Netsec

Reunion

A huge grin spread across Immanuel's face. He couldn't believe that he had finally finished his project. Five years long he had sacrificed his blood and sweat to achieve this. Just seconds ago he had sent his closing report to his boss and was confident to please the other with the outcome of his research.

All that was left to do now, was to leave his stuffy flat and celebrate the completion in the next pub over a cold beer. He contemplated inviting Ivan to join him but decided against it. Over the last years his priorities had shifted from friends to research and he wasn't sure his former study partner would even pick up his call.

Shutting down the ventilator and locking the windows and doors, he left his apartment. The glaring sun greeted him and he was once again reminded why he loathed summer. It was simply too hot for comfort. The thermometer next to his grey door registered unbearingly 38 degrees Celsius.

His south-side flat on the 3rd floor always turned into a sauna during the summerheat. Trotting down the squeaky fire escape, he was hoping to avoid his landlord. While he had paid his rent on time, the two of them simply didn't get along and Immanuel preferd to have as little interaction as possible.

Luck was on his side for once and he left the apartment complex unperturbed. The closest pub was just ten minutes away on foot and Immanuel walked there leisurely. By the time he arrived, sweat was coating his forehead and back and he was regretting his decision. Visiting a lake would have been the better choice.

But he was already there and he wasn't going to go back without at least drinking one bottle of his favourite beer. He couldn't even remember the last time he had tasted it. Was it three years ago? Or four? Would it still taste the same?

In order to find out he resolutely entered the dark brown pub at the corner of the street. Since it was only 2 p.m on a wednesday, the irish pub was pretty empty. The air inside was quite stale and he headed into the shaded beer garden.

Taking a seat under a chestnut tree he waited for the waiter to notice him. After ordering a weiss beer he took out his smart phone to pass the time. Strangely, it wouldn't turn on. Was it broken? He clearly recalled charging it this morning.

Annoyed, he took in his surroundings. The beer garden was in the backyard of the pub and lined with large trees. In between them red tulips were blossoming. All in all a very relaxing atmosphere.

A lone bee caught his attention and he marveled at its preservation. Most of the yellow-black insects had gone extinct and it was very rare to see a real one nowadays. He would know as he just finished his research on small drones to replace the bees. Bee mortality had reached its peak five years ago and humanity had feared for a large number of its plants as bees were needed as pollinators.

Immanuel finally received his beer and took a big gulp. The coolness was refreshing and he wondered how he should spend the next four weeks. He had been promised a month long holiday in return for keeping the deadline and after the all-nighters he had pulled to finish in time he could really use the time off. His research would be presented to the world in a few days and he wasn't planning on attending the event. Too many people.

Maybe he could travel to Iceland. Or Greenland. He was fine with anywhere as long as it was colder than here. The school holidays wouldn't start for another two weeks and the flights should still be pretty cheap. Unfortunately, his phone had yet to respond in any way and he couldn't look up any flights.

Getting impatient, he asked for the bill. Immanuel paid and left a good tip for the waiter. Accepting the small paper to prove the transaction, he received a shock. According to the printout, it wasn't July like he had assumed but August. Must be a mistake he assured himself.