The mid level bureaucrat was seated at a small desk in a cramped room. Across from him was a man with an austere build. The bureaucrat eyed his next interviewee, his skin tone told it all. He was a homo-nano, also called the Nanomage; genetically engineered to incorporate the metaphysical element notum into their DNA. They could only live here on Rubi-Ka. The bureaucrat sighed quietly, so many formalities, but he had already gotten his orders concerning this one. The approval was already given; the interview was nothing more than a mere formality. He had no say in the matter. He might as well get it over with.
“So.. Mr.. ahh Fire is it? You wish to give up your citizenship with the clans and take on a job with the Corporation as a.. lets see.. Nano Program Developer Tier.. ahh 45?”
“I do.”
“Why is that Mr Fire? Your name is quite.. unique… Freedoms Fire, they call you by Enkindled don’t they? That’s not a very acceptable name in the Corporation.”
“My name was given to me by my late father Archibal Fution.. He was known as MrFusion. He worked for the Corporation for most of his life before he renounced his position to continue his work in Sabulum in the North. He believed that the concept of Freedom was something like a fire enkindled in the hearts of ever man. But that if it wasn’t monitored it would consume the man whole and he would be burned up by his own passions. Led astray as it were. He did what he had to because Omni-Tek was closing down his project. He believed that the clans concept of freedom had consumed them and is burning them out. The concept of freedom and the views and desires of the Corporation are not mutually exclusive. It is said my father never really left and that he received funding and equipment from the Corporation all his life. I have continued my fathers work as far as I could at our labs in Sabulum. I need access to equipment only available here to continue the work. I know that the Corporation agrees and that our little talk here is just a formality. Or didn’t you know that?” Enkindled add the last bit as a barb. He was unimpressed with the little man and knew how little power he had over the situation. The truth was he hated most of Omni-Tek but he had made a promise to his father. To finish the work. He would do that no matter what he felt inside. Freedoms fire would burn its way through RK and burn Omni-Tek from the face of the planet in time. He didn’t need to rush things, after all the Corporation had some very important things to offer him at this time. The bureaucrat, winced, but kept his face neutral.
“Very well, since neither of us wish to continue this charade any longer…. Enkindled you are hereby formally hired by Omni-Tek Corporation as a Nano Program Developer. Work to begin immediately following this interview. You are assigned to Studio 3 in Omni-Trade.” He tapped a few keys on the holo-interface on his desk. “Have a good day Mr. Fire.”