I'm in Marvel 11

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***

- ...That's how it was," I finished the story.

- So you beat Aki? Not bad," Naomi said with a strange smile, glancing at her daughter.

- Well, it was good to see you, but I have to go home. Have a good day.

- You too.

- Bye Kai," Aki said, immersed in her thoughts.

In a second, I was already in my room. Whew. That wasn't easy. My friend had really kicked ass today. Oh, well. I think I deserve a rest.

I hoped that Aki would come to her senses after the sparring, but she seemed more pensive. I tried again to ask her what was wrong, but she said she was thinking about the fight. I had a feeling that was only part of her thoughts. Well, I'd have to wait, because I couldn't force Aki to talk.

A couple of weeks after the sparring, our quintet finally passed all the required exams and graduated. Then we started thinking about where to go next. The choice was New York University. Gerda decided to study philosophy, Daniel chose social sciences, Benjamin wanted to go into IT, and Aki chose languages and linguistics. I had my eye on engineering and technology.

If everything was logical with the guys, the girls surprised me. Gerda, for example, said that she wanted to find answers to some of the philosophical questions she had asked in the past. Aki, for her part, wanted to understand the "language of combat", as she put it, through the study of languages. In the past, one of her mentors in the clan had said that almost everything in the world had its own "language", and by understanding it, you could literally predict what was going to happen next. It's the same with combat. I'd consider it rubbish, but definitely not in this world. Anyway, both girls surprised me.

But apparently determined to impress me even more, Benjamin also talked about wanting to study religion after he's done with his IT training. Though if you consider the characters the guys look like, these choices become more obvious.

In general, for the average US citizen, studying at the university of our choice was expensive because of its prestige. True, out of our five, only Ben had difficulties with payment. But I solved this issue by paying for him. At first the guy refused, but I was persistent. I simply told him that the money was a salary for correcting the information I needed. Benjy tried to argue that he hadn't yet repaid the debt for his mum's recovery, but I wouldn't listen.

His mum, by the way, also had to explain that the university fee was my investment in a promising employee who would bring me many shekels in the future. Such a motive she understood and accepted.

In parallel with the enrolment, I took up emancipation. I don't know how it was in the old world, but here it was quite easy for guys to get such a status. Because once you're considered capable, you have to pay the "man tax". Namely, to give material for IVF. Naturally, this was favourable for the state. Of course, it was strange to realise that I would soon have children, but that was the way of the world. Such children had the right to their father's inheritance only if they were recognised as a parent. This rarely happened, for example, if a man lost his entire family. In such a case he could apply to the competent authorities and find out where his children lived.

Of course, one could try to evade this obligation with the help of bribes. Except that such things were watched very closely, and the evaders themselves were strongly disliked. Especially if you had the right genes. And since I was going to become a media personality anyway, the reputation of a man who didn't fulfil his most important duty to society could go down the drain. Anyway, it wasn't worth it.

I managed to emancipate myself quickly enough. The next thing I decided to do was to create a company and to patent the developments. I had almost everything ready for the first one, including several employees who would move from my mother's company. In addition to them, there were some interesting specialists to whom I had sent job offers. Patenting didn't pose much of a problem either. Considering my gender and the usefulness of the inventions for society, there were no delays.

The issue of protection was also partially solved. Thanks to Anna Stone, I already had more than three dozen good soldiers. Except that some of them were too badly wounded to serve me openly. They'll be working in the shadows. It was too risky at the moment to sweep up every single one of them. It's not just one person, after all. 

They've all been documented as consenting to experiments and then working for the company. It'll be presented by our PR people as helping veterans defending democracy all over the Earth. When I first heard that, I wanted to laugh, because soldiers were used to defend anything but democracy. But I decided to stay out of it and leave this moment to the professionals. Let people around me think that I am not much different from other heads of companies. To live with the wolves is to howl like the wolves, however.

But even though my new employees were solid professionals, that wasn't enough for the world of Marvel. Improvements of all kinds were important, but they weren't enough. What was needed was experience that would make any man an unrivalled fighter. And I knew how to get it quickly enough without spending years. I needed the N Corporation Singularity. These guys were able to learn how to collect and preserve other people's experience, which allowed them to train their own fighters quite quickly. But this is just one example of the use of such technology. This corporation also created special suicide vending machines. It sounds strange, but the essence is somewhat different from the name. In these vending machines a person is offered to try the experience of taking their own life, without forcing them to commit suicide for real. One could compare this to the braindance from Cyberpunk 2077. I'm about to get the knowledge of this singularity. Then I'll collect the experience of all my subordinates, select only the most relevant from it, and then upload it to them. Of course, even in this case, I'll have to spend time on training, but compared to standard methods, it's just a trifle. 

