Victor Hales adjusts his tie in the mirror, the morning light streaming through the windows of his elegant home. Everything is pristine, as if the chaos of the previous night never happened. Just as he's about to head out the door, he hears the familiar sound of his wife and daughter returning home. They step inside, all smiles and warmth, completely unaware of what transpired while they were away. Victor greets them with a warm smile, hugging his daughter and kissing his wife on the cheek. When his wife asks about the repairs happening outside, Victor chuckles softly and says, "Just some renovations. Actually, you can finally get that workout room you've been wanting." His wife's eyes light up with pleasant surprise.
their daughter, Sophie, runs up to him with excitement. "Daddy!" she exclaims, throwing her arms around him. Victor crouches down to her level, his expression softening as he hugs her back. "Hey, kiddo! I missed you. Did you have fun at Grandma's?" Sophie nods eagerly, and Victor gives her a warm smile before standing up and giving his wife a quick kiss. "I'll see you both tonight," he says, waving as he heads out the door, leaving behind the picture-perfect family moment.
When Victor pulls up to Aerodyne Dynamics, his car glides into a reserved VIP parking spot right by the entrance. The moment he steps out, his assistant is already there to greet him, a fresh cup of coffee in hand. The doors to the building open automatically for him, and every staff member he passes greets him with a respectful nod. By the time he reaches his office, his secretary has everything prepared—his schedule for the day, any important documents, and of course, the perfect temperature set in his office.
As Victor settles into his office, he takes a sip of his coffee and presses the intercom button. "Katie, let me know when my 9 o'clock arrives," he says calmly. A moment later, Katie steps into the doorway, her expression professional yet slightly concerned. "Actually, Mr. Hales, your 9 o'clock has been canceled," she informs him. Victor raises an eyebrow, curious. "And why is that?" he asks. Katie replies smoothly, "I was informed that the board wants to see you for an emergency meeting at 9." Victor nods, a hint of intrigue flashing in his eyes as he processes this new development.
As Victor Hales steps into the boardroom, the atmosphere shifts immediately. All eyes turn to him, and he flashes a confident, if slightly impatient, smile.
"This better be good," Victor says with a hint of amusement, taking his seat at the head of the table. "I had to cancel my nine o'clock with the head of the department for this."
Nora Vex, the Chief Legal Counsel, leans forward, her expression serious. "Victor, we've called this meeting because the recent attempt on the mayor has put us under a lot of scrutiny. Even though we disguised the drone's origin, there's still speculation that could lead back to us."
Victor raises an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair. "So, what are you suggesting?"
Rafi Tanaka, the Director of Advanced Systems, chimes in. "We think it might be wise to slow down or even temporarily halt Operation Red Winter. We can't afford any more unwanted attention right now."
As Victor leans back in his chair, his gaze sweeps across the board members, assessing their expressions. "So, you want to pull the plug on our most promising project?" he asks, a hint of skepticism in his voice.
Joan Greer, the VP of Government Contracts, speaks up next. "It's not about pulling the plug entirely, Victor. The mayor has called for a formal investigation, and we need to be cautious. If we move too aggressively, it could bring everything down on us."
Phillip, the Director of Corporate Intelligence, nods in agreement. "We have to consider the long game here. The spotlight is on us, and any misstep could jeopardize not just Red Winter but everything we've built."
Victor's eyes narrow slightly, his mind clearly racing through the possibilities. "We need to be strategic, yes, but we can't let fear dictate our actions. Red Winter is the future, and I won't let one investigation derail that future."
Nora exchanges a glance with the others before adding, "We understand, Victor. But a temporary pause might buy us the time we need to navigate this carefully."
Victor steeples his fingers, considering their words. "Alright, we'll proceed with caution. But make no mistake, Red Winter will not be stopped."
Joan Greer meets Victor's gaze steadily. "Victor, this meeting is more of a courtesy. The board has already voted, and we've decided to halt all progress on Operation Red Winter."
Victor's expression shifts instantly, a flash of anger in his eyes. "A vote without me?" he says sharply. "Have you all forgotten whose company this is? You say everything we've built, but let's be clear: you mean everything I've built."
Nora interjects calmly, "Victor, we haven't forgotten your role or your vision. But this decision is about protecting that vision in the long run. We need to navigate this situation carefully."
Joan holds Victor's gaze firmly. "Victor, the vote is final. This decision stands."
With that, the board members begin to file out of the room, leaving Victor alone. He remains seated, staring off into the distance, the empty boardroom around him echoing the weight of the decision that's just been made.
Flashback – 13 Years Ago
Location: NexaCore Technologies — R&D Wing, Downtown Edgeport
Victor Hales: Age 33
Dr. Alan Ryden: Founder, Chief Systems Engineer
The hum of high-voltage servers echoed through the lab like the sound of a machine breathing. Blueprints glowed across wide screens—exosuit schematics, neural combat interfaces, swarm drone algorithms. Victor Hales stood in the center of it all, hands buried in an open core unit, sleeves rolled up, eyes alive with focus.
Across from him paced Dr. Alan Ryden, founder of NexaCore and Victor's longtime mentor—a man revered not for kindness, but for vision. Ruthless, brilliant, and politically untouchable, Ryden believed technology was only as valuable as the control it offered.
DR. RYDEN:
"You want to change the world, Victor? Stop trying to fix it. The world doesn't want to be fixed—it wants to be dominated."
Victor looked up from the wiring, uneasy.
VICTOR:
"This wasn't what we pitched. We promised civilian rescue applications. Infrastructure support."
Ryden smirked.
RYDEN:
"We promised what we needed to. That's how you get the money. You make them feel safe while you build the tools to control them."
