At the same time – construction site.
Andrew finished up his practice and realized there were still a few hours of daylight left.
He flipped open his cell and called Jackson.
“Sir.”
“Jackson, this site will work fine. I have a few hours of free time. Is there anything that needs my attention?”
“Well sir if you are free, it would be good for you to meet Mr. Liam. Right now, I have him running the Dreadnought Investment group. There is an office prepared for you there on the top floor, that will run the whole Fire Dragon Corp. I have assigned a vice President for you, who will also act as your secretary and liaison for any business needs. She is extremely capable. Her name is Arya Croft,” said Jackson.
“Very good, I will pass there within the hour.” Andrew said as he hung up.
Jackson quickly called ahead to Mr. Liam.
Liam was packing up his office for the day when he saw his phone ring. That number… 5 years ago it was that number that has set him on the path to where he was today, at the top of the Dreadnought Investment, and now directly under Arya Croft who was a legend in the business world. Seeing this number now made him have a cold sweat.
“Liam, you are at your office, correct?” asked Jackson in a rush.
In a very respectful tone, Liam replied. “Yes Sir, Mr. Jackson, I am still here.” His voice was even tinged with piety and some fear. Liam’s persona could be considered huge in the city of Durres, but Jackson…. Jackson’s name alone could instill fear even in the top families.
“Good! the head boss of the Dragon Corporations is heading to your office. You must be utmost respectful.” Jackson said this with his own sense of reverence.
When Liam heard that the top boss was coming to see him, his whole body was suddenly shocked. He quickly nodded, then realizing he was on the phone and not visible, he said: “I Understand. I will be on top alert and do everything I can to impress him. May I ask, who is it that is coming to see me this evening?”
Jackson was not sure how Andrew would choose to introduce himself, so he said, “The man is named Andrew. He is in charge.”
Liam knew it was not wise to offend Jackson in any way. A single word from him could end everything. So, to hear that Jackson actually called someone his boss and this big boss was on his way to see Liam in person, it was like a noncommissioned officer being told by the General of the army that the Commander in Chief was coming for a troops review! Little did Liam know or understand just how accurate that sentiment really was.
“Liam, did you think that it was I who has given you everything you have in Durres City over the past five years?” Jackson asked.
Liam quickly said: “Mr. Jackson, If it wasn’t for you cultivating me, I would be nothing. I was nothing but a street bastard, today I am a CEO of a huge corporation. But sir, when you placed me here, you said it would be a woman who came to claim ownership. I am confused, now Mr Andrew is in charge?”
“When you met me, I showed you the insignia of Cobalt blue. This was my color and signate of authority. I told you, one day, the one of Fire Red insignia would claim the Fire Dragon corps, for it was for her this corporation was established in Durres. The one who comes now is the purest gold.” Jackson continued.
Liam suddenly froze.
This answer startled him. Both Jackson and the mysterious lady each have colored insignia as their personal crest, but the one to come uses GOLD?
Liam knew it was indeed Jackson’s help over the years through gentle pointing in new directions with a few words here and there that let him win at a few key businesses and contracts. It had been Jackson who laid the foundation so that in one fell swoop Liam was able to develop Dreadnought Investment to the level it was at today!
Without the gentle instruction from Jackson at key times of the business’s development, Liam knew that he could not have made it this far in the short amount of time he had accomplished it in.
Suddenly, his throat slipped, and his voice trembled: “This Andrew, you say his color is gold? Andrew is master of all the dragon corporations?”
Jackson’s reply was simple, “You grasp the fringes of the dragon order that is forming. Gold leads us all. Everything you have been given was given by his command, and as such, a single word, and all can turn to dust on the wind. Do you understand?”
“I understand!” Liam said immediately, “Thank you for explaining. I will be sure to do my part well!”
Jackson hung up the phone without saying anything more.
Liam felt that his legs were a little soft, and he walked to the sofa, sat down with a PLOP, and let out a long breath.
On his forehead, there was cold sweat, and his body was tight with tension.
It turned out that the man behind Jackson was the real master of the chessboard, even because of this Andrew’s words, Liam had his own company today!
What a terrible strength it is.
It took a long time for him to calm down, but his inner shock did not weaken in the slightest.
