New book idea - A Drone of My Own - First Chapter - Rough draft

Chapter 1 (approx. 13 pages)

“We need an attache for a regional manager for approximately three to six months.” I looked across the simple oak desk at a man whom I did not know, but he radiated restrained power as though he breathed it in daily. I frowned slightly as he continued. He did not ask for any information from my end, or my qualifications. I didn't expect I could fill this position at all.

“My nephew has returned home for a period of time to visit his family, so this position is definitely temporary.” Then he stared at me hard.

“I understand, sir. I'm not sure I would fit this position though. I'm good with my hands, but I lack any specialized training at administrative duties.” He nodded.

“I know. This position was purposely created to give my nephew a job, and that is it. You'll run any errands that the manager requires, and he'll be responsible for you within the confines of our company policies. My policies.” I cleared my throat lightly.

“I understand, sir.” He nodded. The ease with which I accepted his words didn't seem to impress him, or cause him to reconsider either.

“There is an apartment on site that he uses, which you will now use until he returns. Here is a copy of our company policies, and our HR manager will go over them with you.” He stood up, so I followed his lead. He didn't extend his hand, so I kept mine at my side. There was something about this man that spelled power and control at the same time. I couldn't quite put my finger on it though.

He walked me to his door, though it was not an escort. He merely went in that direction, and if I was smart, I would follow. He frowned a little, and looked at me a bit closer.

“You're not going to say anything?”

“You've explained your expectations, sir. Those policies are what you expect, and the HR manager will be responsible to familiarize me with them. The regional manager will be responsible for my behavior as well. Since it is temporary, no future position should be expected.” He didn't smile, but there was an acknowledgment in his eyes. What that meant, I did not yet know.

But eventually, I would come to know that look quite well.

“You've met Mr. Rodham.” Mrs. Belmand, the HR manager, said but didn't not require an answer. “He expects certain things while you're a part of this company.” She gestured that I should follow her. This tall robust woman, probably in her early thirties, led me to another office, however, this one seemed to be more for show, and used to impress others. It was all candy, but no depth. There was nothing of this woman in it. It reflected prestige, and adornment, yet Mrs. Belmand exuded power, and control. It was confusing to say the least.

“The VP's office shall do for your entry training.” That made sense. A vice president might want to show off a little. “The pad he gave you contains all the policies on different things you might encounter within the company.” She turned towards me and stared at me hard. “One thing of note you might want to keep at the forefront of your mind. Mr. Rodham interviewed you, but that does not mean he is your friend. If he asks you a question, or tells you to do something, you do it. Otherwise, all instructions come through myself, or the regional manager.” I nodded.

“I understand. Its business, not personal.” She frowned.

“What do you mean?”

“I'm being hired for business purposes, not as a personal favor. I'll do the job that is expected, within the confines of his words.” She cocked her head.

“Explain – his words.”

“His policies. He wrote them, correct?” She nodded. “Then what he wants me to know of him is there. Everything else is secondary.” She turned away.

“You have no formal training in human resources.” It was a statement, not a question. “How do you know this?”

“An architect, a writer, or any person who creates something, will often put who they are within their creations. A writer has beliefs that often influence their words.” She nodded, and once again, he saw that look, but it was in her eyes this time.

“Very well. I will escort you to the apartment he wishes you to occupy for the next few months. Spend the next few days on these policies. Use the computer to contact corporate security for information, or myself for instructions when you feel that you've completed the current task.” I followed her, just a bit to her side, but still behind her. If I stood directly behind her, I might be distracted by her physique, and miss some important information. Mrs. Belmand was almost my archetype for female physiques.

The complex was huge, but the apartment would be considered lavish where I grew up. It was an all glass unit, with electronic dimming, and darkening glass. Mrs. Belmand smiled a little as she opened the door after she keyed in a door code.

“This is the apartment you'll be staying in.” She walked inside, and expected me to follow. “What do you think?” She asked, and kept her gaze right on my eyes, and face.

“I think Mr. Rodan takes care of his family.” She arched an eyebrow.

“Oh? Explain.” I swallowed a small lump. She didn't bristle at my statement, but I could tell I might be close to an unseen edge of a cliff.

“Its lavish, from my perspective. Its secured within the facility grounds, to keep him safe, and he has access to almost anything he could desire.” I cleared my throat and got right to it. “Since this is a secured apartment, is there a default code, or do I input a new one as a new user?” There was that inscrutable look again.

“Computer. Identify.” Another voice rang out in the apartment.

“Mrs. Belmand, Executive VP of Human Resources.” The voice was almost exactly like hers. It was softer, and a little more sultry, but still eerily similar.

“Input new user, Mr. Edan Adanney. Access limited to the scope of the occupant of this apartment.” She kept her eyes on me.

“New user inputted. Voice print verification required.” She nodded her head.

“Computer. Voice print verification. Mr. Edan Adaney.” I spoke clearly and made sure I spoke with no extra inflections other then what I normally used. Her look didn't change, but grew sharper for some reason.

“Input access code.” A holographic numerical display appeared before me.

