Research

[Dr. Freeman]

It was a quiet day in the laboratory, he was surrounded by machinery wherever he looked and the cold air could be felt even through his lab coat; perfect. He stood in the middle of a group of scientists that waited eagerly behind a screen; they had made a breakthrough just a few days ago that could perhaps help find the cure for radiation after that found an acidic component that was able to dissipate the toxic radiation that existed in a mother cell or at least they hoped that it did. Everyone stood nervously waiting as the scientists slowly inserted the needle into the cell and waited patiently for it’s response, the mother cell did nothing for a couple of seconds before it shriveled up and died. ”Well everyone, back to the drawing board” said Dr. Freeman before he turned away from the disappointed group of scientist and exited the room, he walked through the corridors and heard chattering coming from the cafeteria and he made his way there, everyone said good morning and he replied back with smiles or waves with his hands. Everything was peaceful here he though before his face turned sad, If only she was here to enjoy it with me He reached the counter and ordered some vegetable juice that was produced right there in the facility and made his way to his office. The research isn’t going so well, I knew that working with that sort of material was dangerous but for it to be this difficult to counter…It’s a nuisance Thought the Doctor as he stepped inside the office and ordered his secretary to not bother him before he passed his key card on the door that gave way to his office, his office was gigantic reaching up to 80 feet high which held probably the most extensive collection of books in the world, the last paper books ever made since such things as paper and wood had disappeared from existence yet this books could be easily accessible to the citizens of the facility through the network. He took off his shirt revealing his pale yet toned body and began to do push-ups, his usual daily routine that helped him relax from the stress of the laboratory.

[Owen]

Owen took a long trip on the company plane. He had a simple hunch. His father had always told him about a very talented scientist in Africa whom like Owen knew what was really important. Owen was anxious to meet with Dr. Freeman. Owen felt that if they combined their knowledge and desires together they might actually help the world. But deep down he also worried that Dr. Freeman like most, would dismiss Owen's abilities because of his age and size...

"Excuse me, miss..." called out Owen to a petite honey haired receptionist that was stationed on the first floor. "I'm looking for a Dr. Freeman." The receptionist however would not let Owen into the facility, even after he explained that he was the leader of the Genji Tower. The woman simply dismissed it as lie and told him to go play elsewhere.

"You don't understand! I must meet with Dr. Freeman. I won't go out to play!! Miss, please just call him. Let him decide whether to meet with me or not!"

The receptionist gave Owen a skeptical look but after staring into his determined green orbs, she decided to contact the good Dr. Freeman and inform him about a rude little boy that kept insisting to meet him.

[Dr. Freeman]

Freeman was taking a shower as he usually did after a workout; he loved how the water cooled him off and let him think clearly about research and other things yet his peace and quiet was disturbed by the intercom. ”Dr. Freeman, I’m sorry to disturb you but there’s an insistent kid here that calls himself Owen Taojin and says that he’s the leader of the Genji Tower, I tried to dismiss him but he wouldn’t listen to me” Dr. Freeman turned off the shower and dried himself with a towel, listening intently at what she was saying, Is he really Han’s son? Freeman asked himself as he put on some clothes and pressed the intercom button.

His father had spoken highly of him whenever he met with Dr. Freeman and he had always been anxious to meet him yet Han’s death gave a halted the plans they had both tried to achieved, perhaps his son will finish what his father started. ”Send him over, Ritsuko” said Dr. Freeman to the intercom as he received a ”Right away, sir” from the other end, he took out some clothes and he slowly put them on before he made his way to his desk and put on his slim rectangular glasses waiting for him.

[Owen]

The receptionist told Owen where to go and allowed him into the inner structures of the building. He was impressed by the size of this facility. Though his seven towers were massive compared to this facility, he had expected a more humble structure, considering the rest of Africa. But he was relief that they were doing well, that meant that they could focus on research instead of finance.

Several floors upwards lay Dr. Freeman's office. Owen felt a little shy walking alone in the unfamiliar place. He regretted leaving Jin outside and wished that he where her with him. But simply took a deep breath and stepped over to Dr. Freeman's office. He knocked several times and awaited for a reply as he began thinking what to say and what to keep to himself until a better bond was formed between them.

[Dr. Freeman]

Dr. Freeman had waited behind his desk to appear as he asked himself what was the purpose for his visit, did he want to create some sort of bond or connection between these powerful forces like his father wanted or was this just a simple visit like the one's that the late Han Taojin used to give him. He smiled to himself thinking of the possibilities that might occur by the union of the Genji Tower and the Reasearch Facility, the financial gain will be trememendous and by joining the skilled scientists from both places could make great scientifc achievements like perhaps finding the cure for the radiation. The receptionist told him that Owen was going up to meet him and he felt anxious, he heard a knock on the door and he pressed the button that opened the door befre he said, "Sit down Owen, please take a seat" he said as he gestured to the seat in front of him.

[Owen]

Owen stared at Dr. Freeman for a few seconds before slowly making his way to his seat. Though he was much older than him, he didn't have that disapproving look his comrades gave him back at the tower. Owen felt silly for doubting him, if his father had talked so well about him then there was no doubt that he was talented and kind.

