Professor Landon’s Perspective

Professor Landon Steward was walking slowly in the hallway. He was being followed by a group consisting of 15 white-robed personnel. There was a smile on every person in his group, and he himself looked proud as if satisfied by something.

This time, the title for the Super Scientist of the Supernatural Scientific Station should be mine, no? I’ve contributed a lot to the station and the future of humanity. Landon thought in his heart.

He found that every fellow scientist that he passed, directed a revered look to him. Weirdly, despite the revered look, some showed a cold smile to his group. They were none other than the scientists that came from his rival department — the Scientific Department. Landon himself was the head of the Supernatural Department which focused on myriad kinds of science. Especially the more unique science and phenomena of space. It was a department that was always trying to make new and never seen before technology.

Today was the day where the great conference to determine the greatest scientist in the S.S.S. was commenced. The title of the Super Scientist wasn’t just a mere title, someone that had the title would be the official leader of the S.S.S. Every scientist was excited to join the conference but alas only a selected few were able to get in, much less to get the qualification.

Before long, the big entrance to the Conference Chamber was within sight. As they —Landon and his group — were about to enter, a slightly hunched and bald elderly scientist with a sharp nose and a gentle face approached him from the side.

“Landon. I’d like to congratulate you in advance for receiving the Super Scientist title,” said the gentle-looking scientist with a smile.

“You’ve got my gratitude for helping me all these years, Rudolf.”

Rudolf, the head of the Scientific Department, this old man has been my teacher’s rival. I don’t know what he always has in mind, but he seems to have accepted that I’ll be to one to receive the title. Although, it seems he wasn’t so desperate about something like a few years back.

“Ohoho… don’t mention it.” Somehow, there was a slight twitch on Rudolf’s gentle smile. “Why not go inside?”

“Yes, that’s what I intend to do. See you on the other side.”

“Indeed. There will be a surprise for you later.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’ll find out soon…” Rudolf smiled, then went inside without uttering another word.

An uncomfortable feeling cropped up on Landon’s heart, but he didn’t mind it too much.

“Director. Let’s just get inside. With how Professor Rudolf hasn’t been desperate lately, he’s probably accepted the fact that he lost.” A scientist from his group commented.

“Indeed. No need to think about this further.”

Landon agreed with them and went inside the Conference Chamber without any further ado. Within was a large hall, decorated with myriad kinds of cutting-edge technology. There was a vacant area in the middle with a few podiums. A large sitting ground surrounded the hall which made it had a U shape. At the back of the upper ceilings, there were three balconies with the middle one being larger and was the place where the head judge to watch.

Not minding the gaze of the scientists on the sitting ground, Landon went straight to one of the podiums, waiting for the head judge to come. For some unknown reason, Rudolf was nowhere within sight. Initially, he didn't mind it much but the strange feeling inside of him made him to once again observe the hall in more detail. He found that rather than being a conference, it was more like a judging case with him being the defendant.

A few minutes later, a group of three judges and five executives of the science companies came in. There, he saw Rudolf was following behind while talking with a man wearing a black suit. He had a good look, a 1.85-meter-tall body, and a good stature. He was the CEO of the largest company in the S.S.S. — the Black Star Company.

The Black Star Company dealt in making spacecraft, robots, and even weaponry. It was a gigantic company, having a connection to the government. Making the other companies in the station to regard it as the leader and back away in almost every confrontation on the market.

Rudolf didn’t mind Landon’s stare and continued to chat with the CEO of the Black Star Company. Later, he went to the unoccupied podium like nothing had happened.

Hmm…? Is he planning something? I should be cautious. When Landon thought that, the judges had got into their places.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

Sounds of gavel echoed across the hall as the head judge hammered his gavel to the wooden board. He then declared, “Today, I’ll announce the scientist that will earn the Super Scientist title and be recognized as the best scientist in the Supernatural Scientific Station.”

