The Song of a Little Ghost, page 13
part #6 of The Silent Assassin Series
“So you don’t want my help? I stopped Omega Kepler, you know.”
Constantine grumbled. He took a step and stared up at Audi, who was one head taller than him. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”
“First of all,” Audi begun. “Your company’s salary rate is ridiculously low. Just because Terra abolished minimum wage, doesn’t mean you can pay them poverty wage.”
“I did meticulous amount of calculations,” Constantine replied. “Even the lowest rate should still allow them to eat decently everyday—“
“Eat decently?” Audi frowned. “An individual has four basic necessities: food, clothing, shelter, and energy! Your graduate employees can only survive by sharing a small housing unit amongst three or four of them!”
Constantine gritted his teeth.
“Secondly,” Audi raised two fingers. “I’ve analysed your company’s financial ledgers since founding, and you seem to have an unaccounted stream of income,” he paused. “Any comment?”
“None,” the CEO spoke fast.
Audi cocked an eyebrow. “This ghost revenue covers the entire cost of Research and Development for your Climate Restoration Technology, You could’ve survived without going public and sell shares to shareholders, yet you did. If they find out about this, they’ll freak out knowing their share values could’ve worth more.”
Silence.
“Still, nothing too incriminating to incite Petit Fantome’s attack—these were just old, boring corporate lack of ethics,” Audi pocketed his UFX-PDA. “You must’ve hidden your card well.”
“Listen, boy,” Constantine pushed his finger on the Audi’s chest. “I don’t care if you’re a Nagisawa Corporation employee, but you’ve breached multiple layers of my trust, and I have the right to have the guards drag you out—“
Bryant stepped forward. “Isn’t that redundant, Mr. CEO?” his voice stiffened. “You’ve already sent an entire squad of guards to the location, and they weren’t even holding back trying to kill us.”
“What?” Constantine frowned. “What squad?”
“Those guards you ordered to intercept us in the node server!”
The CEO crossed his arms. “I didn’t send anyone.”
Bryant raised his eyebrows. “Then what were those guys? Especially the guy in a mask who can punch so hard, he actually sent me flying,” he paused. “I’m quite heavy even without my armour, so that’s some screwed up power.”
Constantine’s eyes opened wide.
He fixed his glasses and turned back. Constantine raised his arm and waved it. The security guards dispersed. “I’ll forgive you this one time,” he spoke softly. “That…he’s not supposed to be here.”
He walked away.
Audi glanced at Bryant. “What was that about?”
“No idea,” Byrant replied. “That’s some cliffhanger talk, but at least he…forgave us?”
Matthew slipped between the two and squatted down. He pressed a button on his goggle and projected images of schematics and pages of reports on the floor. “I’ve finished my analysis on the Climate Restoration Technology,” he said. “Unfortunately, their research is clean. Nothing strange.”
“How boring,” Bryant sighed. “So all that shit we went through was for nothing?”
“Not quite,” Matthew pointed at a report. “When I said clean, I meant not saying much,” he said. “Simonovsky Tech has done extensive research on the impact of various chemical dispersion in the atmosphere and experimented on the effects of electromagnetic waves to a planet’s atmosphere and climate, but there is no mention of how they’re planning to implement these changes.”
“Elaborate,” Audi said. “How is this suspicious?”
“From the way the reports are structured and worded, it is obvious that Simonovsky Tech has already decided on a method of implementation, a way to deliver these atmospheric changes,” Matthew replied. “But the fact that we’ve seen no details on this delivery method must mean they’ve outsourced its design.”
“Outsourced to whom?”
Matthew shook his head. “No mention whatsoever.”
“Hmm,” the boy stroked his chin. “I did come across a suspicious name earlier.”
“In the data we hacked?”
“No,” the boy replied. “The annual report.”
“Isn’t that…something everyone can just access in the STORMNET?”
