Chapter One

November 2nd, 1991

On the outside, the Veidt Industries building in New York stood out among others for its V-shaped top. Inside, it stood out for its incredible advances in science and technology. Today, it was unveiling its latest advancement. Many people had showed up, rival scientists, possible investors, even a few groups of students on a field trip. One man was there to keep tabs on the CEO of the company, Adrian Veidt. He was a short blond man, made up of muscle and carrying a leather briefcase. He walked through the front door of the building, and went through the metal detector.

"Name?" the security guard asked

"Sam Hollis," the man said

"Uh huh..." the guard checked the list, "Company?"

"National Ornithologist,"

"National...ah there it is," the guard tapped the list, "Personally invited by Adrian Veidt. Wow, did you save his life or something?"

"No, I, ah, used to work with him, when he started out," Sam replied, "We always knew he'd be the best of us."

"Awesome. Enjoy the party."

***

Sam walked away from the security checks, glad that the personal invitation meant he could take the briefcase through. As he entered the next room, Sam saw that Veidt had constructed a giant glass stage for the event, with a large object underneath a cover. Many guests were mingling with each other; some were eating snacks from the buffet. Sam ordered a beer from the bar, and started to investigate the room. The last time Adrian Veidt had made an advance in science, half of New York had been destroyed.

"Excuse me, but are you Sam Hollis?" came a voice

Sam turned around, and saw a middle-aged man holding a notebook.

"Yes…" Sam said nervously

"Hector Godfrey, New Frontiersman," the man said, "Didn't you once claim you knew who was behind the alien attack, and didn't you say it was a corporate conspiracy?"

Sam sighed.

"Look, Mr. Godfrey, I was going through some rough times when I said that. My wife and I separated, she took the kids, and then there was that scare about the eagle going extinct…I don't know why I did it…"

***

Soon, the festivities died down, and it was time for the unveiling. Adrian Veidt came up on stage. He was fifty-two years old, but thanks to modern science, he didn't look a day over thirty.

"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen," he said, "It is good to see that so many of you came today. I am pleased to unveil my latest invention, the pride of the R&D department, the dimensional inhibitor."

Veidt pulled off the sheet, revealing a large metal sphere, covered in antennas. The journalists started taking pictures; people were talking on cell phones, trying to be the first to report the news.

"As you all know, I have provided the world with clean energy, battery powered cars, and have ended African famine. But the dimensional inhibitor will provide the entire world with free energy forever."

There was a roar of laughter in the crowd. Sam didn't laugh. He knew Veidt well; if he said he had done something, he had probably done it at least thirty-five minutes ago.

"You'll want a demonstration then," Veidt said, "Very well."

Behind Veidt, curtains opened, revealing a large TV. It was showing a live image of the entire city. Veidt turned a dial, and the lights simmered down.

"Computer, zoom out ten percent every five seconds," he ordered

The TV showed the entire city, then the entire state, then the whole eastern seaboard, and finally the entire world. Veidt turned the dial up, and it went back to full power.

The dimensional inhibitor is a result of my extra-dimensional experiments," he continued, "This device draws the natural energy from our universe and converts it into power."

***

The crowd began applauding at this, the idea of free energy. Veidt grinned; he enjoyed giving to the people. But like Sam suspected, he had a sinister motive. Veidt adjusted the wavelength of the dimensional inhibitor using his remote, and then turned slightly to the left, aiming his watch at Sam.

"Of course," Veidt continued, "There is the occasional discharge…"

Finally, Veidt thought, get rid of the last witness…

Suddenly, a bolt of lightning leapt from the machine over to Sam. It should have killed him in an instant, but Sam was surviving.

"Uurg…!" he growled

The crowd was gasping, screaming in fear.

"What's happening?" Veidt exclaimed

Sam desperately reached down to his briefcase, and gripped the handle. To everyone's surprise, the electricity bolt shot back at the dimensional inhibitor, blowing it up. The power went off, and then the regular generator came on.

"No!" Veidt exclaimed, "That took five years to build!"

Veidt was furious. His perfect murder was outsmarted. He was so furious.

"Try and reverse this, Hollis!" Veidt yelled

He reached into his jacket, and took out a Colt .38. He was about to fire at Sam, when a blast hit him from behind. Veidt fell off the stage, and landed on his gun. Veidt was not a gun expert; he did not know how to take care of it. He had never cleaned it since he bought it, which had been over ten years ago. The impact of landing caused it to fire, right through Veidt's chest. Sam walked up to him.

"Looks like your secret is finally safe," Sam said, "And Veidt, you know my name isn't Hollis…"

Sam pulled off his wig and moustache, revealing his dark-haired true identity.

"It's Dreiberg," he announced, "Dan Dreiberg."