Capítulo 86: Gathering allies
Unbeknownst to Michael, the Russians' plans were far more sinister than what he learned.
At this time, the head analyst was still waiting for his meeting with president Myshkin. He hoped to get the green light on kidnapping Michael and the resources to do so.
The information package Michael received was limited to that moment in time. He knew there would be an attempt on him, but none of the specifics. No one knew those yet, even the Russians themselves.
After he got off the bed and stretched, Michael had a good talk with his parents. He stuck to the legend of him being the first Alter but explained everything in detail. He had to tell them at least this much.
Vladimir and Nadezhda were proud of him but worried for his safety. They had experienced the government's power during the Soviet era and imagined the worst scenarios. Michael was forced to tell them his plans for the coming week, which calmed them down.
It was the middle of the day in Switzerland, whereas in California the first rays of sunshine illuminated the gloomy sky. A sloppy-looking man hit his alarm clock and crawled out of bed. After a quick shower and a pick-me-up smoothie, he checked his mail.
There was the usual spam, an invitation to a blind date from one of the dating sites, and a job offer.
Buddy scratched his forehead as he read the e-mail. Michael North? Where had he heard this name before?
A quick Google search gave Buddy goosebumps.
First Alter? Studies at the prestigious school for gifted children? Game designer and developer? Earned tens of millions at 15 years of age?
But the article that finally convinced Buddy, told the story of Michael's campaign to develop a cure for cancer. Connecting tens of hubs and research labs around the world. Encouraging exchange and mutual assistance. Even rewarding repeat studies!
And the pay was first class. With $15,000 per week, 52 weeks in a year… almost $800,000! As an American, Buddy was used to year-end bonuses and overpay. Adding those, the salary came up to a freaking million dollars!
Excited, Buddy shared his credit card number to receive his advance pay, enough to buy gifts for his folks and catch a plane to Europe. If he really got the money, he was prepared to resign from his think tank.
Coincidentally, Michael concluded the heart-to-heart with his parents with a hug and sat down to interact with his viewers.
The computer chirped.
"Interested, I see," the teenager grinned. Without delay, he transferred a few thousand dollars in a gesture of goodwill. For a tycoon like him, it was spare change.
"Already!?" Buddy exclaimed when he got a banking notification on his phone. He stared at the screen for a few seconds, stunned, and then called in to work and resigned.
When they asked him about the reason, he said, "The work we do is meaningless to me. I want to develop a cure for cancer!"
One of the best microbiologists in the world was determined to meet Michael North's, his boss's, expectations.
At the same time, the "lofty boss" was racking his brains on where to find a trustworthy lawyer. This time, Michael couldn't follow his usual strategy and pick a talented person from the school. Firstly, most of the older students with evident competencies were taken by other business heirs. Secondly, all of them had yet to pass the bar.
A teenage programmer? Sure. A teenage administrator? Meh, OK. But in order to practice law, one had to be of age and pass the examinations. Helpless, Michael tried to use his newest employee's connections.
When another e-mail came, Buddy got scared. What if this was all a prank? But no, Michael was looking for a good lawyer or a small firm, and he was willing to pay them to relocate to Europe.
Buddy decided that having at least one person he knew in Switzerland was better than none. He dialed a number on his phone.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Greg. How are you?"
"Buddy! Same as always here. What gives? Are you allowed to make phone calls?"
The biologist laughed, "You know my work isn't secret anymore. After I resigned, I haven't been able to find a big project. Right, that's why I called. I got a job in Europe."
"Wow, fancy. Congratulations! Italy? France?"
"Switzerland. Developing a cure for cancer under Michael North. You know him?"
"North?" There were sounds of paper rustling. "Wait, isn't he the super-boy that everyone talks about?"
"Yeah, that's him!" Buddy was unable to contain his excitement, "And he's looking for a small law firm he can trust. Isn't your son about to pass the bar?"
After a short silence, Greg responded, "It's not that simple. Practicing law in Switzerland requires studying and passing exams there. Ah, I just found, a year of practical experience, too. I'm happy you thought of me, old friend, but I don't have a license outside of the States."
"And if you did?" Buddy didn't want to give up.
"I don't deal in ifs and whens, only facts," admonished him Greg. "I'm sorry."
"I see. Let me get back to you."
Buddy may not have been the most put-together or collected person, but he was relentless once he wanted something. He composed a letter for Michael.
"I have a good friend, Gregory Almond. He has a son, Tyler, who will pass the bar soon, and a small firm. Their business isn't great because they know their worth. With the price they quote, most clients prefer going to a big corporation. I can vouch for Greg, he's a top-class lawyer. The problem is, they can't practice in Europe."
A minute later, Buddy got a reply that made him shiver and awoke bitter memories. Working for powerful men was really different!
"When they land, I will personally give them their license."
Buddy called Greg again, and this time they talked about the proposal in detail.
In Michael's previous life, Buddy was famous as the world's greatest philanthropist. He could've made billions by selling the cancer medication, but he chose not to patent it instead. In the end, global corporations produced the cure and sold it at competitive prices. Buddy's company couldn't compete and went bankrupt.
He saved the common people billions of dollars, and in return his future was ruined.
Being friends with a man like that, was Gregory Almond really a good lawyer? Michael needed to meet him in person to make sure.
The two friends agreed to make the trip together. If Greg and Michael hit it off, then the company would move to Switzerland.
For the rest of the day, Michael answered questions and chatted with people on the Internet.
He recorded two more videos. The old one served as a call to unite and did a bad job of explaining things. Moreover, now Michael better understood what people wanted to know.
In one video, he clarified what the epidemic was again – people around the world developed a new sense, their sixth one. Not intuition, of course, but the sense that allowed them to feel and manipulate Qi.
The second video revolved around how to activate Altered powers in a safe environment. Michael mentioned that these powers would grow but was careful to evade the word "evolve".
Sparking a supremacist movement was a big no-no.
Then, Anna paid a visit after her classes were over. They had a long talk, similar to the one Michael had with his parents. He assured the girl he knew what he was doing and invited her to assist on the third part of developing the cure.
No matter how happy he was to share research results with other laboratories in other countries, Michael knew when to stop. He was the only one who knew the whole picture and wanted to keep step three private.
Buddy Earl would take the lead. Two dozen Chinese scientists with Old Zhao and Anna would assist him. These people, Michael envisioned them as the heart of his future company North Medical.
"And another thing."
"Mm?" Anna stood up, prepared to leave.
"I'm 90% confident I can help your mom. I need a week to prepare, and then, let's pay her a visit in the hospital for the last time."
Joy and bliss illuminated Anna's face in the most beautiful smile Michael had ever seen.
Without a second thought, she launched herself at him, and they fell on the bed, laughing. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
PENSAMENTOS DOS CRIADORES 
BlackInk
BlackInk This Buddy Earl, he doesn't seem to be as simple as Michael imagined him to be.
In the next chapter, Michael will make a careful preemptive move against the Russians. Stick around!
P.S. For the later scenes in Book 2, I feel obligated to change the novel's rating to NC-17. We've had some swearing and blood, but the voilence will be cranked all the way up. I'm talking torture. You've been warned.
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