Aaron sat at his desk in the underground office, the hum of computers filling the air. The place was like something out of a spy movie, with rows of monitors, blinking lights, and people typing furiously. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was in over his head. His hands fidgeted as he thought about the strange events that had led him here. What exactly was this place? What was Project Blackout?
Across the room, Celeste pulled Technophile aside. Aaron couldn't hear their conversation, but he could tell it was about him. Celeste's gestures and narrowed eyes made it obvious she wasn't happy. Aaron glanced away quickly when her gaze darted toward him, pretending to focus on the desk in front of him.
"He asks a lot of questions," Celeste said, her voice low but firm. "He doesn't seem ready for this. He's too green."
Technophile smiled, his calm demeanor contrasting with her frustration. "Relax, Celeste. I know what I'm doing. He's exactly the type we need. Just be patient. The boss really wants Project Blackout to succeed."
At the mention of the boss, Celeste's entire demeanor shifted. Her expression hardened, and she nodded quickly. "Fine. I'll do my best," she said, walking back toward Aaron's station. She plastered on a fake smile as Aaron looked up. He returned the smile awkwardly, his confusion growing by the second.
"Hey! Sorry to keep you waiting," Celeste said brightly. Her tone was too cheerful, seeming almost forced.
Aaron stood up, rubbing the back of his neck. "Uh, no problem."
"Alright, so I'll be your supervisor here," she began, her smile now more genuine. "Everything you do will go through me. If you need help, just ask. But first, let's get you familiar with the place."
Aaron nodded, following her as she gestured for him to walk with her. They moved through the maze of desks and monitors, the faint hum of technology constant in the background. Celeste's heels clicked against the polished floor as she pointed out different sections of the office.
"This is the main work area," she explained. "Everyone here has a specific role, whether it's data analysis, penetration testing, or operations planning."
Aaron tried to take it all in, but it was overwhelming. His eyes darted to the massive screens displaying lines of code, digital maps, and graphs.
"What exactly do you… we… do here?" he asked hesitantly.
Celeste smirked. "Good question. Follow me."
She led him to a corner of the room where a reinforced glass door marked "Authorized Personnel Only" stood. She scanned her badge, and the door clicked open. Inside was a more secure area, dimly lit with an eerie blue glow. Rows of high-tech workstations lined the walls, each occupied by focused individuals.
"This is where the real work happens," Celeste said, her tone dropping to something more serious. "We're a private cyber company. Think of it like a private army, but for tech."
Aaron raised an eyebrow. "A private army?"
Celeste nodded. "Yeah. We study our competitors, gather intel, and sometimes… let's just say we do what needs to be done."
Aaron's stomach churned. "Wait, is that… legal?"
Celeste laughed softly, shaking her head. "I know what you're thinking. Isn't this illegal? What if we get caught?" She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "It's not illegal. We're not stealing information. We're just… studying behavior. You'd be surprised how many big companies do the same thing. Ever wondered why they know so much about you?"
Aaron didn't reply, his mind racing. This felt wrong, but the way Celeste explained it made it sound almost normal. Almost.
They returned to the main office area, and Celeste handed him a tablet loaded with documents. "This will help you understand your role. Take some time to go through it."
Before Aaron could say anything, Technophile appeared, holding two keys and a brown envelope. His grin was wide and almost unsettling.
"Ah, Aaron! Perfect timing," Technophile said, handing over the envelope. "Open it."
Aaron hesitated, his fingers trembling slightly as he tore open the envelope. Inside was a single sheet of paper. His eyes widened as he read it.
AGREEMENT
Salary: $250,000 annually
Signing Bonus: $50,000
Additional Benefits: Fully furnished apartment and a luxury car
Aaron's jaw dropped. This was more money than he'd ever dreamed of.
"The keys," Technophile said, holding them out. "One for the apartment, the other for the car."
Aaron stared at the keys, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. This was too good to be true.
"I… I don't know," he stammered. "This is all… a lot."
Technophile's smile widened. "That's not all. Your mom has been discharged from the hospital. She's resting comfortably in your new apartment."
Aaron's head snapped up. "What? How do you know about my mom? How…?"
Technophile pulled out his phone and showed Aaron a video. It was his mom, sitting on a plush couch in a luxurious living room. She looked healthier, smiling as she waved at the camera.
"This is your new life, Aaron," Technophile said, his voice calm but firm. "You sign that agreement, and you're set. Your debts, your mom, everything… taken care of."
Aaron's heart pounded. He was terrified, but he was also desperate. The image of his mom, safe and happy, flashed in his mind. He thought about the loan sharks, the hospital bills, the rejection after rejection. Could he really say no?
With trembling hands, he picked up the pen Technophile had placed on the desk. His chest felt tight, and his mind screamed at him to stop, but he couldn't ignore the relief this could bring. Slowly, he signed his name.
Technophile clapped his hands together, his excitement almost childlike. "Welcome to the team!"
Aaron forced a smile, but his gut told him he'd just made a deal with the devil. And there was no going back.