Because the head judge's voice was amplified with the speaker, all the scientists responded with cheers. They were excited to know who was going to be the Super Scientist of this generation. After all, the spot had been vacant for a few years after the previous title holder went retiring.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

“Silence! I must announce something prior to the selection. Among the qualified, one has just lost his qualification. Hereby I announce, Professor Landon Steward, the head of the Supernatural Department, I'm afraid that you just lose your qualification."

Bam! Bam! Bam!

When the last sound of gavel hammered across the wooden board spreads, a huge ruckus and murmur exploded across the sitting ground. It was one thing if the qualification was taken away long before the conference began, for it to be declared here was a slap in the face.

“WHAT?! How’s that possible? I've contributed to the greatness of humanity for more than half a century. You couldn’t just take my qualification away!”

Not bothering to answer Landon’s questions, the head judge continued, “Professor Landon has been charged to be corrupt on the station’s funds. Thereby, losing the qualification of the Super Scientist title.”

This is nonsense! Absolutely ridiculous! I never embezzled any money much less something that came from the station. No… I must have been framed… Upon reluctantly gazing around the hall, he realized that Rudolf’s gentle appearance changed into a smiling desperate wretch old man. No… it couldn’t be him, right?

“Now for the one that will receive the Super Scientist title and lead us to a new peak of science. I hereby declare, Professor Rudolf Gastrolune, the head of the Scientific Department, to be the Super Scientist of the generation.” That BASTARD Rudolf!!

Bam! Bam! Bam!

““Oooohhh!!"" All the scientists in his department and the neutral ones clapped and cheered for him.

“Ohpho… Ohoho... You guys have my gratitude for choosing me.” Without faking anymore expression, Rudolf came towards Landon and said with a transmission, “I’m sorry Landon. I’m afraid that this time I can’t let you win. But I've got to thank you for not accepting the Black Star Company’s ‘proposal’ in the past. If it wasn’t for that, I wouldn't be standing here with the title.”

The Black Star Company’s ‘proposal’? Those bastards… How could I agree to such a ridiculous ‘proposal’? When the thought of the content of the proposal came to mind, Landon sneered. “So, you want to be their dog, huh?”

“Oho… said it as you wanted. Landon, you’re the successor of the previous Super Scientist. I was always aiming for the throne for the past 200 years… if I can’t get it within another few years, I would be….” A grim look flashed upon Rudolf’s face.

He then went to the center of the vacant area, announcing with a transmitted voice, “I, as the Super Scientist, hereby issue a conviction and declare that Professor Landon is to be stripped of his position.”

Landon’s face turned pale white like a sheet of paper. He couldn't believe what he just heard nor could accept such a thing. Having a conviction meant that he was no longer able to become a scientist and would remain a normal person for his whole life. Unless, he worked for a criminal organization like space pirates, but this idea didn't cross his mind as it wasn’t in his principle.

“You… You will regret this!” Swiftly, Landon went out of the Conference Chamber without sparing a glance. The 15 scientists in his department were a bit hesitant but decided to follow him too.

Professor Rudolf’s Perspective

“I’m sorry Landon but I need to do this to survive." Rudolf closed his eyes, thinking about the consequences of his actions.

Suddenly, the CEO of the Black Star Company approached Rudolf and asked, “Are you sure that Professor Landon will beg us to get his job back?”

“Sir doesn’t need to worry. With his upright personality, he wouldn’t want to work shadily. Sooner or later, he’ll be forced to beg us.”

“Hmm… I’ll keep your words for now. But remember about the contract term! With the whole S.S.S. in my hand, it should be feasible. Still, Professor Landon’s help will become a major boost in this project.”

Landon, I can’t let you have your job back at all costs. In the worst-case scenario, I might need to kill you. I still need to extend my life by using ‘that’ and only the Black Star Company can provide it. I… I don’t want to die yet… My research hasn’t been finished… With that in mind, Rudolf grew out a façade and set out a plan.