The Industrialist

Chapter 119 Behind Enemy Lines

Flanegan seemed to be devoid of the devious intent of vengeance that Lance orchestrated since the RoFlo production. Of course, as the Law dictated, there should be a TOR on every production floor. Apparently, Flanegan was assigned to SteamHaven for a reason. Lance hated the way Flanegan looked; his well-trimmed and gelled hair, his glassy face skin, almost perfect to look at. The very detail of a high-classer was portrayed in the guy in front of him.

"Lance Berkley, it's so nice to see you," Flanegan said, wearing his devious grin that Lance wanted to punch his face.

"Flanegan. Glad that you are assigned as my TOR," Lance said. Sounding as if he had the upper hand, and worked hard to suppress his gutful hate towards the guy.

"I am going to enjoy working with you, Mister Berkley." Flanegan mocked.

"Me too. I mean, Mister Leric had vested me the authority to oversee his weapons division, with the help of Doctor Zee of course."

"Look at you. You are climbing up the ranks. And Doctor Zee behind your back, you can be the most powerful Mechanic Tier in the City."

"Well, I am the most powerful Mechanic Tier in the City," Lance said.

Chang stepped in, between them. "I see you already know each other."

"From previous endeavors, Mister Chang," Flanegan said and had his curt bow.

Lance wondered how would Flanegan pull the strings to become a TOR outside of AmdonCore. Usually, the TORs were assigned based on the regions or sectors. Somehow, Flanegan had managed to haunt Lance in SteamHaven, a few sectors farther from his assigned sector.

"What about AmdonCore?" Lance asked.

"Well, my services are no longer required in AmdonCore, and my relatives in the Government helped me to find the most suitable job for me. And here I am. You're in luck!"

Lance's production operations would be at great risk with Flanegan on his wing. Although, Flanegan would prove himself by a successful production output, however, whatever mishaps that would happen, would be construed to Lance.

Additional pressure built up upon his shoulders. When would this end? Lance thought.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Flanegan had a few small talks with Chang and the latter would laugh from the former's wits.

"Flanegan, as my TOR, what's the progress now of our preparation," Lance interjected.

Lance wanted to take revenge on Flanegan. The tables had turned and Lance wouldn't let Flanegan be carefree and normal during the production of PB 10.

As Lance ambled inside the plant nursery, an adjacent room of his production floor held the invitro propagated Aiveez plants.

One man in a white laboratory lab gown was tending to the adult plant harvests. Upon his arrival inside the plant nursery, the aromatic smell of the plant soothed his stress. It rinsed off the pressure that he felt since he met with Flanegan. He released a deep sigh.

"Hi," Lance said.

Startled, the man greeted him back. "Hello, Mister Berkley. I am Alexander. I am your assistant plant tender for your nursery."

Lance shook his hand. Luke guessed that this employee had a better in building rapport than the previous guys on the production floor. Alexander had no hint of derision.

"I am now beginning to extract the nectar from the adult plants and we can begin manufacturing this afternoon," Alexander said, placing the Aiveez stalks in a squeezer machine. With one press of the button, pure nectar would be collected in a chamber, separated from other unwanted organic matter.

"Alexander, would you care to tell me how are you here in SteamHaven?" Lance asked. He felt inside the nursery room and felt comfortable talking with Alexander.

"I guess you are just starting here in CBD?"

"Yes, I am. This is my first day actually," Lance said.

"Oh really. So, you did not know about the executions?" Alexander said.

"Executions?" Lance asked.

"Yes. If you don't comply. Or you have series of infractions despite the warnings from the management, you will be executed. They can't afford to have someone running on the outside with confidential information. The rebels can use that information against the government."

Lance heard about the executions from his father and Alexandar had confirmed the rumors to be true. CBD manufacturing industries had no problem replacing dead employees, the city had a increasing unemployment rate. People would love to work in a factory under CBD because of the better pay offerings. However, these people don't know that they can never get out, until their deathbed.

"So, it's true then. The rumors." Lance said.

"Yes. It's not a secret. But the CBD is a powerful department. They can do what they want without being sanctioned. It is sad to say but this is the world we are living in. And there is nothing we can do about it. A savior won't be coming to free us from these shackles."

Lance would say positive affirmations to Alexander but he rather stayed silent. He did not want to raise suspicion of anyone working under the CBD. The news had sparked a flame of motivation inside of him that he would aggressively collect usable information for the rebels. It supported Lance's theory that the Government, along with the CBD, had been killing Commoners to at least control the growing population.

"If you are saying that, then we are prisoners of CBD now."

"No, Mister Berkley. We are the prisoners and you are our jail guard." Alexander said it as if he feared nothing, even death.