Interlude- Brandon (26 page)

Chapter 74

Brandon stood at the front of the conference room wearing a custom tailored black suit. His hair was professionally styled and he was clean shaven, although at eighteen facial hair wasn’t much of an issue. An attractive platinum watch peeked out from his right cuff as he reached for a glass of water from the small table nearby. Taking a sip, he gazed out confidently at his audience. A small group composed of twenty men and women sat around a very elegant conference table. All of them regarded him with impassive faces and straight backs. They were the controlling board members and major stockholders of VirtDyne, a group of wealthy people backed against the wall by failure and misfortune.

Their company was failing, and they had gathered today at the request of Brandon Strayne to hear his proposal for saving it from certain death. It was obvious from the looks on their faces that they expected nothing but empty promises and unrealistic results from this young man, but they were sitting here because their only alternative was to accept failure and financial ruin.

Brandon smiled warmly as he began his address.

“I would like to thank you for agreeing to meet with me today. I have followed your company with intent interest during these past two years, and I’m as disappointed as you to hear of its difficulties.”

Brandon scanned the crowd and noticed some of the attendees visibly squirming in their seats. They were most likely the ones who would be completely ruined when VirtDyne closed its doors. He mentally noted these individuals; they could be his strongest supporters.

“Most of you know my father by reputation; some have even worked with him in the past.” A few people nodded in agreement. “But none of you likely know much about me.” He flashed them a wide grin, “I have sufficient funds to buy into this company as a shareholder, and I’m certain the money would help keep you afloat for a few more months.” Some people looked at each other hopefully, nodding as if this would be desirable.

Brandon shook his head and continued to speak. “That isn’t going to happen. I might be young, but I’m certainly not foolish when it comes to money, business, or computer technology.”

He began to slowly move back and forth on his small stage, making eye contact with people as he spoke. “To spend money on a business that can’t produce a working product would be a waste of time, and so I won’t offer you any.”

Some members began to grumble and mutter to each other, while others scowled and looked at their watches with impatience.

“Instead, I’m here to offer the thing that everyone in this room needs most.” Brandon stopped in the middle of the stage, paused, and then raised his right hand. “I’m here to offer you fully functioning virtual reality technology.”

Brandon put his arms behind his back and waited quietly.

“Kid hasn’t got a clue of what he’s talking about,” one man said.

“There’s no way a child could fix something that the best programmers in the world can’t solve,” said another.

“His father is a computing genius,” one shareholder mumbled.

“We have nothing to lose by letting him try,”

“It’s not like he can do worse, people have already died,”

As the volume of conversation increased, Brandon listened closely and could hear two streams forming; one for him, and one against. Minutes passed, and as the noise grew to a loud crescendo, an older man dressed as impeccably as Brandon stood up and spoke.

“That’s enough,” his deep voice boomed loudly, sounding like a fog horn being blown inside a tunnel. “Let the young man finish his proposal.”

The room quieted, and the man swept his arm towards Brandon and nodded. “Please go on.”

“Thank you,” Brandon said. “Instead of money, I propose to buy into VirtDyne with expertise and results.” He looked pointedly at the people who could lose the most and continued. “I’ll come to work at VirtDyne and take no wage. I’ll deliver fully functioning virtual reality technology, providing the results that VirtDyne has promised to Tygon.”

There was more talking and discussion, but the old man raised his hand for silence. “What do you want if you succeed?” he asked, getting straight to the point.

Brandon smiled, “I want a 51 percent controlling interest in VirtDyne.”

People shot out of their seats and started shouting at Brandon, pointing at each other and raising their hands in outrage. Brandon smiled calmly and let them rage at the offer. After a few moments he straightened his tie, adjusted his cuffs, and began to walk towards the door. As he opened the door, he heard someone call for quiet again and he paused.

“That’s a very large demand,” the old man said.

Brandon turned around and looked at the man. Control of VirtDyne currently rested with this gentleman, who’d founded the company years ago with a bold vision and an aggressive plan. Brandon walked back towards the stage with a nod.

“It is a large demand,” he said, “if it were for a company that had a product to sell.” He looked at the shareholders and his smile faded to be replaced by a look of disgust. “I don’t see that, though. I see a company with massive debt, stockholders who’ve spent all their money on failure, and a product whose only accomplishment so far has been to kill dozens of people.”

He held his hands up before anyone could protest, the smile back on his face. “I assure you, folks, I can make this thing work. When I do, then you’ll all be extremely wealthy. I think you might as well take one more chance. What’s the worst that could happen? The company will die and you lose all your investment?”

People slowly nodded, they knew there was nothing to lose at this point, and everything to gain. Brandon had left this meeting until the last possible moment; he knew they were desperate for any chance, and he’d made certain that this was the only offer they would get.