All in all, everything was working out quite well. All that was left was to finish university quickly, recruit supporters for my organisation and set up a company. At least there are people who will take care of the latter. I've already thought of a name for it. Spectrum. By definition, a spectrum is a set of coloured bands that are produced when a light beam passes through a refracting medium. And considering the name of the organisation I've chosen, it's just right. And the slogan would be: Facing Fear, Building the Future. That was the motto of the Lobotomy Corporation, but it seemed fitting.

The opening was imminent, and my mother had decided to hold a gala to which all the cream of New York high society would be invited. So we were going to publicise the company. There was only one problem. Showing up alone was considered considered considered rude. Especially since I was currently incapacitated. Up until now, you could bring an older relative of the opposite sex, but now you couldn't get away with that.

Luckily I had two friends I could ask to accompany me. I decided to ask both of them at once, so that there would be no situation when one of the girls would be angry that she was either not offered, or offered, but after the first one had refused. No need to push my luck. I've already seen what Aki is capable of. And Gerda doesn't seem much weaker than the Japanese. Sure, I have Pluto's power, but an evil girl with superpowers is an evil girl with superpowers. 

- Oh no, Kai, not me! - Aki immediately refused. - I've had my fill of all this back in the clan! Only if you have no other options.

- And I don't mind attending this event with you, - said Gerda, smiling with a corner of her mouth. - But we have to agree on clothes, so we don't lose face.

- Okay. The event is still a couple of weeks away, so we'll have time to find something.

Well, another problem solved. Now I'd better get to work on a base for my staff. Right now, the only base was under our mansion. I dug it myself by breaking the ground with Pluto's power. The base wasn't very big and had the bare minimum of necessities. There were sarcophagi like in my workshop, an assembler, a generator running on enkephalin (expensive, like heating an oven with diamonds, but at the moment it was the simplest and most reliable option), a device that made this substance, computers with some information and that was it. The base was also shielded from any curious Barbarians.

In general, I protected the house in a similar way, so that we were not peeping at us. Naturally, I had to make it so that interested parties did not realise what was going on and at the same time did not see the secret. It was possible due to special devices that distorted any scanning by special patterns. 

At the same time used Moonstone, all around the perimeter of the mansion, so as to disrupt the work of all sorts of "psychos". All that's left is to put special shutters on the windows and reinforce the building itself, and no one will get through. But that's for the future.

Despite the pile of things to do, sometimes I had free time, and just today I decided to practice with Aki in the release of Sin. The girl was interested in it and came to my mansion on her day off. After sitting in my workshop, I began to explain to my friend what to do. I had to touch the Light in my soul and remember my Sin. It sounds simple, but it's more complicated than that. Aki learnt the trick very quickly and in a couple of hours she was able to create a ring of Light around her fist, even though it was almost immediately extinguished. The more rings, the stronger the attack. Seven at the most. I was currently able to use three. Apparently the experience in using supernatural energies helped the girl to master this skill so quickly.

After our success, we went out into the courtyard and laid down under one of the trees right on the lawn. Seeing an opportune moment, I decided to try and get the girl into a... Conversation. If I had interlocutors, I should have asked what they were thinking.

- Aki, why don't you tell me what's going on? I know this kind of behaviour is unusual for you. Where's the Aki Crimson Storm, hmm?

- Dude, I told you..." my friend started, but seeing my ironic look, she sighed heavily and continued. - My mum told me to get married.

- Ha-ha-ha! - I almost choked. Aki even had to pat the settled me on the back. At that, she cheered up a bit. - I wasn't prepared for this. And he's still alive?

- Yeah," she said grimly. - He's alive and well. 

And I got a feeling I'd never seen before. A feeling that I might lose something important. It was completely irrational, and I could barely remain outwardly calm. It certainly wasn't jealousy. What jealousy of your mate? More like a desire to possess. Man, bad Kyle! Bad! You can't feel that way about someone you're close to and have been in a serious fight with.

- So, do you like him? - I tried not to show emotion when I asked the girl.

- It's a complicated question," Aki said evasively. - The problem isn't him, it's me.

- Ahem, what a familiar phrase... - I muttered to myself under my nose. - Why don't you speak up? There's no need to keep it all inside. It'll make you feel better. Trust someone who has told his most important secrets to the people closest to him.

