Bound by the Corporate Spy

“Dylan, don’t forget to lock up when you’re done.”

“Sure thing.” I sit at my computer, running one last simulation before heading out for the night.

The air is cool. The lights are bright. This is a rocketry lab, and it’s a monument to human ingenuity. Long rows of desks fill the pristine space, each set up with high-tech workstations. At the front of the room, rocket engine prototypes stand tall, their glossy surfaces reflecting bright beams onto the walls. There’s a sharp, metallic scent in the air—I’ve always found it exhilarating.

To some, crunching numbers and analyzing propulsion data might seem dull, but we’re doing extremely important work here. This lab is run by an aerospace and defense contractor. The government pays us to develop next-generation weapons systems. Global politics are tense right now, and the tools we’re crafting can deter conflict.

Or at least, that’s what I tell people when they ask about my job.

In reality, most of my time is spent watching my computer load while it runs simulations. On quiet nights like this, it’s easy for the mind to wander…

I think back to the beginning of my career…I was so eager and ambitious. I’m a senior manager and I’ve been here for decades now, but I’ve never had any major recognition. Just once, I’d like to have a breakthrough that would advance the field of physics. Winning a Nobel Prize…that’s my dream.

Which is why I’m heading over to my coworker’s apartment tonight.

His name is Corbin, and he’s our newest engineer. He’s big into nootropics—drugs known as “cognitive enhancers” or “smart drugs”. They include things like herbal and synthetic dietary supplements. I’ve always been skeptical of that shit, but Corbin says he’s found something special. He thinks it’ll help with the project I’m working on. At this point, I’m willing to try anything. I need to escape mediocrity.

“That’s enough for today,” I mutter while shutting my computer down.

I rise and head to the door, punching in the security code and flipping the lights off. The lab opens into a small tunnel with a second door at the far end. This is a security feature—two sets of doors with different passcodes to prevent anyone from slipping in behind you. These access points are thicker and stronger than bank vaults—we keep the nation’s military secrets in here, after all.

Once I enter the second code, I step out into the general rocketry department. This is where all the junior engineers work. Only the most senior scientists have access to the prototypes in the lab. It requires the highest level of security clearance.

I head out to my car and check my phone for Corbin’s address. Pop music blasts from my radio while I speed down the highway. It isn’t long until I’ve arrived at his condo in a quiet part of town. I’m a bit surprised—this is a luxury high-rise. I know how much my junior employees make, and it’s odd that he can afford something like this. Maybe he has family money. That’s not uncommon when it comes to this line of work. Most of us come from top universities that cost a fortune to attend. I’m one of the lucky ones who got a full-ride scholarship. I didn’t have to pay a dime for my education.

I enter the building, marveling at the enormous globe standing in the spacious lobby. It slowly rotates while spotlights shine on its glossy surface. At the room’s rear, an entire wall has been turned into a TV display. The screen shows scenes of cities from around the world. Light from the display reflects off the polished marble flooring, creating a mirror-like effect. There’s a sense of opulence and adventure in the air.

Yeah…Corbin definitely has family money.

The place is silent, and there’s no wait for an elevator. I step inside, scanning for Corbin’s floor. Looks like he’s near the top. That must be nice…

The doors close, and the elevator rumbles. Tiny accent lights hang overhead, bathing the mahogany-paneled interior in a calming glow.

I step into a hallway with the same luxurious paneling. It doesn’t take me long to find Corbin’s condo.

*knock* *knock*

Footsteps echo before the door swings open.

“Yooo! Dylan, you made it!” Corbin stands before me, wearing a tight white t-shirt and a dark pair of jeans.

A rush of awkwardness flows over me. I’m still dressed in my suit—required attire for managers at our company. He’s dressed down though, and the age gap between us feels unsettlingly obvious.

My face has gray stubble and light wrinkles, but he’s bright and clean-shaven. He’s got light blue eyes and platinum blond hair that seems to glow with angelic brilliance. His athletic physique bulges beneath his shirt, contrasting with my thin, shapeless body. I probably shouldn’t stare, but it’s hard not to glance down at those full, mountainous pecs. His nipples are visible beneath the fabric.

Hell, his abs are too. The perfectly symmetrical shapes bulge like ridges on an antique washboard.

He doesn’t look like any of the other guys at the office—he doesn’t behave like them either. He’s got a thick foreign accent and a bit of a frat boy vibe. I’ve always found him a bit strange, but maybe it’s just a generational difference. At the end of the day, he’s extremely intelligent, and that’s all that matters.

“Hey, Corbin.” I give a timid wave.

“Come inside!” He beckons me forward.

I enter, my eyes widening as I take in the crisp, clean interior. His place is small, but it exudes a sense of class. Soaring ceilings hang overhead. Stainless steel appliances stand in the kitchen. In his living room, he has a plush leather sofa positioned near floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city lights.

There’s a coffee table in the room’s center, and it’s covered in pill bottles. Large, intimidating words are printed on the labels—coluracetam, L-theanine, ginkgo biloba…I don’t recognize any of this shit. There’s even a little plastic bag filled with mushrooms. Is it psilocybin?

Maybe coming here was a bad idea.

“So, this is where the magic happens?” I force out a chuckle and sit on his sofa.