Chapter 149 - Jakub

A week later in Tenar, Versia...

[Reports of revolts are breaking out all over Raktor. Gang violence is still at an all-time high in the West Sector, while the South Sector recently suffered a terrible raid by previously enslaved goblins.] A blaring arctech speaker echoed through the barren streets, the force of the sound causing half-peeling propaganda posters to flap. Countless flyers and banners decorated the empty roads, their cheap paint and ink eroding under the constant daylight and rain, creating minor streams of toxic dye to wash off into the sewers below. Only a few people could be seen walking about, most of them staggering in a daze, their eyes red from sleep exhaustion, while others crowded around makeshift firepits burning the very same flyers, their noxious fumes warming the bodies of the destitute. Anyone passing the junction was forced to listen to the speaker continue to blast news, unable to shut off their ears completely. [ More and more uprisings and dissent are causing social order to break down in Raktor, while living standards are nearly non-existent. About 95% of Raktor citizens sleep without a shelter over their head, and do not have access to food. Here is what President Mornero has to say. ]

[Citizens of Versia - times are hard. But our frontline holds strong, keeping the Yual tyrants at bay. They seek to enslave us, to put us under their heels. Yet their very own society frays at the seams, for they do not have what we have: freedom! All Versians are born equal, and it is with this burning ideal that we fought for the nation, to rid this country of disease. Sacrifices will have to be made in order to prevent said diseases from forcing their way in, and force shall be met with force! Stand united! Stand strong against the oppressors! Your deeds and will shall be remembered for future generations, all of whom shall glorify your name into the annals of history!]

"What is there to stand for if there isn't enough food?!" A disheveled man grumbled while he lay next to a firepit in an alleyway as he scratched an incessant rash on his neck, his originally upmarket clothes a far cry from the pristine condition it had once been in. Bites from rodents, insects and the crumpled surface only serve as memoirs for the hardships experienced. "And yet we keep feeding in the damn refugees streaming in from Ocra! We were born here, here in Tenar! Let us eat first!"

"Stop complaining, old man." Another old lady muttered, waving her gaunt hands at the disheveled man in a bid to shut him up. "If you keep shouting, someday the military is going to zip your mouth permanently."

"Let them! Like they say, I value my freedom above all else. At least I will die having said what I believe in!"

"Then go on out there. I bet those fanatics would be more than happy to find someone new to pick on."

"Bah, those kids don't frighten me at all." The disheveled man scoffed, about to continue when he spots a strange man entering the alleyway, hooded with what looked like a stolen tablecloth. The hooded man avoided all eyecontact, briskly walking past the dozen of old Versians who were languishing next to the firepit, sidestepping them. He moved with haste, quickly dipping out of sight from the curious Versians by turning a sharp corner, his feet not stopping even for a second's rest.

A series of turns and twists had him enter an entirely different street. Anyone who remembered this street would have recalled the numerous amounts of merchants and ruin explorers hawking their wares and findings, while Nest guards would have patrolled and harassed anyone who even gave them so much as a stink eye. Their faded symbol was still plastered on the various walls, but now there was hardly a soul left in the street, only filled with the blank stares of dejected merchants and other explorers, sitting idly behind their treasure trove of gadgets and artifacts dug up from deep below the earth. Their heads perked up at the arrival of the hooded man, but as soon as they saw he was empty-handed, their gazes cast downwards, the hope that they could trade their artifacts for food vanishing as soon as it appeared.

The hooded man didn't stand around, moving immediately through another maze of interlocking buildings, suspicous doorways and threatening bodyguards who packed weaponry. He marched right up to one of the doorways, coming face to face with two guards featuring bulky rifles, armed to the teeth. "What business do you have?" One of the guards grunted, his stare boring holes into the hooded man while his grip tightened around his rifle's handle.

"Here to see Aleth. Tell him Jakub is here." The hooded man announced with confidence, unafraid of the guards as he pulled back his hood to reveal his face. The two guards' expression lightened upon recognizing the man, though their faces still remained solemn.

