Ensemble [Book 1: SEKTOR V Trilogy]

Chapter 35: Next Generation

Chapter 35: Next Generation

Maddy was usually "as cool as they come", but even she was starting to stress at the seams. On her walk towards the Institute cafeteria, she glanced at her reflection in one of the hallway windows and could see the lack of sleep on her face and under her eyes. Vanity issues aside, and more importantly, she felt like crap...almost all the time. Waging the internal battle as a result of Datek's visit was visibly wearing her down. Still, she was loyal to a fault and would continue to soldier on and do her best to minimize any and all risks that she could identify.

As Maddy entered the cafeteria seating area, she spotted the Chancellor in one of the far corners of the room at a small table for two. What's he doing here? And where's the security entourage I assigned him?

Datek stood up at her brisk approach to greet her.

"Hold on, Maddy, don't give me that look, I know why you're upset. I forced them to go have breakfast somewhere else! After all, I'm still the boss, right?" he said with his vintage Harris Datek disarming smile.

Damn you! Maddy reluctantly returned his smile and shook her head as she sat down across from him. "Well, I see you started without me. That's not very gentlemanly of you, now is it?" she said with mild semi-serious indignation.

"Well, actually, that's not entirely true. Look, do you think I'll drink two cups of coffee? One of these has your name on it, and it's set up exactly how you like it. Black, one sugar..."

He tilted his head, but Maddy's attention was elsewhere, assessing the situation around them in the cafeteria.

"As for food," he added, "I thought that pre-ordering would be rather presumptuous and beyond the realm of being charming and chivalrous."

Maddy chuckled. "Will you just stop already?" She couldn't hide the smile. "And why are we tucked in the corner?" She reached for the extra cup and slid it closer.

"We're hiding in plain sight," he said matter of fact. "Just like we always do. I have some confidential things to share with you, and I think this is the perfect time and place."

"Are you crazy? We can go back to my office or to any number of locations on Campus and have a conversation that's actually secure."

"No. Sitting here, eating breakfast, drinking coffee is the perfect cover. No one will bat an eye trying to eavesdrop." His smile returned. "Trust me."

Sighing, she shook her head again and slumped back in her chair. "You win. What's up, Chancellor?"

Contradicting his last comment about security, Datek looked to his right, leaned over to get closer to Maddy and whispered in her ear, "We have a new Institute and it blows this one away."

"What?" she exclaimed, her voice much louder than she'd intended. She pulled away, realizing she'd attracted the attention of several others who were eating breakfast at the cafeteria.

"Nice work, Wilheim." Datek chuckled. "Now see what you've done?"

What a maddening man! Maddy ran her hand from her forehead through her hair. No...adolescent!

As if he could read her mind, the Chancellor straightened up and waited a moment for the eyes to turn away before he spoke again. "OK, no more playing around. I'm sorry, Maddy. Truly. This really is great news and I wanted to mess with you a bit. But let's get down to business. I'm sure you have questions, so fire away."

She dropped her hand, looking up at him. "Where is it?"

"Well, it's a state-of-the-art research facility that took us five years to assemble and populate." He looked to his right as if searching his memory. "It's in Reykjavik. I've already sent you the exact coordinates. As for what we are calling it, the staff has dubbed it Næsta Kynslóð (Nai-sta Kins-lowth) which means 'Next Generation' in Icelandic."