Nightshade: A SimLit | Chapter 61: Climbing the Ladder

"So," began Mr. Chen, "as you must already know, there is a reason I called you to my office, Alexander."

Alexander fidgeted nervously in his seat. "Yes, of course, sir. Is there a problem?"

Mr. Chen sighed. "I suppose that it depends on how you see it. But I won't waste time stalling. I want you to know that I'm retiring."

"Retiring?" Alexander frowned. "Well, that's unexpected... but I guess you are that age. Why did you want to specifically tell me, though?"

His boss smiled. "Because we'll need someone to take over when I'm gone, won't we? I've been thinking this over for a while, and... it is my decision that you're receiving a promotion to the CEO of FutureSim Labs."

Alexander's eyes widened in shock. For a moment, he couldn't think, or speak, or even breathe. But then he lit up in uncontrollable excitement, barely capable of containing himself in the chair. "What? You-- I-- I'm the new boss!? You can't be serious, I... this is..." His voice trailed off as he realized he lost his cool, and after a moment of silence, he cleared his throat and continued calmly. "This is an amazing opportunity, sir. Thank you. You will be proud of where I take this company and it's research."

Mr. Chen nodded. "I know you won't be a disappointment. It has been an honor to have you as an employee, despite our... differences. Thank you for your time. Since your shift is over, you are free to go now."

Alexander's smile faded a little. Out of the few humans that had inevitably found out his identity as a vampire, none of them had ever reacted drastically or spread the word to others... but they never hesitated to point out differences. Did they really view him that way? With a sigh, he pushed the thought to the back of his mind and stood from the chair. "Thank you again, sir. It has been an honor to be your employee. I wish you all the best in your retirement." He pushed through the glass office doors, and a realization sank into his mind as they closed behind him. He was to be the owner of this entire laboratory. He was the boss, and he could do whatever he wanted to...

His lips curled into a smirk, the gears turning in his brain as a plan surfaced in his head. 'And I know exactly what I want to do. There are no doubts left in my mind. All I need now is Aurora...'

The perfect plan was ready. The next step was to set it in motion...

---

Brynn swiveled in the computer chair as she heard the bedroom door open behind her. She smiled, obvious laugh lines forming on her cheeks. "Alexander? You're home a little early. I wasn't expecting..." She paused, noticing his crossed arms and a frown on his face. "...What's wrong?"

Alexander's eyebrows furrowed. "I know what you've been doing, Brynn."

"...what I've been doing?" She raised an eyebrow. "I guess I've been doing a lot of things. Mind telling me which one has you making that face?"

He raised his voice. "Cut the act! You know exactly what I'm talking about!" 

"I don't!" Brynn frowned, feeling her heart begin to pound in her chest. 'What is he so angry about? I didn't do anything! Not that he never gets angry about stupid things. But nothing at all...?'

"You want me to spell it out for you? Fine!" Alexander's fists clenched at his sides as he approached her. "You're sleeping with my boss!"

Brynn's heart sank and she stared in shock. "What!? Alexander, I would never do that, I--"

"You wouldn't?" He suddenly sounded even more offended. "Gee, thanks, Brynn."

Her face contorted in confusion. "What?"

Alexander grinned. "I got a promotion. I'm now the CEO of FutureSim Labs, which means that I'm my boss. Are you denying sleeping with me? Or better yet, are you saying--"

He wasn't allowed to finish.

"Are you serious!?" Brynn yelled, her face changing to one of anger. "Of all the low-down pranks to pull...!"

Alexander could only burst in laughter. "Oh, man, you should have seen the look on your face! You really thought I thought you slept with my ugly old boss!"

"Yes I did, it wasn't funny, and you're... you're..." She tried to find an insult. "You're stupid!"

It only made him laugh harder, and somehow she found herself struggling to stifle laughter of her own. "I hate you..."

"I love you too. Now give me a kiss." He grinned and leaned close, only to be stopped by a finger over his lips.

Brynn smiled playfully. "And what makes you think you deserve one?"

"Deserve one?" Alexander pouted. "I have to earn them now?"

"Yes," she laughed. "And don't ask how. You'll have to figure that out yourself. I don't give hints."

He reached for her hand and lowered it from his face, smirking. "Don't need any. I think I have some ideas."

"Really? Why don't you tell me?" She played innocent, though her mischievous grin told another story.

His smirk widened.  "Tell you? I think I'd rather show you..."

---

The TV's loud volume filled the room. "Breaking news!" the newswoman exclaimed, "Earlier this morning, the new CEO of FutureSims Labs, Alexander Wesley, discussed previously private information about apparent government-requested experimentation on aliens that live right here on our very planet and his plans to put an end to it.  He described it as "no longer necessary" and insisted to our reporters that plenty of information about alien life -- and even new technology, including an anti-aging serum that makes you effectively immortal that he plans to release to the public -- has been discovered thanks to the research. According to his plans, the next step is to locate their planet Sixam and attempt contact. People everywhere are shocked by the discovery of alien existence and even more surprised that they were left in the dark about it by our government. We will be covering more of this story at eleven..."

President Boucher crossed her arms as she stared at the screen, feeling her blood boiling inside of her veins. 

"Traitor," she murmured. "Does he really think he can decide to put an end to the experiments I ordered and release this classified information? He has no idea what he's doing, or who he's messing with. I'd have him jailed and executed for this obvious crime, but... an anti-aging serum is something far more valuable to me than those alien experiments now. In light of this, I'll let both him and the aliens off the hook... for now. Thanks to that serum, I can see my plans through to the end. And I will have all the time in the world to wipe out supernaturals. They can no longer outlive me..."

-----

"Agents, I have called a meeting for a very important reason." Lilith looked around at the few members of the Arcane that had been able to gather at the headquarters today. "As you all know, agents have seen a concerning increase of activity from The Triple A recently. Just last week, they discovered and attacked our new training base in rural Windenburg. That... is dangerously drawing close to Forgotten Hollow. I fear that they may once again discover us, but this time, there will be too many... and their survivors will easily report our location to their leader."

They may once again discover us. The words were painful going into Vance's ears as he remember the last time that happened -- the time that he and Dominic came here to join the Arcane and...

"We need a new Headquarters. Or rather... a second one," Lilith explained. "Somewhere hidden that they can't find it, so that in a worst case scenario, not all is lost. But unfortunately... there isn't anywhere. We could have a crisis on our hands. They vastly outnumber us. Be prepared for the worst..." 

"No," Vance snapped. "We can't just give up and let them come and kill us! We can't die. I won't die. Not until every single one of them is dead for what they've done. There has to be something we can do! Somewhere we can go..."

Before Lilith could answer, a recent recruit stepped forward.

"Actually," she began with a determined smirk, "I know a place they could never find us. Somewhere not too far from here, hidden near where I live... in a place called Glimmerbrook."