"Aleth isn't taking any more customers, not even you, Jakub." The other guard replied. "Today is our last day of operation."

"Wh-what..?" Jakub's confidence wavered a little before he pulled himself back together. "No, no. You two know I have a weekly appointment with Aleth!"

"Boss's words are final. Nothing I can do about it." The first guard shrugged. "Sorry, Jakub. We liked you, but-"

"But I need Aleth!" Jakub pressed his position. "You know that! My wife, she... ALETH! I know you're listening. Let me in right now!"

"Come on Jakub, don't make me do this." The guards stepped forward, preparing to push Jakub away, when a static crackle sounded out from a speaker above the doorway that they were guarding.

[Let him in.]

The guards exchanged a confused glance, while Jakub stormed forward and pushed past the guards, entering the doorway proper to reveal a sizeable warehouse. The moldy algae seeped between the seams of bricks all around the walls and pillars, while three workers moved quickly to pack up furniture and equipment alike, Jakub clearly recognizing it as the end of an operation. Countless crates had already been stacked up, the glint of gold bars and jewelry peeking out between the wooden panels, while the frantic workers had slave collars slapped onto them.

"Jakub!" A grinning, pudgy man decked out in an elegant, long purple robe stepped forward, uncaring of the trailing edges that scraped along the soot and dust coating the floor. "My favorite customer outside of the Hwa Dynasty. How can I help you toda-"

"Don't give me that crap, Aleth. What the hell is this about it being your last day?" Jakub asked with a simmering rage, coming face to face with the merchant. "We had a deal!"

"Well, good things never last. Sometimes you got to know when to pull out. And I have to say, my ability to pull out is nothing short of astounding." Aleth still had that grin plastered on his face, causing Jakub to feel sick to his gut.

"Right, I don't care. Where's the food? I have the money." Jakub fished out a well-hidden pouch from his inner pocket, tenars loaded to the brim within. "Even if its your last day, it means you're still open for business."

Aleth glanced at the pouch, before breaking out into a raucous laugh. Jakub was stunned by the reaction, his jaw slightly dropping as he watched the normally greedy black market merchant ignore the dangling pouch of currency in front of him.

Aleth took a few steps forward, slinging an arm around the shocked Jakub. "Jakub, Jakub. You and I had a long and fruitful relationship ever since the war started. Not many others lasted as long as you, at least not in terms of being able to purchase additional rations from me. They usually either found themselves not breathing the next day, or out of a job by the end of the month. Still, I expected nothing less than a scientist directly hired by Harrison."

"Get to the point. I have the money. What's stopping you from giving the food?"

"Simple. I have no more food." Aleth gave it to Jakub with a straight face.

"No more... food? But how? You have men operating round the clock to get your hands on extra rations!"

"And it has reached the point where the risk isn't worth the effort. It's as basic as that. I am a businessman, Jakub, I don't do business where I lose money. Staying any longer would expose me to the authorities, and I would very much like to keep my brilliant head attached to my beautiful body."

"That's... that's impossible." Jakub refused to believe it. "You knew this was going to happen. You must still have stores of food as backup! I know you! I've seen your storeroom before!"

"See for yourself. You two! Open the storeroom door." Aleth barked at the two workers with a fierce tone, prompting them to drop whatever task they were doing and hurry over. They tugged the double doors at the back of the warehouse open, revealing an entirely cleaned-out room, devoid of any food.

Jakub struggled to come to terms with it, his lower lip wavering in disbelief. "Just last week I saw..."

"Last week was last week. The fact is, even if I wanted your money, I have no food to offer you." Aleth groaned. "Now, if you aren't going to buy something else, please leave. I need to leave before sundown."

"Buy something else...?"