In his mind, this master who controlled Jackson was only a shadow for now, but even this shadow was enough to make him worship! That fact that he was about to meet this person face to face, Liam was unsure how he would react. Awe, wonder, or sheer terror? Each seemed a valid response.
Next, Jackson then called Arya Croft, the one he had appointed to be the face of the Fire Dragon Corp.
“Hello, this is Arya.”
“Hello, Miss Croft. How is business these days.”
That voice. Just as it had with Liam, the cold sweat broke out on Arya's back.
Jackson.
That voice had set her on a path shortly after her thesis on revolutionizing business. Now several years later she was renowned throughout the providence as a queen of the business world.
“sir how may I serve today?” asked Arya. It was rare that Jackson ever interacted with her, and only once had they met in person when he first recruited her. Since then it was all digital communication with very few calls. But every one of the communications had rocked the business world around Durres because it set forth new directions and new commands for the businesses under her control. Not one order had failed to produce millions in return, and even now she was seeing how small actions years ago were now causing multi-billion dollar deals to snap into place thanks to acquisitions that made no sense at the time.
“miss croft, shortly a man by the name of Andrew will enter the Dreadnought Investment tower. He will meet with Liam, and then it would be beneficial for you to meet him. From now on His word is law. You are to liaison with him, and be his face, voice, and power in all things.”
Silence.
“Sir, may I ask? Who is it that is to command the Fire Dragon with such authority? When you established this corps, you said only the one of Red insignia would claim it. I am confused.”
“I told this to Liam, and now I tell it to you. The chess master is in town and planning to settle in the area. The one of Red may be with him or at least around shortly but understand the difference. I am cobalt, she is Fire red, but Andrew is the gold dragon. You are to render all aid and reverence to him in as much as you are able. There is nothing forbidden to him and all resources are his. Serve him well.”
“Ah and, he is fresh into town from many years away. He may be a bit…. Unfamiliar with current norms, and he may need access to funds. We did not carry currency while abroad. Please take care of it.” And with that, Jackson hung up.
Cold, instinctual terror swept through Arya. She was a humble but capable caretaker of this corporation but coming to the door was a dragon. No not a dragon, THE DRAGON.
Andrew made his way over to the Dreadnought Investment group. He knew from Jackson that this company had been established in its current form just a few years ago. Jackson briefed him from time to time, and he gave input and resources as needed. Thankfully Jackson was a capable person and had been ever since he had been assigned to Andrew’s team in the field all those years ago. When he got out and came back home, he quickly became Andrew’s top force and right hand in many ways. When he stepped up to the receptionist, he asked politely to informed Mr. Liam that Andrew was here to see him. “Mr. Andrew is it? I am afraid I do not have you, or any for that matter, on the schedule… Mr. Liam does not normally take visitors that are not scheduled ahead of time.” “Miss, please inform him, and let him decide. I am confident he will be down shortly.” The secretary frowned but picked up the phone. “Mr. Liam, there is and Mr. Andrew here to see you. He does not
Just as they were concluding, a knock sounded on the office. Liam jumped up, furious someone would interrupt. But when he answered the door, he froze. Arya Croft, Vice-Chair of the whole Fire Dragon Corp stood at the door. While Liam had met her on previous occasions, it was rare to see her now except in passing, being that her office was on the top floor of the same building. “President Liam, Is this Mr. Andrew I have been told about?” “Yes, Ma’am.’ “When you are done with him, please send him my way.” “Well actually, we are finishing now,” said Andrew as he stood from the desk. “Shall we?” And with that, he left the room to follow Arya upstairs. Liam was ready to melt and felt a huge pressure leave with Andrew. Upstairs was an impressive area. The whole floor had a clearly fung shui focus and Raya instantly could sense that it was well done. There was even a large waterfal
Roisin Eisen was one of Durres’s cities great beauties. To her, being told this was next to telling her that a bear craps in the woods. It was a useless bit of information and in no way felt like a compliment these days. Her beauty had never brought her a suitable man nor had it been a huge asset in business. Instead, she was envied by women who felt inferior and thus targeted by all manner of mean schemes. She was practically stalked by men of low IQ and even lower hygiene habits. Her own mother insisted on setting her up on an untold number of blind dates. It was true that she was of a good age to marry, and she would not mind finding someone she could enjoy being with. However, right now, she was successfully climbing the ladders in the family business, and working hard to get her family of two out of the squaller house they lived in. well, perhaps family of three if you considered Emily who practically lived with them now. Both Roisin and Emily were making great strides in
