Red Panda- The Android Assassin: Chapter 16(031926)

0:00Two teams. One cup. The primetime stage is set for the TGL presented by SoFi Finals, Los Angeles Golf Club versus Tiger's Jupiter links. Keep up, it's playoffs. Tune in Monday, March 23rd, 9pm Eastern on ESPN2 and Tuesday, March 24th, 7pm Eastern on ESPN and on the ESPN app. Are you ready for some high adventure coming up next on the Mutual Audio Network? The following audio drama is rated PG for parental guidance. Chapter 16 David Hagen had been a security guard at James Labs since the company had been formed from the ashes of James manufacturing and holdings. He had been a worker in the old plant and managed to keep a job even as the operation became more complicated than anything that Ian James's forebears could have imagined. The new company was perhaps the foremost research and development laboratory in the country and was growing fast in spite of hard times.

1:01There was an optimism within these walls that was shared by few outfits in the city and every worker knew that he was part of a business of tomorrow. Hagen sat up straight in his chair as young Wentworth James approached, looking preoccupied as he often did. The younger Mr. James did not stand on ceremony the way his father did. He did not imagine that every man who drew a salary within his family's plant was some sort of indentured servant. Indeed, if Hagen had stood up as James's father would have expected it would have drawn an embarrassed jib from the younger man. But like most who worked at James Labs, Hagen knew it was Wentworth James's genius that had saved the company when so many others had been lost to difficult times. However much his father might downplay Wentworth's contribution, his son did not merely gather the deference that was due to the air to the ground. He was given the respect men feel for their true leader. Even Mr. James, Hagen said with the touch of his cap in spite of himself, on the way to check the new power plant.

2:02James looked up, surprised as if he had just noticed Hagen sitting there at the security checkpoint. Oh, excuse me! The young man said, slapping his pockets as if searching for his security credentials must have left the darn things up in my lab. He said flustered. Hagen laughed in spite of himself and the sound seemed to give Wentworth James another start. He looked back at Hagen puzzled. As all right Mr. James, Hagen said, I reckon I know you well enough by now. Wentworth James smiled sheepishly. Yes, of course, he said. Still, he can't be any too careful. No, sir, Hagen said, and the young man breezed past him, distracted once again. David Hagen watched him go and shook his head in wonder. The things that young man might be dreaming up even now. Why, they said that Wentworth James developed the new power plant at the heart of this complex almost single-handedly. Perhaps that wasn't exaggeration, and certainly you would never hear Wentworth James tell it that way, but it was hard not to admire a man with ideas.

3:04Not many folks born into money seemed to have them, and even fewer had any skills to make their ideas into reality, but Wentworth James did. The ringing of the telephone jarred Hagen from his reverie, and by the time 15 minutes had gone past, he had settled back into his newspaper. It was getting late, and there was not a lot of traffic in the labs at this hour. It was only the sound of footsteps coming toward him down the long hallway that brought him back to reality. The light at the other end of the hallway was too bright, and it turned the newcomer into a backlit shadow as he appeared. Good evening, David! A voice called cheerfully. David Hagen was dumbfounded. He knew what he had heard, but it made no sense. The newcomer stepped into the chamber in which Hagen's desk stood, and suddenly there could be no doubt, it was Wentworth James. Mr. James? Hagen said astonished. Good grief, man! James laughed. You look quite as if you'd seen a ghost! I'm sorry, sir, Hagen, but I just didn't see you come back through.

4:07Wentworth James was confused. Yes, I'm just getting back now. Spent the day dancing for the amusement of the board of directors. No, sir. That's not it, Hagen said. You wind in about... I'm sorry, sir. You must have come out another way. David? James said, are you feeling quite well? You know, there's only one way into the power complex. Work in the South Corridor still isn't finished. Mr. James Hagen said, I'm sorry if I sound like a fool, but you walked past this station 15, maybe 20 minutes ago, and went in to check the power plant. No, David. James said, that's what I'm doing now. But, but it was you. I talked to you. Hagen was getting angry. Someone was playing games with him. I promise you, David. It wasn't me. I am me. James wagged his security pass that hung about his neck. He didn't have a pass. Hagen's voice trailed away his face growing white. How long ago was this? James said, feeling for the first time the guard was being serious, and something quite sinister was at work here.

5:1115 minutes, maybe. Hagen said longer now, maybe. Went with James, looked down the corridor leading to his new power plant, with only one way in or out there were too many lives at stake. Soundly evacuation, he said with sudden resolve. Sir, Hagen said in horror, do it! James cried. Hagen fumbled with his keys and unlocked a panel, but he switched was a large red button. He held the switch down, and a piercing alarm began to sound to all quarters. James broke toward the door leading into the plant, but Hagen caught his arm and stopped him. He'll never get through, sir, he said, with all the men coming up that way, you'll never get past in time. Damn it, man, we've got to try, James cried, but he could hear the first of the men on the way out, and he knew that it was true. Went with James, turned back to Hagen to speak, but the only sound that either man could hear was the first of a thundering chorus of explosions that tore through the power plant below and rumbled on, getting closer and closer as the shock wave shattered men and machines alike as if it were a wall of pure force. The room shook, the lights went out suddenly, and David Hagen knew no more.

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