Galactic Technological Library

Editor and Proofreader: Delther, Dervish

Smith used to be a lead battery scientist and he was very passionate about his work.

Since childhood, he was very fascinated by chemicals and by how batteries worked, so when he grew up, he decided to choose it as a profession. 

After graduating from the university, he joined the top battery manufacturing company in the USA and devoted his life to improving batteries. 

Smith devoted 25 years of his to the company and even though he got many offers from other well known companies, he never left the company. 

One reason was that he was loyal to the company and the other was that the company had a system that gave the scientist who developed a new technology, some of the company shares or the shares in patent technology. 

After spending 25 years in the company and doing countless, he was able to perfect the lithium-ion batteries and created a formula that would be able to extend the life of the lithium-ion batteries by another 500 cycles. 

If this formula were to be commercialized, it would create havoc in the battery industry and would bring battery technology to another level. 

But who knew that after the company knew about his invention, they did not appreciate it and rather asked him to hide this technology and did not even allow him to submit it for a patent. 

Smith could still remember the words that one of the executives of the company told him. 

"Smith, we know that you spent your life on this technology and want to bring it to the world, but think about this. If we bring this technology to the market, even though we will sell more batteries than the others, but a battery that lasts 5 to 6 years, who will buy our batteries again and again. Moreover, our competitors won't allow us to benefit alone and we would have to share this technology with them. So listen to me, let's hold onto this for now and only improve the technology a little."

At that time, Smith listened to the executive and agreed with him. He understood, he could not be selfish and had to consider the company's position too. 

But who knew that just one month later, one other department in the company announced the same technology and applied for a patent. 

When Smith heard this, he was furious and went to ask the executives for an explanation but all he got was.

"Huh, is this technology that you developed? But their team applied for a patent first so how could you say that it's yours. If you had it, why not apply for a patent?"

Smith argued that it was one of the executives who stopped him but the said person cleaned his hand and replied that he never met Smith regarding this matter.

Smith could not believe all this was happening to him. His life's work, his struggle, and months of sleepless nights were all for nothing. 

He argued and showed many proofs and data charts proving that he was the rightful owner of this technology but all he got was silence and ridicule. 

Then finally when he was about to sue them for this, the company fired him and claimed that he stole the data from them and sold it to another company. 

To his surprise, there were even proofs of him doing so. Of course, Smith never did such activity but how could he fight against a large company which had countless resources. 

As expected, he lost the case and had to pay compensation to the company for a crime he never committed. 

As a result, he lost everything. They took everything from him, his house, his wealth, his pride, his dignity, everything.

Now he was living on the streets as a homeless man and begging for food. He sometimes wondered if he should end his life but stopped himself from doing so.

'If I end my life, then who is going to get revenge on those bastards. I will live and do everything to get revenge. I will take back what is mine.' He firmed himself with these thoughts and continued to live on. 

Today was the same as before, as he was walking down the street, the public telephone on the side of the road started to ring. 

Smith paid no attention to it and continued walking but when he passed by another telephone, it rang again. 

Smith stopped for a second, then continued on. But as he passed by the third, it rang again. 

This time Smith went towards it and picked it up. 

"Hello! Who is this?" He asked with a hesitant tone.

"Hello, Mr. Smith. It's very nice to meet you." A sweet voice came from the speaker. It sounded as if a young girl was speaking to him. 

Smith was surprised to hear the voice calling his name. After the initial surprise, he calmed himself down and asked with an uncertain tone.

"Who are you? What do you want with me? How can you use public phones to contact me like this?"

"Mr. Smith! Don't worry. We are not your enemy. In fact, we are here to help you. Don't you want revenge on those who betrayed you and stole your everything? Well, we can help you achieve that."

Smith was shocked hearing this because other than those in the company executives who knew that he was the original creator of that battery technology and the laboratory head of the other laboratory who stole the technology, everyone else thought of him as a thief and someone not worth trusting.

Even his family, his wife, daughter, and everyone else thought of him as someone who would do anything for money and a liar. No one believed anything he said but now he received a call from someone claiming to be able to help him. As if they knew, he was correct about all the claims he made. 

Feeling agitated, Smith immediately gave a nod and replied with an excited voice.

"Yes! I want revenge. I want the world to know that I, Smith, is no liar."

After saying this, Smith cooled down a little and then started to think about the reason why anyone would help him. 

He knew that there was no free lunch in this world. Everything had a price. This was a world of give and take, So after thinking for a bit, he asked.

"I am glad that you trust me and can help me get revenge but what do I have to do in return. I mean, what do you want from me in return?"

There was silence for a while, then the same sweet voice sounded in the speakers without any emotions.

"Mr. Smith, we ask you. What do you have to offer? Do you, yourself, think that you have anything that can be worth offering to us."

Smith was taken aback hearing this question and could not help but think. What he had and then it came to him that he had nothing. He was penniless and the technology he was most proud of, was already patented and could not be used as a bargaining chip. 

When he was thinking about all this, the voice spoke again. 

"Mr. Smith, you don't need to think hard. You have nothing to offer so what can we take from you. We want only one thing from you and that is obedience, absolute obedience. By absolute obedience, we mean your life. If you choose to cooperate with us, we will give you the means to get your revenge and prove to the world that you were right. You will get fame and your previous life back but you! You will belong to us. So do you think you are ready for this?"

Smith was shocked after hearing the strange request from the caller and could not help but tremble a little. 

If it was before, he would have immediately disconnected the call and blocked such a number but now he had nothing. 

Even though he did not want to admit it, he knew that he could never get his revenge if he stays the way he is and he also understood that it was nearly impossible for him to get back to his previous position. He knew but refused to accept the reality. 

Now when this strange caller asked him for his life in return for helping to get revenge, he chooses to accept it. 

"Alright, Mr. Smith! You made the best choice of your life. Now, look towards your left. Someone will be there to meet you." 

[[[[Chapter Ends Here]]]]

We currently have 570 power stones, make them 900 and I will give you guys 2 chapters tomorrow. 

Check out my new novels. 

Unethical Service Providers (Genre: Urban)    3 to 4 chapters a week. Main focus is GTL but will try to update more regularly. 

and

Hurting Hope: Freedom With Sins (Genre: Fantasy)    2 chap/day. It's fun, check it out. Though a little slow development give it time.