The girl looked at me for a few seconds, as if deciding, then nodded and began to tell me:

- The whole problem is this bastard prophecy. It's the reason I can't live like everyone else. I've never even been on a date," Aki said with hidden resentment. - Not that I had much of a desire to, but still. I couldn't even have friends in Japan for fear of their lives. Much less my lover's. That's why I was determined to be with someone who could beat me. After all, I'm stronger in open combat. Yeah, maybe that's a bit of a judgement call, but that's the way it is. But that prophecy has intervened again! It's her fault that Mum's in the doghouse!

The girl jumped up and started circling a few metres away from me.

- Do you know why I'm like this? I mean, I don't behave like those high society ladies? It's a protest! - Aki said with a burst of anger, waving her arms vigorously. - I really was a kid when I was a kid, but later on I would have acted like most girls. But I've been told all my life that I had to. Because of the prophecy, because of the sacrifices made, because of ancestors who died 500 years ago, and God knows what else! Because of it, I was given too many expectations for a child. I realised the importance of my mission, but I didn't accept it. I wanted to be an ordinary girl once in a while. But alas, that wish was not to be. All I did was to train, do calligraphy to "tame my spirit" and a dozen other uninteresting things that came from the abyss of ages! And then in return, I decided to nail the things that wouldn't hurt the clan. Namely behaviour. I acted like Yamato Nadeshiko* at all sorts of celebrations, but in normal life I began to adopt the opposite behaviour. At first out of a sense of protest, but then I got into it and even started to enjoy it. I hated the fact that my fate was predetermined before I was born, wanting to erase it, along with Ruka and that fortune teller! I guess that's why my E.G.O. is so powerful. 

Aki stopped talking and sat down close to me, her arms around my knees. I moved closer and hugged her. It's a crazy life for an adult, and I can't even imagine what it would be like for a child. In my arms the girl relaxed a little.

- You know, Kai, I was ready to exchange money, high birth and power for a boring, quiet life. For once I would like to choose it myself, but even to marry will have to be ordered, - said her friend sadly. After a minute of silence, the girl continued in a calmer tone. - You know, I really feel better after I said all that. It's as if a mountain had been lifted off my shoulders!

- What did you want? Kyle Smith doesn't say shit! - I said with a proud pout.

- Pfft, that's right," the girl agreed. After a little silence, as if gathering her strength Aki continued. - But even though my fate is being controlled again, this time I don't mind. That's what I've been able to realise all these days.

- I see, so who is he? - I asked the question with a vague feeling. A feeling like I already knew the answer, but I couldn't believe it.

- It's you, Kyle," she said calmly, turning to me.

- ...I don't even know what to say," I said, lost in thought.

- Ha-ha-ha! What a funny face you have! - Aki said, sobbing with laughter and wiping away her tears.

- Yeah, it's very funny," I replied gloomily to the tearful girl.

- Do you want to hear something else? - Aki said in a threatening tone.

- I'm afraid to imagine what you have left for dessert. Okay, I'm ready. Burn with napalm.

- After the first time you beat me, you were awesome. When we were kidnapped by those bitches, in my subconscious, I was mesmerised by the glow you gave off. It was so warm and pleasant. It was also an encouragement to argue with that shadow. After that, I wanted to bathe in the light of the sun forever. Your light," Aki said heartfelt, looking into my eyes. I'd never seen her like that before in all the time I'd known her. The badass girl I knew had changed into something completely different. - And then it was a full-on battle. I've never felt like that in my life! Then, after I lost, I realised that--

- What?" I hurried her on, wanting to hear the rest of it.

- I-" The girl hesitated again.

- You? 

- Are you sure you're ready to find out? - Aki asked suspiciously.

- Yes," I answered her less confidently.

- Are you sure?

- Just tell me! Stop scaring me! I'm already scared enough!

- Okay," Aki said nervously, inhaling and exhaling deeply, and then she shoved me, causing me to sprawl on the grass. And that goat hovered over me and with a red face continued. - That's when I knew I loved you, Kyle Smith!

And she grabbed me in a steely embrace and kissed me passionately, though somewhat ineptly. I was confused at first, but my instincts didn't fail me, and I hugged her back. Aki didn't last long and with her skin almost completely red, she pulled away from me abruptly.

- Oh, I think I'm already late! - The girl exclaimed, jumping to her feet. - We'll talk later! See you later, bro!

She ran at full speed towards the gate at the edge of the property. 

