The Providence is one of the highest-rated restaurants for fine cuisine in the central district, a dining hotspot for the powerful and wealthy members of society. Its world-renowned chefs and highly trained staff offer the best service in the food industry, the quality of their dishes held to the highest standard.

  As far as Leon knew, the company owned by Trey’s family, Tsunami Foods, even provides few of their highest quality ingredients for The Providence.

  Still, as highly renowned their reputation is, so is their notoriously booked schedule. Although making a reservation is less of an issue for Tier 1 or 2 citizens, Tier 3 citizens have to book months in advance to get a spot. People like Leon with their Tier 5 citizen status couldn’t even dream of booking a reservation under their name, making a visit to The Providence a very special occurrence.

  Walking up to the modern reception desk, Leon adjusted his dark navy suit and put a friendly smile on his face.

  “Excuse me, I’m meeting up with someone. Mr. Irvine. He should already be inside.”

  The suited dy at the desk looked up for a moment, inspecting his attire with sharp eyes before gncing back down. She was looking through the electronic guest book until her gaze stopped on a name, followed by a nod.

  “Yes, Mr. Irvine arrived roughly ten minutes ago. He’s seated at a scenic table on the second floor. Do you need someone to guide you, sir?”

  “That’s alright, I’ll be fine. Thank you very much.” Leon answered before making his way inside. The interior looked very elegant with a touch of modern architecture mixed with old-fashioned but cssic chandeliers and furnishing.

  It was clear that every aspect of the establishment was perfectly thought out and adjusted to offer the best dining experience from start to end. Back in Leon’s original time period, this would be one of the most renowned restaurants with a three Michelin star rating.

  As he moved up the floor by a wide, marble helical staircase, he noticed the less dense grouping of tables with different themes for the spots near the windows.

  That’s when he noticed Dr. Irvine sitting at a table at the window.

  “Rather fancy for a meeting, don’t you think?” Leon said as he joined the middle-aged man at the table. Dr. Irvine’s hair was slicked back, not a single strand out of pce while his suit was perfectly pressed as always. He emitted a sense of noblesse oblige as Leon would call it.

  “I see, you made it, Leon.” Dr. Irvine replied as he looked him up and down. “Nice suit.”

  “Thanks, I only spent half of my internship stipend on it. Considering my contribution to your department, maybe you could tell those higher-ups at Alpha Dynamics to be less stingy on payouts.”

  “You’re right. That compensation doesn’t do justice to your value.”

  A young waitress stopped by, dropping off a gss of water for Leon, taking his order in the process. He decided to go for a medium-cooked steak as his main course with a side of smoked potato slices covered in chorizo butter.

  Since he was already here, it was obvious he would need to use this opportunity to test the food.

  “Anyway, why did you want to meet me? You said it was something important.”

  “It is very important.” Dr. Irvine nodded, his expression remaining entirely serious. “Do you remember when I told you a while ago about the Vulcan Models being approved by the board. They were scheduled to be released within the next two weeks.”

  “Yes, I do.”

  Leon did remember that. The Vulcan Models was a smartphone series he developed under his internship at Alpha Dynamics while waiting for his access to the Phoenix Project files.

  Although part of it was certainly a team effort, Leon was the main contributor and brain behind them, creating the Vulcan AI that raised its security standard by several grades.

  “The release has been stopped indefinitely.”

  “... What?” Leon excimed in surprise. He knew what it meant to put it on hold but he couldn’t think of a well-enough reason to go through with that. After all, he knew the value of the Vulcan Models well-enough. It was probably their best product in several years, maybe even the entire decade.

  “The board held a meeting yesterday night about the direction Alpha Dynamics would be taking in the future with GenoTech moving more and more into the robotics industry and has decided that releasing the Vulcan Models alone is wasting the potential of its technology.”

  He stopped for a moment, trying to find the right words as he leaned back into the seat.

  “Their vision is to expand using the Vulcan AI and integrate it into all applicable devices. This not only includes smartphones but also computers, tablets, servers, delivery drones, household robots—everything. They want to collectively combine all of them into the Vulcan System under your leadership as you’re the one who created it.”

  “You gotta be kidding me.” Leon scoffed, turning his head away. “So, you’re the one supposed to persuade me? In this fancy restaurant and all?”

  “They’re desperate, Leon. You should know that. Hell, you’re smart enough to figure that out without anyone telling you.”

  “The GenoTech androids.”

  Hearing his answer, Dr. Irvine sighed before nodding.