"Of course! Here." Aleth fished out a test tube filled with a swirling red, its contents glittering like rainbow sand. "Battle potions. Enlarges your muscles, makes you a beast! If you ever want to start running your own business, this should help you get the edge. Very effective, Dzi Flower Sand. Very rare, too, only from the Culdao Peaks. Though do be careful, you might lose your consciousness."

"I can't eat that! I need something for my family to survive!" Jakub retorted.

"Oh! Yes, of course! Well, there are plenty of trinkets and furniture here for purchase on the cheap. I wager your pouch could buy at least half of the goods in this room, maybe your newborn child would be happy to have so many toys to play wit-"

Aleth barely finished his words when Jakub grabbed the pudgy merchant by the collar of his robe, tugging him close to his face. "You know about my newborn child, and here you are still making jokes?! We're going to run out of food in a week, and you think its just a game?!"

"Then maybe my smart scientist friend should have stocked up more when it was available." Aleth taunted, before slapping Jakub back away from him. "GROW UP, JAKUB! You think you're the only sob story in town? I've heard it all before - a lady missing half her brain, orphans by the hundreds, disabled veterans returning in droves, clinging to consciousness by the edge of their drug potions! Thousands of refugees huddling in the cold wind outside your walls, and you're going to get mad over a single joke on your child that you decided to have in the war?"

"Fuck you, you slimy fuck!" Jakub retorted. "People are suffering here, and you were dangling survival in front of them in exchange for profits."

"Never pretended otherwise. And as far as I could tell, everyone was very happy signing the unspoken part of our arrangement. I give, I take. Simple transaction. Now you either buy something, stop throwing a childish tantrum, or get the fuck out!" Aleth snapped.

Jakub cursed under his breath, though he took a sharp breath, trying to calm himself down in the hopes that he could still buy the food. "If you didn't store the food, you must have sold it. Who?"

"No idea. I don't want to know either. Heard this group of people been going around buying up all the food in town. Probably some cocky merchant who thinks he can run a monopoly on this city without the Versian government cracking down." Aleth shrugged, checking his nails for any cracks. "If it weren't for the inordinate compensation that was offered, I wouldn't have agreed lest it was traced to me. But the deed is done, and I will be gone."

"Where did they go? Any clue?"

"Still hoping to buy food from them?" Aleth chuckled, angering Jakub even more. "No idea. Some say they are like ghosts, but everyone knows the Ghosts have been eradicated from Tenar, the government said as much. If they are back... I don't have any other information beyond that, nor do I care. Besides, even if you find them, those tenars you got in your pouch wouldn't be doing you any good?"

"What? Why not?"

"Use your smart brain for once - food is infinitely more valuable than your measly tenars now. And I certainly can't change your tenars wherever I'm escaping to, and I doubt other merchants would want to take a currency from a losing country."

"We're not losing. The radio said-"

"The radio is lying. I thought a scientist would have more of a critical mind."

Jakub fell silent, while Aleth let out a pained sigh, his eyes filled with pity as he continued. "It seems that I have been talking to a wall. Now if you would excuse me, I have a trip to plan for. Perhaps Proco. Goodbye, Jakub, it was nice knowing you. Try not to die and maybe we’ll have a drink to catch up there." Aleth turned his back. Jakub took a step forward, planning to try and dig more information out of Aleth when he felt the hands of the guards grab him from behind, dragging him out of the warehouse.

Jakub was unceremoniously tossed onto the floor, pouch and all slamming onto the ground with a thud. He groaned as he struggled to pick himself up, while the two guards looked on with pity. "Jakub, if you're willing to try your luck... I know a guy down this road. He's famous for being very stingy, but it also means there's a chance he still has food." One of the guards gestured down an alleyway.

"Thanks..." Jakub murmured reluctantly, anger boiling in his heart from the perceived betrayal by Aleth. Still, there was nothing much he could do - even if he could force Aleth to listen to him, there wasn't any food to buy either. I can't go back empty-handed... I have to try.

