xiv.

part fourteen

Itexicon was not an organization that had developed within one night. It was at first an idea in a young girl's mind, which then became a shared thought among her trusted peers. From there, it became a goal and something to work towards.

Now, it was a trillion-dollar company that owned half the world. Not that it was common knowledge; Itex took special care to spread their influence carefully enough that no one would notice their growing power. The organization was composed of companies within companies to appear as mundane and unsuspecting as possible.

It was working, and Marian Janssen was going to make sure that never changed. As long as she remained the director of the powerful organization she had created, all would be well.

The woman herself stood tall within her office, looking down through the one-way windows and into the yard that was outside the facility with sharp brown eyes. Her hair was pure white, and long enough that it reached her mid-back when it wasn't in a professional bun. Despite its natural color, Marian's face looked youthful and not at all like most would assume for someone her… age.

Preparations towards the By-Half Plan were going extremely well. The creation of the Erasers was a step in the right direction, but asset Glacies was truly where the success began. With Glacies at the ready, it would be that much easier to purge the world of imperfect pests.

Glacies not only was the perfect weapon (she was still being molded to Marian's liking, but she was definitely on the right track), she also stood as the perfect blueprint when it came to creating others like her. Though they had yet to replicate the mutation that created Glacies' arctic and shield powers, her avian mutations were a definite success and the results had made it possible to replicate it amongst many other subjects.

Of course, not everyone is strong enough to withstand such a change. Failures, however, were nothing new to Marian. They didn't bother her; in fact these failures were aiding her plan by dying. Imperfect beings did not deserve a place in her perfect world.

"Director, you asked for me?"

Jeb Batchelder steps into Marian's office, stone-faced as ever. Marian smiled, amusement in her eyes at his cold demeanor. Her top scientist never failed to impress her; Jeb was always working on something. Lately, however, the man seemed to be straying off course from Itex.

Marian liked Jeb; as said, he is her best scientist. However, she wouldn't allow anyone to get in the way of her plans.

"I did," She said in turn, slowly approaching her desk to take a seat. "I had several things to discuss with you. To start, what is your report on asset Glacies? How is her progress?"

Jeb nods, hands behind his back as he stands straighter.

'Ever the professional,' Marian thinks with a chuckle.

"Glacies has been progressing as expected. She hasn't exceeded any expectations, but is following the growth plan we had predicted for her perfectly. It's like she is naturally growing stronger and more refined the more we work at her abilities."

Marian hums, "Wonderful, that's exactly what I wanted to hear."

"You already knew that, however. Didn't you, Marian?"

"Oh?" The older woman looked at Jeb with wide eyes, a look of surprise on her face. She spoke with a laugh, however, "It's back to Marian, now? You must be really concerned, Jeb!"

"What is the reason you called me here?" Jeb cut to the chase, unamused by the director's antics; he was used to them after all.

Sighing, Marian stood and leaned against her desk. "You see, I couldn't help but notice your growing attachment to our Glacies," Jeb's eyes hardened at her words. Marian only smirked, brown eyes glinting as she continued, "I feel as if you see her more than just an asset, and that could really be a problem for the future. I can't have you getting too attached to a means to an end; Glacies will fulfill her purpose and then be disposed of. That is the way of things."

Jeb remained silent, making Marian inwardly frown. 'This won't do. This won't do at all.'

Beginning to make her away from around her desk, Marian starts to circle Jeb— much like a predator assessing its prey. Clicking her tongue, she shakes her head. "Do you see her as a daughter, Jeb? My, my… How selfish of you! Isn't two children already enough? Now you want another—!"

Jeb is quick to reach out and latch onto Marian's wrist. His grip is rough and hard, and the look in his eyes is outright murderous. Marian smiles impishly despite the pain in her wrist.

"You don't know what you're talking about," Jeb says brusquely.

"I think I do, though. Don't I?" Marian shakes off Jeb's hand, revealing her strength when the man stumbles back a bit. She makes her way back to her desk and takes a seat, "Nevertheless, I'd be careful if I wear you. I don't care about your frivolous attachments, but be careful that it doesn't affect our goal in the long-run. Glacies trust you now, correct? Once she finds out you've been lying to her, that trust will be broken and so will her loyalty to Itex. Don't ruin this."

Jeb looked down, a million thoughts seeming to go through his mind.

"Dismissed," Marian sends him away, declaring the conversation over. She had learned all she needed to, and had said what needed to be heard. Jeb should know his place, and do well to remember who exactly brought his daughter into this world— and who could very well take her out of it.