Re: Life - Business & Technology

The Arena Pro League committee invited Vince to present Clear Sky the Season 2 Championship trophy.

Vince was escorted to the main stage and gave the trophy to Charlatan after congratulating their team.

The crowd went wild in cheering after Charlatan raised the trophy above his head.

"Clear Sky! Clear Sky! Clear Sky!" the crowd chanted.

Vince walked up to a dejected Prime Alliance team outside their gaming booth in an attempt to console the loss.

"You did your best, guys. But, a new season is just around the corner, and you'll have your revenge like what Clear Sky did to avenge their close loss last season." Vince said to Prime Alliance.

"I messed up. Charlatan played me like a kid's toy, and I ended up losing us the match." Fortis said with some tears flowing down his eyes.

"Charlatan played an insane series, but you were able to match his damage role like you were a top offensive player in APL. You're the most flexible player in the league, and you should work on this with your team to win the next season." Vince said reassuringly.

"Thank you for the kind words, Mr. Dalton. We won't let you down!" Fortis declared after feeling a bit better.

"You can call me Vince. I'll be expecting your rivalry with Charlatan not to end here." Vince said before leaving.

[$10 million in prize money is nothing to scoff at, but Prime Alliance will make hundreds of millions as a franchise team from merchandise, advertisements, and the APL itself. Prize money is just a bonus.] Vince thought.

Mr. Lee met with Vince to bid his farewells before leaving the stadium.

Vince and Leah were escorted to the local airport in armored SUVs immediately after the event.

Vince decided to spend the night in the Dreamliner while flying back to Austin instead of extending their stay in South Korea until the next day.

It was almost Christmas time, and Vince had been too busy to buy Leah and his friends some gifts.

[The executives and managers will appreciate a Christmas bonus, but I don't know about the others.] Vince thought.

Vince knocked on the door of one of the private jet's rooms.

"Mom, Are you busy? I want to know what you want for Christmas. We were so busy last year that we didn't have the chance to celebrate." Vince asked.

"You can come in, Vince. I don't need anything and would love any gift you'd give me, I promise." Leah replied.

"Okay, I believe you, but how about Kyle, Jessica, Rick, and Sarah? What do you suggest I give them?" Vince asked

"Material things won't be a good idea. All of them are making plenty of money from Future Tech already. How about some time off and vacation for their families?" Leah replied.

"Mom, you're a genius! Thanks for the suggestion. I'll be leaving now." Vince said before returning to his room in the Dreamliner.

Vince ordered a new 787 Dreamliner that his friends and their families could use to travel worldwide on vacation. The new private jet would be made available to executive directors after the Christmas season.

[Boeing can't build the new jet in a few weeks. So I'll lend them this Dreamliner to use in the meantime.] Vince thought.

Their group landed in Austin before heading back to the headquarters.

Vince noticed hundreds of security personnel patrolling around the building and within the corridors.

It was mid-day, and Vince decided to check on Future Tech Robotics, a new department recently separated from the AI and Hive Mind departments.

Vince walked through the futuristic offices and found the newly appointed executive director of Robotics, Heidi.

She had flowing orange hair and caucasian features. Heidi had been working under Patel since the start of the Hive Mind project. Hudson's department review determined that Heidi McGuire was the best candidate for the new position.

She was in her 20's and had yet to reach her prime but was already a brilliant robotics engineer.

[She's an essential asset for the growth of the Robotics division.] Vince thought before entering Heidi's office.

"Good to see, Heidi. Congratulations on your promotion." Vince declared.

"Thank you, Vince. It's been a long time. Patel usually did the leg work in meeting with you regarding our projects. What can I do for you?" Heidi asked.

[I forgot how hot Heidi was. I've been missing out.] Vince thought pervertedly.

"I was just curious how the IED sweeper bot project was going," Vince asked.

"The department is already pursuing other projects. The sweeper bots were too easy to develop compared to the Dragonfly drones." Heidi replied proudly.

