Carson Evolved Ch. 14

Turning her direction, Carson asked, "What do you think? You've been awfully quiet until now."

Lena smiled to herself, recognizing how adroitly he'd turned her question into an opportunity to bring her into the conversation. Standing, she said, "I know most of you don't know me. I'm 23, just finished a master's degree in political science. I really intended to go into politics, but I think there's some work for me here. I'm assuming that's why you brought me along, Carson?"

He nodded in agreement, so she continued. "The way I see it, no matter what you do, the name 'NeoGenesys' is beyond redemption. You could put out a cure for the virus tomorrow and people would still be mistrustful, simply based on the name. I'm not a marketing guy, so I could be off-base. But that's the way I see it."

She began pacing as she lectured the group. "We need something very different from the old name, something that indicates a change in direction for the company. But we don't have to deny the company's heritage completely, that would be discounting the good work they did in the past. We could try playing around with words, but 'NeoGenesys' is a very American corporate name. What if we went with something more Eurocentric?"

Thurston was nodding along with her. "That's a very good idea. It creates some distance in the mind without physically moving the company or even changing many of the employees."

"How about Neuanfang?" asked Jordan.

Carson looked at Jordan, surprised to hear him chime in. "Is that German? What's it mean?"

Jordan nodded. "It means 'New Dawn.'" When no one commented further, he began to justify his suggestion. "Think about it, the new part is obvious, even though the 'Neo-' part of the old name also means 'new.' But dawn evokes images of hope and beginning, of sunlight and happiness. I guess it sounds like maybe the same thing. Maybe it's stupid," he trailed off.

"I think it's brilliant," replied Lena. "All that stuff was true, but it also seems clean and fresh and something that everyone looks forward to. It's relatable and familiar, but new and different at the same time. Well done, Jordan."

"I agree," added Carson. Looking around, he said, "Anyone opposed to calling our new company Neuanfang?" When no one objected, he nodded in acceptance.

"Now," he began. "That's the easy part. But like I said, it's a single front in our battle. Neuanfang will be a legitimate—hopefully profitable—business. But the officers will also be running shadow functions. For example, Tilda will be the security officer, but she will also head up our intelligence operations. Starfyre, as Addison, will be the head of IT. Her alter-ego will be part of Tilda's intelligence apparatus, and Edwards's mobile unit, coordinating cyber activities and communications. Edwards and Patterson, along with Sonja, will create a response team that will handle the situations that require a more 'personal' touch."

"What will I be doing?"

Carson looked at Jordan in appraisal. He'd wracked his brain to find where the younger man fit in. Initially, his inclination had been to sideline the guy. Upon further reflection, he'd realized that he wasn't being fair to Jordan. The guy seemed to be making a legitimate effort to change. It just remained to be seen if he was capable of doing what Carson had in mind.

"I have a unique role in mind for you. One thing I've learned in the time I've known you, is that you have the ability to read people. And, as evidenced by your name suggestion, you're no slouch in the intelligence department, either. You're a good-looking guy who fits in with a certain level of society, but can blend down if needed. In short, you're kind of a chameleon. I think you're going to be the face of the covert division."

Jordan frowned. "What does that mean?"

"Basically, you'll be a salesman and facilitator. When we need something from someone, you make the contacts and arrange the connection. I think your name will open some doors that might not otherwise open for us, but more importantly, I believe that people are going to underestimate you. Your reputation is...let's be honest. Your reputation is that of a shallow, spoiled brat. But I've seen the changes that you're making, and I know you're capable of more.

"Let's use that to our advantage. If people expect little of you, they won't be paying nearly the attention they should, and that's a mistake, because you are part of a very, very dangerous group of people. What do you say?"

Jordan thought about what Carson had said, and he couldn't help but smile. It felt good to have someone believe in him. For so long, he'd been treated as an irritation by his father. To have an important role in what Carson was building? He was all-in. "I'm yours," he said, simply.

With that, Carson began wrapping up the meeting. He assigned several people with organizational tasks in preparation for opening the doors on their new company. Carson let them know he'd be in touch as soon as the paperwork was official, and set a tentative meeting for a couple of weeks hence.

