“I’ll accept the job”

“I thought you would.” Joseph Lock smiled as he leaned back into the chair.

“However, there are a few things I need to have before I start.”

“Of course, your payment. I’ll spend double the average rate you give.”

Joseph Lock. Owner of the multi-billion dollar corporation, legally known as LOGIC; which stands for Logistical Operations Given Intense Care. it’s more commonly known as Lock Corp.

LOGIC is present in most of the world’s current superpowers, with hundreds warehouses and thousands of office buildings. The main headquarters is on the artificial island, known as Atlantis.

Before the new World War started, the old superpower countries tried one last effort for peace, creating an island in the middle of the ocean.

Politically neutral, and completely self sufficient, New Atlantis is the headquarters of many corporations. Powered by solar, wind, and ocean currents, while protected by psionic shields that could block out objects from planes to radiation particles.

New Atlantis was very similar to the Atlantis in the stories, in of which its inhabitants touched upon unthinkable technology and power..

However, during the New World War (WWIII), the island was sunk due to some sabotaging. Almost the entire population was murdered.

Once the war was over, the island was quickly rebuilt on top of the sunken one. proving to be even more outrageous than the first city

The New(er) city of Atlantis is now concidered the safe haven of the world. However, the ruins of the old city is a den for the underworld.

It was very likely that the thieves would return to their nest.

“I first need the stock manifest for the warehouse that was broken into, make sure to mark what was stolen. Then, I would like to examine the other warehouse, personaly.”

Lock smiled as we stood up from the seats

“of course, I’ll tell my secretary to send a copy over, and as for the warehouse, it’s on New Atlantis, I’ll send a person pick you up.”

“All the easier for me.”

Lock reached out to shake hands

“I expect that this will be wrapped up quickly and quietly.”

I took his hand

“I want the advance also ready, can’t start without a little motivation.”

“Of course, of course, I’ll send the pay over with the manifest. Oh, and Mr. Willus, I wish you the best of luck”

Lock said as he started walking towards the door, gesturing with his left hand to signal a wave good bye.

“Luck isn’t why I’m still alive. Also, close the door on your way out; you're letting the light in.”

“I wasn’t suggesting that the Lucky Lady was the cause of your survival.”

Lock stated as he closed the door.

“I know.”

I sat back down in my chair, my thoughts wandered as I stared into space. My eyes searching for some invisible answer in the shadows of the room.

I normally avoid working for large corporations, too risky. However the pay this time is a completely different matter.

My “average” rate can range from buying me a fast food restaurant lunch, to the GDP of a small county. Lock promising double the average, which is the second highest, and voila, instant millionaire.

Not that i’d spend it on anything for myself, besides food. But that’s heading into rambling.

The reason why corporations are so risky to work for isn’t because of the customer, but the rivals that they have.

Rival companies are very competitive, very suspicious, hugely territorial, and when they hear a private eye has been hired to “snoop around”, their reactions normally range from pissed of as f*ck, to I’m gonna ruin your life angry.

Here’s an example of a rivaling corporation’s thought process; a company hires private eye, the private eye starts to investigate, rival companies start to hire hitmen to eliminate private eye at the slightest moment, private eye ends up becoming the next decoration in the hitman’s home.

Depending on the investigator, the stronger the hitman is.

My psionic ability is more about reconnaissance, investigation, and surveillance than it is about fighting. This doesn’t mean it’s not usable in battle, however it’s not the most practical ability out there. However I am confident in my fighting skills.

There are several cases where a private investigator has been killed because of hitmen. In fact, the undercity even has a guild, a leuge of assholes if you will, dedicated to hunt and kill them.

Some sickos even go as far as killing the loved ones instead of the investigator.

This almost happened to me.

I sighed, looking at the photo of my family on the desk.

I shook my head as I smiled sorrowfully

“There’s always a price to pay for being sloppy.”