Fall of Hades Read Online Free PDF

wish you a long future and much success at Elgen Incorporated.”

C oonradt’s breakthrough in magnetism didn’t cure cancer or win a Nobel Prize, even though he was nominated for one. It did make the Elgen Corporation hundreds of millions of dollars.
    During the apex of their growth, the Elgen’s CEO, a man named Briton Hill, died unexpectedly, and the board immediately set to work searching for a new leader. They ended up hiring away the CEO of an upstart pharmaceutical company, an ambitious young MIT graduate named Charles James Hatch.
    Eight months previous to the change in leadership, Welch’s boss, Patrick, had retired and Welch became the acting head of Elgen security.
    Welch never forgot the first day he met Hatch. He was called into the new Elgen CEO’s office for an introduction.
    â€œCome in. Sit down,” Hatch said forcefully.
    Welch sat down uncomfortably in one of the two leather chairs in front of the CEO’s desk.
    â€œSo you’re our head of security,” Hatch said, staring at him intensely.
    â€œYes, sir.”
    â€œDo we need security?”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    Hatch smiled. “I would expect you to say that. In fact, I would have been disappointed if you’d answered to the contrary.”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    â€œWould you like a drink?”
    â€œNo, sir. I don’t drink.”
    â€œWe’ll fix that,” Hatch said.
    He stood and walked over to a decanter filled with an amber liquid and poured himself a glass. Then another. “And why is it that we need security? Industrial espionage?”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    â€œHow long have you been here?”
    â€œSeven years, sir.”
    â€œAnd during that time, Mr. Welch, have you stopped anyone from stealing our patents?”
    â€œI don’t know, sir. Deterrence can’t always be measured.”
    â€œGood answer,” Hatch said, smiling. “Good answer.” He stood in front of Welch and stared at him for nearly a minute without speaking. Welch had never met anyone like Hatch before. He was already starting to dislike his new boss.
    â€œDavid L. Welch. You’ve had a rocky childhood, in and out of foster homes, bad friends, delinquency and crime. Still, you somehow turned your life around and went to college to study criminal science. I can see why. We often become what we hate in order to take away our fear of it.” He took a drink. “But then you dropped out to work here. Good career move?”
    â€œI thought so at the time,” Welch said.
    â€œAnd you don’t now?”
    â€œThat depends.”
    â€œOn what?”
    â€œOn whether or not you’re going to fire me.”
    Hatch looked at him for a moment, then laughed. “I’m not going to fire you. There’d be a mutiny. You’re beloved here—practically an icon. And yes, of course, Elgen Inc. needs security. And, as we grow, that need will grow. And you, Mr. Welch, your salary and your future will grow with it.” He leaned forward and looked intently into Welch’s eyes. “ If you are loyal.” He held out the second drink. “Now drink with me, sir.”
    Welch just looked at the glass.
    â€œIt’s not polite to turn down a gesture of friendship. That wouldn’t be loyal, would it?”
    Welch took the glass.
    â€œTo your future with the Elgen,” Hatch said. “I’ve a feeling it’s going to be a wild ride.”
    â€œTo the future,” Welch said. He lifted the glass, paused, then took a drink. The ride had begun.

H atch was an expert at manipulation. He was continually grooming Welch, testing his loyalty and rewarding or punishing him accordingly. After the disaster with the MEI, when Hatch was fired as CEO, Welch was the first person he called into his office.
    â€œI want you to hear this from me first,” Hatch said bitterly. “I’ve been removed as Elgen CEO. They’ve replaced me with an