Chapter 102 - The white tower

The car eased into the yard and to our surprise it was full, we couldn't get our usual parking space. Olga circled the perimeter to find another space but a cyborg security guard waved at us. Olga rolled down the window and peeked at it.

"You can't park here, you must exit and turn to the right. There's a vacant yard where you can put your car," it pointed to the exit back on the main road. Grant unlocked his belt and bent to make eye contact with the guard.

"What's going on?" it took a moment, lights blinked on the blank faceplate.

"Dr. Laurell is visiting today. Please do not block the passage," Olga shifted the car to manual and steered it to the main road. The car was very still as we made out way to the space designated. There were already a dozen cars parked on that plot of untamed land with bushes and rocks poking on the edge. The car shook as we maneuvered on the uneven ground. Olga murmured under her breath as she backed next to a black SUV. I sighed with relief when it came to a stop.

We saw Angus and Dr. Nadaly exited from a car on our right. Grant pulled his door open not waiting for us. He rushed to meet them. I opened my door and found that there was a puddle of mud right next to my door. Wearing my brand new shoes and new jeans and a flowery blouse that Demos got me, it was out of the question to get them dirty. I closed the door and struggled the other way. The was wet grass on this side. Olga was making a face when she got out with her high heels. Heels were not made to walk on sold soil or wet grass. She hopped from one patch of grass to the other while balancing her white designer bag with golden rivets. Damn girl, she sure knew how to show off to go to work.

"Angus! Dr. Nadaly!" shouted Grant as he got near. But Angus kept walking rapidly to the pavement that led back to Building 87. "Angus!" he caught his arm and pulled forcing him to face him. The face frowned at Grant, he retrieved his hand in a quick motion. Dr. Nadaly stepped away from them, from the growing tension from both men. I rushed to Grant's side mindless of whatever was going on. Angus gave us a dark look.

"I don't think it will be good to hang together. I'm working on the other side of the facility. If I don't hurry I'll be late for work," he turned to leave but then stopped. He took a deep breath then faced us. Coming too close to be comfortable. "If you want to stay alive... stay put. Shitty things will happen if we keep chatting about what is happening here," he whispered between his rapid breath. Beats of sweat shone on his forehead. Grant nodded without saying a word.

"Ok," said Angus his eyes darting from Olga coming to meet us to Dr. Nadaly squeezed on her hang bag. "Just don't die," he hissed and jogged away from us like he was chased by a ghost. Somehow, it might be true. Except that the ghost in question could see all and hear all.

"What was that all about?" I said as I watched Dr. Nadaly trying to catch up with him.

"He is scared," called Olga, she was busy wiping her shoes with tissue paper. Her poker face cracking around the edges. She looked pissed. "And you should too. Shitty things will surely happen if the big boss took time off to visit us," she pushed her cascading brown curls that reach her elbow back and smiled at Grant. Did I miss an episode while I was sleeping? When we left this morning, Demos was silent and a little tense. Grant sighed and took my hand.

"Let's go," we went to the entrance. My stomach crunched just thinking about our last interaction with Atlas. The more we talk, the less I like him. We stopped at the door there were two extra guards on each side. Olga said a short and professional hello to the machine then moved to the corridor without waiting for us. Grant was next, he took out his card for the scan.

"Good morning, Grant. I am looking forward to our meeting today again," he said in his toneless voice. They should definitely do something about that. Why make it this cold, unpleasant character. Wasn't he like super advance or whatever the hell he was?

"Hello," answered Grant.

"Will Liliane accompany you today again? Last time was quite entertaining," I shifted on my legs, my heart racing in my chest. Hell, no! I wanted no part in it. Still, I was worried about Grant.

"No, today will be me alone. She is working on the water system. I don't want the project to slow down," explained Grant.

"What a pity. It's admirable to see such devoted employees," he sighed. That was the first sign of anything remotely human about Atlas. "These days, trusted employees are so rare," his words sounded like a warning. The door opened for Grant and I stepped in front of the dreaded red dot. I held the card in front of me for scanning.

"Hi, Liliane. Are you feeling better today?" I shook my head while squeezing my lips together. "Sorry, it that a yes or a hello?" I took a deep breath.