"Thanks," said Owen letting himself plop on the seat in front of the desk. He was thinking about how to proceed with their conversations, whether they should get to know each other first, or start talking numbers and figures or simply chat about none important things... Owen thought about his father and remembered that his father rarely talked about important feats on first meetings, he would rather sip tea and chat about the wind or the plants. But Owen didn't have as much time as his father, he needed a business that would help control the loose ends on his chain of command.

"You're lucky to have your research center around so much greenery. Up north there's nothing but dust and emptiness. Many parts of the west have only a few specks of green... But you already know this. Perhaps one day, we'll be able to regenerate the planet..." Owen sighed and looked away thinking about his ambition to create a plant-lifeform that can purify the radiation from the ground and restore the nutrients.

[Dr. Freeman]

Owen seemed like a simple child since his appearance was not remarkable except for his eyes yet Robert knew that underneath all that layed an amazing intellect of which his father proudly spoke off on his visits. "Thanks" said Owen as he sat in front of him and Dr. Freeman smiled at him thinking that he seemed like a frightened child yet he did not think of him as such since he was indeed the owner of the renowned Genji Tower. Owen spoke to him about how lucky he was to be surrounded by greenery and he smiled yet again, "Yes we are blessed with what seems to be the last remaining bits of green in the world yet it's not as beautiful as it seems, Owen" said Dr. Freeman

"The forest that sorrounds us is filled with animals yet they were twisted by the radiation, they were able to harness the radiation which in the end turned them into one of the most sophisticated species in current existence" Owen sighed before he continued,"It truly is a rose full of thorns." Dr. Freeman thought that they were blessed and cursed yet that was most surely the key for the rebirth of the world and he planned to use that."Sorry about that, sometimes I ramble on and on without stopping but that was something that your father and I had much in common" said he smiling remembering the old times before he pressed a button on his desk and spoke "Ritsuko please bring me up some of my favorite tea and...what'll you have, Owen?" asked Dr. Freeman while looking at him with a smile.

[Owen]

Owen listened carefully. He noticed there was a hint of sadness in the man before him. It was barely there, hidden behind something, but Owen felt it. It reminded him of his own façade, after all he was still just a child whom had lost his father, but the tears and grief had to be placed behind a mask of professionalism to protect him from those that would exploit his weakness to take away the only thing his father had left for him, the company.

“Sir is everything alright? I don’t like that you’re all alone in there,” called out a voice from a communication device on him. Startled by the sudden outburst of the radio, Owen nervously picked it up and answered that everything was fine. “I’m sorry about that, things are hectic back home, and my bodyguards insist on a maximum security protocol. I hope that you’re not insulted,” he said turning the radio off.

[Dr. Freeman]

"No, not at all" said Dr. Freeman as he released the button from the intercom, it was time to talk bussiness and he would enjoy that the conversation did not reach anywhere outside these four walls. He pressed the button of the intercom yet again before he said "I want radio silence, me and Mr. Taojin are about to speak some very important bussiness and we would not like to be disturbed" With that Dr. Freeman pressed a button yet nothing seemed to happen. "I have just activated an electromagnetic pulse so as to not be spied upon by any dangerous parties, don't worry if your head gets a little fuzzy you'll soon grow used to the excesive electrical charges running through your brain...it actually allows for greater increase in cognotive response, one could say it makes you smarter" Dr. Freeman smiled knwoing that it wasn't really true but this sort of enviroment allowed for a quicker exchange in ideas.

"I'm sorry for just barging into the topic but your father had the wish to unite bot of our companies into a single entity that would be the light in the darkness that sorrounded the world. With both of our scientific group working together, plus the influence that the Genji tower held...we could make some radical changes to people's lives." Dr. Freeman stood watching Owen waiting to see how he would respond to this, if they joined their forces then a renewal of the land was not such a dream after all.

[Owen]

Like any scientist Owen began calculating explanations to the supposed effects of the electromagnetic pulse on brain activity. Somehow he doubted that electromagnetic pulse could really alter one's ability to process information. Back home his team was researching the oscillation of gamma brain waves involve with the process of information. They had discovered that brain cells oscillate at a certain frequency and that when that frequency or rhythm was altered, the process of information suffered. So far he hadn’t heard any progress with their experimentation, but such discoveries created doubt as to whether Dr. Freeman’s team had uncovered something else, or if he was simply toying with him.

However interesting, the purpose of this visit was not to exchange discoveries or theories, they had a business arrangement to discuss. As Freeman had said, Owen’s father wished to merge the companies into a single entity, the union would strengthen their economical power and would protect them from the attempts of other governments to buy out or take over their business. But, with the passing of Owen’s father, the cabinet that ruled over the main research towers was plotting against him wished to seize control of the organization from young Owen.

“You are correct it is both my father’s and my own wish to merge these great companies into a strong single unit capable of withstanding both inner and outer conflicts. However with the passing of my father such arrangement won’t be as smoothly as we would both like. As you can see I’m very young and the member’s of my company’s cabinet see me unfit to rule and though I am most prepared and legally the inheritor of this company, I must move carefully to avoid igniting a chain of events that could destroy my father’s hard work. However with your support, I’m confident that at least a few members of the cabinet would be persuaded to rethink their position and perhaps even help influence the others,” he said hoping that Dr. Freeman would still be interested even after considering that the Genji tower was losing its influence and inner structures.