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Even the longest journey begins with a single step and so I took a leap out of the train. I managed to slither my way out the crowded Train station which is so far the cheapest means of transport after the World war. The whole World had been amalgamated and divided into two lands: The Low-lands and The Highlands. It was a simple hierarchy set up to distinguish the classes of people in the world. Undoubtedly, everyone from the Low-lands had to go by train as they were the only means of transport available at long distance. Of course, there were those with maintenance private Auto-mobiles but their numbers were at minimal. On the other hand, there were Transporters that commute people by pre-recorded co-ordinates in The Highlands, although there were Flobiles of different sizes and shapes on highways mostly for sightseeing functions. Luxuries basically resided in the Highlands.
Facing the slightly congested highway, I decided to take a walk as my destination was only few blocks away, wouldn't it actually be my destiny that was a few blocks far away?
Nevertheless, after literally running all the way down here, I now stand in front of the wide open huge matte black gate with several guards ready to face all sorts of threat. Beads of sweat were sliding down my face as I pant heavily. i tilted my head to the side and sighed in anticipation as I saw the large banner standing on the roadside of the gate with only a phrase written on it
'SPAX Corp. Inc.'
My heart thumped hardly like a man that had fallen in love with a beauty at first sight. The 3d-like Spiral structure of the building was mesmerizing enough to melt my heart and the thought of working as a staff in the building was already tantalizing. SPAX was the 6th on the technology companies ranking list. Although it had been ranked higher in the previous years at its prime, to a lowlife like me, it was definitely a dream come through.
I approached the building and was allowed in not after being interrogated and thoroughly searched. I actually do not understand why they go to such extent as this was only a business enterprise, not a Universal agency with State secrets. But I just concluded that they were only doing their job as securities. Being a Business Space-Tech Enterprise doesn't mean they wouldn't be involved in evil schemes of some big-bellied 'opportunists' and on top of that, the company was ranked 6th.
SPAX Corp Inc. had several branches in the highlands and there is only one branch office in the Low-lands. The headquarters is situated in the most developed part of the world, Kress City. According to history, Kress City was where the last world war ended, located in the previous 'Oceania' continent, popularly known as 'Australia'. An island continent that had been modified into an exotic sight to behold, the whole continent is a city and the capital of Earth. There were underground Maglev railroads and passages which -due to circumstances I couldn't appreciate- looked quite breathtaking in the pictures that I've seen.
Notwithstanding, the whole world is full of underground and underwater railroads linking the continents separated by Seas and Oceans. The city was named after the American hero, Kress Meyers, a veteran soldier who committed suicide at the last battleground after yelling out his speech on the irrelevancy of the war and his cry for peace and freedom- from my view. If anyone ever said a loser can't be a hero someday. Although, it was more complicated than that... Well, all in a nutshell.
The war was originally between two world powerhouses, The United States of America and The Republic of China, which turned into a world war as both parties associated with their respective allies. Most history fans would deem this phenomenon as one of those Shakespeare's tragic works, a touching moment worth an 'Aster' award, but to me, it's nothing more than a war of pride and ego between two rich brats showing off their 'toys' to see who's better, eventually trampling upon the interests of others.
I stepped into the spiral-structured sky-scraper and I approached the reception to state my appointment.
"Hello, I'm Henna, how may I help you?" an aged woman probably in her late 50s with not even a slight wrinkle on her spotless skin said pleasantly.
"Hello ma'am, my name is Jenkins, I have an appointment with Space principal Sri." I said with a nervous smile.
"A moment please." she said and nodded politely before dialing a number on the improved landline on the desk, A Spherical Vector device well-suited for the job. Her gestures and movement were smooth, perfect and precise, indicating how experienced she is.
After speaking for several short minutes, she dropped the call and smiled politely towards me and then directed me to Mr. Sri's office- what I'd call him when we were alone. The elevator stopped at the 15th floor, the highest floor in the building and I made my way towards his office. All the offices on the floor, save few, had a transparent sound proof door and a tag indicating the number of the office and it didn't take long for me to arrive in front of Office 3, which the receptionist had told me to look for once I got to this floor.
I knocked the door gently and a bald aged man raised his gaze from the documents which he was studying towards my direction, his bifocals sitting comfortably over his nose bridge as he gives me a beckoning sign, however with an irritated expression on his face that says otherwise.
I softened my stiffness as I opened the door and stepped in, I hadn't finished closing the door when a slightly shaky voice resounded in the room;
"Now tell me, whoever shows up for an interview past 12pm?"
'Yes sir, you called!' I couldn't help but assent jokingly in my mind.