Vatten Industries consisted of three stories of steel and glass situated well back from the street and protected by a living wall of cedars that hid an electrified fence. The entrance was through a single gate manned by an armed security guard droid and multiple surveillance cameras.
Arlen Downs paused long enough for the guard to open the electronic barrier and admit his hovercar onto the property, then headed for the yellow painted spot with a designation number emblazoned on the surface in black.
The main lobby was large and austere with moulded metal seats in several conversation areas. These were centred by a stainless steel island, housing a white blonde receptionist wearing the audio/visual headpiece that allowed her to both greet arrivals, correspond with her employer and video the visitors.
Arlen leaned on the counter and gave her a broad wink.
"Mr. Torrance wants to see you as soon as you get upstairs."
"Maybe I should hang around down here for a while then."
She pointed to her headset and gave him an 'I don't think so' smile.
The elevators were black and chrome with mirrored walls, brightly lit console buttons and purposely obvious cameras. Arlen pushed three and studied himself in the mirror, waving to the lens before stepping out onto the knee-deep pile of grey broadloom on the executive suite floor.
He greeted another receptionist, smiled at yet another camera tracking his movements then knocked and entered his employer's office.
"Good morning, Horace." Arlen folded himself comfortably into a soft leather armchair. "It's a treat to come in here and enjoy actual furnishings that aren't moulded out of some metal or plastic."
"Don't get too comfortable." Horace Torrance played with his data pen, adopting a contemplative composure. "What do you know about HEEP?"
"Thank you, I'm fine. And what's with all the extra cameras?"
"I don't have time for pleasantries. About HEEP."
"The literary Uriah or the scientific corporation?"
"Don't be a smartass, Downs, this is serious business."
"Habitat Exploration Evaluation Program. Yes I know about them. They hunt for potentially habitable planets. I haven't heard of any success in that venture yet though."
Horace set his pen down and pulled at a fleshy ear lobe. "No, no there hasn't been any good news has there . . ." His statement came out almost absently.
"Horace?"
"This is classified what I am about to tell you, Arlen. Not a word to anyone! Understood?"
"Understood."
"Vatten Industries has been working on a project, with behind the scenes Empirium blessing, on a research trip last month back to the Pirus system and Galapagos specifically."
"I thought the military went there and razed the place after that disaster."
"We uh- arranged to have that announced but it was put on hold. Learning what caused the disaster there could be extremely valuable, particularly in light of recent circumstances."
"Those being?"
"A sudden approach looking for financing of a special project." Horace raised a silencing hand indicating no questions.
"Okay, why have you told me this at all?"
Horace cleared his throat. "Our ship has been to Galapagos already and managed to collect samples - the same as those mentioned in the HEEP reports . . . and without incident."
YOU ARE READING
Transition
Детектив / ТриллерWhat they found, arriving at the planet was the entire research team, except for one terrified doctor, had been wiped out by a deadly organism and rescuing her cost the supply ship its crew. The Commander, his Executive Officer and the survivor were...
