50th FLOOR , DROID DEVELOPMENT WING, IMPERIAL R&D DEPARTMENT's HEADQUARTERS:
The atmosphere was very tense in the lab. A small group of scientists was standing in a line with nervous expressions, facing the lab's main door. There were also several cubicles and a modest cabin with a nameplate of Dr. Anderson to the right of the lab. The rest of the lab was like a general science lab geared for technological research but at this time, the lab was sparkling clean and at the center of the lab was a raised platform upon which something was kept but it was covered with white cloth so nothing was visible except that it was round in shape.
Inside the cabin of Dr. Anderson, a man of African origin probably in his 30s, was pacing back and forth with a frantic expression and was muttering continuously under his breath. A woman with a a slightly pale complexion and brown hair, was sitting on the only chair in the cabin, watching in worry as the man paced back and forth. She called out to the man, " SAM!! SAM!!"
The man was quite lost in his thoughts and didn't hear the woman's voice, the woman quite frustrated at the lack of attention, threw a nearby pen towards the man. The man yelped when struck and turned to look towards the direction of the thrower with anger on his face. But, all the anger was replaced by concern when he saw the worry on the woman's face. He quickly moved towards the lady and sat on his knees before the woman and placed his hand on her stomach, " What Happened? Are you fine? Is our baby fine?"
The woman placed her hand on Sam's cheek and said, " I am fine. Our baby is also fine but it's father, Dr. Sam Joseph Anderson is not fine." The now identified Dr. Sam Anderson said, " You don't understand, Julie. The Emperor is personally coming. When Head Sinha had given me this project, I had thought that I would have to present this project before a committee of top brass but now things have changed, The Emperor himself is coming."
Julie let out a smile and said," So, What? You will have to face him with the same courage, that you showed when meeting my father in order to ask his permission to marry me."
Sam snorted humorlessly, " Facing your colonel father was a different thing but this is a whole new adversity. The Emperor rules over 13 trillion beings of various races including us. His one positive or negative word would effect our families in ways that we won't be even able to imagine. This is the most important moment of our lives that will define where our future generations will be. I am afraid that I will mess up."
Julie put a comforting hand over Sam's shoulder and said, " I have full faith in you. You may not be the most courageous fellow in the room but your love and care for your family and friends gives you a motivation to do what even the most courageous fellow will balk at accomplishing. I know that you will succeed because your love for your family will give you the courage to face the emperor. Moreover, The Emperor is not that bad. He may be a bit harsh but he cares about us."
Sam looked quite calm right now. Sam said in a loving tone, " Julie!! You are one of the three best things that are in my life."
Julie asked in curiousity, " Who are the two?"
Sam replied, " My Parents and our child."
Julie looked at Sam with eyes full of love and said, " Go get them, Tiger. Bring me good news."
Sam nodded and kissed Julie's head and said, " I will leave now. Thank you, for coming here to cheer me on even if you are in such a condition." Julie just smiled and moved her chin to indicate that Sam should now go.
Sam reached the door and turned to look once more at Julie and let out a mischevious smile and said, " I just remembered that I had not told my team that we will be giving our presentation before The Emperor." and left the cabin laughing. Julie just shook her head in amusement and began to read a news magazine to pass the time.
Dr. Anderson arrived before his team of 12 scientists and said in a serious tone, " Today is a very important day of our lives. If we fail then we will have nothing and if we pass then all will be right. I wish us all good luck!!!"
A short female with a pixie cut said in a humorless voice, " You suck at giving inspirational speech, team leader."
Dr. Anderson ignored her and said, " I received some information from the top brass. We have one good news and bad news. Which you would like to listen first?"
The pixie cut woman said, " The Good One!!!"
Dr. Anderson, " As you wish, Sara.....We will not be reviewed by a committee of scientists."
Everyone cheered as noone want someone to find shortcomings and degrade their hard work. A nerdy looking fellow asked, " What's the bad news?"
Dr. Anderson continued in a serious voice, " The Emperor himself is coming to see our project."
Everyone shouted, " WHAT???"
Dr. Anderson let out a tired sigh, " Yes, The Emperor is coming. I was also very shocked at the news. Why did you think I was in my cabin for such a long time?"
Sasha spoke up, " We had thought that you were being lovey-dovey with your wife in the cabin. That's why we did not call you."
Dr. Anderson briefly glared at everyone and said, " You people are taking this a lot better than I expected."
Bill, the nerdy fellow spoke up, " We are just the team members. We had already decided that whatever happens, it would be on your head. Now, The Emperor is coming, I wish you good luck!!"
Sasha glared at Bill and said, " Don't pay attention to this jealous prat. We support you. He is just miffed that your design was better than his."
Bill said scornfully, " He didn't use the design generated by the SQC."
William, another teammate snorted and said, " It's because of people like you that the top brass is thinking about reateicting access to SQC to only the higher ups. You all want to rely on SQC to provide you with pre-prepared designs and don't want to use your own damn brains to create something. REMEMBER, THE SQC WAS BUILD BY HUMANS. Dr. Sinha has not yet reported this matter to The Emperor and is trying to control the matter internally."
Sasha, " Why had he not reported yet?"
William said, " According to Dr. Sinha, it would be a slight on his position and image if he cannot deal with small problems like this." They all heard some footsteps behind them and turned to look towards the entrance. They all saw a tall man with golden hair and deep blue eyes coming towards them. They immediately recognised him. He was The Emperor, Alexander Fortis. They all bowed hurriedly and greeted him. In response strong and majestic voice reverberated through the room, " Stand Up!!!"
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