Chapter 378: Ice Queen''s Father


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    "...That''s alright, Maria, thank you."


    The man shook his head, denying the waiter, and continued to look outside with a distant gaze, taking a sip every other second.


    He appeared to be in histe fifties with a meticulously groomed beard, sharp, discerning grey eyes, and ear-length dark-blue hair that he styled to the left, giving him a noble look. His eyes were stuck on the za, scanning its features as if it were a painting.


    One that was unlike anything on this Earth he called home.


    It was as if all the other sectors remained frozen in the past while this ce moved forward, traveling to the future.


    A testament to human ambition that bore distinct marks of the Big Eight.


    Horizon Holdings'' towering skyscrapers dominated the skyline, their facades shimmering with holographic advertisements and digital disys.


    Each of these buildings was a fortress of ss and steel, housing hundreds of offices that controlled most of the Earth''snd.


    Ster Solutions Inc., apany he was very ''familiar'' with, had its influence etched into the very foundation of the za.


    Minimalistic structures with advancedboratories, research facilities, and farms stood as beacons of scientific progress where the next big breakthrough was always just around the corner.


    The emblem of Ster Solutions, a stylized shooting star, was emzoned on each building, and on the man himself, a symbol of their pursuit of innovation.


    Quantum Corp''s headquarters, aplex of interlocking cubes, was a hive of activity.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Here, some of the brightest minds worked on quantumputing and advanced algorithms that pushed the boundaries of what was possible, creating solutions that powered the other corporations and the za itself.


    Everything cybeic was of their making as well, a coborative effort with CyberNex and Helix Tech.


    Now, CyberNex''s presence was less visible but equally pervasive.


    As known by all, this corporation controlled the virtualwork and the technologies associated with it, their influence embedded in the very fabric of Earth''s digital infrastructure.


    The virtual realities they created were integral to the daily lives of many Corp za''s inhabitants.


    Nexus Enterprises'' buildings were centers of financial power, the banks of the New World.


    This corporation managed the vast wealth that flowed through the za, ensuring the smooth operation of its economic systems.


    Their influence was felt in every transaction, every deal made within the za and outside it. Helix Tech had many warehouse-like structures as their factories instead of the usual high- rise buildings that towered above the za''s ground.


    Their augmented suits were amon sight, worn by many of the elite.


    Apex Dynamics'' went with a route simr to Helix Tech and their influence was also visible in the vehicles that zipped through the air and streets.


    They ranged from flying Gravcars to high-ss sports cars, all beautiful to the eye.


    Hyperion Arms, with its branches like Vanguard, was responsible for the weapons that ensured the corporations'' security.


    They had showrooms that seemed to never end, reaching the clouds in height. Within, they disyed thetest in military technology, things that even he, Richard, had never seen.


    Fiercepetitors, like Revenant, hounded them, but, like the rest of the Big Eight, Hyperion''s dominance in the market was unmistakable.


    ''...Boring.''


    The man wasn''t impressed with what he saw.


    Though the view was nice as he was so high above, it was tarnished by the people.


    A bee hive that did all they could in order to climb the corporatedder.


    These people, like the less privileged sectors, had long forsaken their humanity and embraced metal, opting for augmentations that promised power at the cost of their very essence and mental fortitude.


    He didn''t mind that, after all, he was a man of science, a people who always weed change.


    And without change, Ster Solutions would lose its purpose.


    What he did mind was the result, the consequences such metal brought to the people.


    Truly... Richard was just d that he no longer had to worry about such things.


    There were days when his supervisor gave him pretty straightforward tasks; developing a new training module for Ster''s medical department.


    Those days were boring but safe.


    Well... as safe as it could get in a ce like this.


    Others were pretty raw.


    One time he had to send a "ck operations" team into a low-ranking sector to spread a designer gue so the marketing team could clean up selling the vine.


    Another week, he led a mixed team of specialists, andweavers on a headhunting run to kidnap a researcher from an up-anding rival corp, demanding credits.


    Since the ransom wasn''t paid, he was ordered to ''zero'' the researcher.


    The week after, his project was to steal ns for a new vehicle prototype from Apex Dynamics so that they could sell it to their rivals for no other reason than to sue chaos and make a quick


    buck.


