Finn Lennoy - September 2120
Watching Noah work his way through the crowd like he could move the world around him always made my heart beat heavier than it should.
He talks to people with that usual charm, he smiles, and laughs like he's done it a thousand times before. Even when he's manipulating others for information, it's effortless. Dr Williams included.
Hearing about the enhancer for burnout had caught me off guard and knowing Noah, he's already trying to figure out how to get his hands on it.
I followed him quietly around the room as he greeted others, as I continue scanning for threats. And then, suddenly, a woman stepped in front of him, catching him off guard.
He seemed uncomfortable talking to her, but unless you knew him well, you'd never notice.
I listened closely, trying to figure out what could possibly make Noah nervous around this girl, when she suddenly mentioned wanting to get to know him better. Something in my chest dropped, heavy and sharp, and I knew I had to step in.
I couldn't risk her getting close to him, couldn't risk her taking him away. Was it petty? Maybe. But either way, she wasn't having him.
I made a simple excuse to end their conversation, keeping my voice casual, my tone light.
Once we were behind the stage, he told me about his dad and granddad trying to use him to make some deal with the military. My worry spiked. Stepping into military matters was dangerous, and it would only increase the threats to his life.
And I wasn't comfortable with the idea of him working with that Daisy woman either.
After fussing over him, partly to distract myself from my own thoughts, a woman came to tell Noah it was time for his presentation.
I watch him climb the stairs to the stage, confident as ever, and I couldn't quite stop myself from worrying. Even now, even knowing he could handle it, my chest tightened with the need to protect him.
I edged my way to the side of the stage, scanning the crowd while keeping a careful watch on Noah. But no matter how often I tried, my eyes kept drifting back to him. He stood there, smiling and confident, and it was impossible not to be drawn in.
The room went silent as he took the stage, everyone's attention on him.
Then I caught movement on the far side of the stage. Neil Carr and Guardian Murphy. For a moment, I almost forgot Noah had to collaborate with the Guardian at Carr's request.
A flicker of irritation ran through me. That Guardian laughing there… if it weren't for him, maybe Kai would still be here. Noah hates him for it, and I couldn't blame him.
"Ladies and gentlemen" Noah's voice cut through the room, calm and confident, and I forced myself to turn my attention back to him.
"Thank you all for attending today's summit. It has been a pleasure to catch up and meet new faces" he continued, speaking with the ease of someone completely in control. Everyone seemed glued to his every word.
As I scanned the room, my gaze landed on Dr Langford near the front, standing next to Dr Williams. His eyes were sharp, dissecting every word Noah spoke. Clearly, he'd positioned himself to make Noah nervous. But Noah didn't falter. He continued his speech as if nothing mattered, confident and untouchable.
I clenched my jaw slightly, watching him. No matter what threats or eyes were on him, I couldn't stop worrying. I had to be ready for anything.
"I would like to introduce to the stage one of GeneX's top Guardians." I watched Guardian Murphy tug at his jacket, smirking arrogantly, ready to claim the spotlight. My jaw tightened. That man didn't deserve to be anywhere near Noah.
"However," Noah continued, calm and smooth as ever, "before I do that, I want to share a new project I've been working on."
Excited chatter spread through the room, but I barely heard it. My eyes were locked on Noah.
My mouth opened in surprise, and so did Guardian Murphy's, and even Mr Carr's. He wasn't supposed to do this yet. Not before introducing Murphy. Not like this.
Noah set a metal briefcase on the table and opened it, the motion controlled, deliberate. The room went silent, everyone leaning in. I scanned the audience, alert for any threat, but my gaze kept snapping back to him.
He lifted a small vial of green liquid, holding it up. The room held its collective breath.
"What is it?" a voice asked.
"This," Noah said, smiling effortlessly, "is the Lunex Nullifier I've been developing."
Voices erupted. My eyes catch Dr Langford dropping slightly before snapping his mask back up. Noah didn't flinch.
He let the room simmer for a heartbeat before continuing, his smile steady, voice smooth and precise...
"Now, you may be wondering why I've developed a Nullifier for the very product GeneX prides itself on."
Confused glances flicked across the room. Some probably thought he was mad. Some probably thought he was daring.
"The answer is simple... safety. In the past, Lunex vials have been stolen and misused. That misuse has put innocent people at risk and, tragically, it has caused unnecessary deaths. Deaths of those who were simply living their lives, spending time with their family, taken far too soon by those who should never have wielded such power."
