KATIKA-Treason is never far away (Part.1)

Chapter 3 | Rebecca Wiles

The visit to the 151st floor did not seem any different from the 145th floor, except that there were no disputes.

John's new realm had the same characteristics as the commercial department: technological and sadly devoid of humanity.

Was the world condemned to live in the wanderings of modern slavery? One in which jobs would mostly be deviated and entrusted to technology surpassing all imagination, all conscience?

Unemployment and despair would be the consequence of this destructive madness, and although the men and women of Katika currently had jobs, the excessive presence of cutting-edge tools did not bode well.

Judging by their facial expressions, they all seemed submerged in worries. But what worries? No doubt, the concern to keep their jobs, to obtain a decent remuneration, and to be able to enjoy the moments of happiness that life offers.

Were they aware of the threat that awaited them? That awaited all of humanity?

The wandering of Richard Raymond characterized all the vicissitudes of the deep disconnection that had seeped into the relationships between top executives and workers over the years.

His blatant lack of empathy was not unique to him: it was shared by billions of Earthlings.

How could they refuse to see that all this veneration given to material possessions, this insensitivity to human misery, would be the seed of a new era: the dominance of human creation over its own creator ?

Albert Einstein had tried to sound the alarm by saying, "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity."

The ongoing strike in Los Angeles was, in John's mind, an instinct for survival in the face of the threat looming over the world.

How, then, could he give up his humanity and don the costume of the greedy, the vicious, the cold, and the impassive?

However, it was impossible for him to turn back: great responsibilities weighed on his shoulders as he was now the new COO of the world's largest pharmaceutical firm.

At just 25 years old...

He intended to use his youth as an asset, an innovative freshness in order, perhaps, to work diligently: to finally make Katika acceptable in the realm of human conscience.

But for now, his first day was coming to an end. All that mattered to him now was to meet Rebecca Wiles at their agreed-upon meeting.

Behind the wheel of his company car, John wanted to immerse himself in the role of the macho he had always been until now.

Hair blowing in the wind, he looked at the various passersby, giving himself impressive airs, as if he were the king of the world. However, he found himself savoring the gentleness of the breeze, a gentleness that had cruelly been lacking in his day of immersion in the most ruthless, sadistic, and inhumane universe: the business world.

After ten minutes, he reluctantly had to accept that he would never find the John of yesterday again because today marked the Katika era in his life. His personality had shifted under the pressure and expectations related to his work.

As he sped along the road, the worldly materiality took a bow in his mind: making way for the world of responsibilities.

However, a question lingered in his head: if his relationship with Miss Wiles became more than just friendly, what place would she occupy in this new world?

"The first place, my first lady in my realm," John promised himself.

Was that realistic considering the extent of the responsibilities that would be his in the years to come? And even in general, given the worries of this world?