MINDCLONE by David T Wolf

Author:David T Wolf [Wolf, David T]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Science Fiction, Hard Science Fiction, Genetic Engineering, Cyberpunk
ISBN: 9781948543651
Publisher: David T. Wolf
Published: 2013-03-14T11:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

The Marriott Hotel was conveniently located a mile or so south of the San Francisco International Airport. Stanley Eldridge wandered around the ornate lobby. He had no idea why he was invited to this meeting. He wasn’t a board member, but Fitz said he wanted him there.

The Dynasine people had flown up from San Diego in Raxton’s corporate jet, and would fly right back down afterwards. Stanley grinned. They didn’t want to get any San Francisco on them. Not even a souvenir loaf of sourdough bread.

He found the room and pushed inside to the welcoming aromas of institutional breakfast. There were juices tropical or domestic, and a selection of exotic coffees. A row of silver servers offered Eggs Benedict, Eggs Scrambled, Eggs Fried; Waffles, Belgian or Eggo; Canadian bacon, gourmet sausages, O’Brien potatoes, home-style fries, croissants and multi-seeded mini-muffins.

Fitz was huddled with a few of his board members. The CEO waved him over.

“Quite a spread, eh?”

Stanley wondered if they’d be a meal themselves for the giant military contractor.

Several Dynasine lawyers stood by. A cool blonde facilitator pointed out the plates and urged the guests to help themselves.

Stanley lined up behind FitzGerald and some of the others. The Dynasine people weren’t eating. Stanley was losing his appetite.

Once they were seated, and their choice of coffees poured for them by white-gloved servers, the cool blonde said, “Please go ahead and enjoy your breakfast. Mr. Raxton will join you in fifteen minutes.”

She and the lawyers trooped out of the room. The white-gloved servers remained.

Fitz frowned and held a finger to his lips, indicating that the room was probably bugged.

“Great season the Giants are having,” said Stanley with false heartiness, starting an inane conversation to cover the silence and the sounds of eating.

Stanley was just enjoying his second cup of coffee when the doors opened and the Dynasine people trooped back in, followed by Thomas Raxton, the legendary CEO of the firm. He was said to own over a billion dollars in modern art, half a dozen villas in the world’s most coveted playgrounds, three dozen vintage sports cars, along with several US Senators and Congressmen and a handful of Federal judges. He had iron gray hair and a stern visage whose lines and grooves held not the least hint of a laugh line. But even more terrifying to Stanley was the person who accompanied him. The Man With No Hair.

Stanley quickly scribbled a note and passed it to Fitz, who glanced at it and nodded.

The ice-blonde facilitator said, “Gentlemen, allow me to present Thomas Raxton, founder, CEO and Chairman of Dynasine Systems. It might be easiest if we go around the table and introduce ourselves, along with title or function.” And so they did.

Lawyer, lawyer, lawyer, lawyer, investment banker, CFO, Accountant, banker, Executive Vice President, CEO, Marketing Director, Chief Scientist, lawyer, lawyer.

The Man With No Hair opted for menacing silence.

Pleasantries concluded, Thomas Raxton took the floor. “Thanks for coming. Let’s not waste time. Your company has an attractive position and a large customer base.

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