- Stop Aki! - I shouted at her, hoping she'd stop, but she didn't. I didn't use my superpowers because of the witnesses. And something kept me from chasing the girl. Maybe it was a desire to sort myself out.

Actually, she should have been stopped by the guards, because if Aki had done something wrong and was running away. But these ladies, by all appearances, were following us closely instead of patrolling the territory and were now encouraging the fleeing Japanese girl in every possible way. And I sat down on the grass and squeezed myself out:

- Yeah, it turns out Aki-chan is a girl, too.

To be honest, until now I couldn't see her as a girl in the romantic sense. But now I couldn't help but think of her in a romantic sense. And it was a really weird feeling. It was like I'd reached another level of enlightenment and seen the hidden. Yeah, now I'm getting philosophical. I also realised that the feeling I'd had when Aki told me about the marriage could have been jealousy.

And as it happened, we couldn't talk to her for the next few days. She was avoiding me, and I couldn't do it because the preparations had entered their final phase. Besides, the classes were not cancelled. So I had to drop everything and deal with these problems. Besides, I decided to take a break, since the girl herself was not in a hurry to find out about my feelings. In the end I had to go with Gerda to a tailor's shop, so that they could make us suitable outfits, with my head buzzing from trying to figure things out. 

The girl suggested using black and gold colours, to which I agreed. Next it was the turn of accessories. Here I took Gerda home and showed her my riches. Since the Moonstone looked like gold, I had made some jewellery out of it beforehand. After choosing the right ones, we finally finished. Despite my superhumanly strong body, I was able to get tired. This kind of fitting isn't for me after all. The only exception would be evaluating lingerie on local beauties. I'll always have the strength for that.

But nothing lasts forever and all this running around is over too. Finally, there would be a social evening tonight and I could relax a bit. The room for this evening was chosen quite expensive, where often gathered the richest cream of high society. It was a large hall all in white with many crystal chandeliers. 

Now Gerda and I, dressed in a beautiful closed outfit, were waiting for the beginning. The girl behaved quite naturally, as if she had been used to it from birth. Though as I knew, she didn't like to be among many people.

Once all the invited guests had gathered, I stepped to a small podium and addressed the crowd, greeting them and thanking them for their presence.

- It so happened that when I was a child, I saw one of my neighbours who was a veteran, having given her health, limbs and beauty for this country," I continued. - And that's when I wanted to help all those people. And until today, I have been actively involved in the development of all kinds of prosthetics and implants. And now I'd like to show you the one who inspired me to do this. Please love and applaud Anna Stone, the valiant defender of democracy!

Just then, the woman was applauded by the crowd and walked up to me. She was wearing a special dress that left her prosthetic arm and leg exposed. It was apparent that Stone walked quite casually, as if she had her own native limbs. She went on to demonstrate some of the capabilities of the prosthetics, which were superior to anything made on Earth. Naturally, only a small part of it was shown, but even that was enough to get the attendees excited. I'm sure before this evening, they had been familiarised with the capabilities of today's implants, so they could see the difference.

 - Every year, more than half a million amputations are performed worldwide for various reasons. This country accounts for at least 90,000. Yet only 10 per cent of people use prosthetic limbs. Why? There are several problems, but mostly it's a design flaw. And that's what I'm going to change. But replacing arms and legs is only part of what I want to bring to this world. Next, I'm going to tackle the internal organs. And that's no idle boast. I'd like you to look at the screen, please.

Having said that, I signalled a presentation of some of the implants. Naturally I showed only the simplest ones, but even so I caused a furore among those present. The guests began to discuss what they had seen. I think they have enough food for thought for a long time.

But of course it couldn't be that simple. A woman dressed in a dark evening dress, with dark brown long hair, blue eyes, a graceful oval face, and a notable, snide smile approached me from the crowd. She held a handsome brunet under her arm.

- Hello, Mr Smith. I don't think you need to introduce yourself, but you'll have to introduce your companion," the woman said and pointed to the man. - Paul Jacen.

- Hello Miss Stark, Mr Jacen," I greeted the couple. The man nodded and I continued. - 'Allow me to introduce Gerda Wright.

- Good evening," the girl said.

- Since we've met, I'd like to ask you a question. So you, Mr Smith, have been able to do what many scientists have failed to do? - she asked sneeringly. - It's been over forty years since we were able to make a myoelectric prosthesis, but we haven't got any further. In addition, to control artificial limbs with the power of thought is still very far away. The world has only begun to make large installations that allow some control of prosthetic limbs in this way. In fact, these are experimental technologies, which will be finalised only in 10 years at least. And internal organ implants? What would be their power source? What about rejection? And those are just the basic questions.

