Nova Sol - Rebellion (Being Translated)

Power and Ambition

In an office on the other side of the Atlantic, Jack Huggins was sitting on his executive chair, drinking a glass of whiskey, and analizing the data from the company... While he looked at the screen, his mobile rang "Private Number"

- Yes?

- Is this a secure line? - Asked a voice with an asian accent

- Of course, no one will hear us

- The package was not retrieved. We're working to pin point its location.

- Don't let it out of your hands. We need that package - said Jack with a tone of urgency in his voice

- Understood

Jack was a tall man, with a large frame and very ambitious. He started working with David Dryden when he sold his two initial prototypes, the Biometric Scanner and the Digital-Brain Bridge. He saw in the kid an enormous potential, so he decided to invest in him. Much of the growth of Dryden Corp. was thanks to his administration, because of his way to conduct businesses: very aggressive and and effective. He was a man of opportunities, and where he saw them, he acted like a shark before capturing its prey.

In all the years he worked for Dryden, Huggins had done quite a hefty quantity of deals, and had struck several contracts with the Department Of Defense, the European Space Agency, and many other known institutions. He had built a wide contacts book, with several backgrounds. One of those contacts had called him no more than two weeks ago, with a request that sounded like an order, but the payment was larger than Jack would ever have during his lifetime. An opportunity that he could not let pass, a chance to take over Dryden Corp through a hostile takeover. Everything he had ever dreamt of was one step away, and all he needed to do was to obtain that package.

To this end, Jack gathered all his contacts with dubious reputation, promising millions in payment once the package was safe. The only condition was that the package needed to "get lost" in the organized mafia network, so they couldn't trace it back to his office, and his contact.

His glass was empty on the table. He thought the operation was going well, until that phone call... Maybe it was a mistake to trust a transport agency to carry the package, but it was necessary. Dryden Corp always sent their packages through the same company, and if the service provider changed it would arise suspicion, specially if the suggestion came from Jack himself. No, he would have to make-do with what he had now. He didn't know the contents of the package, and he was susprised that his contact did. He must have had a spy pretty high up in the company. By the urgency his contact had requested the package, it seemed that it would be something that might shift the power balance between the corporations.

- I must think of a solution - he said, pouring a second glass of an eighteen years old whiskey - It's not possible that this is escaping my control. It's the best chance I'll ever have in my life...

He looked at his computer screen again, and tried to envision the future: Dryden Corp being renamed Huggins Corp thanks to his wit and investment management. The thirst for power was drowning him, and he needed a mouthful of air, the mouthful that obtaining the package would give him.

He looked at the time again, six twenty. It was time to go home, but his head was so far into the recovery of the package that he decided to call another contact. He took his phone, and plugged a small device unto the miniUSB port. he checked his contact book again and dialed an 18-digit number, too long for any real phone number. Immediately, the device lit up a small LED and connected to another mobile somewhere.

- Ace of hearts, who am I speaking with?

- Ace, it's King of Spades. I need you to track a ship.

- Model, code and location where it was lost?

- Hmmm... the code and model I don't know, but I can tell you where the signal went off about two hours ago. Shanghai Port

- You know you make my job more difficult King of Spades. With that information I won't be able to give you much

- Jus search for all the ships that passed in that area two hours ago, and that violently changed directions

- Ok King, I'll have your information in 20 minutes

- The sooner, the better, Ace. As soon as I get the info, you will receive the usual payment.

- Perfect, King. Ace out.

The call had lasted 27 seconds. In a normal phone call, the alert systems would have discovered where it was done from, and what was the destination, Nevertheless, with the small device connected to the miniUSB port, the scanning time could be increased up to ten times, thanks to the signal bouncing and coding. Jack knew there was no way anyone could trace that call, and he had Dryden Corp to thank for that, since they had worked with the DOD to develop these coding devices. Jack's was a highly effective prototype, that was not ready for commercialization yet, but would leave large sums of money when it did. It was one of the aces up the sleeve Jack had for the moment he took over the corporation.

Jack left his office, said goodbye to Sophia, who was still working, and headed towards the floor's elevator. As soon as he came out on the Basement lvl 4, he noticed no one else was there. There was a strange silence in the air. He felt a small chill down his spine, but didn't give it much importance. He started walking and his footsteps took over the overwhelming silence that was in the paarking lot.  He reached his Audi A6 of the year and heard a voice calling out to him. "Stop". Jack turned around and saw a short muscular man who was pointing a gun at him. How did he sneak up to Jack?

- What do you want from me? There are security cammeras here, guards will arrive shortly

- I very much doubt that, Jack - said the man, with a calm tone in his voice. Huggins immediately recognized the voice, it was the contact that promised him the payment for the package

- What the hell are you doing here, YOU of all people?? You know all our dealings have been through the phone!

- Let's just say that the people interested in the package recovery are more important than you or me, Jack. Want to go for a drive?

- If I go... I won't come back, will I?

- Please, Jack. You're more useful to me alive. For the moment, at least. This meeting is just to clarify some things, and to know where we are standing with the operation.

- Sure, sure... My car?

- Of course, wouldn't want the guards to see you leaving in another car to sound the alarms now, would we?

- Very smart of you to know our security measures...

- It would be wise not to underestimate me, Jack. Now, get in the car and drive!

- Of course.

Jack hopped on the driver's seat and the man got in the back seat. Fear went through every nervous fiber of Jack's body, but he knew there was no way to avoid the situation. For now, he would play along.