My chest tightened. Every word was deliberate. Every line cut deeper than the audience could see. He was talking about his brother and uncle, about the dangers that came with power. But no one else knew. And no one could understand the weight he carried on that stage, smiling at them all, projecting confidence while speaking about lives lost.
I clenched my fists at my sides. I could feel the tension coiling in me, the need to step forward, to protect him, to make sure nothing, no one, ever touched him. And yet, he didn't need me. Not here. Not now. But my instinct to guard him, to keep him safe, wouldn't let me rest.
Noah let the silence hang for a moment, letting the weight of his words settle over the room. Then, with that effortless charm that made people listen even when their minds were screaming, he continued.
He paced slightly, hands moving subtly, capturing attention without breaking his calm exterior. "The Lunex Nullifier isn't just a tool. It's a safeguard. A reminder that those with power carry responsibility, not just for themselves, but for everyone around them. Because one lapse, one mistake, can cost lives. Lives that matter. Lives that cannot be replaced."
My eyes glance towards Guardian Murphy who seems worried and in a deep conversation with Carr.
"And let me be clear," Noah said, voice softening just enough to draw everyone in, "this isn't about fear. It's about choice. About protecting what's important. About ensuring that the mistakes of the past don't repeat themselves."
The audience seemed to hold their breath. Even Dr Langford froze, mask tilted slightly as if reconsidering every assumption he'd made about Noah.
Noah's eyes swept over the crowd, and he turns his head to briefly look at me. A flash of something, acknowledgment, maybe even gratitude, passed between us. And my chest tightened even more. He had no idea how proud and worried about him right now.
"And does this Nullifier of yours work?" Dr Langford stepped forward, and all eyes turned to him.
My breath caught. I shifted slightly, keeping my gaze locked on both Langfords, alert for any sign of trouble.
"The Nullifier's success rate is currently at 98%," Noah said, cheerful and confident, as if the weight of the room didn't touch him at all.
This was it. This was what he had pushed himself so hard for, the reason behind every sleepless night and every calculated risk. The room buzzed with excitement over his invention, but I stayed focused, scanning the faces around us for anyone who might take advantage.
The head of the board, Mr Carter, finally speaks up, his voice quivering slightly with age but carrying authority. "How exciting for our young scientist, in his innovation for this company."
He rose from his chair with effort, frail and old, yet the respect in the room was palpable.
"This is GeneX's future," Mr Carter continued, "to ensure stability and peace for the public."
Noah's eyes narrowed subtly, suspicion flickering across his face as he processed his granddad's words. He seemed caught off guard for a moment, but only slightly.
"Thank you, Mr Carter," Noah said smoothly, returning his attention to the crowd. "Once more tests have been performed, I will release further information."
The audience reacted with a mix of excitement and unease. Many were thrilled by Noah's invention, but others shifted in their seats, uncertain or even disapproving of a Nullifier. I didn't need to wonder why, some of them clearly saw the power in it as a threat.
"And with that, I thank you for your time, and I now introduce Guardian Murphy to the stage," Noah said, bowing slowly. The room erupted in applause and cheers as he stepped off, completely ignoring the plan to present with the Guardian.
I followed closely behind, eyes scanning, every nerve on edge. Noah moved like he owned the stage, confident and untouchable, but I couldn't shake the tension coiling in my chest. He might walk off as if nothing mattered.
Once Noah steps off the stage and we were out of view, he let out a bright smile, eyes sparkling with excitement. "That went better than I expected."
He looks happier than I've seen him in a long time, and I can't help but smile along with him, my chest warming at the sight.
"You did great up there, Noah," I say, reaching up instinctively to ruffle his hair, but stopped myself. Now wasn't the right time.
"Did you see my father? He wasn't happy," Noah admitted, a flicker of nervousness crossing his face, though he still smiled.
"Don't worry about him. You were amazing." I shifted the subject before his thoughts could spiral. "I'm proud of you, Champ." I nudged him jokingly, and he laughed.
I truly was proud. He'd worked tirelessly to get here, and it had paid off. He knew his father would try to embarrass him, challenge him on the success rate, but he'd handled it flawlessly, proudly claiming that his product had the highest success rate of anything developed at GeneX.
"Noah?" a voice calls from somewhere nearby, but I can tell from his posture that he was done talking with others.
He sighs and starts to move toward the voice, but I was quicker. I reach out and grab his arm.
"Come on, let's take a break," I say, smiling gently at him.
He hesitates, glancing between me and the person calling, before slowly nodding in agreement.
I reach down and grab his wrist before gently pulling him towards the staircase.