- Well, Miss Stark, the questions are interesting, and I'll answer them this way. Yes, indeed, I have succeeded where others have failed. You must know what that's like. As for all of the above issues, firstly, I don't think Miss Wright and Mr Jensen would be interested in hearing technical information. And secondly, do you really think I'm going to reveal all my secrets for nothing? Like my friend from Odessa says, why don't I give you the key to the flat where the money is? Besides, you've seen Miss Stone's prosthetic work yourself. Isn't that the clearest demonstration you've ever seen? And aren't you mostly in the weapons business? When did you become an expert in implants?

- Half an hour ago, while I was driving here," Stark replied casually. - Well, I look forward to your accomplishments. Maybe you'll outshine me at this rate, too. 

- I'm afraid that's impossible. No one will be able to surpass your love affairs," I replied modestly, hinting that I'd make her as good as standing in technology. - Especially if you remember the orgy with the boys and girls a week ago.

- Indeed, I've had a little too much to drink," the woman agreed importantly. - I'm the only one like that and there's no one comparable to me ...

- Oh, well, if it isn't Antonia Stark herself, along with the star of the evening? - came a sweet voice from the side. - Hello, my dear. Won't you introduce me to these young people?

Turning round I saw a woman with glasses, brown eyes, shoulder-length brown hair, a pleasant face with pretty lips. She was wearing a dark dress with a thigh-high neckline.

- Well, let me introduce Justice Hammer. She thinks we're friends, but we're not," Stark said with an almost imperceptible grin. - It's a title you have to rise to. Justice, meet Kyle Smith and Gerda Wright.

We observed the decorum, and then Hammer took the floor:

- Oh, that Antonia! She's a joke! - said Justice, a little strained.

- Excuse me ladies and gentlemen, but I want to try the food here, so I have to leave you, - said Stark, apparently deciding not to listen to her "friend".

- Oh, Antonia are you leaving already? That's a shame, I hope we'll chat again tonight?

- Yeah, definitely," Antonia said, rolling her eyes upwards like that meme. - 'Have a nice day.

- Tonya and I are actually friends," Hammer said, moving slightly closer to us. - She just likes to make fun of me. I love Antonia. She loves me. As friends. Despite the same business niches on the market, we're not rivals. И... and all that Tonya and I have is. healthy, fair. competition.

- Is that it? I see," I said, realising that fucking Stark had left us to be torn apart by this lady. And if I can somehow endure it, I'm not sure about Gerda.

- Antonia and I... We have an understanding," Justice continued to tell us awesome stories. One more awesome than the other. - We're both sisters in arms, you know. Literally. We're both arms dealers. We're both good-looking. We both have nice hair. We both have boats.

- What are you saying? - I asked in amazement as I looked behind the woman and saw my mother coming towards us.

- Son, Gerdochka," she started to say, but when she saw who we were talking to she exclaimed. - Oh, my goodness! Hello, Miss Hammer!

- Miss Smith! How nice to see you! - said Justice and her emotional state changed in an interesting way. - And I told you, just Justis!

- Then just call me Emma too," Mum smiled charmingly, at which Hammer almost drooled. 

Wow. Really, if you remember Hammer's KVM tendencies, it doesn't get that weird. I guess I can understand it. If we weren't related, I'd be hitting on a woman like Emma myself.

- Emma, your son is so adorable! I was just telling him about my friendship with Tonya Stark. He's just adorable! I can see you've done a great job with his upbringing.

- Thank you for your kind words.

- Let's not disturb them," I whispered to Gerda, to which the girl nodded vigorously, shedding her regal image.

So we walked around the hall, greeting and talking to the guests. We even agreed to co-operate with a few of them. In general, as I noticed, most of the people came with one companion or companioness. But there were also those who came in threes, such as one man with two ladies standing on his sides. Some came in fours, travelling in pairs, one after the other. This was not the most frequent phenomenon, but it was not unusual either. There were also pairs of only girls. Most of them were married, but for one reason or another the husbands could not accompany their wives. And to come with a strange man was considered mauvais. However, it was categorically forbidden for a man to go to any social events with strange women. By the way, among same-sex couples, open pinks were also present, but literally only a few.

But my good mood was somewhat overshadowed by one entertaining dialogue that we heard when we stopped at the table with snacks.

- Well, both of them are rustics, mother and son, and they have no money, - said some lady of not the first freshness.