He shambled over, wincing from the impact of his fall and leaning against the wall for support. Following the guards' instruction, he navigated through a mix of trash-filled alleyways and back lanes, eventually coming to a shady little corner, where a small dismantled wagon was parked while the smell of food wafted from its cabin's window. That scent perked Jakub up right away, his speed picking up as he limped over. As soon as he got near to the cabin, he spotted a familiar logo, his heart jumping a bit before he quickly turned on his heels, attempting to escape.

"HEY, YOU! YOU THERE, WITH THE HOOD! STOP RIGHT NOW OR YOU WILL BE SHOT!" A gruff voice shouted, forcing Jakub to come to a standstill. "Turn around with your hands up. Any attempts to obstruct the actions of the Versian military would be considered treason and will be punished accordingly!"

Jakub nervously raised his hands up, turning around slowly while two Versian soldiers approached him, bearing badges of internal police. Jakub could see the unconscious owner of the dismantled wagon pinned against the floor, being apprehended by another three Versian soldiers.

"Identity. Now!" One of the Versian soldiers motioned with the barrel of his rifle pointed right at Jakub's chest, Jakub flinching from the aggressive motion. Jakub slowly and carefully reached down to his pocket, pulling out a pristine laminated card and handing it over to the soldier. The two soldiers' eyes widened as soon as they saw his identity, their tense bodies relaxing a little. "Jakub... Arctech Designer for Harrison Industries. What the hell were you doing in these backstreets?"

"I... I was trying to get home. Heard that there was a shortcut this way. Is it illegal for me to be here?"

"Not at all... but it says here that your address is the other way...."

"Well I got lost. Happens, haha. Tough day at work, you know what I mean. Working 15-hour days. Sometimes you really lose track of what is happening around you."

"Right... Thank you once again for your contribution to Versia. But if on the off-chance you were intending to purchase rations from that cabin over there... I hopefully do not need to remind you of the consequences."

"Oh! I didn't know that was happening here, not at all!" Jakub nervously shook his head. "That's illegal. I am well aware of the punishments."

"Yes, and a direct contravention of martial law. You could be jailed, and who's to say what might happen to your current role...? All Versians are equal under the law, even if you work for Harrison. Don't forget that." The soldier pressed Jakub's identity card into his chest.

"Of course, of course. All Versians are equal..." Jakub muttered.

"Now you go home safe. Or if you need an escort-"

"No, no, I'll be fine. Thank you for helping me find my way back." Jakub nodded, quickly taking his leave as he re-traced his route back away from the soldiers, appearing back at a central open street onto a parade square, the central statue of President Johan seemingly gloating over all of the city's suffering with his victorious smile. The joy and laughter of the Grand Exhibition had been replaced with a solemn atmosphere, one devoid of any life and happiness. Mothers hugged their children tightly while desperate refugees lingered in the alleyways, their hungry eyes watching military patrols pass by, ready to strike at the hapless citizens at the drop of a hat for a single ration pack.

Jakub lumbered back home while stuffing the pouch of tenars back in his pockets, having nothing to show for it as he passed the same street of old Versians who had eyed him once before. Instead of seeing the same view of them lying around the firepit, a military squad was arresting them. Some were pinned against walls, while others were grappled to the ground. Jakub could see the same eyes of the disheveled man staring back at him, except this time the man's head had been split open like a melon, Jakub averting his gaze from the gruesome sight. Not my problem, not my problem.

He repeated that with a whisper, moving on past the once opulent cafes and crowded bakeries. Now, their shelves were empty, shuttered for months on end as shattered glass windows and bloodied ties signaled their end. Artisanal shops and anything that couldn't be used for the war were forced to close: bookstores, sports equipment, and even wagon workshops were repurposed for the military.

As soon as he turned the last corner towards his apartment, he came face to face with a dozen teenagers dressed up in smaller military uniforms, a strange little badge signifying their volunteer status in the army. They wielded batons and other crude makeshift weapons, approaching Jakub directly. "Good sir, how are you doing today?" The leader of the teenagers gave a photogenic smile from ear to ear, staring right at Jakub's uncomfortable face.