"Both," I said. Grant was waiting for me behind the glass door with creases on his forehead. Damn it, just let me go. Don't ask any more questions.

"Good, I see you are wearing a lovely blouse. Did you go shopping last night? I didn't see you in the city center?" he asked. I blinked at the screen before me. What now? Did he have access to every camera on this island? Tracked everything you buy and everywhere you go?

"Mm, it's a gift," I added dryly.

"The person must have a nice taste. It fits you perfectly," I just stared a little stunt at the compliment. I wasn't expecting it from Atlas.

"Mm, thank you," I lowered my head. The gate opened and I rushed to Grant's arms.

"Have a nice day," he said before the door closed. A shiver ran down my spine. It's so creepy when he is trying to play nice. I shuddered. Grant guided me to the elevators.

-What was that all about.

"He just said my outfit was lovely," I frowned. Grant puzzled and tried to hide it behind his hand. Then he peeked at me to see if I wasn't joking.

"Really," I insisted. Grant looked away at the panel by the door, his face reverted to his calm expression. Grant didn't do Pokerface or blank face. His neutral expression was calm with a tiny smile. I have no idea how he did that. I was unable to do neither. I was pissed or blushing maybe even both.

I tapped my feet at the button flashed. Olga was gone. It kind of pissed me that some times she completely ignored us. When the elevator arrived we got in.

"Hold the door!" shouted a male voice. Grant tapped the panel and to our surprise, Dr. Churchhill spilled in. He panted with his hands on his knees he looked up at us.

"Kids," he smiled

"Hi," we both said, in different moods. Mine was harsh, Grant's was neutral. His neutral happy.

"So, today is the big day," he rubbed his hands together in anticipation. What big day was he talking about? He read our puzzled look.

"What? Didn't you hear, Dr. Laurell is coming in to see the plan for the white tower," he frowned. What language was he speaking? I was completely lost. He sighed again. "Atlas, will you please enlighten those poor ignorant kids," he looked up at the ceiling.

"Of course, Dr. Churchhill" said Atlas out of nowhere. Well, the guy was literally a god. So he was everywhere. "Dr. H. Laurell is the main physicist in charge of running Dyneapolis. The Laurell, hope for the future foundation, funds the whole project. It was created by his grandfather who past away on the incident in 2020. He had great hope for future generations. The white tower was one of his most cherished project of them all," explained the AI.

"What is it?" I whispered to Grant.

"Come to the presentation, you will see for yourself," Dr. Churchhill grinned at me.

"You should," he urged.

"Is it a presentation? Cause I have work to do. I can't leave Olga to do everything on her own,"

"It will only take a little less than half an hour. You won't regret it," promised the old man. I turned to Grant and he just nodded at me. No, come on. Don't tell me you also want to see, whatever the hell was that white tower. For me, it wasn't appealing at all. More boring tech thing.

"We should go," he said then turned to the ceiling. "When is our meeting?"

"At lunch as usual," answered the AI. The door of the elevator opened on our floor. We stepped outside. The corridor was buzzing with activity, unlike the previous days.

"It will start in an hour," said Dr. Churchhill checking his gold bracelet. I nodded without enthusiasm.

Olga was already at work when we got in our lab. The doctor walked right at her and placed his hand on her shoulder. She froze in the middle of her frenetic typing.

"Come, I have to speak to you," Olga looked up at him then nodded. She quickly saved her work and exited ahead of the old man.

"You keep doing what you were doing previously," waved Dr. Churchhill at us before closing the door silently behind him. We watched both of them with anxious faces.

"Will she be ok?" I asked.

"She is tougher than she looks," replied Grant. I didn't want to have to worry about Olga. But from what Grant shared with me, I was. So she was the one who created my mates. However, Dr. Churchhill was the one who created her as a replica of his dead wife. What kind of sick relationship was that? The cold inhuman vibe that I get from those two only confirmed they were in a toxic affair. I can't even start to imagine that old man with hot Olga. I shuddered and shook my head, wanting none of those thoughts to stick with me.

"Let's get back to work," I told Grant.