    They didn''t even copy the design, burning any and all traces they could find.


    It was absolute anarchy.


    ''But that''s over... it''s been over for a long time... There''s no need to reminisce, I-'' Richard''s drifting thoughts suddenly quietened as his eyes returned to the za''s streets. He spotted a group, and even through the rain, their presencemanded attention. Emir, a man who recently rocked the world, led the group, hisck of an umbre setting him apart from everyone around.


    He appeared to be using an Aetheric Construct, forming a shimmering bubble that deflected the acid rain effortlessly.


    Behind him, Lyra, Kiera, Jack, Sarah, Evan, Hiro, and Leo followed, each holding a ck umbre that protected them from corrosion.


    They didn''t rely on their augmented suits since they would do little to repel the rain as the drops moved at the perfect speed where they could easily bypass their force shields, rendering


    them ineffective.


    ''...The professor?''


    Richard''s interest was piqued.


    Emir and his cohort were a formidable sight, their reputation preceding them.


    Especially the prince, even there, high up in the building, Richard could feel the pressure he


    exuded,


    The prince was an enigma.


    A man of immense intellect and ambition, known for his ruthless and unorthodox methods.


    Where that ambition was headed, no one knew.


    His past and history were muddied to the point that even his best agents found it difficult to


    find anything concrete.


    All of that only spoke of Emir''s capabilities.


    And the fact that he hadn''t heard any of the usualints from his daughter since he became her professor at the Academy, meant that his capabilities were likely still


    underestimated.


    It almost made Richard forget that Emir was younger than her.


    So, with that in mind, watching them navigate the streets made him feel unbridled curiosity.


    What brought them here today to this war-ridden za?


    As he set his cup down, he made a decision:


    ''Let''s find out.''


    He then rose from his seat, leaving a generous tip on the table, and donned his coat.


    Reaching the elevator, it took him to the ground floor, but to his annoyance, the rain intensified as he stepped outside.


    He scoffed and paid it no mind, grabbing one of the many free umbres presented at the exit.


    The café''s awning provided brief shelter before he moved into the open, his footsteps


    measured.


    And while he approached Emir, he observed his cohort closely.


    Starting around six months ago, they became pretty popr as well, their exploits recounted


    in every bar.


    Each one carried themselves with a distinct air of confidence, with some more than others.


    Amanda and Kiera walked to the right and left of their leader, their eyes scanning the


    surroundings with each step.


    Jack and Sarah followed, engaged in a quiet conversation, while Evan, Hiro, and Leo brought


    up the rear, their expressions alert, trained on him, the approaching man.


    "Emir."


    Richard called out, his voice cutting through the rain.


    The group halted, turning to face him.


    Emir''s expression remained impassive, but a flicker of recognition passed through his eyes.


    "Richard Alexander."


    He slightly nodded out of respect, while the others bowed, their hands on their second heart.


    "Never thought I''d meet Sofia''s father today; it''s an honor."


    "It''s my pleasure; please stand."


    Emir met his gaze, and the rest straightened up.


    "I must ask, what brings you out on a rainy day like this?"


    Richard smiled, though it didn''t quite reach his eyes.


    "Curiosity, mostly. It''s not every day one sees a man like you walking these streets."


    Emir''s lips curled into a faint smile.


    "Business, as always. We''re here to discuss some potential coborations and perhaps a few...


    acquisitions."


    Richard''s interest was genuinely piqued now.


    "Coborations, you say? I hope Ster is on your list."


    Emir''s smile widened slightly, a hint of amusement in his eyes.


    "Ster is always of interest. Your work in scientific advancements is unparalleled, without it,


    my childhood would be so very different, but I must decline, it''s too audacious for us to even


    think about coborating with your corporation."


    "Perhaps..."


    The ice queen''s father didn''t deny that and instead pointed at the cafe; he just left with his


    thumb.


    "Care for a coffee? Luna Noir Café, I''m sure you''re familiar with their service."


    Emir nced at the café, then back at Richard.


    "I do, the cleaners did great the first time I visited..."


    After a moment of contemtion, he said: "Suppose I could use a break. Lead the way."