The old man stood up and looked at the crowd. “We don’t have time to debate this for weeks, you all know that. Let’s put it to a vote now. Those of you who want to take one more roll of the dice and agree to Mr. Strayne’s proposal, raise your hand. Those who want to lose everything invested so far, keep silent. Who’s interested?”

The vote was unanimous as everyone’s hand shot into the air. The look of hope was visible on many faces. Brandon smiled and nodded positively; he knew it wouldn’t take long to get the VR technology up and working. Standing at the front of the room, Brandon raised his hands and smiled.

He’d just become a very powerful man.

Chapter 75

Many of you may recall VirtDyne, the company that unsuccessfully attempted to invent and implement virtual reality technology over the past few years. Less than one month ago, founder and CEO Bertrand Crain indicated that the company would be shutting its doors due to repeated failures and lack of direction. Yesterday, Mr. Crain shocked the world by announcing that the company had completely turned things around and achieved success in creating a safe, reliable virtual reality experience.

Now the world is buzzing at the limitless possibilities that this new medium will bring. The business community is lining up at VirtDyne’s door to tap into the marketing and sales potential, the entertainment industry is clamouring to get an audience with VirtDyne’s top brass, and every other significant power on Tygon is posturing for an opportunity to discuss using the new technology.

This morning the world was shocked yet again, when Mr. Crain announced that he would be stepping down as CEO of VirtDyne. During what should be the greatest moment of his career, he’s announced that his replacement is to be none other than Brandon Strayne.
Everyone knows Russell Strayne, the world’s most brilliant computer innovator and programmer, but his son Brandon turned eighteen only a few weeks ago.

It appears that Brandon Strayne’s entrance onto the world stage has eclipsed even that of his father.

News report

“This is outrageous!” Bertrand Crain bellowed as he slammed his fist on the table in anger.

Brandon sat and looked at Bertrand curiously.

“You can’t simply remove me from the equation, Brandon. I built this company from the ground up. For years I’ve invested and encouraged others to believe in this dream. VirtDyne would be nothing without my vision!”

Brandon smiled coldly. “Are we really having this conversation, Bertrand?” he asked. “Do you seriously believe the words
dribbling out of your mouth?”

Bertrand looked at Brandon for a moment, his mouth moving but making no sound. The man was angry, which Brandon could understand, but he had no patience to listen to him whine because a deal made in desperation suddenly came to pass. He started to say something, but Brandon held up his hand
to silence him.

“The deal has been struck, Bertrand. 51 percent of the company already belongs to me. The offer I’m making you right now is for an additional 30 percent of the remaining stock. A portion of that 30 percent is yours; I’ve already spoken with other shareholders and they’ve accepted. Now listen carefully to my offer, and either nod your head to indicate yes or no when I’m done making it.”

Bertrand’s face turned red but he said nothing.

Brandon nodded. “
Stock price prior to our announcement was five credits per share. After we made the announcement, it jumped to more than 300 credits per share.”

Bertrand couldn’t help but smile at that. No company had ever made such a leap in value in the history of Tygon.

“I estimate,” Brandon continued, “that the shares will drop in value significantly after my next announcement, but you shouldn’t be penalized for that, so here’s my offer to you. I will pay you 600 credits per share.”

Bertrand’s eyes widened in surprise. From the 300 credit jump he was already an incredibly wealthy man. This additional offer made him instantly one of the wealthiest men in the entire world. Still wanting to maintain some semblance of control, Bertrand nodded thoughtfully and tried to prevent his grin from surfacing. “I would like some time to think about the offer, if you don’t mind?” he said.

Brandon smiled amiably and nodded. “Of course, Bertrand.” Then his eyes turned to ice and his smile disappeared. He pushed a piece of paper towards the old man and placed a pen on top of it. “You have thirty seconds.”

Bertrand quickly grabbed for the pen and scribbled his signature on the bottom of the agreement. He stood up and shook hands with Brandon. “It’s been a great pleasure doing business with you, Brandon. I wish you good luck.”

Brandon grinned. “Thanks, Bertrand. Luck is always welcome in my games.”

Chapter 76

Three months ago, Brandon Strayne entered the world stage and turned finance and technology on its head. When his company, VirtDyne, announced that they’d successfully invented virtual reality technology, investors couldn’t buy stock fast enough. Share prices soared overnight from five credits to 300, and the world lined up at Brandon’s door to discuss integrating the new technology into their business models.

Not one single deal has been struck during the past three months and stock prices have dropped at an alarming rate considering Mr. Strayne’s recent press conference.