While the others were making their way out of the room in the warehouse they'd set up for this conference, Risa made her way towards him. Carson was busy gathering up the papers he'd brought along and didn't see her at first. He couldn't keep the smile from his face when he noticed her, though.

Glancing around to ensure they were alone, he leaned in and said, "How's my black beauty today?" He didn't notice the nervous look in her eyes at first.

She smiled faintly and replied, "Fantastic. And my white stallion? How is he doing today?"

Carson was about to reply when he felt that something wasn't right. "What's wrong? Something's bothering you, I can tell."

Risa guiltily looked at her feet. I should have known he'd pick up something. "I, uh, I have something to tell you."

"Oh? What's that?"

"I don't want you to be mad at me."

Carson stopped what he was doing and looked at her more seriously. Taking her hand, he said, "Whatever it is, it'll be okay."

She looked into his eyes searchingly. Whatever she saw there convinced her that he was telling the truth. "I don't know how to say this, so I'm just going to say it. Somehow, when we...well, when we slept together..."

Realization dawned in Carson's eyes. "You're pregnant," he gasped in an awed whisper.

With tears in her eyes, Risa nodded. "It's yours, I swear! You're the only man I've been with since Taric. I don't understand what happened; it wasn't the right time of my cycle. You have to believe me! Don't hate me."

Carson froze in confusion. "Hate you? Why would I hate you?" He swept her off her feet and began dancing around the room to a tune only he could hear. Risa marveled again at the ease with which he carried her. "You've given me a wonderful gift. I could never hate you for that. Besides, I love you."

Risa gasped. "What did you say?"

"I said, 'I love you.' I can't explain it, but I do. There's just this connection between us, and I've felt it since that first day you came to my office. You're beautiful and smart and witty and whole list of things that I admire about you. And now you're having my baby!"

With tears coursing down her cheeks, Risa grabbed his face and pulled him into a passionate kiss. When they finished, she looked into his eyes and said, "I love you too. I never expected to feel this way again, but it's even stronger than I felt with Taric. And I know what you mean about that connection. I felt it too."

She bade him put her down. Her hand drifted to her belly as she said, "I'm soo happy to be carrying your child. I know my other children are going to be anxious for their new brother or sister. But I'm going to need help with a newborn if you're going to be expecting me to get much done at our new company. So, I've decided to take you up on your offer to move into the Lion's Den with your family. I'll speak with Helena tomorrow and get things going."

Carson kissed her again and as they made their way out the door, he told her how much he was looking forward to having her around and getting to know her other children better.

As he made his way home, he couldn't help but wonder if he'd somehow forced Orisa's pregnancy. Obviously, he'd caused it. At least, he hoped it was his baby. But after all, she was an adult woman with plenty of experience in how her body worked, and she'd been pretty adamant when they'd finally gotten together that she wasn't fertile at the time. And yet, here they were. Try as he might, Carson couldn't recall the same sensation as when he'd impregnated Corinne, but he couldn't discount the possibility either.

*****

The next couple of weeks passed in a whirlwind. Carson found himself busier than ever. Fortunately, getting Neuanfang up and running was much easier than he'd imagined, thanks to the resources at Orriri's disposal. As Alex had said, they did this kind of thing frequently for members of the project. It had raised a few eyebrows when Carson had insisted on funding the acquisition of the former NeoGenesys assets privately, since most people would have been happy to not make such a huge outlay of cash if they could avoid it. He played it off as simply desiring to have something that was his, and his alone, which seemed to satisfy the inquisitive.

Risa was in the process of following through on her stated intention to move into the LD with her children. Taking Carson's advice, they were in a trial period, more akin to an extended vacation with family than an actual move. By all accounts, it was a match made in heaven. Risa's girls were 17-going-on-30-year old Ileara and 12-year old Tambara; 14-year old son Egbo was sandwiched between them. From almost the first day, Tambara had latched onto Mila when it became apparent that she was primary caretaker of the children in the home. She was fascinated with babies in general, but caring for the mostly Caucasian offspring seemed to hold a special interest for her.