Audi nodded. “Simonovsky Tech was extremely bold in defying the few corporate laws that are somehow still kept by the parliaments,” he said. “Their annual report and STORMNET profile failed to list the names occupying many key positions, which is a necessary information for investors. Amid this attempt at anonymity, however, a name was slipped in so subtly: Voluntary Donor, Kelvin Anyroad.”
Bryant crossed his arms. “What’s a voluntary donor?”
“That’s an unheard position in corporate governance,” the boy replied. “The annual report described him as an important contributor, but that’s all.”
“Important contributor, huh?” Matthew tapped his foot. “That’s really vague; what kind of contributor?”
“No idea, but that’s not what I’m concerned most,” the boy paused. “It’s his name.”
“Kelvin Anyroad?”
“A silly name, don’t you think?” the boy said. “That’s definitely a pseudonym.”
Bryant laughed. He tapped the boy’s shoulder and massaged it lightly. “Nobody’s stupid enough to make a fake name so obviously strange,” he said. “He would’ve chosen something more generic and boring if it’s truly a pseudonym.”
“But—“
“Still a good observation on his position, though,” Bryant continued. “It’s something to keep a note on, but we only have three days until Petit Fantome’s assault on the Princess. You should share with her our findings.”
Audi frowned. “Why?”
“She has the right to know, don’t you think?” Bryant replied. “Besides which, I’m positive that she likes having you around.”
“Yeah right.”
“I’m serious,” the big man grabbed Audi’s both shoulders. “Maybe this is your chance to marry into the Royal Family. Be her knight. Propose. Rule the galaxy.”
Audi sighed. “A commoner like me, marrying into the Royal Family? Please. An entire damned constitution will be standing on my way, and I have no interest in playing upper-class political drama. Had enough of that back home.”
Matthew stepped forward. “Either way, informing her of our findings will be helpful,” he said. “She’s a princess, remember?”
“She would have immense resources to investigate the information we gathered.”
Chapter 3 / Part 6
“I have connections in GIB, Elvin,” Ayu spoke to her communicator. “Your wife will never discover our little…case of affairs.”
She hung up.
Ayu exited the bathroom and stepped into a luxurious living room with windows overlooking the skyline of Benteng City. Its silver walls contrasted a sofa’s dark colours, where Dina sat and brushed Victoria’s hair.
Victoria’s eyes were half-opened and she hunched forward in her dark purple night gown. She yawned as Dina massaged the centre of her head and scratched it lightly.
“Act like a royalty, Princess,” Dina sighed. “What is this unkempt behaviour? Sit straight. Open your eyes. It’s late in the morning.”
“Who caaares?” Victoria yawned again. “I’m tired of keeping my image in front of everyone. At least in private I want to sloth as much as I want.”
Ayu approached and sat on a living chair opposite them. “Three days until Petit Fantome attacks,” she said. “We better hope Simonovsky Tech is doing their job properly.”
“It’s fineee,” Victoria leaned back on the sofa’s pillow and rubbed her hair, turning it back to mess.
Dina gritted her teeth. “I just brushed—“
“Besides which, Audi is helping them organise the defence, so everything will be right,” she opened her eyes and smiled. “I’m sure he’s working really hard right now.”
“Oh dear,” Ayu and Dina spoke in simultaneity.
Victoria turned to them. “What?”
“I have so much to say,” Dina put her brush on the coffee table. “But most of all, we have to remember the fact that the boy failed every time in past mission. The board of directors are dead! You’re the only one alive, and there’s no guarantee he won’t fail again.”
Ayu nodded. “I’ve nothing against him—unlike Dina—but I agree with her this time,” she said. “I am preparing myself with the base assumption that his defence plan will fail. When the day of the attack comes, Dina and I will be the final line of defence against these uncouth…Petit Fantome.”
Victoria kept silent.
“Besides which, Princess, I’m confused why you trust him so much since the beginning,” Dina said. “He refused to kneel, and his manners are far beyond the lowest limit of a gentleman.”
“Don’t be unfair to him,” Victoria sat straight. “Audi has volunteered to stand in the frontline against Petit Fantome where others have been unwilling,” she said. “He has to experience the terror of fighting against the Ghost Girl first hand.”