Mr. Strayne announced this week that VirtDyne will not be making their technology available to any business or commercial venture. Instead he stated that his company will commit their resources entirely to developing a new and more effective type of educational system. Children will be submersed in a virtual reality world where they will learn at an accelerated pace. Initially met with skepticism and doubt, VirtDyne convinced a few small countries to try this new schooling method for a period of two months.

Early results are showing that students of this virtual reality school are scoring significantly better than children who attend traditional facilities, which is causing most countries to take notice and consider the new option as well.

Society has been in a state of decline for some years now, with the gap between classes widening drastically. Experts around the world are praising Brandon Strayne’s new virtual school and labelling it, ‘The best hope for the future of our planet.’

Mr. Strayne adamantly maintains that he will not allow his technology to be used for anything other than this educational program, which he has named, ‘the Game.’

The world continues to watch developments unfold…

Carl sat at the bar and nursed his drink. Occasionally his gaze went to the mirror behind the bar, resting on a wealthy man sitting at a booth.

The man was laughing and pouring drinks for three women and one man. The women were obviously hired; they were too beautiful and laughed just a bit too much to be girlfriends or wives. The group had been here for the past three hours, partying and making noise, drinks and food moving back and forth in a constant train of servers from the bar to the table. This was a popular hangout for the rich clientele of the business district, and Carl knew the man came here at least two or three times a week to relax and unwind. This man was a very powerful individual in the business world, so powerful that he’d aggressively pursued VirtDyne, trying to force them to work with his company to incorporate VR technology into his business. Two days ago, during a personal meeting with Brandon Strayne, this man had threatened to make Brandon sorry if he continued to refuse a working relationship. Brandon had nodded and agreed to consider the proposal more seriously.

Tonight, the man would die for threatening Brandon and his plan.

Carl sat patiently at the bar, sipping his drink and waiting for the man to leave. Two hours later, the man pulled out a wad of bills from his pants and dropped it clumsily onto the table top. He stood up, grabbed one blonde woman around the waist, and began to weave his way towards the exit. Carl finished his drink and left money on the bar, then stood up and left through the same door.

The man was standing at the curb, holding onto the blonde girl tightly he wobbled uncertainly from the effects of accumulated alcohol. “
Wheresh the limo?” his voice slurred turning his head raggedly from side to side.

Carl approached him and grabbed his arm lightly. “It’s right this way, sir,” he said. “I moved it out of the view of the press and photographers. If you’ll just follow me, we’ll get you home right away.”

The man peered intently at Carl, his eyes trying to focus on the man offering help. “Are you my normal driver?” he asked. “You don’ look like my normal driver.”

Carl smiled pleasantly, “He’s sick tonight, sir. I’ve driven for you before; my name is Dan.”

The man tilted his head and then nodded confidently. “Oh, thash right. Heya, Dan, wheresh the car parked?”

“It’s right this way, sir,” Carl began to walk towards the alley, still holding the man’s arm. The girl started to follow them, but Carl looked at her and shook his head slowly. She sensed danger, and quickly walked away in the opposite direction.

Carl put the man into the back seat of the car, got into the driver’s seat, and pulled out of the parking lot.

“Where are we goin’, Dan?” the man slurred from the back. “I don’ think this ish the way home.” Carl ignored him and continued to drive.

Ten minutes later, Carl pulled into a quiet area under a bridge. There were no cameras and the area was poorly lit. He turned the motor off, got out of the vehicle and walked around to the back passenger side door. Reaching in, he grabbed the man and roughly dragged him out.

“Hey! What’re you
doin’, Dan?”

“Quiet,” Carl growled. He placed the palm of his hand against the man’s head and felt the energy transfer begin. A few moments later the man’s eyes became clear, his drunkenness completely gone.

“Wow, I feel totally sober,” the man said. Then he looked up at Carl as if seeing him for the first time. “Wait a minute, you’re not Dan. Who are you?”

Carl’s mouth pulled back to reveal his teeth in more of a snarl than smile. “I’m the man you meet when you threaten Brandon Strayne,” he said, pulling the man up effortlessly so that he was now standing.

The man looked around, seeing that he was alone and completely unprotected. He began to stammer. “Please, I meant nothing by it. It’s just business. I wanted to do a deal with Strayne and he was playing hardball. I had to say something to try and get his attention.”

Carl pulled out a knife and held it in front of him. “I think you got his attention, sheep,” he said. “I also believe Mr. Strayne agreed to join you for a game of hardball.”

Before the man could say anything else, Carl slid the knife between his ribs and into his heart. He watched the man curiously as life slowly drained from his body, then he let him drop to the ground.

Carl cleaned his blade, got back into the vehicle, and drove away.