The Argument

The Argument

Having arrived back from China only hours before, Asterick was already uploading the pictures and sketches from the elaborate room he had stayed in.  The main room itself was rug, a deep blue and was like walking on velvet from memory.  The bathroom was amazing and was where he had spent a majority of his time; this was because the bathroom had an amazing sauna/ bathtub in fountain design.

It was a three-tier design, overflowing into a nestled outer wall.  Steam flowed and circled the room thanks to the ingenious air flow design. It was never too hot, or water too cool; it was the best series of baths he had ever had in a single stay at a hotel.  The mirrors were covered in a gold leaf Chinese script, though he did not know what it meant or depicted.

The holographic technologic integration into the Blasar computer systems, “The Interface”, “The Valley”, “The Ubratrap” and “The Core” was by far the greatest achievement since the Interface gloves a month or so earlier.

It was nice being back in the Americas after the short break, it always seemed to bring a sense of optimism with it.

After a week or so reviewing the company sector by sector and fine-tuning the bi-weekly management report for upper management, Asterick sat down in his kitchen of his Blasar Incorporated condominium; his own spanned three levels and included artistic recreations of every artefact of importance to the novel; mostly gold, many in white gold, often adorned with precious stones, gems, jewels and other precious metals.

From the kitchen console he ordered a three-meat jambalaya with cream-sauce, fusilli and baked in “too many cheeses” topped with parsley.  It was wonderful, so he typed a memo to the cooks in the kitchen downstairs on the main floor, that he had enjoyed it very much.  A few minutes later a mickey of tequila and a container of ice arrived along with his favourite infusions.

Being Thursday and Justin’s visit not until tomorrow, Asterick read and reread the 25 page progress report, deciding on the photos of each sector and chose the top three employees by statistics and recommendation.

The grand-opening and unveiling of “The Core” was in the morning and the final integration of “The Core” to “The Interface”, “The Valley”, and the “Ubratrap”.  The RNA analysis processor now perfected, the projects could be carried forth with no doubts.

The decoding of war and disease on the planet would be greatly appreciated... Asterick soon fell asleep soon after the last saves and corporate back-ups to the affiliated countries.

Morning came and the coffee canisters were already on the dumbwaiter.  He drank one, then the second as he got ready for the big day.  Two quick trips to the rooftop for cigarettes after a breath of fresh air, listening to various music the whole time to psych himself up.  Soon he would be off in the company limo to the Computation sector building where the program would be revealed at long last.

After several presentations from several sector managers, the Hologram unit came to life in unison with the program.  “The Core” trailer presentation was wonderful, portraying the last 10,000 years of Earth history and how “The Core” would at last decode and prevent any further wars and pandemics.

The crowd applaused, Asterick included, then looking to the reaction of upper management, Tuk, the Quetzal brothers were applauding as well, accepting handshake after handshake, but no Justin anywhere...

Checking his applet, the Interface indicated that Justin had left several minutes into the 20 minute holographic presentation.

The limo was waiting for Asterick, more cigars and champagnes than he could ever want, the “Muchos Gracias’ ” of the others of upper management still echoing in his mind, revelling in the attention.

The ride to the Condo sector was probably the longest in his life, and he had travelled on many buses, trains, planes and boats; the cigars and champagne was good though...

Asterick arrived home and ordered what he liked to call “Four-heads-are-better-than-one”, a mickey of tequila, one of vodka, one of spiced rum and one of whiskey.  He set the environmental thermostat to indoor smoking, and then snacked on tortillas and queso, with a side dish of herbed rice and soya sauce, while he drank down the mixtures.

“It was like old lady Dawson reviewing the computer simulation of the Titanic sinking” came the voice of Justin through the Romanesque style door.

“Better late than never, it had to be a 100% accuracy level before proceeding.”

“How long have you known, huh?” Came the yelling.  Asterick not sure if he should respond or not.

“In what capacity?  The research has been ongoing since...”

“Don’t give me that shit...” Justin started, too angry to finish.  Ast got a good slap, and couldn’t help but laughing, he should have clued in with the Titanic reference...

“You think this is funny- huh, punk?” Justin still livid, his anger now turning to resentment; the RNA/Bio-electric field output of “The Core” could have helped many in the long years between 2013 and 2018; Justin had invested millions of dollars into research and had recreated hundreds of artifacts for Blasar Incorporated for the supportive accounts for God’s Kingdom which had been destroyed for ‘insurance purposes’, Asterick had always said.

The silence in the room was overwhelming despite the lull of music, the trickling of the waterfall halfway down the right hand side of the staircase, over the artefact gallery, into the aquarium; the tubular aquarium apertures off the main tank stemming through the three levels; ivy plants waving lightly in the breeze of the environmental modification device, a scaled down version of the original.

“Before or after the outbreaks and attacks of 2013?” he asked.

Asterick finished his drink as Justin left; turning back one last time: “All I wanted was a fucking normal life.” then, slamming the door.