“That doesn’t mean—“
“Unlike the Knights, he isn’t bound by oath, duty, or salary to protect me,” she continued. “But he vowed to me, to protect me from harm. In an age where common values are generally dismissive of my family, is that not the highest form of chivalry?”
Dina frowned. “I think he’s just a horny bastard who’s looking for opportunity.”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” Ayu replied. “But you are a princess, and every beauty magazine has described you as the royalty’s cute idol.”
“Thanks to whom?” Dina tapped her chest.
“She’s a natural beauty,” Ayu replied. “Your makeover routine is rudimentary.”
“Whatever,” Dina frowned. “Go beautify your teas and cooking or something.”
A bell ring echoed through the room.
Ayu touched her utility belt and detached her UFX-PDA. She stretched the screen and opened a display. “Speaking of the devil,” she turned it to Victoria and Dina. “Look who’s here.”
The screen showed Audi Prabian standing with both hands put behind. He stared at the camera and closed in, covering the display with the view of his eye.
Victoria stood in abrupt. “I just woke up! I haven’t showered! What do I do?”
Dina jumped over the sofa and dashed into a room. After ten seconds, she came out with a purple bath robe and draped it over the princess. “At the very least cover yourself,” she turned to Ayu. “Get the rascal in.”
Ayu fixed her posture and walked towards the door. She opened it. “Master Prabian,” she bowed slightly at the boy in front of her.
Audi cocked an eyebrow and put both hands on his hips. “What’s that for?”
“A practice for the future, just in case,” she raised her head and clasped both hands in front. “Your presence has been expected, please come in.”
“Right,” he took his shoes off and stepped in.
The boy walked towards the sofa where Victoria and Dina sat. He bowed his head slightly. “Why is the other maid not greeting me?”
“I’d rather die,” Dina frowned.
“Don’t sell your life so cheaply,” the boy replied in monotone and turned to the Princess. “Did you just wake up?”
“Eh?” Victoria flinched. “How—“
“You have light make-up on your face but your hair is messy,” he pointed at his own hair. “Anyway, I have a request that requires your authority as a Royal Family member.’
“My…authority?” Victoria straightened her posture. “Is this related to the upcoming attack by Petit Fantome?”
“Indirectly,” Audi replied. “Simonovksy Tech has a person named Kelvin Anyroad listed as their voluntary donor. I believe unveiling his identity is vital to exposing Simonovsky Tech’s true operation.”
“Simonovsky Tech is working on developing Climate Restoration Technology,” Victoria replied. “Why are you so sure that he’s hiding something?”
“Like I said, Petit Fantome isn’t a for-profit mercenary company that takes up any contract, but only those which target individuals and companies with dubious environmental and ethical records,” the boy crossed his arms. “After assessing the company’s financial ledgers and records, I discovered that shareholder’s investments, including yours, hasn’t actually gone into the alleged research on Climate Restoration Technology.”
The princess opened both her eyes wide. “Then where?”
“Other companies,” he replied. “Every equity goes to Simonovsky Tech’s trust fund.”
“No!” Victoria stood in abrupt. “Are you saying that my investments are—“
The boy nodded.
“Hold on,” Dina frowned her eyebrows. “If every bit of shareholder investments goes to trust fund, how did they get money to fund their tech research?”
“Like I said, Kelvin Anyroad.”
“Have you any idea how huge the research and development cost is? It’s bigger than some minor colonies Crowned Confederacy has!” Dina replied. “Are you saying that an individual has all that money to fund it?”
“That’s why I want an investigation on this Kelvin Anyroad,” Audi nodded. “My research through the STORMNET failed to discover even a mention of his name. Someone with so much money? Impossible to hide, yet he’s invisible.”
Victoria leaned back on the sofa without taking her sight off the boy. “And you suspect that Petit Fantome’s motive has something to do with Kelvin Anyroad?”
