The Mighty Force

Chapter 30 Regrouping: Coming To Terms With The Past

He gradually entered the boardroom, and much to his composure he tried to balance his emotions at the right stability. On the right side of the balance scale was the scoop of uneasiness outrightly trying to outweigh the scoop of sanguinity which was struggling to outweigh the scoop on the right.

Sam however acted as the pillar between the scoops of emotions. He chose to outweigh the scoop of consternation with hopes of remaining optimistic.

As he sat down on the chairman's seat, he parried his persistent trepidation by lightly drumming against his desk, with his fingers each branding the table with his moist fingerprints.

Phillip then rose to his feet and began the conference right in front of the Austin Industries Board members. The board members were seated on the left side of the table. Where else the chairs on the right side of the table were left unvacated?

"Ladies and Gentlemen thank you all for coming. Now without further ado, let's welcome the Wattanabe's."

From the ceiling, a streak of blue light emitted glossy toward the empty chairs on the right. The flash of blue lights gave rise to multiple holographic images of Asian men and women. Sam rose to his feet and greeted them. Thereafter, he glossed over the young enthralling Mariko who stood upright with her hand leaning against an elderly man's shoulder. Much to his admiration, he spoke to the Wattanabe with a carefree spirit and said, "Chayo' gozaima Wattanabe-san, meta o ai dekte ko'eidesu." 

"Jokyo' o fumaote, 'osutin-shi ni o ai dekins koto o ureshiku omoimasu Austin-sen," replied Mr. Wattanabe.

He sat down while Mariko asked him, "My family and our board directors would like to know how and why the train exploded?"
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He reached his hand out to his older brother helplessly and pleaded, "Seth, please don't! That's my father's dream."

"How ironic? I begged you to return with me to Codex and avenge our father," replied Seth as he marched off to the incomplete train which was a closer distance away.

He then directed his finger at the train, "And you want me to spare this insufferable machinery for your own life?"

Sam looked down to the floor he was lying on and Seth said, "You're a fool!"

Seth blasted the train with his heat vision, and it exploded.

"Sam! Sam!" Mariko called out to him. 

"Huh? Oh sorry, I was...um," he cleared his throat while Mr. Wattanabe narrowed his eyes, glaring bluntly at him while also influencing the rest of the board members to hoist their attention on him. 

"You seem to be absent-minded Mr. Austin," stated Mr. Wattanabe.

He gradually shook his head and continued "Oh...um...I'll tell you." 

"Alright then, get it on with." He crossed his arms, impatiently waiting for his reply.

"Well you see, our engineers tried to..to...ahem. I meant to say that they attempted to test the prototype. However, because of the train's weak structural integrity, the power source particles moved uncontrollably, thus causing an immense explosion. Unfortunately, due to the horrific incident, many of them died a gruesome death."

Upon saying those words, he swallowed a hard lump, as grief was etched in his eyes. Then there was chattering among the board members until finally, Mr. Wattanabe took the initiative to speak. When his mouth broadened, silence illuminated the boardroom.

"Mr. Austin, your company lacks the proper resources to build a train!" He looked away for a brief moment and scoffed furtively to himself while the rest of the board members gazed at him (Mr. Wattanabe) as if he were some statue of historical value.