The Consortium Reborn

CHAPTER THREE

Kaidon waited till the next day before heading to Richard’s conglomerate. It was the first time he would be at the east coast.

“When you arrive at his office ask him about the credit card that is in his possession” The voice revealed as he took the elevator.

On arriving at the office, he walked inside after Mr. Richard had permitted him. Kaidon looked at the old man seated and noticed something peculiar about him, but could not place it.

“Who are you?” He asked, staring at Kaidon in curiosity.

“Tell him you are agent 43” The voice replied.

“But I cannot tell him that, it will only mean that I am stupid and clueless and I don’t want to appear that way” Kaidon argued.

“Just tell him” The system insisted.

“I am Agent 43” Kaidon finally voiced out the suggestion and as he hoped for the man to insult him, Kai is taken aback by the surprise on his face.

“You are the finest piece of weapon that has ever been created” He expressed in delight. “Please, come and have your seat” He said.

As Kaidon sat down on the couch, he stared at the man in confusion trying to figure out what he meant with his previous words.

“Agent 43 is the first piece of innovation by the Super consortium. However the program never saw the light of the day and everyone forgot about it” 

Kaidon realized Mr. Richard has also said the same thing as the voice earlier on.

:”I don’t seem to understand how this system works.” Kaidon admitted.

“Listen, you don’t have to be worried. The Agent 43 is a well programmed and run system. The fact that it chose you means that you are special” He said and pulled out a drawer.

“Here…” He said, dropping a card on the table for Kaidon to see. “That is the credit card meant for you. We reached an agreement in the super consortium that whoever inherits this piece of innovation will be rewarded by unlimited money and power”

Kaidon stared down at the credit card. Everything seemed to be happening so fast that he lacked the time to even think through it.

“But what am I supposed to be doing with this system?” Kaidon asked, referring to the voice in his head.

“The system is going to be giving you specific task and you have to carry them out. If you fail these tasks, it could pose a serious risk for you” Richard explained.

Kaidon picked up the card and looked at it for a long time. “So inside this credit card is unlimited money that I could use?” Kai asked again.

“Indeed, you can get what ever you want with it” 

Hearing that he could afford luxury only made Kaidon anxious. He tried pinching his body and hoping he would wake up from his dream, but it is certainly not a dream.

Kaidon rise up from the chair and placed the card in his pocket. “I will be off now” He said and turned around to walk out the door.

“There is one last warning I will love to give to you” Richard said, causing him to stop by the door side. “Do not cause the system to self destruct and always learn to control it” 

Kaidon paused for a moment, taking in everything he had said. “Thank you” He mouthed and walked out of the door.

Outside the office, Kaidon stared at the card once more.

With this card, he could get himself a new place to stay and start all over again.

“First you need to get a phone device” The voice revealed.

“What happened to my former phone?” He asked.

“Well it got smashed during the fight, so it is very important that you get a new one” The voice revealed.

Kaidon took a taxi and rode all the way to the phone store. When he walked inside the store, he meets two familiar faces.

“Kai?” They both chorused his name. “What are you doing in a phone store?” They asked looking down at him.

Kaidon could already sense their mockery and so he remained mute. He looked at the retailers and demanded a phone be given to him.

“I am sorry sir, we have our targeted audience” The retailer revealed.

“What do you mean a targeted audience?” Kaidon asked, slowly getting angry over her choice of word.

“She is simply saying you are too broke to afford a phone” Kaidon’s colleague revealed and erupt into a several laughs that only pissed Kaidon further.

“Is there anything I can do to get back at them?” He asked the system while they continued laughing.

“I have just gotten the number of the owner of the store. Apparently he is willing to sell off his property”

Kaidon saw this as the opportunity he wanted. He pulled out his credit card and hand it over to the retailer.

“Here is the deal, if I don’t get this phone, you can keep mocking me all you want. But if I do get the phone….” He paused and noticed they were all looking at him..

After a few second of staring, they all erupted into laughter once again with the retailer joining. She picked up his card and insert the price for a phone.

Her laugh slowly faded as the card is accepted and the transaction successful.

Seeing the look on her face, Kaidon smiled knowing it was his time for payback.

“How did you earn such money?” She asked. “I am sure you are thief”

“Wait, he actually had the money to pay?” His colleagues asked, their smile also disappearing.

“He must have stolen to get that money”

“He could be into some drugs selling or other illegal activities that we don’t know”

As they keep talking, Kaidon got the phone away from them and walked out of the store. He paused at the entrance and noticed his phone had been automatically turned on.

“I am activating all the things necessary for the program to begin running” The voice revealed.

“And after you are done, make sure to help me purchase that phone store. It belongs to me now” Kaidon instructed feeling more confident than ever as he walked away.