[7]

Bits of snow slid past Mr. Harrison's window as the SUV roared to life. A masked man, who may have been the leader, closed his door politely after him. The man then nodded, and the - now ex-board member - returned the gesture timidly. The vehicle lurched forward, passing by several full-sized black trucks. The black-block men were slowly mounting up as they loaded large military-style crates into their beds.

Only then, did Mr. Harrison let out a staggered sigh of relief. His heart threatened to rip itself out in fear that they'd turn on their word. He took a few moments to calm himself, then turned his eyes out the window. The cabin was dark as it kept a safe speed as it navigated the snow-lined road. They had been within the mansion for quite a while. An hour if the SUV's clock was correct.

It had snowed heavily, then the clouds had parted to bring out a beautiful view of the galaxy. Its gradient vivid lilacs and fathomless voids spanned the heavens, and he sent a pray to Mrs. Bailey and her daughter. A thank you and well wishes where even they may be.

Then, he turned to the blank manila folder in his lap. Despite the chill, his palms were sweaty and he was reluctant to touch it. The disbelief of what had transpired made him keep it shut. Afraid it had been some nightmare turned heavenly dream. If he wasn't... dreaming... Then inside this folder was his resignation papers; signed by both him and Owner Bailey. Along with a full retirement package and "saint" bonus that had come out to nearly two billion dollars, tax paid by Owner-- Mr. Bailey.

The event itself had been fairly dreadful and maybe he'd be traumatized for life. However, he had been freed from the company he had diligently worked for. And he since he had never crossed the company. Being a lover of food, he never really had any other desires that'd pull him to do so. Pride? Can't eat it. Money? He had enough to dine in any restaurant or pay a chef to make it on his salary and then some. Fame? He was a board member for the most renown company.

Because of all this, he had been spared.

Five men had gone into the mansion, and only one walked away. With money and freedom. He shuddered as he recalled each thunder shot. The blood-covered floorboards. The fierce howls of fear of them all as the men executed each of the board members. Until it came to him.

No man had come to press the rifle to his head; instead, Mr. Bailey had led them out of the office. Mr. Harrison had been asked to follow. The man had never seen a man die, and he was cowardly to the sight. He'd been happy to follow suit. Mr. Bailey's wicked grin had transformed into one of endearment. Something that felt weird.

The tired, fragile man, showed he was as vicious as the rumors said - turned back into the grandfatherly looking man again. The change had been sudden and threw him off guard until he had been led upstairs. To what he knew was the forbidden room.

Cyril's room.

Anything that was Cyril's had been fiercely protected. Toys, pictures, drawings, etc. He was scared of why he had been brought up. Then, when he opened the door; it became clear. Inside was the core of the wires, this he knew. A large server rack had taken up the far wall. It hummed softly, almost like an angelic melody. Tens of green lights glowed across it, and a large screen was attached to its center. A single name had been neatly etched into a plate above the screen.

Cyril's Core

It had been the core of that miraculous world the company had built. The one that thousands of companies had tried to steal. There had been plenty of attacks on servers, cyber and physical, over this. In all his life, he had never suspected it would have been here. Then again, it made sense, if you knew the man.

Then and there, Mr. Bailey had explained everything. His past, his feelings, and what he was doing then... What he had--

The night lit up behind them. Quickly, Mr. Harrison had turned in his seat in time to see the rise of the fireball in the mansion's direction. Flaming boards, wires, and other things flew through the winter sky. A few seconds later, he heard it. It crossed the forest like the explosion had been a pebble in a calm pond. The trees shook, snow fell, and, along with with it, Mr. Harrison's tears.