Journey Of Polaris: Before The Change

Chapter 1: Polaris

On the brink of destruction and chaos humanity has one quality that never changes throughout history; distraction.

Cain was walking down the massive hall of the council building. For being 540 meters tall, the building didn't seem like much to him. More and bigger, that is what was constantly on the mind of The Polaris company CEO. He straightened out his tie before walking through the metal doors to present his newest project and its safety.

"Ladies and gentleman, Mr. Cain Marks, the CEO of Polaris." An old man announced as the CEO walked through the door.

He gave the old man a look, clearly judging how old he was and how he had to be let go sooner or later. The CEO did not bother caring for other people who were below him, unless they could make a deal with him from which he would get the most benefit. Cockily smiling at the people in the room, Caine did not forget to shake the hands with the important people, forgetting the ones below them. He considered them unworthy of touching his hand.

Walking up to the hologram with probes and examples on it, Cain smiled. "Let me present to you something that will change your entire existence: Polaris."

With a click of a button the screen showed a metal object which resembled an elevator. Its shade of blue made the already dark room even darker and the glistening of its metal doors blinded the viewers. Polaris was standing proudly in the middle of the central city, showing off the wisdom and genius of the scientist working for the company.

"What is this technology?" One of the men present at the conference asked.

Cain instantly turned his eyes to the owner of the question, "this my good sir is a teleport. Polaris is our newest invention, it benefits not only you as supporters of this project, but the people who will be using it."

"How much would it take to produce?" Another man asked, Cain could hear skepticism in his voice.

"Five hundred million dollars." Cain swallowed nervously for the first time, managing not to show his fright to the people who were about to either support Polaris or deny any support for future projects.

The men in the room exchanged glances, some shook their head meaning that they were not with the project, others nodded in a agreement with some decision which was proposed among them.

An older man, the richest one in the room on whom lay the destiny of Polaris, stood up from his chair and walked up closer to the device's plans. "How can you guarantee the success of this project?"

"I cannot. All I can give you is my confidence in this project." Cain straightened his back as he spoke to Mr. Brightly, the man on whom the future of Cain's entire life hung.

Mr. Brightly looked at him sternly, then his features softened. "Very well, I support Polaris."

The somber man's look reminded him of the same look he gave him that day Cain had to make a very serious decision, a decision in which not only Polaris was at stake, but his relationship with his brother.

There was something not quite right about the window. Abel Marks realized his gaze through the sheer glass was not focusing on the expanding metropolis his family had founded, but rather on his reflection. His eyes were troubled. But then it made a smirk that Abel never liked. His reflection was not his, but his brother's. Abel turned to face his worst enemy, his own flesh and blood, his brother Cain Marks. The similarities were obvious—the same sharp nose and jaw, blue eyes and attached ears. However him and Cain were nothing alike. One could say that the greed of Cain made him look completely different from the kindness of his brother Abel. This is how everyone else told them apart. The inside comparison of these two brothers could not be more different. Abel, although younger, was a righteous man. He had worked hard to become an individual and earn his share in the family company, named Polaris. Cain was much more apathetic as to Polaris until something could benefit him. Then his shrewdness arose. Abel's business-sense compared to Cain's brown-nosing, Abel's capacity to sympathize versus Cain's stone cold heart. They were not close.

Abel stepped away from the window and sat down in a cushioned office chair. Cain waited.

"The board meeting is today," Abel sighed. He rolled a gold pen that their father had given him. "I just want you to really consider—comprehend—the impact of what you are going to suggest."

Cain adjusted his sparkling cufflinks and gave a foxy smile. "Little brother, I can do what I want. The board members will listen to me and my vision for Polaris. Because of your recent failure, they will ignore you and praise me." His smirk still had not vanished.

Abel sighed again. His previous investment with some of the company's money had not gone as intended. Cain would never let him live it down. "I will still try to persuade them to see the insanity of this."

"Insanity? You mean progress? Polaris is the rising star of technology syndicates. We will launch this new advancement and gain the monopoly. But I cannot compromise what is best for this company with what you call common sense. It is nonsense to not fund this endeavor!" Cain made a fist and then smoothed his hands on the glass table.

Abel opened the portfolio he had brought. "Listen, brother, you have passion. That is admirable. But I know you, Cain. There's major profit in this for you and you are willing to forego rational appeals for humanity's sake."

Cain scoffed, arms crossed. How many times Abel had seen that pose; his words falling on deaf ears and an unchanging attitude dwelling within his brother. "So, I am going to give you a truly crazy offer. All my shares in the company with the investments and all. Just if you swear not to promote this avant-garde technology," Abel explained. He slid the dossier to Cain. It contained a large number; Abel wanted to sway Cain with what he knew was Cain's biggest weakness; money.

Cain glanced at it. He paused. Polaris was at stake here. "Please sign," Abel said, holding up the gold pen as a peace offering. Cain leaned in, enunciating. "Never. Little brother, your paltry offer is tempting but the revenue this progress will bring Polaris is not worth it. I will make more than you can ever dream and I will control it all." Exactly what Abel was afraid of. He had calculated wrong and money was also Cain's biggest motivation.

Before Abel could reply, the ten board members entered. All wore black, as if to a funeral. The thought crossed Abel's mind that it might as well be his. Cain turned on the charm and made the members see dollar signs. His convincing spiel outshone Abel's weak protests since he didn't have evidence, simply a beating moral compass. At the end, Abel rose and stated, "My brother and I are divided on this issue, as you can see. I beg you to think of people and the enormous division it will create between people. People who are satisfied now. Polaris does not have to be number one. Polaris is at a crossroads: financial gain or human security?" Cain interrupted. "Let us vote." Eleven to one. Abel felt his heart become burdened. Cain clapped his hands together and continued, "Well, since one of us is not operating in the best interests of Polaris, I think it's best he leave. Don't you agree, Abel?" Abel certainly agreed, but knew it was not himself who should be shown the door. "Let's just make this concrete. Who votes to eject Abel Marks from Polaris Enterprises permanently and split his inherited shares?" Another unanimous vote. With a sneer, Cain closed the door and Abel was left on the outside holding onto his golden pen like it was his own dear life, wondering how to save the world.