“Highly likely, this person is too much of a mystery to be insignificant,” Audi replied. “So, can you do it?”
Ayu sat on a lounge chair and opened her UFX-PDA. “I’ll ask my ex-colleagues in the GIB to have a quick look on it,” she said. “Dina, your old financial division may have some records. Ask them too.”
The other maid nodded and opened her UFX-PDA.
“GIB, huh?” Audi shook his head. “I knew these two aren’t the regular breed of royal maids. Ex-intelligence agents wearing frilly historical costume—now that’s a bizarre thought.”
“Shut it, rascal,” Dina grumbled without looking at him. “As if anyone is fitting to protect Princess Victoria with any less than our qualifications.”
“Suit yourself,” Audi turned to Victoria. He looked at her for seconds and took a deep breath. “I’ve promised you that I will protect you with all my life, and I will try my best.”
Victoria blushed. “I…thanks…”
“Petit Fantome is unlike any enemy I’ve ever encountered before,” he continued. “This is the first time in my life that I’ve doubted my ability to fight. Not even the most powerful armoured vehicle in Gleicherde halted my resolve, but this…”
The Princess put her palm on his chest.
“You’re tired, aren’t you?” her voice softened.
“I—“
“His Imperial Majesty, The Monarch, criminalised mercenary activities after The Seagull killed his father, my grandfather, decades ago,” she stepped forward. “He vilified mercenaries for the chaos that engulfed The Crowned Confederacy, but he failed to see that they were merely symptoms; a sign of our socio-economic system’s failure to provide welfare and prosperity for the people.”
Silence.
“When this trouble is over, I will grant you any wish you want.”
“Huh?” Audi flinched. “What do you mean—“
“Anything that makes you happy,” she replied. “I can give you a permanent job so that you don’t have to worry about survival anymore. You can quit your mercenary life and live without risking your livelihood,” she paused. “With my authority as a royal family, such matter is within my power.”
The boy took a deep breath. He stared into the Princess’s eyes and locked his sight for seconds.
“Do you doubt me?” Victoria asked. “I’ve no ulterior motive.”
“I can tell that you’re not lying, which is worse,” Audi replied. “Is this what you do with your royalty status? Doing this like a street market sale willy-nilly?”
“That’s something I cannot do,” Victoria replied. “But I’m willing to go through the trouble…just for you.”
“Why me? We’ve only met a few days ago.”
“Yet you’ve shown me how much you deserve more than this unnecessary risking of life,” she pulled her palm and clasped both hands in front of her. “I sense vision. Conviction. A strength of wisdom that only a select few possess. You don’t belong in the frontline of battle, Audi,” she paused. “Your destiny is to stop humanity from plunging into the abyss of history, not with guns, but with words. Thoughts. Wisdom.”
Audi kept listening.
“I can help you, please,” she continued. “Your—“
“I’m sorry,” the boy’s tone was firm.
Victoria stopped.
“The kind of life you’re promising me: that of security, wealth, and happiness is not for me,” he replied. “I grew up in a corrupt and poverty-ridden planet, where morality has been subverted by a primal desire for self-benefit and profit. I sharpened my dagger, wit, and soul in order to survive living in such a world. Do I hate it? Yes. Am I ungrateful? No.”
“Wait…why?”
Audi stepped back and kneeled.
“My childhood was disastrous. My teenage years I spent with despair, grit, and anger. No friends. No one to trust. Nothing. It was a hell where I survived only by telling myself to be stronger,” he paused. “But that’s what made me into who I am today. That’s what defined my life goal: to defeat my mentor and rise above all that lives. It would be insanity to abandon a past which makes me, me.”
“But…are you happy with your life now?” Victoria asked. “To know that you might die any moment? To be devoid of the joy many others enjoy? Holidays. A peaceful stroll. Anything?”
The boy shook his head. “I’m not delusional enough to hypnotise myself into thinking my life is full of happiness. Instead, I embrace every aspect of life. The sweet. The sour. The bitter. The deathly poison. Every despair, heartbreak, and sorrow.”
