Infineon

REVELATIONS

Chief Inspector Paul Striker had to attend the obligatory loyalty test, which must be applied in certain situations, including a few months' absence from Infineon or communication with representatives of other cultures. That was a precaution in addition to constantly surveilling one's physical parameters. The loyalty test involved a psychological approach – responding to five hundred questions and a fifteen-minute conversation with a specially assigned Mentalist. If one failed the test, he would be dismissed and permanently prohibited from being appointed to public positions. Such a stigma would also be why most corporations would not hire him again. In other words, failing the test would mean the end of one's career and professional life.

Paul was aware of the risk he took by becoming a genuine part of the rural community and falling in love with Viara. Throughout the years, he had learned to control his pulse, blood pressure, breath, and even, to a certain extent, his body temperature, skills not possessed by ordinary citizens and even most officers. He could make it and mislead the sensors in his veins. However, taking the loyalty test conducted by a high-profile professional would still be a real challenge. He truly hoped that InTheDark would keep his promise and ensure smooth events. To his comfort, he understood that the expert assigned was Agent Eden Sward, ID 3972.

It took Paul about 90 minutes to respond to the questions. The result was positive. The second part, the conversational one, did not cause severe tremors. There was only one question that Paul could not answer with complete composure. When asked about relations with individuals of the opposite gender, Paul could not help recalling the image of Viara; her beautiful face and warm smile, the innocent appearance of a child, the scent of fresh flowers. Agent Eden Sward gave him a sign with a mere blink of an eye that he would show leniency and would not mark this point in the final papers of the loyalty test.

"Chief Inspector Paul Striker, ID 9963, I'm sending you an Authorization letter for successfully passing the loyalty test. The results and the authorization letter have already been uploaded to our system. You can get back to your duties at Infineon. I wish you all the best."

"Thank you, Agent Sward."

Paul left the room with a feeling of relief. So far, so good. Nobody discovered his little secret. But what will he do with the rest of his life? Could he hide past events all along? And if yes, what meaning of life will he find in Infineon now?

It was Friday evening. The temperature on this August night was about 21 degrees Celsius. Paul took the tube but left it far enough from home to walk and get some fresh air. Finally, he got home. His beautiful wife Angelina had been awaiting him. And she had been waiting for almost three months. She had prepared dinner and bought a bottle of fine single-malt whisky – a remnant of life before the Great Collapse. It was a great night, and Paul and Angelina had love. It was an intense act full of passion. One thing, however, evaded Angelina's attention. Paul had been thinking of someone else...

***

On Monday morning, Chief Inspector Paul Striker was awarded a merit badge and promoted in service. He became Superintendent. He was also required to go to Shard and meet the Managing Board.

"Congratulations on the successful mission, Chief Inspector. Or I should already call you Superintendent – enthusiastically, said Mr. David Hern."

"Thank you, Mr. Hern. I would not have succeeded without the detailed planning by the Board and Infinity."

"Yes, indeed, we all had our contribution," added Boris Jackson, another Board member..

"Mr. Striker, as you are aware – promotion brings new responsibilities. I am afraid I must inform you about a new mission that you have to take part in. You will have to leave the Police Department once more and go to the Region of Eastern Perinea in France. There, you will negotiate our terms with the locals. We need access to the gold reserves they have accumulated. They will not voluntarily give it to us; unfortunately, we need them to continue building the circuit boards for our humanoid robots."