"They're so pink!" she'd exclaimed to Mila's amusement.

The girls favored their mother in appearance, but Egbo must have taken after his father. In Carson's opinion, he didn't look much like Risa. Clearly, though, his mother's hand was at work in his spirit and character. In the short time he'd been around the youngster, Carson had learned that while Egbo was more of a quiet observer than either of his sisters, he was also intelligent and insightful, and unfailingly polite.

The one Carson had the hardest time figuring was Ileara. In most respects, she resembled her mother physically, though an exaggerated version. Whereas Risa possessed a modest, rather thin bust, Ileara was clearly fuller in cup size and probably bigger around. That part was made difficult because she hadn't fully matured yet. There was no denying that she was going to be a very curvy woman when it happened though. Her body type was more of the classic hourglass than Risa's.

Still, physical resemblance aside, he couldn't seem to make a connection with her. As the oldest child, he understood that she'd probably be the most reluctant to make the kind of move that her mother was contemplating. Instead, she seemed to be okay with it. But much as he tried to be welcoming and open with her, it seemed as if Ileara was uncomfortable around him. He was struggling to figure it out, so he sought out her mother to ask advice.

After hearing his concerns, Risa had laughed at him. "You're making a connection with her, Carson. Trust me."

"But she doesn't seem to want to talk to me. I want her and your other children to feel like this is home. Does she resent me taking on a father-figure role?"

Risa laid her hand on his thigh. "She doesn't know what to make of you. I think she was geared up to hate you, but it's hard to hate someone who's so nice. And the other women in the house have taken her in like she's always been here. Honestly, the transition has gone smoother than I dared hope it would. I think she just didn't expect to like it here so much."

Carson persisted in his doubts. "I swear sometimes it's like she's watching me to see if I'm going to make a mistake. Every once in a while, I'll turn around and she's there, just sort of looking at me with this expression...I don't think she trusts me very much."

"First of all, welcome to parenting a teenager. She probably doesn't trust you, but it's more because you're an adult that because you're you. Second, she has a crush on you," she finished with a twinkle in her eye.

"What?! I haven't done anything with her, I swear," he pledged.

Risa shrugged. "The heart does what it does. Here's the thing: she's 17-years old and knows that she'll be able to be part of the project soon. It's been weighing on her mind, and I think she's beginning to look at things the way an Orriri woman does. When you meet a guy, you can't help but start thinking about whether he'd be someone you'd like to father your children.

"Besides that, she and I are close. Ileara's my first baby. We talk about a lot of things, and she can tell how happy you've made me. She even mentioned it the other day, how much I smile and laugh now. She asked me, 'Is Carson really that different than Dad was?' I had to measure my words to avoid letting my bitterness at his actions in the end color my description, but I think she could tell that you're a better man than he ever was in my mind."

Carson looked at her with concern. "Do I need to do anything to dissuade her? I don't want her to feel uncomfortable here, but I also don't want to hurt her feelings."

She leaned forward to kiss his lips gently, then sat back and reached to stroke his cheek. "Don't change a thing. If it happens, it happens. There are much worse choices she could make."

He looked incredulous. "You'd...you'd let her sleep with me? Wouldn't that be...I don't know, awkward?"

"Why?" she asked. "If you're good enough to father children with me, why wouldn't I think you'd be good for her too? Would I prefer that she found one man and married him? Meh. Maybe, maybe not. My experience with marriage wasn't that great. I already like the life you're building here quite a bit. Maybe that's better than the more traditional route."

"Yeah, but...mother and daughter sleeping with the same man?"

Risa looked at him askance. "You've done it before, haven't you? Or did I miss something about how Helena got Audrey?"

Carson felt sheepish. Of course he'd already done it. It didn't bother him in the slightest, but he didn't want to seem like a pervert, paying attention to the new, underage young woman in his life. "You're right. It just seems different, somehow. Maybe it's because I was already married to Mara and then moved on to Helena. Obviously, nothing is going to happen until Ileara becomes an adult anyway. But I want you to know that I'm not going to consciously encourage her. If she decides that it's something that she wants down the road, then we'll deal with it then. Deal?"

