Caspian_ (Point of view)
I got there an hour late. The frustration in my voice made the guard at the main gates a little more hostile than usual. It didn't help that he seemed a bit drunk.
"Name," he said, indifferent to my rush.
Not to mention, we had history.
"Caspian Flynn."
I found them, about three hundred agents assembled in the convention hall on the fourth floor. A familiar voice could be heard from the speakers in the hall. I sighed in relief.
'I almost missed his speech.'
"...Great potential lies in you all, and how I wish I could take part in unlocking it. But it seems my destination lies elsewhere…"
Mr. Whitlock had always been good with speeches. He had a way of not just addressing our logic but also appealing to our hearts whenever he spoke. I couldn't help but admire his character. But his time to retire had come.
"Mark my words, tough times lie on the horizon, but I trust that you shall endure and live on. Never forget our core values: excellence unites us, power defines us. It was a pleasure serving you all. Thank you," he finished.
The hall was immediately filled with cheers and jubilant shouts. I joined in celebrating the old man, although I had only known him… or rather worked at E.A for two months now.
After serving E.A for seven years, he was now stepping down. Some agents were even on the verge of bursting into tears. A testament to his great leadership.
'Fare well, Mr Whitlock.'
E.A would surely miss him.
'Though I don't understand what he means by tough times lie ahead.'
"Kindly put your hands together to welcome the incoming president, Mr Corbyn Kokuren."
A name I had never heard of. Neither had the agents around me.
He walked like the stereotypical tyrant… slow, sure walk, footsteps echoing across the hall, a face that wasn't too fond of smiling, and a pair of thin-framed rectangular spectacles.
'The contrast between the two leaders is unsettling.'
After tapping the mic twice and clearing his throat…
"As Mandy Hale stated, change is painful, but nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don't belong. E.A is destined for greatness, far beyond what you could imagine. But this greatness cannot be achieved by sitting around and watching events unfold. It requires an unbreakable will, which is exactly what I bring to the table. All I need from every agent in this hall is your absolute cooperation. Expect change, embrace change. Thank you."
Every single agent could feel it. The hush that befell the hall confirmed this.
"Is this guy serious?"
So did the nervous looks the agents were giving each other.
"Absolute cooperation? Who does he think he is, demanding things like that?"
The speech itself was off, but that wasn't what bothered us. No, it also wasn't the distant darkness in his eyes.
"I don't like him," the girl standing next to me told her friend.
It was the tone… the hint of tyranny that hung around every time his voice echoed across the hall. It created fear in the agents.
'Yep, we're doomed.'
Things were taking a sharp turn in E.A.
As we were walking out of the hall, only one thought occupied my mind.
'Change is painful, and tough times lie ahead. My life just became a drama show… Great.'
Here at E.A, agents have free rein over the missions they take. Missions are either solo or group. Group missions require agents to form small groups to take them.
Friends may decide to form permanent groups to take missions together, though rewards are divided equally among them.
Well, this was the case until that day. The day everything changed completely.
Ting!
[All agents are required to collect their smart cards from the reception desk by the end of the week. These cards are extremely crucial, hence agents are expected to collect them as soon as possible. If you are unable to pick up your card by the end of the week, reply to this message immediately.]
I received the email along with many other agents the day after Mr Kokuren became president.
'He sure executes his plans quickly.'
"Name?" the receptionist asked.
"Caspian Flynn."
"Okay, Caspian. Place the thumb of your right hand on the scanner."
I did so.
"Now your left thumb."
Soon enough, the sleek new device on the desk produced a green smart card. It had my image and details engraved in its shiny, premium-looking face.
"Kindly have that card with you at all times. It will be required to access anything and everything E.A has to offer."
"Okay."
'Now, what happens to agents who don't pick their cards on time? Judging by Mr Kokuren's persona and the wording in the email, a penalty is bound to exist.'