Chapter 4: Collision Course
1131 Words
LOLA’S POV
It’s been 3 days since my interview request got declined. I’m at the Supernova scanning the morning news when I spot an announcement.
‘Starsign Tech CEO Orion King to deliver Keynote Address at the Global Tech Innovation Summit, at the Grand Meridian Convention Center.’
My eyes widened.
‘This is the opportunity I've been waiting for.’, I think to myself.
This is not an interview.
Not an appointment.
A chance encounter.
I quickly grab my camera, notebook, recorder and press badge before dashing out of the newsroom.
AT THE SUMMIT
The Grand Meridian buzzes with excitement.
Tech companies from around the world showcase their newest innovations.
Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, Cybersecurity.
Reporters crowd all entrances, hoping for a quote from the world’s biggest tech names.
Security is tighter in one particular booth.
Starsign Tech.
People whisper as Orion’s convoy arrives.
‘He actually came.’, one person says.
‘I heard he never attends public events.’, another claims.
‘They say he hasn’t granted an interview in almost two years’, someone says.
I can't help but shake my head at the thought that he’s that uptight.
I watch keenly from the crowd, trying to catch a glimpse of him.
Then I see him, just as he steps out of his car.
He’s taller than I expected, dressed in a tailored charcoal suit, walking with quiet confidence. No dramatic entrance, no entourage seeking attention–just a focused man greeting organizers with a polite nod.
I know that his confidence is a mask for the public.
He clearly doesn’t want to be here.
‘He doesn’t look like a villain.’, I think to myself.
ORION’S POV
I clearly don’t want to be here but I have to be…or do I?
It's almost time for my speech and inside I detest every minute that leads up to that moment.
Finally, it's time for me to deliver my speech.
I step onto the stage and the auditorium falls silent.
I don't rely on flashy presentations, they’ve never been my thing.
I proceed to speak calmly, so that my mask doesn't break.
‘Technology should never replace humanity. It should strengthen it.’, I begin.
I go on to explain how artificial intelligence can improve healthcare, education, disaster response and cybersecurity.
I’m still speaking when someone from the audience interrupts.
‘Mr. King, what do you say to allegations that Starsign Tech illegally collects user data?’
The room falls uncomfortably silent.
‘Oh s**t!’, I think to myself.
I pause.
‘When accusations are made without evidence, the truth doesn’t become less true–it simply becomes harder to hear.’, I reply calmly.
Another reporter shouts.
‘Are you denying every allegation?’
I look directly at the crowd.
‘I’m saying that facts deserve patience.’
And with this I leave the stage.
As I leave, I notice that the audience is divided.
Some applaud, while some murmur and accuse me of avoiding the question.
LOLA’S POV
After he exits the stage, I note one thing down in my notebook.
‘He answered without answering.’
Knowing he’d leave through the private exit, I quickly make my way round the building.
I reach the corridor just as Orion and 3 other guys–one talking to him in a friendly air and two other security officers, approach.
‘Mr King!’, I shouted.
The security guards immediately step out to block me.
‘I’m sorry ma’am. No interviews.’
I don’t back down.
‘I only need 5 minutes.’
‘No.’
‘Okay 3 then.’
‘No.’
‘One question!’
These guards are beginning to get on my nerves. Or maybe it’s because he doesn’t even acknowledge my presence.
Desperate, I raise my voice.
‘Are you refusing because you’re hiding something?’
He stops walking.
‘s**t, s**t shit.’, I say in my head but my outward appearance doesn’t falter.
The friendlier guy sighs and shakes his head.
Here we go.
ORION’S POV
I turn slowly to face her, taking my time to study her features and I can see that she’s doing the same. She’s got caramel skin and green eyes. She definitely is very easy on the eyes, but I shake those thoughts away.
Neither of us speak as we size each other up.
‘You’ve been sending me interview requests’, I say finally.
She’s surprised.
‘So you remember me?’, she asks
‘I remember persistence.’
She crosses her arms, visibly annoyed.
‘Persistence shouldn’t be mistaken for desperation.’
A faint smile almost appears on my face. Almost!
‘What exactly are you hoping to find, Ms. Castle?’
‘The truth.’
‘And if the truth disappoints your editor?’
‘I don't work for my editor’s expectations.’, she replies firmly.
She's feisty.
‘I work for facts.’
I step closer to her, close enough that I could whisper in her ears.
‘Facts are expensive.’
She doesn’t flinch.
‘So are lies.’, she replies.
Adrien looks between us. He’s clearly enjoying this way too much.
Neither of us want the conversation to end.
LOLA’S POV
Before Orion can reply me, a young software engineer runs towards him.
‘Sir!’, he says.
He then whispers urgently into his ear.
Rude.
I notice after their exchange that color drains from Orion’s face.
His calm expression is almost broken.
‘He really does wear that mask well.’, I think to myself.
‘There has been a breach.’, he says in a voice that only those closest can hear.
He immediately turns to leave.
In the midst of this I managed to catch only one phrase.
‘...internal servers…’
My instincts are soaring through the roof.
Something has happened.
Something serious.
As he walks away, I call to him.
‘Mr. King!’
He pauses but doesn’t turn around.
He waits.
‘If you’re innocent, prove it!’
For a brief moment neither of us seem to move.
Then he leaves without another word.
Rude!
ORION’S POV
Back inside my vehicle, Adrien breaks the silence.
‘You know she isn’t going to stop.’
I gaze out the tinted window, watching Lola standing alone outside the convention centre, already writing in her notebook.
Intriguing.
‘No.’, I say quietly. ‘She isn’t.’
I look back to find Adrien smiling.
‘So why not give her the interview?’
I remain silent.
‘Because if she’s really searching for the truth…’
I look back at her.
‘...bringing her into Starsign could put her in danger.’
As the vehicle pulls away, my phone buzzes.
An encrypted message appears on the screen.
YOU SHOULD HAVE STOPPED HER.
My expression hardens.
For the first time since the beginning of this scandal I find out that the attacks against my company are becoming personal and anyone who gets too close to me may become a target.
- Writer