"I'm very fine, thank you very much for asking." Jakub politely replied, trying to step to the side of the teenagers when his path was blocked by them, each of them grinning at him.

"Surely, as a loyal Versian dedicated to the survival of this country, you would be willing to invest in the government?" The leader handed over a flyer. "The Volunteer Corps is assisting with the collection of war bonds, one the military desperately needs to hold back the horrendous war machine."

"Sorry, but I... I already pay taxes."

"Taxes are far from enough! How can you call yourself a Versian when you are unwilling to provide? Our men and women are on the frontline, fighting tooth and nail. They need our support, your support, to ensure the survival of this country! A true Versian wouldn't say no! If they do, then perhaps they might also harbour ill intentions towards the state..." The leader's voice slowly grew more and more threatening, while the teenagers began to surround him.

Jakub glanced around, knowing he wouldn't stand a single chance against them. He might be able to get a single hit off on the leader based on his calculations, but he would be rendered helpless against the rest. "... how much is the war bond?"

"How much? What kind of Versian asks 'how much'? A real Versian would give everything he had, body and soul to the cause! Holding back now in our time of crisis would be a direct betrayal of Versia!"

Jakub wanted to curse, but the teenagers edged forward every so slightly, ready to act. "Fine! This is all I have." Jakub handed a smaller pouch of tenars, a small portion compared to his original pouch. "And don't think I'm lying. I'm an arctech designer working under Harrison!" Jakub hurriedly flashed his identity card before the teenagers could try and search him.

The leader immediately saluted at the show of the identity card while another teenager collected the smaller pouch, the rest clearing a path for him and also saluting. "We thank you for your service and donation to this country."

"And the same for you," Jakub mumbled, hurriedly creating some distance between him and the teenager group. In his haste, he nearly stumbled over another old lady, who was bleeding from a blunt bruise on her head while she whimpered over her broken arm on the ground. Jakub shut his eyes tight, avoiding the old lady's gaze as he went straight home, reaching his apartment as quickly as he could.

"Jakub...? Is that you?" His wife's voice called out from the kitchen as he entered through the front door.

"It's me, it's me."

"Great, you're back. I was thinking we could let Boni try something more Versian, so I cooked up a..." His wife's voice trailed off as she ran out to the entrance, seeing Jakub return empty-handed. "What the hell happened?"

"I..." Jakub didn't know where to begin, his face crestfallen as he kicked off his shoes. "Aleth is out of food. I tried to get another contact, but apparently, there's some group that has been cleaning out all the food in the city!"

"What? What are we going to do? We only have enough for a week!" His wife exclaimed. "What about Boni?"

"I'll figure it out... I'll figure it out..."

"That's what you've been saying for the last few months, and it's only been getting worse and worse! How is it possible that Aleth is out of food? You... you must have spent the money elsewhere!"

"WHAT? You think I was just going out there for fun and games? I'm doing everything I fucking can to keep us alive!"

"Yet we're on the verge of starving as well! Can't you ask your manager or boss for extra rations? You're an arctech designer, for crying out loud!"

"I can't, I already tried! That was the first thing I asked for the moment the rationing system came out."

"Well then TRY HARDER!" His wife screamed at the top of her lungs. "I've been trapped in this apartment ever since martial law started, and I am not going to starve to death here! Coming to Tenar has got to be the worst mistake ever! You said we were going to get Lisa and the others into Tenar - where are they? You said you were going to get rations - where is it?!"