Victor hesitated—but only for a moment. Because Ryden wasn't wrong. Government contracts had doubled since they began pivoting toward military integration. Victor had gone from designing rescue drones to building suppression tech and predictive strike AI. It disturbed him… but it also worked.
That night, Ryden showed him a secret file: Project Scepter—a next-gen exosuit meant to bypass command structures. No oversight. No human failsafes. It was AI-guided war in a box.
Victor stared at it, stunned.
VICTOR:
"You built this behind the board's back?"
RYDEN:
"They wouldn't understand. But you do. You're not here because you follow rules, Victor. You're here because you know when to break them."
Ryden leaned in closer, his voice like poison wrapped in silk.
RYDEN:
"There are no heroes, Victor. Just those who build the future, and those who beg to live in it."
Victor didn't sleep that night. But the next day, he came in early. Not to report Ryden. But to start designing his own
Two months later, Ryden disappeared from NexaCore. The official story was a quiet retirement. The truth? Victor had blackmailed the board with Ryden's unauthorized project files and forced him out.
Before Ryden left, he found Victor in the old R&D lab.
RYDEN:
"So that's how you play it. Good. Better to kill the king than serve him forever."
Victor didn't reply.
RYDEN:
"Just remember—empires don't run on morality. They run on momentum. Don't slow down, or you'll end up just like me."
Ryden walked out. And Victor took his place.
Weeks later, NexaCore's internal systems were quietly gutted. Their best talent poached. Their data corrupted. The company folded within the year.
From its ashes, Aerodyne Dynamics was born.
FLASHBACK – 8 Years Ago
Location: Alan Ryden's Home – East Hill Suburbs
Scene Title: "The Hand That Made Him"
The sun was just beginning to set over the quiet East Hill neighborhood, casting a warm golden hue through the windows of a modest brick home. The soft murmur of a televised nature documentary filled the living room. Alan Ryden, older now—his once-firm posture softened by age—sat reclined in an armchair, a blanket over his lap and a glass of water sweating beside him.
Then came the knock.
Alan muted the television and pushed himself up with a quiet grunt, shuffling to the front door.
When he opened it, he blinked in surprise—then smiled. "Well, I'll be damned."
Victor Hales stood in a crisp black coat, tailored and pristine, a slight smirk on his face. He looked like success incarnate.
ALAN:
"Victor. Look at you… the prodigal son returns."
Victor chuckled, stepping inside as Alan gestured him through. "Had to see how the old man was holding up."
Alan motioned to the couch. "Sit. You want anything? Tea, coffee… scotch?"
VICTOR:
"No, I'm good. Just wanted to talk."
They sat in the fading light, the room growing dim but peaceful.
ALAN:
"I've been watching you, you know. Aerodyne. The Red Falcon test. The orbital targeting array. Christ, you're doing things I only dreamed about."
He laughed gently, voice weathered by time. "I'm proud of you, Vic. Really. You've gone farther than I ever did."
Victor's eyes softened, a flicker of sincerity crossing his face.
VICTOR:
"That means more than you know."
A beat of silence passed. Then Victor leaned forward.
VICTOR:
"That's actually why I'm here, Alan. I need something. You remember… Operation Red Winter?"
Alan's smile faded. His face stiffened with caution.
ALAN:
"Never heard of it."
Victor tilted his head. "Come on. I've seen the references buried in your old drive logs. You built the core concept years before Aerodyne was even on the map."
Alan looked away. "That was theoretical. Nothing was ever completed."
VICTOR:
"But the idea was yours."
ALAN (quietly):
"An idea I locked away for a reason."
Victor's voice remained calm. Too calm. "And I need it now. You know where we're headed. Global conflicts are no longer fought by boots on the ground—they're waged by algorithms, automated armor, silence and precision. Red Winter could redefine how the world does war."
Alan stood slowly. "And that's exactly why it should stay buried."
ALAN:
"Victor… you don't need this. What you've already built—hell, it's terrifying enough. You keep going, and one day, you won't be able to come back from it."
Victor rose too, his face expressionless now.
VICTOR:
"I already passed that point."
Alan hesitated. "Then I guess you're wasting your time. I don't have what you want."
Victor reached into his coat—not for a weapon, but for a phone. He turned it toward Alan.
The screen displayed live drone footage: Alan's daughter stepping out of her car. His grandson playing in a front yard.
VICTOR (quietly):
"Don't make me prove how far I'm willing to go."
Alan's face went pale. He stared at the screen, breath catching.
For a moment, he said nothing. Then, defeated, he turned and walked slowly down the hall. A minute passed. When he returned, he held a sleek black case. He handed it to Victor wordlessly.
VICTOR:
"Thank you."
Victor set the case on the table and opened it. Inside were the encrypted files and schematics—complete plans for Operation Red Winter. The real blueprint. The culmination of everything Alan once swore he'd never unleash.
Victor stared at it, then exhaled—long, slow, almost human.
He closed the case and looked back at Alan.
VICTOR (softly):
"I'm sorry it has to be like this."
He stepped forward and pulled Alan into a tight embrace.
ALAN (weakly):
"Victor…"
Victor leaned in close, whispering into his ear.
VICTOR:
"You made me this way."
Then, with a subtle shift of his arm, Victor drove a narrow, razor-edged blade—concealed inside his coat—cleanly into Alan's side.
Alan gasped, eyes wide. The strength left him instantly.
Victor held him upright for a moment… then gently lowered him to the couch.
VICTOR:
"Goodbye, Alan."
He picked up the case and calmly walked out the front door, disappearing into the night as the final embers of his humanity were left bleeding on that living room floor.