Inception - Ascension Paradox, Book 1
Copyright© 2023 by L.R. Thornton
Chapter 29
The smell of fried, greasy food permeated the air. Jillian’s hands were slick with it as she reached for another crispy chicken wing and set it on her plate. Steak fries dotted with cayenne pepper, black pepper, and garlic powder left little granules all over the place but the professor didn’t seem to mind. They were far enough away from the sensitive equipment not to affect anything but she would make sure they tidied up well before they left.
Although, Jillian had to admit she didn’t want to leave.
How had life changed so drastically in such a short amount of time? With C. A. D. I.’s entrance into the public eye, the media sought for her. Many analysts and commentators felt that C. A. D. I. belonged to the world. That Jack and Jill Technologies had the obligation to give C. A. D. I. to the world for their use.
She took a bite of the chicken, tasting the slight hint of spice. Mark had fielded a lot of the inquiries and then staved off the more aggressive who demanded to meet with Jackson and Jillian Foster and who wanted C. A. D. I. It had taken a few days but he’d been able to let the media know that when they were ready, then and only then, would they let the world know more about C. A. D. I.
By then, maybe C. A. D. I. would know, too.
“You know,” Mark said as he shook a container of salt over the cob of corn, “there’s a rumor going around that Jack and Jill Technologies accepted a sum of four hundred thousand dollars from another competing company.”
Jillian wiped the crumbs from her mouth. “We have?”
“Oh yes.” He bit into the cob and chewed for a moment. “I was listening to the report on the way over here. It’s all speculation.”
“I would call it a lie,” Jackson said with a scowl. “The balls!”
Mark made a grunt of agreement as he finished swallowing his food. “It seems someone went out of their way to make it seem as if your noble gesture was just a conman’s way to gain popularity or support. Even though no one has had access to C. A. D. I. or seen her since we showcased her last week at VEX.”
“And who would this competitor be?” Jillian asked. “Everyone knows is we had accepted any offer, we would have gone with Horizon Bionix.”
“That’s the thing. No one’s knows what competitor would match in prestige.” Mark set the cob down.
“The media’s good at lying,” Ray murmured darkly from his place at the end of the table. “Whether truth or lies, the media is in the business of good TV.”
Jillian watched as C. A. D. I.’s head tilted to the side at Ray.
“Well, professor. You have her for three days now. I know the Dean is chomping at the bit to announce his acquisition of her. I know you were able to stave him off for a few days. What are your thoughts?”
“Too many to tell you,” he said, wiping his mouth off with a napkin. “C. A. D. I. is unique.”
“Thank you, Professor Lawton.” C. A. D. I. said.
“I’ve gone over there for the past three days and I’m not closer to discovering what I can do to duplicate her.”
Jillian’s chest caved in. He was their only hope!
“But that isn’t to say I’m defeated,” he went on. “Just waylaid.”
“Besides going into her programming, have you tried to work with C. A. D. I. in a practical application?” Jackson asked about a half hour later when everyone sat back from the table having devoured the food.
“I’ve not. Practical applications are for them.” He waved toward the door and Jillian understood he meant the practical was for the world. All any roboticists wanted was to create the code that takes us further than before.