Chapter 7

Competition. Jordan J.

Time/Area: Washington DC 2013, 1-2nd month, July 5th.

“Your company’s work on laser tech is outstanding Mr.Synth, and it is an honor to have you in the International Science Award challenge this year.” Mr. Ronald said from the front of the board table.

As of now, I, Jordan J, and other famous lab building holders were all gathered in the White House to discuss our placement in the International Science Award Competition [ISAC]. Mr. Synth, the head of my rival company, had just presented the board with their upcoming developments in laser tech.

Not only had they figured out how to make what common people would call lightsabers, but also how to contain the radiation emitted from them. I gulped as Mr. Ron looked at me with a smile,

"Jordan J! The head of Energis!" He announced, " This is your first time here, yes?"

I nodded, "Yes it is, Energis is what you could call the new kids on the block."

This earned some laughs from other company holders. Mr. Ron’s smile got bigger, "Yes, it is always good to see new technologies being developed. And we are especially interested in that renewable energy concept from a couple of years back."

I frowned, "Dang it." I thought to myself, "I thought we could move on from that."

Mr. Ron pressed further, "How is progress going on that?"

What was I supposed to say?

Sorry sir, but I'm canceling that project!

I didn’t think that would be a good idea.

The literal president was hosting this, and my sister Delilah would laugh at me non stop if I failed.

So I said the only thing I knew,

"It's going very well! We are very close to making a process that can generate energy at nearly 100 percent efficiency!"

Mr. Ron's eyes narrowed, "Close? Have you nothing here to present?"

I stuffed away my papers about our new project on car fuel and decided to wing it,

“Well, no,” I stuttered, thinking of words to say, “But-”

“Mr. Johnson,” Mr. Ron interrupted me, clearly annoyed, “To enter these competitions you need something to present first.”

He continued, “Typically, the competitors would have been working on a project since January, so that when they enter in July, the only thing left to do is improve what they had already been working on.”

Mr. Ron motioned around the room, “And you’re telling me you haven’t even started making anything?”

I shook my head, desperation filling my breath, “No, not at all!” I protested, “The reason I could not bring an example of our new project is because it’s currently being tested.”

Mr. Ron tilted his head, “What is the name of this project?” He asked.

“Project..Inverse!” I remembered, “It’s continuing off of our recent Project: Conversion.”

Mr. Ron seemed to pause in thought.

“Very well,” He said, enticing moans and insults from the rest of the table, “You may enter the competition.”

I smiled and released a breath of relief.

“But,” He started.

I hated buts.

“You must send me videos of the testing by this Friday to keep your spot in the competition.”

I frowned as he went on, "Forgive me," He said, "But I cannot just go off of your word."

“WHAT?” I thought. Normally this would be fine, but seeing as I lied about the whole testing thing, I was in quite the bit of trouble.

“Definitely! “ I said enthusiastically, “We might even get you them by Thursday!”

This earned a smile from Mr. Ron, “Alright then. All of you who have presented may be dismissed, and good luck!”

I sighed, getting up and walking towards the fancy wooden exit.

Suddenly, a bald man grabbed my shoulder, “We both know you don’t have anything, and creating an actual test by Thursday is completely out of the question.”

Synth Morgan said, his scary blue eyes piercing my very soul. He was a hulk of a man, standing as tall as six feet with large, broad shoulders that I bet even the smallest of flies wouldn't dare to land on,

“You should just drop out, before you do something stupid.” He grunted.

With that, he walked out of the door and into the hallway.

“I hate that guy and his stupid German accent.” I thought, leaving the room shortly after.

I needed to get Doctor Diamond to work even faster. She wouldn’t like that, but it’s the only way we can win ISAC.

I might seem silly to some people. Some people might take me as a joke. But there is nothing I won't do to get what I want.

Nothing.

I had a plane to catch.