Takeover

The mood in the boardroom was grim. They’d been in there for hours and were still no closer to reaching a solution all could find amicable.

‘I don’t think you fully understand how precarious your standing here is,’ Mikey said, sighing with frustration.

‘I don’t think you understand,’ countered Luke, ‘how much this corporation is losing to the competition. We’ve got rivals in China and Japan. Rome, Greece, Norway. We can’t even get a foothold in Australia or America.’

‘Not yet, but in time.’ The room quietened when the CEO spoke. His voice crackled like fire. ‘As for those European upstarts, their influence is waning. Soon they will be nought but whispered memories.’

Luke put his head in his hands.

‘In time you say,’ he muttered. ‘But what about the thousands out there now? Do they not deserve to be saved from the opposition?’

‘We will expand,’ the CEO answered, ‘but this cannot happen overnight. Change takes time. You must be patient.’

‘Patience is not my concern. Am I not your trusted employee, second only to Mikey? I have believed in you from the start and I would wait an eternity were it only I being affected. But there are innocent souls out there who need our aid.’

‘And we will get to them,’ Mikey said. ‘As you know, there is a plan to kickstart the marketing campaign…’

‘With all due respect, sir,’ Luke said to the CEO, ‘I disagree that your son is the best person to head that project. He will be ridiculed and mar-’

‘It is already decided,’ the CEO interrupted. ‘We cannot force the people to use our service. They must choose willingly.’

‘In the old days, you were not so cautious.’

‘Careful, Luke,’ Mikey warned.

‘It’s alright Mikey,’ the CEO said. ‘Speak, Luke. Tell us what’s on your mind.’

Luke swallowed, trying to summon the courage.

‘I motion…’ he began.

‘Yes?’ The CEO’s voice resonated through the large room.

‘I put forward a vote of no confidence.’

Mikey gasped. ‘Luke, no…’

The CEO leaned forward on his chair and looked directly into Luke crystal-blue eyes.

‘No confidence in me?’ he asked.

Luke nodded silently.

‘And who do you expect would second such a foolish motion? You know Mikey here would not entertain such a vile plot.’

‘Yes, I know.’ Luke licked his lips. His throat was dry. ‘I have discussed it with others and we are of the same mind.’

‘Others?’ The CEO smiled, though there was no mirth in his countenance. ‘Have these others named you as my successor, perhaps?’

‘No. We believe the company should be led by three of equal ranking, not a single autocrat.’

‘But you were elected spokesperson of this… triumvirate?’

Luke raised his head in defiance. ‘I am proud to be so chosen.’

The CEO sat back, his expression unreadable.

Silence filled the room for what seemed an age.

Finally, the CEO spoke again, his voice as soft as thunder.

‘Then rule you shall. Lucifer Lightbringer, I cast you and your brethren to the pits of Hell.’