- That's right. The Smiths were nothing a little while ago, and now they can even call Stark to their house," said another plastered woman.

And then I felt Gerda's aura boil up. At the same moment the first of the women choked and started coughing. Without thinking, I went over to her and tapped her on the back, allowing her to breathe.

- Oh, thank you very much!

- You're welcome," I said, and smiled sweetly, partially deploying Pluto's aura of terror. - I wouldn't want any deaths at tonight's event.

Both ladies mumbled something and ran away from me. 

- Gerda, did you do it?

- That I was, - agreed the girl.

- And why? - I asked her with interest.- When you come to visit, you must not insult your hosts, - the girl replied coldly. - They are rubbish, who in their arrogance consider themselves high-born. Besides, I will not allow some filth to blaspheme Mrs Emma.

I knew Gerda was good to my mother, but I didn't think she was that good. So we walked on in silence for some time, thinking to ourselves, until we came upon Willa Fisk.

- Here's our young talent," Willa said in a deep voice, smiling kindly. - Hello Mr Smith, and may I introduce my companion, Patrick Johnson.

And she pointed to a man even bigger than herself. Although the woman herself was no babe at all, towering over me by at least ten centimetres. Her companion had brown eyes, dark, short-cropped hair, and a stern face. And the classic suit barely concealed his large muscles. The man nodded and muttered a greeting.

- Hello Miss Fisk, Mr Johnson. In turn, I'd like to introduce Gerda Wright.

- Nice to meet you, Miss Fisk.

- Nice to meet you, too," the woman said kindly, taking a deep breath that made me worry about her dress. - I've wanted to meet Emma's son for a long time. She's told me a lot about you. And now, seeing what you're capable of at such a young age, I'm willing to admit that she even downplayed it.

- Mum's also told me things about you, Miss Fisk. Very good things, indeed. You managed to charm her," I mumbled, trying manfully not to look at the upper strong-beyond-ninety Fisk I had at arm's length. It was hard, but somehow I managed. What a temptation it was! Especially with the hormones splashing in my blood.

- Ha-ha! That's very nice to hear. It's a shame there aren't more pure people like Emma," the woman said sadly, looking at the departing ladies and shaking her head sadly. If I hadn't felt the emotion, I might have believed it. - I came up from the common people myself. And many of these flamboyant girls who didn't even know what work was liked to make similar comments to me. But now they often want money from me. Heh, that's ironic.

The woman made the most pleasant impression and now I understood why there were so many praises about her. It's good to know what she's capable of in real life.

After some more distracted conversation, Fisk offered to co-operate with me, and I had to agree, so as not to arouse suspicion. I couldn't compete with her criminal empire at the moment.

Next, Gerda and I went to Victoria Wright. We talked about various projects, deciding to discuss things in person. After a while she was approached by a man she knew, with whom she apologised and started a conversation, while the girl and I went on to look for adventures on our heels.

And they didn't keep us waiting. No sooner had we got far away than a female journalist came running up to us and started shooting off like a machine gun. 

- Hello, Mr Smith and Miss Wright! I'm Daisy Jones from the Daily Bugle! Can you answer a few questions?!

- Well, go on, then.

The journalist started asking me for my entire biography. It took about 20 minutes to get rid of Jones. And her final question was as follows:

- Mr Smith, what is the meaning of your company's strange slogan?

- Encountering fear, building the future?

- Yes.

- It's simple. We humans are afraid of the future because we don't know what's ahead of us. That's why we're afraid to change anything. But I believe that even in spite of fear, we must go forward for the sake of the bright future of all mankind. How can you characterise humanity in one word? - I asked the question.

- Hmm, I can't say right off the bat. How about you?

- Overcoming. Man has constantly overcome obstacles in his path. He overcame fear of fire, fear of the new when he began to make the first tools out of stone, fear of other beasts with incomparable physical characteristics and much, much more. Only by overcoming all this did man become human. That's why I've chosen this slogan. I am going to overcome fear, for the sake of the future," he explained to the woman, putting all his conviction into his words.

The journalist was impressed, thanked for the interview and left. We were about to go to the tables when a pleasant female voice stopped us:

- Is it really you, Gerda? How you've grown, my dear! Please turn around so that I can scrutinise you, my girl!

Hearing this, the girl stood up like a halt. First her face expressed surprise, then disbelief, and finally something I had never seen her do before. Fear. Such a deep, animal fear took over all her thoughts that I began to feel it myself. It was only by concentrating that I was able to clear my mind. And the girl mumbled:

- This can't be...

***

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