Carlisle

Carlisle considers Bobs words for a moment. "Was precise longitude and latitude given?" He asks the winded man.

"No. The Survivalist insist on being made a member of the Science Faction before they will give the coordinates." Bob says regaining his breath, wiping a bit of sweat from his baby face.

Carlisle scoffs at this. "Did you forward me the email?" He asks moving to his computer.

"Yes." Bob replies. Carlisle pulls up the email reading it carefully.

"Bullshit." Carlisle mutters.

"What?" Bob asks in a bit of surprise.

"Unbelievable, improbable, unprovable, bull shit." Carlisle reasserts with bite to his voice. Bob nods his head staring wide eyed.

"Sorry for wasting your time." Bob apologizes nervously moving to the door.

"Regardless, I suppose we'll humor this Sol. If that is their real name. The account claims the name Maurice." Carlisle ponders stopping Bob in his tracks. "Do we have a profile on this person?" Carlisle asks.

"Yes, I'll pull it up." Bob confirms coming over.

"No, I've got it." Carlisle says dismissively.

Sol Ridges 17, Survivalist Faction. Father: Maurice Ridges, Mother: Laurel Ridges.

"Not much information." Carlisle notes to himself.

"Well, you know the Survivalist. Not much into record keeping." Bob laughs. Carlisle ignores his blathering studying the image. The person is wearing bulky clothes with a hood and a respirator over most of their face. All Carlisle can see are large brown eyes. He stares at them oddly intrigued by this brazen character.

"Reply back instructing the boy to report to the 100th Eco Pod with proof and he shall have his reward." Carlisle orders exiting out of the profile.

"Right away." Bob agrees hustling out the door.

"And Bob." Carlisle adds. "Keep this between us." Bob nods.

Carlisle sits back deliberating. If this boy has hacked a satellite Carlisle's project could be rendered superfluous. It's an unacceptable prospect, as an obscene amount of resources have already been used. Though it wasn't him who had assured the satellites were non-operational but his predecessor. He would likely still take the blame for lack of thoroughness. If the case, the only option remaining is to silence the boy, but how best to do it. No guarantees giving him what he wants will keep his mouth shut. Carlisle supposes he's lucky it's his Eco Pod Sol contacted. Had it been another he'd be in far less a desirable position. For some reason he opens back up the profile looking into the eyes of the boy willing them to share the answer he sought. Could he kill this child if it meant securing his future?

Carlisle moves to the large windows that look out over his lab, observing the figures in grey garments and white coats move around at his instruction. He has no doubt any one of them wouldn't hesitate to stab him in the back if it gained them his position. Carlisle calls only one person friend who has nothing to gain from Carlisle's failure.

"Meta, call J. Rogers." Carlisle instructs his voice activated artificial intelligence administrative assistant.

"Honor bound, Carlisle." Rogers greets though he knows Carlisle's distaste for the expression. The handsome if not overly masculine face of Carlisle's childhood friend displays on the monitor. The two met during peace talks between Carlisle's mom and various high-ranking officials of the military faction.

"Forward met, Captain." Carlisle replies slyly knowing hos the other man squirms at the mention of his newly acquired rank. The title came with a new position, commanding officer of Fort Lost in the Snow. The base that happened to be closest to the 100th Eco Pod.

"How may I assist the 100th Eco Pods newest director?" Rogers asks formally.

"I need your advice." Carlisle replies. "Off the record." He adds ignoring the dimples that form on Rogers cheeks as he stifles laughter at Carlisle's somewhat dramatic statement. Carlisle often grew wary of his inability to take anything seriously.

"Of course, friend." Rogers agrees leaning back in his chair attempting a serious expression.

"I have a situation regarding a survivalist. After much consideration I have concluded that getting rid of them is my best course of action. Generally, when the science faction has issue with an unruly survivalist co-op we turn to the military faction. At least since we've become allies. This is not of an official nature and the survivalist is merely an inconvenience not a threat. I suppose what I'm asking for is for you to be my moral compass once again. As you've pointed out to me in the past my ambition blinds me. I don't so much care about morals as you know but in this instance, I suppose my conscious is peeked. Perhaps I'm being too sentimental." Carlisle explains.

Rogers barks a laugh. "You too sentimental? Have the pigs frozen over hell and are flying around in the sky." Rogers makes light. "As vague as you've been I'll assume this Survivalist has something that you don't want others to know about. Then I can assume you want him gone, so this information doesn't get out. Then the question is does the exposure of this information pose a threat to the greater good. As you've said this individual is of not threat. Then I can conclude that what the Survivalist has is only a threat to you. In this case killing them would be wholly self-serving and thereby dishonorable. If you're to do this I foresee your soul burning in hell for all of eternity." Rogers assess.

"You know I don't believe in that nonsense." Carlisle scoffs at Rogers threat of hell fire.

"Then either way you'll find yourself roasted like a pig. Might as well do what you want." Rogers concludes fiddling with a ball he procured off his desk. Carlisle evaluates the man as he considers his reply. Rogers nearly disappears against the tan wall behind him as he is a form of beige. Brown uniform, cedar hair, tanned skin and dark eyes.

"Will you burn in hell for condoning me murdering a man?" Carlisle asks mostly for the sake of argument.

"Maybe, I'm already going to hell though." Rogers replies tossing the ball in the air and catching it. Carlisle is unsurprised by this profession. Rogers has said it before, though he's never explained.

"Well at least I'll have good company." Carlisle replies, earning a charming smile from the other man.

"So, what will you do?" Rogers asks.

"I'll exhaust all other options first. My conscious may eat me alive but my pride has far more painful means of execution." Carlisle replies. 

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Thank you for reading(: Another thousand words deeper into this ONC journey(: What is your impression of Captain Rogers? I would love any pointers you may have(: 

Word Count: 1000

Total: 4200