"Seriously? You want to go back Ocra?! They have it the worst out of all of us, they have been under siege for months! I don't even know if the other villagers are still alive. At least we have been still getting rations-"

"But its not enough! Boni is growing and-"

"I'M TRYING!" Jakub blew his fuse, roaring at his wife with unbridled anger. "I'm trying every fucking thing I can think of, but I'm just one man. Why in the Goddess' name are you pinning every fucking thing on me? I'm fighting for our survival as hard as I can, and if you want to try working as an arctech designer for 15 hours a day, six days a week, you can be my guest! Otherwise, you can walk out of that door right now and go it on your own. See how long you last out there!"

His wife stared in shock at Jakub, who was still huffing and panting from the outburst. An awkward silence passed as the two stood at the entrance of the apartment for a few moments, before Jakub finally spoke up. "I... I'm sorry. It's just.. everything has been going to shit. This whole city has been going to shit, and I'm doing everything I can to keep us afloat. I'm just one man, Lucy, I'm doing my best."

"I... I'm sorry, too. I shouldn't have panicked." Lucy reached forward for a hug, Jakub returning it with a tight embrace. "Let's both move on, no more blaming. It's my fault for blaming you."

"It's my fault for getting heated too... it's just hard to keep a level head with so much shit going on." Jakub sighed.

"Okay… What's the plan? Forget whatever happened, we need to think about the future for Boni. Logically." Lucy returned to the kitchen to turn off the stove before joining Jakub on a couch. "Rations running out, and utilities have been intermittent too. I'm afraid it won't be long till the arcia cuts out entirely."

"There is a way, but it's a long shot. If I can prove myself at work, I'll get promoted, and we can get more rations. Harrison Industries is entirely meritocratic-based. And the good thing is that my meals are provided for there, so we could potentially lessen the burden."

"You're saying you're not coming home for a while."

"This way, we can let the rations last much longer. It'll only be you and Boni, so it would be easier to do it." Jakub explained.

"You're leaving me alone to take care of our kid..." Lucy's voice trailed off.

"I would love to bring Boni along, but you know that's no place to raise a kid. And you can't enter the complex either. There's no other way around this. Once this week is over, I'll get that promotion and come back. I'll try to send some of the packed meals back over too if possible."

"Isn't that illegal? Don't risk your chance of promotion. Only do it when you know you got no more hope." Lucy replied, running her hand through Jakub's hair. "If we need to run, I'll be ready. I'll pack my things now for a quick move."

"Alright. I better get going for my job, then. I have to show I'm on the ball." Jakub stood up, packing up his things for a long work week and gathering the necessary essentials, making sure to not take too much away from Lucy and Boni. He walked over to the sleeping Boni in his cot, giving his kid a kiss on the forehead. "Sleep tight, I'll be back before you know it."

It wasn't long before Jakub was out the door again, this time lugging along a briefcase full of his belongings, preparing to stay at the complex that he was working at. He moved over back to a major junction, approaching a wagon stop where a few other arctech designers were already waiting for their transport to the complex, the stop guarded by Versian soldiers. Jakub flashed his identity card, allowing him to enter the waiting area underneath the shelter. He barely shared a word with the other designers even though he knew them, nor did they want to talk with him. Everyone was a competitor for that same promotion Jakub was gunning for, at least everyone who was still going to work despite the martial law. No time to make friends.

The transport came on time, a wagon plastered with the cheerful smiling face of Harrison, with the emblem of the Harrison Industries emboldened all along the length of the cabin. Jakub didn't exchange pleasantries with the rest of the cabin, keeping mum as he focused on what he needed to do next for his project. He was lost in his thoughts, time seemingly passing faster while the wagon reached its destination quickly: the Harrison Industries research complex.

Jakub had no time to ogle at the grand domes that sprawled across the landscape, taking up a tenth of the city. He had long lost the amazement he once had when he first joined, now his thoughts solely focus on getting that promotion. The other designers who marched in along the concrete path had the same solemn expression on their faces, their eyes barely even giving the statues of Harrison a second glance as they briskly walked past him toward one of the domes. As they trudged along, Jakub overheard another department's designer gossiping with each other about a promotion, his attention piqued.

