After giving his self-made prophecy, Chester looks at Ben to see his reaction.
"Hmmm. I guess that's definitely something that can prove your claim. I guess we will see next week then." Ben nods his head, in deep thought.
"It might be worth selling your shares mind you, it won't be much of a loss for you and if I'm wrong, I'm happy to compensate you. I remember you were quite put out about it back then."
Hearing his words, Ben agrees and pulls out his phone while Chester finishes off his food and leans back, sighing as he thinks about his own situation.
'Just over 2 weeks before the game launches… well, I need to prepare for what's to come. First things first, I should get some extra gaming pods for everyone. I know Ben, Ali, and Russel don't have the game preordered and are still using headsets. Since there are limited preorders I need to get that sorted first.'
To play Caelus online, a player would require either a full dive headset which just looked like a fancy motorbike helmet, or they would need one of the newly developed gaming pods that were released alongside Caelus Online. Despite the obvious differences in size, comfort, and price, the biggest improvement was in the player synchronization rate that the pods provided.
Synchronization is the amount of the player's senses that are transferred into the game's world. The Headsets had a limit of 95% which meant that players would still feel that something was missing while they play, meanwhile the new gaming pods provide a 99.5% synchronization, 4.5% more than the headsets, making the immersion into the world almost impossible to differentiate from reality, while also allowing players to sleep while playing.
To Chester, getting everyone a gaming pod was imperative as if you had one, you could effectively play 24/7 without the need for sleep while also having access to the other benefits it provides. When compared to the headset which required you to log out for sleep, getting gaming pods for his friends early on was crucial to making the most out of his 2 years of knowledge.
'Next is the Branford family conglomerate, the Cranford Group… I need to finish off the paperwork and management of taking over… as well as preparations for when the world changes.'
'Finally, I need to formulate plans for everything that will happen when the game is released. If I have the best understanding of the game out of the entire player base, I should monopolize it. Not to mention dealing with the traitors…'
As Chester's thoughts came to a close, an evil smile could be seen on his face.
"Man, that's one evil smile, who is the lucky recipient?" Ben jokes.
"The list is long…" Chester chuckles.
*****
After eating breakfast Ben left to return home while Chester enters his office followed by Harold, his butler. The man was in his late 40's with a sharp and dignified look. His attire is as one would expect of a butler, neat and presentable, while his etiquette is exemplary.
Sitting behind his desk with his hands making a steeple, Chester looks Harold in the eye with a serious expression.
"Right, Harold, I'm going to need your help. I don't expect you to believe me right now, but here is the situation. I have come back from 2 years in the future. The world will drastically change and Caelus Online is at the centre of it all. The game has some serious secrets that defy logic, such as giving people magic which inevitably messes everything up. I can easily help us get through all the future chaos, but I need your help and unwavering trust."
Seeing Harold's inscrutable expression and twitching mouth like he had gone mad, Chester goes on to explain the conversation he had with Ben about next week's incident with the hydroponics company, as well as describing the two years he had experienced and future of the Cranford family.
Still looking slightly unconvinced, Harold chooses his next words carefully.
"I see. So, if what you are saying is true, there are a lot of future hardships coming our way. Very well, I shall assist you as best I can. Since you appear to have knowledge of the future, what do you propose to do?"
Flashing a grin, Chester leans back in his large leather chair as he starts to explain his ideas.
"First, we need to finish off the current paperwork concerning my taking over the Cranford Group by next week. I know it is a rush, but this needs to be sorted out quickly. In the meantime, I will finish drafting the changes to the management. Since Caelus Online will be taking up most of my time, I will promote someone trustworthy to take over the majority of my work."
"I see. Who are you thinking of?" Harold enquires.
Letting a small smile show on his face as he thinks back to the past, Chester unconsciously relaxes as he speaks.
"The current general of the Thetford company, Gareth Brewer. Half a year from now I would have appointed him to the position anyway, but there is no harm in speeding up the process. He has the experience and will prove his loyalty to the conglomerate once again."
Seeing Chester's stoic and resolute expression, Harold nods.
"I see, I shall request him to visit your office in the shard on Monday."
Chester nods while shuffling through a number of documents.
"Perfect, thanks Harold. Oh! Now that I think about it…"
Chester exclaims, quickly scribbling down a list of company names.
"Can you also get Sasha to look through this list of companies and compile a document that examines how easy it will be to acquire them? This will be quite important in the future. Have it on my desk by Tuesday morning."
With a raised eyebrow Harold takes the list.
