Born To Fall, Reborn To Conquer

By Special Request

At the mention of Daniel’s name, Robert’s fingers paused on the chessboard for a brief second. He leaned back in his chair, his eyes gazed at Lucas, looking more interested.

Lucas gave a shrug. “It’s hard not to notice when things around you change,” he replied. “And speaking of change… about the financial fraud case everyone’s been whispering about. I imagine a case like that must be tricky, especially now that the flow of funds has been cut off.”

“And what would you do,” Robert asked, gently placing his hands on the edge of the chessboard.“if you were the one in charge of the investigation?”.

“Instead of chasing the money’s trail,” Lucas replied .“I’d look for the one capable of hiding it. Not every company has the infrastructure or connections to move that kind of money without raising suspicion. When the flow stops, most people keep searching the blocked paths. But me—I’d ask who still has the means to move it, even now, unnoticed.”

Suddenly , Lucas reached for his bishop, guiding it smoothly across the board while his left hand rested lightly against the table’s edge.

Robert’s hand paused, hovering above a rook. He moved his rook defensively, attempting to hold ground. Lucas's lips crisped with a faint smile as he saw the opening he needed.

With a calm hand, Lucas made his next move — a clean, decisive shift that cornered Robert’s queen and collapsed the last of his defenses and Lucas won..

Robert stared at the pieces, a frown slowly forming on his face.

"How did you win so quickly... and so easily?" he asked, looking surprised.

“I actually used the tactics used by some of the greatest chess players in American history—like Paul Morphy and Bobby Fischer— they didn't just rely on the pieces in front of them. They read their opponents, predicted their habits, their fears, their blind spots. Morphy could finish a match before his opponent realized it had begun. Fischer saw several moves ahead, not just on the board, but in the minds of those sitting across from him.”

Robert leaned back a little, smiling.

“You’re quite skilled,” he muttered “Most people hesitate around me after the first few moves. You didn’t. How about another game?”

Lucas smiled politely, glancing at his watch.“I’d honestly enjoy that, sir,” he replied, “but I have an interview”.

Robert let out a soft chuckle. . “Another time, then,”he said, nodding twice.

As Lucas stood and gathered his belongings, Robert reached for a small card from his inner jacket pocket.

'Here,' he said, placing the card on the table gently. “ That's my personal phone number. Feel free to reach out to me.”

“Alright, thanks so much,” Lucas replied, taking the card from the table and putting it in his pocket.

Robert signed a bit as he gently set the chessboard aside. He gazed at the specialty Lucas had given him. Lifting it up, he gently raised it onto the table and opened it.

As Robert peeled back the lid, an aroma filled the air, making him smile faintly. It was clam chowder — his favorite.

“I’d like to invite you to dinner after your interview,” Robert said, gazing at Lucas.

“ No problem," Lucas replied, walking out of the hall, the sound of his shoes echoing in the hall.

Robert picked up his phone, dialed a number, and glued his phone to his left ear.

“Hello, Daniel,” he began.“I need you to check something for me. Who took first place in the recent medical licensing examination?”

“Alright, give me a second,” Daniel replied, moving his chair toward the computer, his fingers moving across the keyboard as he went through the records.

A moment later, Daniel spoke. “Lucas Ross,” he said, leaning back in his seat. “But…”

“Hold on,” Robert interrupted. “Did he make it to the reexamination?”.

“No,” Daniel said, his eyes fixed on the computer screen. “He has been disqualified for the reexamination.”

“Oh… that’s unfortunate,” Robert replied, placing his left hand on the table.

“Can you recruit him into your department, then?” Robert asked, taking a spoonful of the chowder.

“No problem,” Daniel replied. “He’ll be brought into my department.”

“Good. Thanks,” Robert said, ending the call and slipping his phone back into his pocket.

The next day, Thomas was sitting in his spacious office where a file was gently laid open on his desk.

It was the result of the reexamination from the day before. Bold letters at the top spelled out “Rejected”, and just beneath it, the name Lucas Ross was written boldly.

He was about to set the file aside when a notification popped up on his computer screen — a new email.

Moving to his computer, Thomas quickly opened his inbox and tapped on the message. His eyes gazed at the computer screen as he read its contents.

“Applicant Lucas Ross has been granted interview qualifications under special recruitment authority issued by the State Police Department.”

“How’s that even possible?” Thomas muttered, slamming his hand on the desk.

He suddenly took out his phone and dialed a number.

“Come to my office immediately”.

Within some minutes, a senior official from the Human Resources Department, named Howard, arrived.

“Director Thomas,” Howard greeted. “You asked for me, sir”

“ Yes .. Yes," Thomas said repeatedly, pointing at the message on his computer’s screen. “Explain this,” he demanded.

Howard cleared his throat and adjusted his glasses. “Well, sir, it appears that although Mr. Lucas failed the re-examination, the State Police Department submitted a special recruitment request late last night. They exercised their authority under inter-departmental talent transfer provisions.”

“In a word, Howard.”

Howard winced. “They recruited him directly, sir. As a special talent.”

“On what grounds?”

“The memo attached,” Howard said quickly, placing a printed email on the desk, “states that the police department recognized Lucas’s abilities during his previous assignments. It claims he demonstrated unique investigative skills and strategic thinking during a recent consultation.”

Thomas grabbed the paper and scanned it. He then let out a bitter laugh.

“So that’s how it is,” Thomas muttered, half to himself. “Connections.”

“Sir, the health department no longer has authority over his interview qualifications. As per policy, once special recruitment is authorized by an equal or higher-level agency, the candidate is permitted to continue with civil service processes.”

Thomas leaned heavily against his desk, a bitter smile crept across his face.