"Heard that dude in chemicals got to have a meeting with Harrison. Retired peacefully to Ulut for being at the top of his department. Lucky asshole."

"Harrison is coming again at the end of this week. If we can show something by then, maybe we'll get a shot, too. He promotes a few people every week!"

Jakub's mind was set on the goal. Clearing the identity and security check, he found himself back at his usual desk, his documents still laid out exactly the way he had left them yesterday. Time to get to work. Jakub flipped through his books, pulling out blueprints and lab reports, all of which detailed information on a strange new fabric. A single sample of it was on Jakub's table, the fabric thin yet strong enough to resist even Jakub's attempts at piercing it with a pen. It was clearly an artifact from a ruin, but Jakub's job was harder than figuring out what it was - he also had to synthesize it.

It's already been months since he started, and twenty failed attempts were all that he had to show for it. Still, Jakub knew this was no time to relent, having no choice but to gun for that promotion. Over the next few days, he worked himself to the bone, iterating repeatedly and sleeping at the desk overnight to continue his mad dash to get the project done. Each passing day only piled on more stress for him as another three failed attempts. Even borrowing use of an artifact able to decipher the chemical composition of the fabric was not enough yet. It doesn't make any sense. The alignment of the compounds and molecules go against all conventional laws... unless...?

At the fifth day, Jakub finally had a spark of inspiration, trying something radically different and using entirely different chemicals from his prior attempts. This time, instead of trying to warm up the composition and create chemical bonds, he borrowed another artifact that could cool the composition to a freeze. The moment it thawed, Jakub excitedly tested it to check, finding it to be a 96% match with the original fabric. He let it warm up to room temperature, finally using a sharp knife to try and poke it, to no avail. Success! 

He immediately drafted up the report, handing it over to the manager with expectation in his eyes. As expected, he was soon called up along with two others for a meeting with Harrison directly, Jakub jumping at the chance and rushing over to the office. Instead, he found himself redirected to a strange area, one that he had never been before. He was escorted by two Nest guards down a dark hallway, reaching a weird door where he could see that the shoes and lab coats of the other two before him had been hung up on a rack.

"Strip." The guard motioned.

"Huh?"

"You want to meet Harrison? Strip. No weapons allowed."

Jakub was about to protest, but he decided against it. I need this promotion, I can't fuck it up. Just play along... He removed his clothes, giving a nervous glance to the guard when he was down to his underwear, the guard not budging until Jakub removed that as well.

The doorway opened, revealing a strange dirty room that looked more like a torture room than a promotion room. Blotches of blood and meat were splattered on the floor, while Harrison stood there alone, wearing a plastic-like protective suit that was covered from head to toe in blood. Harrison turned to look at Jakub, who was immediately grabbed by the guards and dragged inside, strapped to a lone chair in the middle while Harrison circled him like a hawk.

"So. Another slacker, huh? I don't like slackers in my organization working just for free food and free lodging. You've been reported by your manager for skiving on the job." Harrison sauntered over to a table full of tools. "And Harrison Industries do not tolerate skivers. Much less when they have connections to Ghosts."

Jakub's eyes widened at the accusation and especially at the sharp metal pick that Harrison was twirling in his gloved hands. "Ski-skiving? I didn't skive, I've been working day and night at my desk-"

"Sleeping on the job doesn't count as working, Dusel. Working means actually making progress on projects that are assigned to you!" Harrison grunted, storming towards Jakub.

"WAIT WAIT WAIT! I'm Jakub, not Dusel!"

"Don't think I'm so stupid to not know your name..." Harrison spat through gritted teeth, grabbing the frightened Jakub by the neck and pulling him up to take a closer look. "Strange. What did you do with your skin condition? You had a terrible rash on your forehead..."

"Sir, please, I never had a rash!" Jakub tried everything he could think of, his eyes still locked on the metal pick in Harrison's hands. His mind raced as he finally realized what was going on. "Duvel is the head scientist for chemicals; I'm from materials, I swear! You can check me up, please don't kill me!"

