Poland ~

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Tori became promoted to CEO position shortly after her discovery of how to turn humans into Iredescents. One way or another, during her scheduled times off work and her productive work days, she was able to work effectively both at the Aerospace Station Nieznane and at her secret lab.

She put aside her secret research for now as she returned to her work duties and began attending to new work responsibilities, stepping fully into the role of CEO. The stolen ship had been replaced by a newly built one called Meteora. The perpetrator, to no surprise, was still unfound, the incident somewhat forgotten now that Tori oversaw the entire aerospace center as well as space operations.

A young, fresh addition to the leaders of the aerospace station, Tori quickly excelled in success and became everyone's favorite CEO. She allowed lesser-paid employees free vacations for an entire two weeks at her own expense, gifting them each a substantial amount to cover travel costs. She often ate in the cafeteria with the other employees instead of dining at five star restaurants every lunch break like other executives and higherups. She gave her mother a McLaren for her birthday and put fresh roses over her father's grave, watching the latest spaceship launch in his memory.

In between scheduled board meetings and important aerospace station decision-making, Tori kept at her secret study of Iredescent while living her established CEO life. It wasn't much different from being a CES, but even with more responsibilities being thrown out at her, Tori kept her cool and was very calm and poised, an influence to others as her magnetic personality attracted those around her.

With the discoveries fresh in her mind, Tori headed for the cafeteria during lunch time one partly cloudy day. She sat down with her tray of food, the usual mashed potatoes and steak with a side of carrots and broccoli. She pushed her chair in as she moved closer to the simple utilitarian table, propping her chin in one hand as she absently picked at her food.

The TV was turned on to the latest news. Tori glanced at it with disinterest. She did a double take and looked at it again when she caught a glimpse of a young man in handcuffs being led to a police van. The news cast droned, "....has been charged with robbery at the BP Tankstelle Karst Gabriele gas station in Linz, Austria. Nathan Shaw has been taken to custody after breaking in and threatening the cashier with a gun, a Smith & Wesson he personally owned. The chief deputy stated this wasn't his first robbery. The cashier was clearly – "

Tori tuned out the news report, focusing on the young man in handcuffs. She frowned, wondering why he attempted the robbery in the first place. What was his motive? Does he not have something better to do with his time than rob a gas station cash register? He looks young enough to be in college.

The young man had close-cropped brown hair, brown eyes, and a lean athletic build. He was wearing all black, his hair messy from being in a ski mask, which a police officer now held. He seemed to comply with the police, allowing them to take him to the van and shut the door.

It looks like it wasn't his first time being involved with the cops, Tori thought as she studied him. Sipping her milk carton, she listened and watched the news go on about putting the guy in prison since "he just doesn't seem to know when to stop." He's too cute to go to prison, Tori thought, looking away from the TV as she pondered.

A coworker named Selvester interrupted her thoughts when he slid his lunch tray across from her and sat down. Tori jumped and saw him smile dorkily at her. "Spooked you?" he said in amusement.