“Computer, change display to an alpha-numerical display.” The interface disappeared and was replaced with a holographic keyboard. I quickly typed in a thirty two digit code, and when I looked back up, she had a frown on her face.

“Explain. You know about these types of interfaces? And how did you know to speak plainly?”

“I followed your lead. I speculated that a holographic interface could be changed, and therefore could use a more complicated password.” Her frown faded, which was followed by a more speculative look.

“It appears you surmised correctly. Get comfortable, and feel free to explore the apartment. The former occupant's personal items were removed, and it now stands ready for occupancy. The kitchen was restocked, so you may make your meals here as well. Check out employee boards for any additional information regarding your location within the complex and applicable amenities.” She left without a goodbye, or a hand shake.

I looked around slowly, and whistled softly.

“Computer. Current occupancy mode, and available modes.”

“The system is set to day time, however, can be set to nighttime any time of the day. It can also be changed to privacy mode, where all the outside windows will be darkened so no outside person will be able to see within the unit.”

“Initiate privacy mode.”

“What do you think?”

“He's sharp, and intelligent. Completely unexpected.”

“Agreed. Keep an eye on him, and see if he is able to follow instructions.” He turned towards Mrs. Belmand.

“Be sure to get some sleep tonight. You look tired.”

“I will, father. Good night.”

“Mrs. Belmand? There is an emergency at the apartment.” Connie opened her eyes. Her father's voice was clear, and excited for some reason.

“Explain.” Her father grunted at her clipped tone.

“The hooligans have returned.” She smiled.

“I'll watch the monitor.”

“Woo hoooo!” I turned quickly as three sloppily dressed youths skateboarded into the apartment. I was taken a bit by surprise when the first one flipped off his board, and stood up in a hand stand, on my shoulders.

“What the....” I looked up, and noticed a smile pass his lips. A sadistic smile. I lowered my eyes and saw the skateboard of the second teen being swung.

Right towards my face.

“Damn. Father, did his file say he had martial arts training?” There was a chuckle on the other end of the line.

“He didn't put it down.” Mr. Rodham watched as his new employee fell to his knees, and the skateboard sailed over his head and clipped his friend.

Square on the jaw.

“Idiots.” I muttered. Before he had time to react, I got up, threw a quick straight right and crossed his eyes. I now looked at the other boy who was dumbfounded for only a brief second. He had sailed into the kitchen, but it was easy to see his fallen friends from the open concept kitchen.

“Bastard!” He yelled, turned his board about, and started to put on some speed.

Unfortunately for him, I was over two hundred pounds, while he sat at about one hundred and thirty. The impact to his jaw as he was deflected closed his eyes just as easily as his friends.

“Computer. Call security about a break-in of three suspects.”

“Acknowledged.” A soft voice spoke.

“Computer, display video logs for the door they entered in.”

“Accessing. Voice verification confirmed. Input access code.” The holographic display appeared and I quickly punched in the code.

“Hmm.” I watched for a moment. “Computer, rewind to where they input the code, and magnify the panel.”

“Accessing.” The panel appeared and the first young man quickly punched in a six digit code.

“Interesting. Computer. Inform security, and Mrs. Belmand that we have a security leak.”

“Calling security. Sending a message to Executive VP of Human Resources, Mrs. Belmand.” Her father chuckled.

“You do like to play that role, don't you?” She smiled.

“Its useful. Call the security manager down to the apartment. Lets see if he sees what our new employee sees.”

“If he doesn't, he doesn't belong in that job. See to it.”

“Yes, father. Shall I let him have a little more accidental access?”

“Do it. See what other secrets he can find for us. Something doesn't smell right.”

All three young men sat grumpily on the floor until the security manager and two officers arrived. They jumped to their feet, only to sit back down at my hard look. Mrs. Belmand gave me another one of those looks.

“We have permission to be here! Our friend....” I interrupted.

“Is on vacation. Any authorization he gave you has been rescinded. Which means you are on private property illegally.” The security manager shrugged his shoulders.

“Mrs. Belmand, these boys don't normally cause any harm to the property, and they are friends.” Mrs. Belmand looked right at me.

“Do you have something to add to that?”

“Computer. Play video log for the time of entry, magnify on the panel.” A simple device flashed the holo panel, and four keys glowed brightly. He quickly pressed in six digits and the door opened. The manager shrugged his shoulders.

“He had a key cracker, Mrs. Belmand. All that it means is he broke into this apartment.”

“Do you have anything else to add to that?” She asked me.

“The code was six digits long. Two of those digits were duplicates of the four lit keys. There is no way they could find that code, punch it in flawlessly, and know it was six digits long without them being given the code in advance. The key cracker was fluff.” Mrs. Belmand turned her back and stopped at the door.

“Mr. Smith. See me in my office first thing in the morning.” She glanced at the other officers. “Escort those off the property. If they return, break bones.” They snapped a quick salute.

“Yes, ma'am!” Mr. Smith looked at me with a snarl.

“Just who the hell are you?” I shook my head.

“A temp, hired to occupy this apartment only. Now if you'll excuse me, sir, I need to study the company policies. I have a feeling I will need to know a few things quite soon.”