  “Yes, the androids. There’s been notice about this for their next tech showcase in three months. They’re releasing a new android model with a supposedly revolutionary AI. Close to being considered a True AI, something long believed to be impossible.”

  “I know. In fact, I’ve seen it, actually.”

  “You’ve seen it?” Dr. Irvine looked over in confusion.

  “Yeah, at a party in the mansion of Jade Kotova. I had a run-in with a prototype.”

  “Shit. They’re already so far ahead.” Dr. Irvine mumbled under his breath. “Say, Leon. Compared to that android, how would the Vulcan AI fare?”

  Leon ughed loudly at the question, not even needing to think about the answer.

  “No chance. The Vulcan AI is great, especially so in cybersecurity compared to any other on the market but that android is far superior. I don’t know exactly because I haven’t looked at its code but I can guarantee that its complexity alone is multiple times greater.”

  “You’re saying there is still a considerable difference?” Dr. Irvine questioned but Leon shook his head.

  “I’m saying that even by expanding the Vulcan AI across the entire system of Alpha Dynamics robotics industry, it wouldn’t be substantial enough to keep those androids in check. They are a game changer.”

  Sighing loudly, Dr. Irvine took another sip of his gss, looking deeply at the transparent liquid in thought.

  “The board still wants you to work on it. They’re not letting this py out in GenoTech’s favor.”

  "Listen, sir.” Leon began with dragged words. “I understand, and it certainly sounds great and all but this isn’t my pay-grade. I’m an intern and developing a software upgrade across the entire Alpha Dynamics system is worth more than I’m receiving. I came for the knowledge about the Phoenix Project, not to help Alpha Dynamics out of trouble like this. They’ve helped a lot but this is crossing the line.”

  “You’re not working on this without getting anything in return, Leon.” Dr. Irvine began “You’d be raised to at least Tier 2 citizen status, something most members of high society earn through decades of expansion and through extensive connections.”

  “That’s only a raise in social status with few extra privileges. Do you think someone like me needs that?”

  “Then how about a check of three billion credits?”

  This left the table in silence. Three billion credits. The Tier 2 citizen status wasn’t that easily earned but three billion credits just like that was life-changing. Not only wouldn’t he have to worry about money for the rest of his life but he would also have enough to buy whatever he wanted. Something like his own tech workshop where he could invent and design whatever he wanted.

  To say he wasn’t tempted would be a lie. But still, he wasn’t idiotic enough to agree right away.

  “It sounds generous but I would need to sleep about that. This is a big request you’re asking of me.”

  “I understand.” Dr. Irvine nodded in understanding, adjusting his suit jacket before standing up from his seat.

  “There is still something I have to take care of but you should stay and enjoy the food. I’ll settle the bill downstairs so that there’s nothing for you to worry about.”

  “Okay.” Leon answered, earning him another curt nod from the middle-aged man.

  “Good. I’ll ask you about your decision tomorrow but remember, Leon, we need you.” After finishing his sentence, Dr. Irvine left without another word, leaving him alone at the table.

  A short while ter, the waitress arrived with his steak who Leon thanked with a smile.

  He stared at the pte for a while, still thinking about the prior conversation. Expanding into the Vulcan System would take time. Time and considerable work. Not to mention, he would be working on improving Trey’s maglev race car at the same time.

  It almost seemed like there weren;t enough hours in a day to do everything that was on his schedule. How would he pass all his css work? Should he just try to wing it?

  Shaking his head, Leon shoved those thoughts to the back of his mind. Instead, he began looking around the second floor, trying to focus on something else. It was the first time he really paid attention to his surroundings, taking in all the different people sitting at the tables.

  To his surprise, there was one person sitting alone at a table near the windows on the opposite side. A person he was introduced to not too long ago.

  Long, auburn hair falling gently over her shoulder onto a one-piece dress that was slightly darker in color. Her hazel eyes were shrouded in a haze of boredom as she slowly ate a hot soup in silence.

  Tara Bates.

  The stunning girl who Leon met for the first time at the Quad before they went to the race.

  He was wondering if maybe she was here on a date. The other party might still be coming, or maybe he already left considering she was already eating. Maybe he was only using the restroom?

  Either way, her boredom made it clear that it was likely she was left alone. Looking at his untouched steak on the table, Leon made his decision as he grabbed his pte and made his way over to her table.

  Why eat alone when a better option is sitting right in front of him?

  ……….

  “Luxury is not a privilege. It’s a tool to show off one’s success in life if other qualities are non-existent.”

  ~~Dr. Benjamin Harper’s Memoirs~~