"I've been busy working with Price and Future Security the past few weeks. Could you please refresh my mind on what the robotics division is currently developing?" Vince asked, embarrassed.

"No issue, Vince. The division is focusing on research and development in nanomachines. The Hive Mind manufacturing process had become precise enough to fabricate computer embedded nanites at low costs." Heidi explained.

"What are the potential applications of nanites you've discovered?" Vince asked.

"The bioengineers working at the VR division have been testing nanite biochips as a control system for deep-sleep virtual reality, though the trials with rats have been failures," Heidi replied.

"Share your findings with Morgan. Future Tech Micro Devices might find something of use in your research."

"I see potential in this nanite project. Notify me if you find your 2013 budget lacking." Vince said before taking his leave.

[Future Med may be able to get the nanites working. But, unfortunately, the VR division is too small to make a breakthrough with something as advanced as nanites.] Vince thought while walking to Leah's office.

"How's the creation of Future Med going?" Vince asked.

"I called Dr. Sera when we arrived from the airport. She and her team agreed to join Future Med. I'm so excited to see them again!" Leah replied happily.

"I'm glad she accepted the offer. But, unfortunately, I'll need Future Med to expand quickly, and her team isn't enough. So I'll ask Hudson to help you recruit around 5,000 medical researchers and field doctors to start." Vince stated.

"Whatever. As long Dr. Sera's team works for Future Tech," Leah replied.

[I'm suspecting mom has a thing for Dr. Sera. I don't care, though, so it doesn't matter.] Vince thought as he walked towards Hudson's office.

"Hudson, please help my mother recruit medical experts for Future Med, a new division in the company. Around 5,000 to start and also hire specialists in medical nanomachines that'll collaborate with the robotics division in some projects." Vince instructed.

"How much is your budget?" Hudson asked.

"The $10 billion I gave mom will be your budget, but call me if you need more," Vince replied before going back to the penthouse.

He called Kyle, Jessica, Rick, and Sarah to grant access to the Dreamliner jet for use during their vacation, which will all be paid for by Vince as their Christmas present.

They appreciated the Christmas present and thanked Vince before they all started working again.

[I'll need legal protection in foreign countries now that the business is expanding outward. My partnership with Kemp-Jacobs will have to be reconsidered.] Vince thought.

He called David to meet him at his penthouse office to discuss the matter.

"What do you require, Vince?" David asked while sitting down on the sofa.

"How confident is Kemp-Jacobs in protecting my legal interests in South Korea and Afghanistan?" Vince asked seriously.

"We've been training our paralegals and partners foreign and international laws in preparation for Future Tech's inevitable expansion. So what's concerning you?" David replied.

"I take my partnership with Kemp-Jacobs personally because of all the help the law firm has done for my family. I want to invest in Kemp-Jacobs and become my primary legal force worldwide. The law firm can still represent your current clients, but no new clients are allowed without screening." Vince offered.

[The Deloitte accountants already left their firm, and the entire accounting department formally joined Future Tech a long time ago.] Vince thought.

"Accepting the offer is not my decision to make, but I'll send it up to Marcia," David replied.

"Thank you, David. Tell her my initial offer is $5 billion." Vince said before David took his leave.

[Legal troubles will be a nightmare when I eventually go toe to toe with President Lee. I'll need Kemp-Jacobs' full cooperation.] Vince pondered.

Stats last time checked:

Future Tech current valuation - $300 billion

15 million BTC (currently trades at $1,000)

$80 Billion cash in Future Tech

10,000+ employees (FT AI, Future Studios, Hive Mind Manufacturing, FT Micro Devices, BitCash, Future Security, FT VR, Future Tech F1, FT Investments, Future Arms, Future Med. Future Tech Robotics)

Vehicles: Klassen Phantom, Agera R, Agera SFV, Boeing Luxury 787 Dreamliner

Five company collaborators (Epic, Koenegisegg, SpaceX, Tesla, Hyundai C&E)

Dozens of investments under Future Tech Holdings (i..e., Instagram)