"Deal," Risa replied with a smile. If I know my daughter, though, she's going to be carrying a little Carson bundle sooner than either of us would believe.

She couldn't know that Carson 'heard' her inner monologue. He wasn't consciously scanning her, so it surprised him as well. But he was taken aback nonetheless. Not by the content of the thought, but that he hadn't tried to listen in. He added it to his pile of questions to ask his father when they were finally able to get together.

Risa's clan was not the only new arrival to the LD. Only a few days after the Okafors moved in, Aria van Heuval showed up on his doorstep with a set of luggage and a plan. "I was sitting there at home, staring at the same four walls, and it just hit me: There was no reason for me to stay. I don't love Jordan, and with my dad dead, there's no reason to pretend anymore. I packed some clothes, and on my way over here, I stopped at the towers to get Legal working on a divorce. So, here I am."

Given the suspicion that his Pride had viewed Aria's original offer to have a baby with Carson, he'd been surprised how quickly the Lionesses accepted her into the LD. It didn't hurt that she enthusiastically joined in taking care of the children, but the matter was made much simpler through the abilities that Cara and Sam had been given.

She'd been there for a week when the pair had approached Carson one evening. Aria was playing with Audrey on the floor nearby, while Carson had Selma resting on his shoulder after eating. Cara and Sam sat down next to him.

You don't have to worry about her, he heard in Cara's head voice.

She's totally devoted to you, added Sam.

Carson watched Aria for a few minutes without replying. She apparently felt his eyes on her, and she looked up. Seeing his face, she smiled shyly and went back to playing with the little girl.

Any chance you're wrong?

Nothing's certain, replied Sam. But the intensity of her desire for you is...

...Stunning, finished Cara. We've already spoken with Helena and the others. We think you need to get a couple of rings ready for presentation.

Carson nodded without replying, a little smile on his face. It was reassuring to know that, despite his apprehension at times, there were people who were looking out for the interests of his growing family. It took a lot of pressure off his shoulders. Helena had been the first, but now that Cara and Sam had their powers, they were assuming those duties that had been hers. There was no denying that she was still the matriarch, however. The other women in the house naturally looked to her as the mother of the Pride.

*****

Who knew that setting up an office was so complicated? thought Carson as he surveyed the chaos around him. Despite the fact that NeoGenesys had been in business for quite some time, it was apparent that the company was also modeled on a very siloed, top-down management approach. The design of the offices, the way the internal networks were configured—pretty much everything seemed intended to divide and compartmentalize the various work groups. That didn't match Carson's vision of a more nimble, responsive organization at all. Hence, the whirlwind of activity around him.

After meeting with the employees of the former company, two things had become apparent. First, there was a great deal of talent here. Aside from the department heads, most of the rest of the company was comprised of younger scientists either fresh off of graduate or post-graduate training, or in the case of the administrative people, recently certified in the areas of quality assurance, human resources, and finance.

He thought that was both exciting and concerning. Exciting, because he felt like the younger generation (the thought of which made him feel much older than his 31 summers would suggest) would be more amenable to change and hungry to make a mark. Concerning, because he had a feeling that it was precisely their naivety that had gotten them hired to do the work Eisenfaust had wanted in the first place. He wanted people who thought bigger picture to be at the forefront of the company's makeover.

The second thing he'd learned was that there had previously been an overriding sense of distrust among the workers, both between themselves, and between workers and management. Carson suspected that part of the reason everything was so compartmentalized was that it maintained a tight rein on the staff, allowing a smaller group to direct the actions of many without allowing the left hand to know what the right was doing, so to speak. This, he felt, was the first problem that needed to be overcome to win the trust of his new employees.

In consultation with Thurston, Carson devised a plan to demonstrate just how different things would be. First, he hired the former employees back en masse, if they desired it. Those that chose to move on were sent a personal note of thanks for their contributions to the company, along with a small gift card. That's not to say that they weren't viewed with suspicion. The first task Addison was set to was performing deep background checks on key employees to ensure that they were free of outside influence.