Two
Elara Vox peered through the viewport of her sleek craft as it descended towards Eclipsis. God, how she hated this cesspool.
Each business trip to this damned world was a trial for her. The streets and the environment embodied everything she found unappealing and squalid. Just the thought of setting foot on its soil was enough to fill her with revulsion.
As she stepped out of her transport, Elara was struck by the foul smell of the city's air. She instinctively wrinkled her nose, cursing the unchecked pollution and smog. The sight of the people, their faces etched with weariness and resignation, deepened her distaste. "How can anyone live in such a depressing place?" she wondered silently, quickly making her way to the car, her hand covering her mouth and nose.
Every second in this city was an ordeal. Today, her agenda was a meeting with the local mining magnates. Though it was a necessary part of her job, she approached it with detachment, her thoughts focused on leaving as soon as possible. The venue, at least, was a respite from the streets below – a secluded room in the upper echelons of Draken Tower.
Elias Draken, the head of Axiom Drills Incorporated, was already seated. "Ms. Vox, a pleasure as always," he said, his voice dripping with insincerity.
Elara forced a smile. "Mr. Draken."
An air of underlying tension was palpable as representatives from various factions within Eclipsis gathered. The far end of the table hosted an empty chair, signaling the absence of Dr. Rhea Helianthar, the current head of Helianthar Minerals. Instead, a composed envoy sat down in her seat.
Known for her direct involvement in local affairs, Dr. Rhea Helianthar’s unexplained absence from the meeting was unusual, especially given the critical nature of the discussions. Helianthar Minerals, a corporation deeply entrenched in Eclipsian soil and culture, had always played a significant role in local matters. Yet, in Elara’s eyes, they remained an inconsequential entity, one that would never have risen to prominence without the strategic partnership forged with the likes of COE and ADI.
The envoy representing Helianthar Minerals, while maintaining a composed and professional demeanor, lacked the impassioned engagement Dr. Helianthar was known for. Their contributions were limited to brief, carefully measured responses.
The talks themselves were filled with tension. Elias, meticulous and demanding as always, detailed his grievances at length. He insisted that Axiom was overburdened on Eclipsis.
"We're at our limit here. The crime rate's up, our converters are barely coping, and profits are down. We need more support, or we demand a bigger share of the revenues." Elias argued.
Elara, maintaining her composure on the surface, listened to Elias’s arguments. Inside, however, she seethed with contempt. To her, Elias was the epitome of unearned privilege – a man who had inherited an empire rather than built it. He lacked the refined cunning she respected; his approach was more direct, even crude at times. Yet, she couldn't deny his success or influence here. His heavy-handedness, which she saw as a lack of sophistication, somehow worked in the ruthless world of Eclipsis. Still, she loathed him.
As the meeting finally drew to a close, Elara's desire to leave was overwhelming. She needed to get away from this dreadful planet.
Her departure, however, wouldn’t go as planned. In the dim light of Eclipsis, she headed towards her car, anticipating a quick return to her transport. But as she entered the vehicle, she was suddenly and forcefully seized. Overpowered and quickly losing consciousness, the last thing Elara saw were the silhouettes of two masked strangers in the front seats.
This was the last anyone saw of Elara Vox, the CEO who despised Eclipsis with every fiber of her being, now drug to its depths.
