Chapter 273 - I Don't Want To Work For A Monster

As many people expected, Rhionen Industries finally bought Atlas X. Incidentally, this group of companies was indeed targeting a new world in outer space and Atlas X, which was known as a visioner in space exploration initiatives, was their main target to be developed into the largest private space company in the world.

Friedrich could only massage his chest when he realized that Rhionen Industries would really make his and Sam Atlas's dream come true. However, unfortunately, the two initiators were no longer in this world when it happened.

"There's one more thing I want to announce to you," Alaric said in his first board meeting after he bought Atlas X. His handsome face was cold and serious. Everyone who knew him became accustomed to paying close attention to his words because Alaric spoke very rarely.

The man continued speaking. What he had to say immediately made the audience in the meeting room look at each other in astonishment.

"I plan to change the name of the company to SpaceLab. Atlas X was built by Sam Atlas, and he was the reason why this company got its name. However, now Sam is gone, and not even a single descendant of his is continuing his efforts. So, I don't think there is any point in us keeping the name."

Simultaneously the people in the meeting room exclaimed in protest tones. They had worked for Sam for several years and were very loyal to him. He was the spirit of this company. Why did Alaric suddenly want to remove the name of the founder?

Many people were not happy about the decision.

"Is there no other way?" Friedrich asked. He also disagreed with Alaric's plans, but he realized that right now, the man in front of him was their boss, and he had the right to do whatever he liked. Even if he wanted to bankrupt the company tomorrow, he could. It's up to him. That's why Friedrich tried to speak logically.

"What do you mean by another way?" asked Alaric in an unhappy tone. He was not used to hearing his subordinates argue with his words.

"I mean, leave the name alone. All the employees here have an attachment to Atlas X's founder, Sam. It feels like if everything is changed suddenly, the morale of the employees will go down. After all, wouldn't it be more troublesome to change the company name? Legal and marketing procedures need to be followed. Personally, I feel this just adds unnecessary work."

"I don't mind a little extra work," Alaric replied coldly. "I hope Mr. Neumann hasn't forgotten who the boss is now."

Friedrich took a deep breath. He didn't say another word. Ah, that's right. He'd better keep quiet. Why was he dealing with this? Soon, he would go and disappear. This was none of his business.

The afternoon meeting caused an uproar among many people. None of the original Atlas X employees liked Rhionen Industries' plan to remove their corporate identity.

However, they couldn't do anything about it. They could only accept by harboring resentment in the quiet.

***

Friedrich was determined to give his resignation letter directly to Alaric. The boss only came to Atlas X headquarters once a week. So, on the day of Alaric's visit this week, Friedrich was already prepared to take the letter and deliver it himself.

He would not tell Alaric about his illness. He didn't want anyone to pity him. He would reason that he was still devastated by the death of Sam Atlas and wanted to calm down by traveling the world. 

Carrying a folder containing his resignation letter, Friedrich walked up to the 35th floor. He knew Alaric was always there all day.

He didn't need to make an appointment because he was allowed to see his boss at any time. Alaric had said that three managers could always meet him on Atlas X when things go wrong, and Friedrich was one of them.

When he got out of the elevator, Friedrich didn't see the secretary who used to sit in front of Alaric's office.

Maybe Greta is in the toilet? Friedrich thought. He walked towards Alaric's office and was ready to knock on the door when he heard people chatting inside.

Ah ... maybe Alaric Rhionen had guests, Friedrich thought. He was about to find a chair to wait until the guests left before he knocked on the door, but suddenly a sentence he heard from inside made his steps halt, and it sent a shiver down his spine.

"I can't wait to see those useless humans die."

Friedrich frowned at those disturbing words. He already knew Alaric's voice well and knew that it was the man who was talking inside. Friedrich could feel a deep resentment in his tone.

Alaric Rhionen ... hated humans? Why?

Friedrich subconsciously put his ear close to hear more. There was no one on the 35th floor, and it looked like Alaric did send Greta out on purpose so that no one could listen to his conversation.

"There are so many useless people in this world. They just use up oxygen and take away natural resources. It is time for them to be eliminated," said Alaric as he tapped his long fingers on the table. "I want, when in the future we will be able to explore space, only selected humans to survive and we can start a new civilization. I think only less than ten percent of humans are fit to live on this earth."