"I shall pass this on. If I may be so rude as to say, even if I struggle to believe your story about time regression, it is clear to me that you have changed. You are far more self-assured and decisive than usual."
Chuckling, Chester replies.
"2 years of chaos will sure change a person, for better or worse."
*****
For the rest of the weekend, Chester spends his time in the office preparing his plans in Caelus Online and the mountain of documentation needed for the Cranford Group.
Rising early on Monday morning, Chester dresses himself in a black 3-piece suit with his previously favorite purple tie adorning his neck, and makes his way downstairs for a quick meal. After a delectable dish of scrambled eggs and smoked salmon, his chauffeur drives him into the heart of London to the Shard, one of London's most iconic skyscrapers. Arriving on the 27th floor, his secretary, Sasha greets him.
Sasha was a stereotypical secretary, wearing a knee-length black skirt, a white blouse, and a black jacket. Chester notices the black high heels with a red outsole but doesn't think much of it. With her pinned up blonde hair and mild face, she is quite professional in her looks.
Receiving a schedule from her as he walks past, Chester raises a question.
"How is your progress with the list of companies?"
Falling into stride behind Chester, Sasha replies in her usual professional tone.
"Currently I have looked into all of them and acquiring them seems to be viable. I see no issues on the surface regarding 1998's Competition act and its subsequent amendments and I have contacted the Office of Fair Trading regarding the matter. If there are any issues, I'm sure the legal department will be able to sort it."
Nodding in approval Chester smiles.
"Good work."
Entering his personal office and sitting down behind his large desk, Chester starts to work through the pile of documents that are pending approval.
After around 2 hours Sasha pokes her head through the double glass doors.
"Mr Cranford, Mr Brewer is here to see you."
"Alright, show him in." Giving a brief nod, Chester finds the necessary documents for his upcoming meeting.
With a smile of anticipation as he will once again be forming a friendship with someone, he has been close to for nearly 2 years, an odd sensation sweeps over his mind as the strangeness of his situation once again sinks in. Sasha opens the door and a tall middle-aged man with short dark hair and a well-defined clean-shaven face walked in.
Standing up from behind his desk, Chester walks up to Gareth and shakes his hand.
"A pleasure to meet you again Mr Cranford, thank you for having me."
Smiling at the nostalgic feeling, Chester happily returns the greeting.
"Likewise, I believe we briefly met at my introductory conference when I first took my father's position?"
Nodding to Chester's good memory, Gareth smiles.
"Yes, it was a few months ago. It was reassuring to know the Cranford Group is in good hands."
Chuckling, Chester gestures to the black leather sofas in the middle of the room.
"Please sit down, we have a lot to discuss. Oh, and please just call me by name, formality will only bog us down."
Taking seats across from one another, Chester starts the discussion.
"Well Gareth, I'm sure you have a general gist of what this discussion will entail. It might seem a little nonsensical at times but let me promise you that I have very reliable information on what is to come over the next 2 years and that all my decisions will be made accordingly."
Pausing for a brief moment while examining Gareth's composed expression, Chester continues.
"I have seen your work and have heard about your personality, and to be honest I was incredibly impressed. As stated in the previous correspondence, I would like you to step in and take over a number of tasks for me. You will effectively become the executive manager for the conglomerate."
Pausing again to let everything sink in, Chester takes a sip of water that Sasha had just placed on the modern glass table for them.
"In the next 2 weeks, if you still want to accept this position, you will work alongside me while I will explain everything to you, about your tasks and the future projects I will have you organize. The workload should not be too much as you will have the other executive staff to assist when needed. I will also be available to contact if the need arises."
Standing up and passing Gareth a document from his desk, Chester explains.
"Here are the contract details, have a read through and tell me what you think."
Selecting a few unfinished documents from his desk, Chester sits down and continues working while waiting for Gareth to finish checking the contract. After a few minutes, Gareth exclaims.
"4 million yearly salary! Are you sure this is correct Chester?"
Chuckling with a warm smile, Chester replies.
"Yes, of course. Think of it partially as thanks for everything you have done for the conglomerate so far, and for everything still to come."
To Chester, everything Gareth had done in the future 2 years, 4 million was nothing. After all, Gareth had played an integral role in keeping the conglomerate afloat following the Great Upheaval.
Seeing that Gareth was now finished reading, Chester spoke up.
"So, what do you say, are you willing to take on the role?"
With a smile that could not get any wider Gareth stands, up with the enthusiasm he had lost to his youth.
"Absolutely, I sincerely thank you for this opportunity and will do everything I can to see this conglomerate grow even more!"
Once again shaking hands, the two sit back down and begin discussing their future plans.