Deal or No Deal?

Unlike Olin, who seemed to want to get the business portion of his visit out of the way, Ari relished the opportunity. They had new tech and would need the backing of some heavy hitters, people like Olin’s family. He was awake and ready to discuss business at the crack of dawn.

Nikita waited outside of Olin’s cabana to walk him over to the business center, where coffee and breakfast foods waited for him; Ari didn’t believe in making deals on an empty stomach.

Olin yawned as he walked out and let Nikita guide him. He did not know how or why people bothered waking up at the ass crack of dawn. It was stupid and he hated it but he was also a natural born night owl.Olin reminded himself it was only another day, he was almost done. So close to done.

“Don’t worry,” Nikita told him in a whispered tone. “Full coffee bar. Hot, iced, latte, you name it, Rivals any Starbucks. What’s your favorite?”

“Merciful god you're a morning person.” Olin teased. “Right now? A triple red eye. All the red eyes.”

“To work here?” Nikita said back with a small laugh. “You have to be a morning, afternoon and evening person. Have a seat in the conference room, I’ll bring you a triple red eye, you can help yourself to the breakfast bar if you’re hungry.”

“That's a fair statement.” Olin relented. “Thanks.” He said with another yawn. He picked som choice bit to nibble on while he sat and waited, daydreaming as he looked over at the ocean waves.

Nikita brought him his red eye, just as two island girls accompanied Ari. One brought his coffee, the other a plate of fruits and cheeses if he were to get snackish during the meeting. Ari waved them out dismissively, the Island Girls shut the door behind them, staying close by should anyone need anything else. They talked quietly in murmurs amongst themselves.

“You look positively ready for a nap,” Ari teased. “Need anything stronger than coffee?”

“Definitely and later.” Oline smirked taking a long sip of the warm drink.

“Right. On to the matter at hand then, eh?” Ari asked. “As you know, Andreas Industries prides itself on staying on the cutting edge in the field of research and development. We’ve had a breakthrough in one of our ongoing projects. The suppression of the AC-17 gene.”

“Suppression?” Olin perked. Ari had his full attention. “That's ambitious. What kind of breakthrough.”

“It’s called Zithropine Ketadizem,” Ari explained. “It works the same way an autoimmune condition attacks its own immune system, but it’s not without drawbacks. It’s a temporary solution, meaning it will need to be taken on a daily basis, but therein lies the crux. I’m in negotiation with a few world leaders to mandate that AC17 gene individuals will be required, by law, to take this on a daily basis to suppress their abilities. It’s perpetual income.”

“If they can afford it. You might get away with it in some countries but not the ones that matter. How cost-effective are you looking to make this?” Olin asked cooly nibbling on some cheese.

“It depends. If I can get it government subsidized, the cost to the end user will be minimal, left up to the government themselves.” Ari explained. “We can charge the government whatever we want. I mean, small price to pay for keeping Jennies at bay. And you’d be amazed and how creative people can finance when their back is against the wall.”

“That would mean testing being made mandatory and a system of registration. There are a lot of sprawls, favelas, Kowloon out there. Government subsidizing is good so is mandatory if you can identify who is supposed to take it.” Olin reasoned.

“Which is why we also mandate testing for the AC-17 gene. I believe your family has the market cornered in regards to testing supplies?” Ari asked. “Like the census. Everyone. Civilian or not - everyone must submit to testing, and will be required to purchase an identification card. Your companies have the capability to make such a scannable card a reality. This project, while ambitious, is lucrative to both our families collectively.”

“It’s more then ambitious.” Onlin admitted. “The hard sell is making the pill mandatory. The only way around that is if Jenny or Anom does something to warrant it.”

“Fear is a pretty powerful motivator,” Ari advised. “And luckily, that’s taking care of itself for us, paving the way. Have you heard of the street drug, Carbon Copy? It basically mimics the AC17 gene. Someone has found a way to not only produce this, but distribute it, meaning people are getting a taste of how powerful this gene can be. And hell, seatbelts are made mandatory, aren’t they? Regardless of how safe a driver you are, if you have a car, you wear a seatbelt. If you have a lethal weapon, you register it, don’t you? If you are a lethal weapon, this is for public safety. It’s illegal to use powers, yes, but that doesn’t mean its not being done. Hell, half the time you might not even know if someone was an anom or a Jenny. This is an extra layer of protection, like… taking your shoes of at an airport.”

“Ari, I love the idea I do but the pushback you're going to get is going to be pretty damn fierce. Given AC17’s being genetic the EU is looking to have that information as a medical condition.” Olin pointed out

“Which is why we push the narrative that this is a matter of public safety. Patients who may have been exposed to Ebola are quarantined, forcibly if necessary. We remind the EU that this is not like having hepatitis. This is a registry, people with the potential to weaponize their abilities. The only pushback I see us getting is from the Jenny/Anom community, and they’re a gross minority. They’re dangerous. Intentionally or not.” Ari countered.

“I know what my father is going to say, its too ambitious too fast.” Olin warned. “Give him a proof of concept. He’s more old school, play to that. Get it in as mandatory for government workers, sell it as preventative. Get the public used to the idea, get them wanting it so when it rolls out as mandatory it comes off at the next obvious solution.” He suggested. “If there was a military application for it you’d be in Findland signing a contract with my father tonight.”

“What if I told you reverse engineering is currently being researched?” Ari asked, turning his tablet to face Olin. “Specifically for the military.”

“Then I would tell you would have my father undivided attention.” Olin said cooly sitting back in his chair.

“What of your attention, Olin? Think of the possibilities. Have you ever wanted to fly? Be invisible for an hour? I don’t want this to merely be a business venture with your father. I am looking for a partnership. With reverse engineering, it’s possible for us to give specific AC-17 gene powers to non anoms. Military applications, that’s a no brainer. You’d have an army of pyrokinetics, invisible troops, at your disposal. It’s the only way we can ensure protection from the existing Jens. But you and I, we’re more than that. People spend their hard earned credits to do thrilling things like parasail. Skydive. This is infinitely better.” Ari sat back and folded his hands on his desk, gaging Olin’s reaction.

“Me?” Olin laughed. “No, I have not, what fun would sky diving be if you could fly anyway? My attention is on the suppression. I’ve seen first hand the struggle people go through.” Olin pointed out. “Everyone and their mother has been trying to weaponize and control Jennies and Anoms since the aftermath of the plague. I admit, you're the most inventive possibly the most cost-effective and if it can do what you say it can … control the AC-17 gene …” Olin drained his coffee. “... anyone would be a moron not to jump on that ship.”

Ari nodded, and wagged a finger in Olin’s direction. “Altruism, it suits you, my friend.”

“Altruism is a luxury I can afford but my father didn’t send me here for that. He sent me here to field a deal with you would be mutually beneficial.” Olin chuckled. “I think it would.”

“I will have my lawyers draft the papers, and we’ll get them over to you, financials, profit margins and such.” Ari offered, standing up and extending his hand to shake on the deal.

Olin stood shaking Ari’s hand. “I think a party is in order, don’t you?”

“As promised. Business concluded, the resort is at your disposal. Do you prefer the beach? Poolside? An off shore night club? Name it and I will make it happen for you,” Ari promised.

“It’s a private tropical island. Beach. Of course.” Olin smiled as if that was a no-brainer.

“Then you go, take that nap I know you desperately want, and I’ll take care of the rest.” Ari said, his phone already in hand.

“Sir yes sir.” Olin teased a dazzling smile as he walked away.