EXIGENCE • EPISODE ONE
Author's Note:
Hi everyone! Unfortunately there was a glitch in uploading this episode that led to a different story (that I'd actually never seen before) appearing under the title 'Exigence Ep. 02'. I would like to thank the site admins for their incredibly fast and effective assistance, and I hope many of you will be coming back even after being a bit confused by what happened. Now, onto the actual
author's note and recap
...
I managed to seriously injure my back, which affected my ability to sit down and write. As such, this episode came about as a way to keep writing while navigating my rehab. I am hesitant to call this an 'in-between' part since I still put a lot of work into it and am proud of the end-result, but you will notice it takes a slight pause from the main story to explore the world and lay some groundwork for big character-focused pieces that are still to come.
All sexual activity is between characters that are 18 or older. This is a work of fiction, and any resemblance to real persons, places or events is purely coincidental. The below is not intended to serve as a guide for real-life sexual encounters or relationships. Stay safe, happy and healthy! :-)
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Prologue • Men in Darkness
The loyal vizier barely had any hair left. All that remained were a few wisps of blond straw thinner than a new bride's nightgown. "Are you sure?" he asked.
The man's employer cleared his throat, filling the pitch-black surroundings with a menacing growl. The only light came from a small lamp on the large desk, which blazed a golden glow over a few sheets of bright-white paper. The black ink precisely printed on each page would've meant nothing to most people. Yet, it meant everything to Artemis Enquist and could mean much more to Oliver Orwell.
"Are you sure, sir?" the balding advisor asked again, unsure if his employer's hearing was intact.
"Are you going to make a habit out of questioning me?!"
"You are not thinking clearly--"
The employer fumed, "Even on my worst days, I am far smarter than you! Never forget that."
"Of course, sir," the advisor bowed. "So, when do you wish to see Mr Orwell?"
"Hm?"
"Oliver Orwell, sir... When would you like to meet him?"
"Who's Oliver Orwell?"
The balding man's face could not be described in words. It was a look of sheer emotion. As with most intense feelings, it exceeded the human mind's capacity.
The advisor had seen his employer's rise, and now he was witnessing the once great man's fall.
It made him profoundly sad.
01 • Snowy Sanctuary
Albert Einstein remarked, "Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world."
As I looked out my window, I couldn't help but be impressed by the infinite imagination of Mr Artemis Enquist. His sprawling snowcapped castle in Bavaria seemed endless, with old stone buildings and futuristic extensions. Every square inch seemed to hold some great invention devised by his network of companies.
One journalist wrote, "Artemis Enquist has catapulted humanity ten years into the future."
I had come to buy billions of dollars worth of advanced technology from this enigmatic figure. Still, the inventor had yet to show his face. My entourage and I had been waiting for two days, having delayed flights and postponed meetings to accommodate Enquist's constant excuses. The longer I stayed, the more I felt like I was being swallowed whole by some unknown power that tied together all the stone blocks that made up the grey fortress.
If you could build walls around infinity, you'd have that compound -- that place of indescribable importance and scientific wonder.
I was intent upon meeting Enquist before paying him a sum equivalent to the net worth of number 100 on the Forbes list. My own tech people were in the process of building a computer to decode Liz Wharry's final bequest. I wanted to judge the kind of man our host was before asking him if he could spare a few petaflops of computing capacity to try and decipher the data.
"This is unacceptable," I growled, addressing the corporate official in charge of our stay.
Despite being quite a big wheel in the Enquist Empire, Mr Rubbenheimer had the demeanour of a butler. He spoke in a soothing voice, which was so calm it made it almost impossible to be stern with the man. A profound bald patch defined his appearance. He was tallish, with clever dark eyes and long fingers that seemed older than the rest of him.
"Mr Orwell," he said softly, "I assure you my employer intends no disrespect. He has simply been caught up in negotiations with the Chinese on a matter of extreme global importance. In the meantime, there is still so much of the compound I wish to show you. We've barely scratched the surface."
Glancing out the window again, I realised there were still three massive buildings we hadn't been inside. They were undoubtedly full of toys and gadgets a few years away from being announced to the general public. Another tour would be fascinating, but I was a busy man, with commitments aplenty.
"My sisters are turning nineteen in a few days. Their nineteenth birthday, Mr Rubbenheimer!" I complained. "Instead of hosting a party, we'll be here, waiting for your boss to grace us with his presence. I respect the man, I really do, but he's being quite rude."
Ever the diplomat, Rubbenheimer smiled brightly, having had an idea. "We would be more than happy to throw a party for them. Mr Enquist's supersonic private jet could collect all the guests from any corner of the world, we have ample accommodation, and there are several ballrooms to choose from for the festivities! Our organisation would cover all the costs to compensate for the inconvenience you've suffered. I assure you, sir, we would spare no expense to make your sisters' birthday unforgettable!"
The offer was considerate. That and the man's mild disposition made it hard to refuse. "Let me talk to the girls," I said.
"Excellent, sir! They are currently enjoying a trip to the nearby village. Would you like to join me for a tour of the last few buildings before they return?"
I hesitated for a moment but then conceded, "Very well. One last tour, Mr Rubbenheimer, then no further delays."
02 • Wonders Aplenty
As we walked through the castle, I zoned out more than once. Despite all the incredible technology, there was a lot on my mind. My journalist friend, Danika Dalton, was hunting for facts about my enemy, the Doomsday Archive. Cassandra Nash, the CEO of my company, was planning for her retirement. And my friend Felix had offered me a whole island in exchange for helping him take the reins of his Caribbean home from his father.
That last matter saw me drag myself out of thought and into the present. I wanted the latest and greatest for the tropical villa my family were in the process of building.
From AI drones that could survey massive sites in minutes to artificial reality helmets that helped builders work more efficiently, there was no end to the incredible tools on display. Most had never been announced to the public, but I had the pull to get them early. They would undoubtedly speed up construction by months, if not a year.
"It is astounding," I remarked to Mr Rubbenheimer.
