The atmosphere in the boardroom was thick with tension, the kind that settled in like a storm cloud when everything was on the line. The executives of the company sat around the long, sleek table, their faces set in grim determination as the head of analysis, Gerald Timmons, leaned forward, tapping a report on the polished surface. The results were in, and the news wasn't good.
"The numbers don't lie," Gerald said, his voice steady but carrying an edge of urgency. "After the elections, the shifts in the crypto market have been fast and sharp. Our competitors—especially the Prescott Group—are moving quickly to capitalize on the new political landscape. Their new hire, that savant with numbers, is putting pressure on us. He's predicting trends weeks before anyone else, and it's giving them a huge lead."
Everyone in the room knew about the Prescott Group's new wunderkind. Rumor had it that this guy, fresh out of nowhere, had an uncanny ability to predict market swings. He wasn't just a numbers guy—he was a phenomenon. Reports of his unorthodox methods were already spreading. He didn't follow the usual strategies but worked through intuition, reading trends and anticipating shifts like he could see the future.
The company was falling behind, and everyone knew it.
The head of finance shifted in his seat. "What do we know about him? Has anyone done a deep dive into his methods?"
Gerald's fingers drummed against the table, his eyes narrowing as he flipped through the reports. "We don't have much on him—his methods are hard to pin down. What we do know is that he's operating on a different level, one where conventional models don't seem to apply. We're dealing with someone who's willing to take risks, push boundaries, and so far, it's working. We need someone who can match that."
A murmur ran through the room as the executives exchanged glances. It wasn't an easy thing to admit, but Prescott's savant was ahead, and it was clear they needed a response fast.
"Do we have anyone on our side who can meet that challenge?" the CEO asked.
Gerald hesitated for a moment, but then his gaze locked on one person who had been quietly impressing the company in ways that no one had fully anticipated. "We do. But it's a risk."
The room quieted, and all eyes turned to him.
"Alex," Gerald said finally. "He's got the kind of mind we need. I've been watching his work closely. His attention to detail, his knack for seeing patterns others miss—it's rare. He's not just good; he's got potential that goes beyond the usual expectations, he is not your usual savant, but I bet he could be better than the savant with munbers. But he's quiet, under the radar, and if we're not careful, we'll lose him to someone like Prescott."
The CEO's brow furrowed. "Alex? You're talking about the same guy HR flagged a while back, right?"
Gerald nodded. "Sandra's been working on a way to keep him here. But we need to bring him in now. This isn't just about keeping talent—it's about survival in this new post-election market."
Sandra, who had been quietly observing, spoke up. "Alex is a wildcard. But I agree. He has what it takes. And he's been pushing himself harder lately. If we give him the right tools and support, he could help us stay ahead."
The CEO leaned back in his chair, weighing the decision. "Alright. Make the call. Bring him in. We need every advantage we can get."
---
Minutes later, Sandra was dialing Alex's number from her office. She had just gotten off the call with Gerald, who had made it clear that this was a high-priority situation. They needed Alex, and they needed him now. The pressure was mounting, and Sandra could feel it in every word exchanged during the meeting.
Alex picked up after a couple of rings. "Sandra? What's up?"
"Alex, something's come up," Sandra said, keeping her tone professional but with a note of urgency. "We need to meet. It's about the new market challenges, and Gerald specifically requested you for this."
"Gerald?" Alex sounded surprised. "Is this about the market trends after the election?"
"Exactly. Our competitors have gained an edge, and it's...well, it's a bit of a crisis on our end. Prescott Group's got a new hire who's turning the game on its head, and we need someone with your skills to counteract that."
There was a pause on the line as Alex processed the information. "I've heard about that guy. They say he's some kind of number savant."
"Yes, and that's exactly why we need you. You've got the kind of insight that can match him—maybe even surpass him."
Alex was quiet for a moment, but Sandra could sense the gears turning in his mind. She'd known Alex to be cautious, but she also knew that when the stakes were high, he rose to the occasion. After all, she had been working behind the scenes to ensure he stayed with the company for reasons just like this.
"I'll come in," Alex said finally. "But I'll need certain conditions."
Sandra smiled to herself. He wasn't coming in without leverage—smart. "Of course. Let's discuss it when you get here."
---
Later that day, Alex stood in Gerald's office. The head of analysis looked up from his reports as Alex entered, and for the first time in a while Gerald felt a sense of cautious optimism.
"Thanks for coming, Alex," Gerald said, motioning for him to sit. "I'm sure Sandra filled you in on the situation."
Alex nodded, taking a seat across from Gerald. "I've heard. Prescott's got a guy who's been outpacing the market, and now we're behind."
"That's putting it lightly," Gerald admitted. "We're facing a serious threat. This guy isn't using traditional methods. He's working with something more...intuitive. But I've seen how you work, and I think you're exactly who we need to handle this."
Alex leaned back, a slight smirk tugging at his lips. "You want me to go head-to-head with this savant?"
Gerald's gaze was steady. "Yes. I want you to bring your insights, your patterns—everything you've got. This isn't just about crunching numbers; it's about seeing the bigger picture, something I know you're good at."
Alex nodded slowly. "Alright. But I'll need some autonomy. I want the freedom to work my way, not bound by traditional methods. And if I do this, I want a solid guarantee about my future here."
Gerald didn't hesitate. "You'll get it. I'll make sure of it."
Alex stood, shaking Gerald's hand. "Then let's get to work."
As he left the office, Alex couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement, even though he wasn't facing someone with high mental strength like him, a savant is next to superpowers in this current time anyways. The challenge ahead was huge, but he knew that with his skills—and maybe a little help from Cognichip—he could rise to meet it.