“You have no idea, Edan.” He chuckled under his breath. He quickly typed a simple message to his daughter who would understand what it meant as soon as she read it.

She smiled as she read his message, after her father retired for the night.

“Fire him. Replace temporarily until proper replacement can be head hunted, or trained.”

“You've made quite the impression already, Mr. Adaney. I wonder how else you'll shake up things around here.” On a whim, she smiled softly, and opened her monitor. His low gravelly voice rumbled out of the speaker.

“Computer. Will the company allow self defense training?”

“It does. There are several company funded programs on the facility premises at various times during the day.”

“List them.”

“Karate. Kenpo. Jujitsu. Taekwondo. Boxing. Wrestling. Kick boxing. Muay Thai.”

“Kenpo, and Jujitsu. Find me a daily class for each that will not interfere with any errands I'll need to perform for the company.”

“One morning and one evening class scheduled. One hour reminders will be given.”

“Computer, open a large display, thirty inches high by forty eight inches wide, and load the company policies onto the display.” A display appeared. “Increase font size by three hundred percent. Good. Give me a holographic scroll on the arm of this couch to move the text when I'm ready.”

“Interesting.” She murmured, and closed the display.

A pleasant shiver went down her spine. Quite an impression.

“Computer. Mark this spot, and highlight previous two pages for further study. Close display.”

“Acknowledged. Mr. Adanney, please fill out your nightly report before going to bed.” The level of context the computer used was unusual, so the programming was top notch.

“Explain.” The first page of the policy flashed onto the screen, with a line highlighted. He had only skimmed over it, so he missed the implication of it.

“I see. Nightly reports of all personnel on site must be filed. A rough draft may be initiated, then deleted, but the final draft may be read by management, and referred to at any time.”

“Affirmative.”

“Alright, begin recording rough draft. First day. Relatively quiet except for some would be thieves who broke in. My interview went quickly, and I met one of the management staff. Mrs. Belmand.” He said her name in a low tone. “She was....incredible. However, I must not get distracted. Something doesn't feel right already. How does a seasoned security officer miss such an obvious error? Are there other things he's missed? Wait, the code those kids used! Computer?  Has that code been used elsewhere? Halt rough draft. Delete.”

“Hm, so I made an impression on him.” She read the rest of the rough draft and smiled. It was an easy way to delve into the thoughts of their employees. Often, people said more then they would normally say in rough drafts that they thought were being deleted.

“Computer, send this report to my father. He'll want to see that his hunch was correct.” She heard the simple ting of a bell that signaled her the report was sent, and sat down in her favored chair.

“Computer, access the files Mr. Adanney has asked for. If there are security issues, ease up the restrictions enough to allow him to follow any trail that was left.”

“Explain, Mrs. Belmand.”

“He'll want access to certain areas of the plant he should not be in, and records that his security clearance doesn't allow.”  With little time to process the new security clearance, or for Edan to use it, the computer spoke.

“A report has been filed, Mrs. Belmand. Shall I load it up for you?”

“Who filed it?”

“Mr. Adanney.”

“Load it.” His gravelly voice rumbled over her, and she felt a small thrill as it entered her ears. It almost felt like a deep resonating drum as he spoke.

“First day report. A break in has revealed some interesting information. A seasoned security officer did not see simple security problems. A detailed search of where the code has been used other then this apartment shows that it was used at a door to a warehouse, which houses specialized equipment for interstellar ships. The strange thing is that the computer told me more about what goes on inside that plant then it should of. I will speak to Mrs. Belmand in the morning. The computer seems to be giving me the same security clearance as the former occupant, and he also seems to have had far too much clearance to do things he should not have. Maybe inventories should be checked, as well as the inventory on schematics. Something is not right. End of report.” Connie growled.

“Computer, was this report completed before his security access was lightened?"

"Affirmative."  Connie closed her eyes.

"Send this report to my father.” A voice crackled over the line.

“Already received. Wake any staff necessary to start these hunts. I want to know what has been going on. Also, arrange an accident for my nephew. Nothing severe. Broken arm and leg. A lesson that I hope does not have to go any further.” She shivered.

“Understood. Computer. Wake the warehouse staff, and have two security divisions meet us there. Mr. Smith is not to be woken up, and if he is there, dismiss him from my presence. I will see him in the morning.”

“Yes, Mrs. Belmand. Orders have been sent.”

“Do not elaborate to anyone who found the information. He is our secret weapon for now. Understood, Mrs. Belmand?”

“Of course."  She was surprised he even had to remind her of that.  "You know my name, father. Use it.” She said irritably. He smiled.

“Not during work time, Connie. You know that.” She grumbled a little in spite of the soft tone he had in his voice when he said her name.

“I haven't learned how to completely unplug myself during work hours, but I will.” He smiled softly as he watched his daughter leave.  She was one of only two weaknesses, and the only real family he had left, save for his worthless brother.

“So much like your mother.”  He said fondly as a memory forced its way back into his mind, and made him pause.

Connie's mother.  The only reason he's never taken another lover, and his only other existing weakness.