Harrison paused for a brief moment, staring at Jakub from behind the transparent protective cover of his plastic suit. "You," He motioned to the guard watching. "Check for Jakub."

"Yes, sir, right away." An awkward silence passed as Jakub was released back onto the ground, Harrison pacing the room while waiting for confirmation. "Sir, he's right. The report says he's completed synthetic production of the Kusal Corporation Fabric."

Harrison slapped the metal pick back down onto the table, before rushing up to the guard and jabbing his finger into the chest. "Next time, before you bring me suspects, how about you fucking verify their identities first! Our designers are our resources, you dimwit! Whoever the fuck is to blame, I want them down here within the hour, and if it's you, I expect you to turn yourself in. Understood?! Now get out! And bring this poor sod's clothes back in."

Jakub was cut free from the chair, allowed to wear his clothes again while Harrison mumbled to himself incoherently in a frustrated tone. "Stupid insurgents... fucking..." He violently snatched an arctech radio on the torture table, barking into it. "Secretary, give me a status update on the Ghosts. What's going on out there?"

[Sir, I'm hearing reports that the Versian military has captured more insurgents and rebels today than the past three months combined. There isn't any confirmation that they are Ghosts just yet but...]

"OF COURSE THEY ARE GHOSTS!" Harrison let out a frustrated shout. "Which other rebel entity can buy up all of the food in the black market, huh? Why haven't we flushed them out of Tenar yet? I'm losing my fucking mind trying to catch spies here!"

[But sir, most of our forces are busy defending Minister Dekar and the others at the prison. It was your order to-]

"Well, cancel that order. We're losing control of the city, and the people are on the verge of revolt! I want them back in Tenar by tomorrow, and purging the catacombs in its entirety! Am I clear? Good." Harrison hung up before his secretary could respond, turning to face the confused Jakub with a patronizing smile. "Now, where were we... Ah yes. I apologize for the mistreatment, it was a grave error on my part. Your work on synthesizing the Kusal Corporation Fabric is nothing short of astounding, a league ahead of your peers. I assume you're expecting something akin to a promotion."

Jakub wasn't entirely sure that he still wanted his promotion after seeing what just happened, having been now drawn into even more problems. Still, he had Lucy and Boni at the front of his mind, knowing that sticking with Harrison for now would be the best route for survival. "Yes sir, I was hoping to get additional rations as well..."

"Additional rations? That's it? You are a one-of-a-kind genius, Jakub, and I say this as a genius myself." Harrison chuckled at his own joke while he headed to the door. "You deserve more than just additional rations! Follow me."

Jakub complied, Harrison leading him down the same dark hallway before making a turn to another unknown area, Jakub slightly tense at just what was about to happen to him again. He felt like a cattle in a maze, but he had no choice but to press on, steeling his heart for whatever was going to come. But even that wasn't enough to prepare him for what he saw - a single two-story chamber where the very same homeless old Versians that he saw lingering on the streets were being caroled into on the ground floor. He and Harrison stood on the second storey, overlooking the chamber behind a one-way glass mirror as the old Versians shouted and yelled at the guards, forcing them in.

Jakub gulped instinctively, knowing what was about to come next. But it wasn't the knowledge of what's coming that caused Jakub to shudder involuntarily, it was the knowledge that it was going to be an offer he couldn't refuse. "What are you doing with them?" He asked, somehow subconsciously already knowing the answer.

"Making sure their lives have meaning. All Versians are of equal worth." Harrison cryptically replied. "Now, don't you worry about them. They'll be gone soon. What you should worry about is my offer to you. I'm sure you're aware that Duvel from chemicals would be eventually... indisposed."

Harrison brought Jakub over to a control panel filled with ominous buttons. "I'm thinking you can bring this chemical department and its projects to a greater height. And I won't take no for an answer."