130 Eighteen, Huh? (1/2)
The day Arima turned seventeen years old, he had already built a small Empire. His entire company had both businesses in weapon development and general manufacturing. Arima called his company, Semita Finis; literally, the End Path.
In a certain building of the company, secret researches were being made there under the cover of a simple shopping mall.
In the underground floors, many scientists and technicians were working on different products. And even lower, on the last floor, they were working on a different version of the FEB, more compact, but as powerful. And the fact that they were doing this in the middle of the city only meant one thing; that they had mastered its manufacturing method.
”Did you hear? The founder is coming today” One of the researchers said to his coworkers during the break.
”Yes, of course. Everyone is more than curious about him. Apparently, he's only seventeen and he started all of this only a year ago” Another one said ”Well, we all know that it wasn't really legal, but that's even more impressive if he's truly seventeen” He added, and everyone nodded.
”He's here” Suddenly, a woman entered the room and declared before leaving. The researchers looked at each other and immediately followed her.
Arima was visiting that building with Haze. When they reached the underground floors, everyone bowed to Haze but didn't recognize Arima since they never saw him before. When they remembered that the founder was supposed to be very young, they became extremely cautious to not offend him.
”Well, here we are. We didn't have that much time, but we managed to finish one at least” Haze said to Arima as he looked at a monitor in one of the offices.
What was displayed on the screen was the final product of the FEBs' research. Fully functional and perfectly stable.
”What about the Plasma Cannon?” Arima then asked.
Haze snickered ”It's doing well, the first problem was the huge quant.i.ty of electricity we needed but since you got that much Eion from the black market, we're completely good. It will be finished next year I think”
Arima nodded and mused while looking at the image of the FEB ”Oh yeah, I almost forgot. What about the other thing?” He then asked as he remembered.
”Oh, that one, huh?” Haze changed the big screen's image and this time, what was displayed was a view of the planet from s.p.a.ce ”The NASA refused but, in the end, s.p.a.ceX accepted our request” Haze commented.
Arima laughed lightly ”The result is the same. Can you send the codes of this satellite to Jin? He will take care of the security and surveillance”
”Sure, it's already done actually” Haze smiled and said ”Tell me, Arima, what's your plan now? You're enough prepared, right?” He inquired.
”Well, you're right. We're not that powerful right now, but we're ready to start something else” Arima scratched his hair and declared ”Also, can I ask you to form a team of experts on Eion energy? I want to a.s.sign them a new task”
Haze raised an eyebrow ”It's not a problem, you can do it now actually. You're in the middle of your main laboratory” He said and pointed behind him with his thumb. Outside, in front of this office, there were dozens of people waiting for Arima to appear.
The latter smiled wryly ”You're right about that” He said and turned around ”What we'll do next rely on the mercenary branch. We have some targets” Arima announced and opened the door of the office.
Haze shook his head and sighed. He followed Arima out of the office and they both faced all of the personnel. When everyone was able to observe Arima, they sighed in admiration. Their boss was an adolescent but he radiated with confidence and prestige.
After that, as Arima said, he called the people who were the best at handling Eion energy and gave them a new objective, totally different.
Arima led the group of ten to a private laboratory and handed a certain file to each. When they looked through the content, the researchers couldn't believe their eyes.
”…Is that really what you want us to do?” Nina, the leader of the team, asked.
”Yes, you have as much time as you want. I just require that you use all of your skills to do this. Do you think that's possible?” Arima responded. Nina was made speechless by his calmness and determination.
She looked at the doc.u.ment one more time and slowly nodded ”I think it's possible. But we need time and resources”
Arima smiled and nodded ”I'll leave it in your hands then. Keep this work secret” He instructed and left the laboratory and the researchers looked at each other.
”Let's get to work immediately” Nina directed, and everyone complied.
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”Oh, welcome back, Arima” Tieria said when Arima entered his home. He smiled at the sight he had for a year now. He still wasn't sure if he could get used to it.
Also, the moment he stepped inside, Rocky ran to him and jumped on his legs. Arima crouched and started caressing him ”Where is Scatha?” Arima asked Tieria after a short moment.
”She said she was tired and went to sleep” Tieria answered.
”I see” Arima nodded and opened the door for Rocky ”I will walk a bit with him, do you want to come?” He asked.
”No, it's okay, I will make dinner since Scatha is sleeping” Tieria responded and Arima's expression turned awkward.
”Thanks” He laughed wryly and left the house with Rocky. He started walking toward the park near the house and let the dog play around there.
”How are things going for you?” Arima suddenly heard a voice behind him. That voice was strangely familiar, and he turned around to see the same old man he had met three years ago in this park.
”You are…yes, I'm good” Arima responded with a strange expression.
”That dog is doing well, I see” The old man pointed his chin at Rocky and remarked ”I have a question of pure curiosity for you. How old are you?” He then asked Arima.
The latter frowned but he thought that it wasn't a problem to say it ”I'm seventeen, I'll turn eighteen in seven months” So, he answered.
”Eighteen, huh?” The old man muttered and smiled ”Eighteen is a good age. Particularly in this world, it's at that age that things can change a lot” He said and stood up with his cane ”Well, farewell. I'm sure we'll meet again” He added and departed from the park.
Arima stared until the old man was out of sight. He felt a really strange feeling when he looked at him. When he was younger, he kind of missed it but today, he perfectly felt it.
”Rocky” Arima called and the Labrador immediately returned to his side ”Let's go” He declared and returned home.