Roisin looked at him curiously but noticed as Andrew subconsciously touched an earbud and realized he must have been on a phone call when she walked up. She wondered absently who Raya might be. A coworker at Dreadnought Investment? A girlfriend?“I don’t believe we have met before. But my mother told me to meet you here. Is now still a good time for us to catch a meal together?” this blind date was off to a grand start Roisin thought.Andrew was utterly lost, but here was a beautiful woman who knew his name and wanted to have dinner.‘if you don’t say yes I will do it for you.’ Snarked Raya.“yes, yes of course have a seat,” said Andrew in an instant as Raya snapped his confusion.“I know these blind dates are a bit awkward, so sorry for that. My mother has set me up on enough.” Started Roisin.“Blind date? Ah yes, they can be quite awkward but with a beautiful woman
“Well Miss Eisen, I do think there are opportunities for you to look at in the future. I have a proposition for you to consider,” said Andrew.“Yes, have already given me much to consider. Wait, a proposition you say? What do you have to offer?” asked Roisin noticing Andrew’s attention had shifted back fully to her from his moment of absence.“I believe the Fire Dragon group would be interested in working with your company. They have resources few can fathom. They even wholly own Dreadnought Investment as you may be aware. I can connect you with Miss Croft, who would be the one to discuss possible future cooperation, but I can give you a taste of what such cooperation might benefit your company. How much would a brand new formula be worth?”“A new formula? Something the push my company forward?”“Well, the formula is actually very old but would be something the modern world has not seen. I can pr
After that, they chatted for a while and Roisin mostly talked about her family and time with her cousin. Andrew only briefly mentioned his time in the military and mostly focused on his medical experiences because that was Roisin’s specialty and she might recognize aspects of his experiences.Suddenly Andrew noticed a chill in the air. This was odd being that it was rather warm outside this time of year. ‘Raya?’‘COLD’ was Raya’s slow reply.‘Cold? What are you sensing Raya?’‘COLD blood physique. This girl is lucky to be alive this long with that. It's super rare. There are some odd treatments but they take time. Like 10 years. Some manage to live longer if they inadvertently find a fire-blood, who has the opposite problem. While she freezes, fire bloods may boil to death.’‘what is happening now?’ asked Andrew bewildered.&l
Slowly, Roisin began to wake. She quickly realized her dress was torn and she felt cold all over. “Miss Eisen, please drink this. The good doctor has just left and ordered this when you wake up..” “my, my clothes. What happened to me?” whispered Roisin, terrified of the possible answers. “not to worry much, my dear, the doctor did have to make some quick actions to save you, but I was present the whole time. Nothing untoward happened. Here, drink, you will feel better,” said Arya. She was stunned at how much better the girl looked after just the needlework Andrew had done. With what she saw and the prescription, she had no qualms about calling him “doctor”. As Roisin drank the tea, she instantly felt the chill flee from her body. She had experienced these chills for years, but never to this extreme but now, this tea, this wonderful tea was removing all trace. Normally she would be sick and suffer for at least two days. But now, right from the onset, w
Andrew made his way back to the construction site. Tomorrow would begin building a new team. Things were about to change in Durres, and he needed manpower to do it. While he could bulldoze his way through almost anything, he had learned several years ago how invaluable capable team members were. When you could not be everywhere, your team was your eyes and your muscle. With a force of his own here, things would become much easier. Plus, change always created enemies. So, he wanted to be sure Dreadnought Investment and especially Miss Croft had real protection, not just this subpar bunch of thugs. Tonight though, he went up to the top floor of the construction site turned training ground, and lay in a hammock set between two I beams. Here he could lay back and watch the stars overhead. As he drifted off, he felt Raya merge with his thoughts. Together, they soared on the winds of memory. 7 years ago, deep in the Haderac desert, he was a young squad leader newly