"You are right, Sir. Your wish will soon be fulfilled. We have also supported lobbying in many countries to bring back the death penalty. Maintaining the lives of bad people whose crimes have troubled society will only drain the earth's resources even more. Hopefully, soon many other countries will follow suit," Pavel nodded in agreement.

"Also, the research that our team of scientists has done in human psychology has come close to finding the best way to get rid of those who are psychologically weak."

"Hmm ... later we can pair that program with various AI technologies to replace the many useless humans with machines. I'm sure many people will be eliminated because they really don't bring any benefit to the world."

Friedrich could not bear to hear the conversation in the room any longer. He did not think that the Alchemists were so evil. Just because they had the privilege of living as immortals and having perfect bodies, they thought they could treat other humans outside their own kind like trash.

Friedrich was very relieved that he would soon quit Atlas X and did not have to work under Alaric Rhionen again. That man was a human hater who would destroy the people that he considered useless.

It's really appalling.

With cold sweat running down his temples, Friedrich hurried to the elevator and down to the 30th floor. He went into his own room and sat there contemplatingly. He would die soon ... but he couldn't let someone like Alaric do whatever he wanted.

His chest was still pounding as he thought back to the conversation between Alaric and Pavel in Alaric's room. Alaric had plans to kill as many humans as possible ... in a variety of ways, from restoring the brutal death penalty for criminals to getting rid of humans who were psychologically weak.

Then, it seemed that he was also working on getting rid of the humans he considered useless and replacing them with machines.

Friedrich could not imagine what the world would be like in the future, with the Alchemists ruling the world and deciding which humans deserved to live and which ones should die.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. After calming his mind, Friedrich felt there was no point in submitting a resignation letter to Alaric.

He would give the letter to David, the HR Director, and explain why. After all, David already knew that after Rhionen Industries took control of Atlas X, Friedrich had intended to quit working from there.

He then cleared up some of his personal belongings in his big office into a box. Then, he went down to the basement and put the box in the car. His driver, James, immediately approached him, thinking Friedrich was coming home.

"In a minute, James. You wait here. I still have something to do," Friedrich said. He then returned to the elevator and went up to the 30th floor. After getting out of the elevator, he immediately went to David's office and submitted his resignation letter.

"Hey ... what is this?" David asked in amazement as he read Friedrich's resignation letter. "Do you want to quit today?"

"In my contract, it states that I can quit by tendering my resignation two weeks in advance. Because from the first day I worked at this company, I have never taken time off. Please let me resign today. I can't come here anymore," Friedrich said firmly. "You must understand."

"Oh ... Friedrich, without you, how could Atlas X function?" asked David in a sad voice. "You and Sam are the soul of this company ..."

Friedrich looked down sadly. He knew that. 

If Sam Atlas was still alive, he would sacrifice his body and soul for Atlas X. But now Sam was gone, Friedrich's time was very limited, and ... now Atlas X had been controlled by a monster. He didn't want to be a part of Alaric's cruelty to mankind.

"Atlas X no longer exists," Friedrich said sadly. "They decided to turn it into SpaceLab."

David knew it was futile to hold Friedrich down. So he stretched out his hand and shook the young man's hand one last time.

"Good luck, whatever you do in the future, Mr. Neumann, I am proud to have known you. I am sure that you will go down in history as a very important person among mankind," said David, smiling.

Friedrich smiled faintly. "Thanks, David. You're very kind."

He then left the Atlas X office building, which would soon turn into SpaceLab, and never looked back.

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From the author:

So, Friedrich overheard Alaric and Pavel's conversation about Alaric wanting to kill many people and he shuddered at the thought he was working for a monster. He also mistakenly thought Alaric represented all Alchemists people, that they all looked down on ordinary humans.

Btw, Friedrich Neumann left Atlas X after it was changed into SpaceLab, and years later his son will work in SpaceLab, to secretly fulfill his father's dream.

This book will have 1 chapter per day on average until it ends by mid-December, but the chapters will be long.. So, I hope it's OK.