Re: Life - Business & Technology

Chapter 112 - Missing Warheads

(Comment here for anything you want to see on a new YouTube video about this novel and please vote using powerstones and golden tickets to get us within the top 10!)

Announcement: Please check the glossary/characters auxiliary chapter for updated concept art! 

-------------------------- 

While an FT-05 Super Galaxy transported the three Hammers and warhead containment units, Director Price discussed the mission review with General Dolan at the Kandahar US Air Force base.

Video footage of the successful raid played on a TV display, showing the Hammer unit engaging the enemy and securing the package from Hammer 1's point of view.

The General observed the footage closely before asking, "Why isn't there any sound, Director?"

Price closed his eyes and shook his head in disapproval as he turned on the audio recording featuring Master of Puppets by Metallica.

The General started chuckling before he commented, "I admit, the music fits well with the situation."

As a man of the Air Force, the first detail he focused on was the Hammer's flight capabilities and inquired, "Be honest with me, Price. How would your Heavy Power Armor fare against an F-35 Fighter Jet one versus one?"

Director Price thought about it for a moment before responding, "Jet fighters are too fast at 30,000 feet, but the Hammers are more agile and designed to fight in extreme atmospheric conditions. I can't say for certain which one will win until the weapons systems are completed."

The General calmed down and realized jet fighters and Hammers served different mission objectives and shouldn't be compared directly.

He then asked, "How much would the Pentagon have to pay for one of these?"

Director Price was already prepared for negotiating a preliminary deal in exchange for further support with investigations regarding Anarchy and the unknown warheads and replied, "With the beam rifle weapons system, a Hammer would cost around $100 million, before maintenance costs. But it's the amalgamation of Future Tech's various development initiatives worth more than $100 billion."

Vertical integration was a powerful strategy, given the correct amount of funding. Though deemed illegal in 1948, Future Tech was now lawfully safeguarded under the Protection of Domestic Innovation bill signed in 2013 led by Vince Dalton's political ally, President Barrack Obama.

General Dolan felt his heartache after hearing the Hammer's price and thought, [The F-35 program is way over budget at around $300 billion, and yet Future Tech was able to design such a unique but effective weapon with a fraction of the money. Is Lockheed Martin just scamming us?!]

Director Price broke the silence by saying, "Future Security is also willing to dispatch Hammer units to help the US military's efforts for fair compensation."

The General was content with the offer and replied, "Heavy Power Armors might be too expensive for the Air Force right now. But please update me regarding the warhead investigations; you have my full support."

-------------

Meanwhile, in Syria, President Bashar al-Assad spoke to his general, who he entrusted to purchase the warheads, and angrily said, "All dead or missing. No witnesses. Are you kidding me?! Where are my warheads, General Qadir?"

The Syrian general was scared shitless because it seemed like he stole the money and orchestrated a plan to cover it up and begged, "I've already paid Fawdaa for the warheads, but I promise you new ones after I speak with them again. Please, believe me."

Bashar al-Assad needed competent and loyal dogs and couldn't afford another execution. Hence, he forgave the general on the condition of either paying him back in cash or warheads before dismissing the meeting.

Bashar held tightly on his desk and pondered, [The Russians confirmed the warheads' arrival at Tartus, and Fawdaa transmitted us the missile system schematics after we sent the downpayment. So who's fucking with me?!]

---------------

While Vince enjoyed his time with friends at the Digital Den, he messaged Aiya to call Oliver, the Future Studios program director, to prepare the necessary equipment and staff to shoot an impromptu party music video at the Dalton Manor.

Their table got a bit too rowdy, with almost a dozen young people drinking, talking, and laughing out loud.

Like a Tech Campus supervisor and his colleague in the corner, the other patrons on the VIP floor weren't too annoyed, considering it was Vince Dalton's friends who were causing the ruckus.

Still, Vince felt a little embarrassed and said, "This spot is feeling a bit too crowded. Let's hang out at my place while the film crew prepares their stuff. Oh, and here's my address for your other ZTA sisters."

Hailee agreed and replied, "That's a good idea. Alice and the others haven't explored the backyard and swimming pool yet. Though I think we have to balance out the gender proportions a bit. Hey, Tom. Can you have some of your gym's fighters join us for the video?"

Tom was very interested in this topic as a pro who appreciated the promotion and advertising side of the MMA business and replied, "A few of our guys have recently signed with Bellator and One FC, so I think this would be good social media exposure for them."

Hailee was ecstatic about her vision of a party music video coming to life and merrily replied, "Perfect! so we'll meet at Vince's place in thirty minutes?"

The others cheerfully agreed before paying the tab and taking their own vehicles to Barton Creek as a Flyga, and a few CAVs departed from the Digital Den's AV pad.

Leah greeted them as they arrived at the manor, and she said, "It's a pleasure to see y'all again after our trip on The Longhorn. How did your business meetings go in LA, Vince?"

He honestly answered, "They went well, mom. Thanks for asking. Do you mind if we throw a party at the swimming pool area for a music video?"

Leah pondered for a moment before replying, "It's your house too, Vince. But don't do anything too unreasonable. I trust you to keep the place in one piece. I just arrived from the Headquarters, but I'm headed elsewhere with Sera for the rest of the day. So I'll be back later tonight or tomorrow."

An FS escort followed Leah into a CAV, and it flew towards the Tech Campus, where Dr. Sera and other executives lived.

Vince instructed a staff member to assign Tom a room in the guest wing to freshen up for the party while the others headed to their own quarters.

Hailee tried on a few outfits for Vince before deciding the best one for the music video as he asked, "You aren't going to make me dance again, right?"

They shared a quick laugh before she answered, "No dance routines for this one, but a bit of camera interaction would be nice. You know, I noticed you giving the Asian ZTA chick a perverted look earlier."

Vince got a bit worried but calmed down and reassuringly replied, "It was an innocent look. And believe me when I say you're my only partner, Haiz."

Hailee wasn't too mad and commented, "I admit, she's pretty hot at 21 and a bit more developed than me."

Vince regretted being too obvious at staring earlier and honestly replied, "Haiz, you know that's not true. I'm the luckiest person to have a partner as perfect as you. Talented, warmhearted, beautiful, and more!"

Hailee valued Vince's consolation and said, "Alright, I'll forgive you. But you have to make it up to me later tonight. I won't take no for an answer."

Vince didn't want to argue before the party started and replied, "Okay, I promise, Haiz. The production staff and Oliver just finished preparing the lights and cameras, so let's head downstairs."

----------------

A Taiwanese-American man in his late 20s led his staff around the manor and was ready to start filming.

Hailee wanted to get the video shoot out of the way first and worked closely with Oliver to direct her vision. The rest either drank free alcohol provided by Vince or took a dip in the massive swimming pool under the afternoon sun.

The pool party was well underway as around twenty ZTA sisters from the University of Texas, and six fighters from Tom's gym arrived to fill the area with more attractive people.

Young women in either a bathing suit or a two-piece bikini danced and partied with Vince's friends. At the same time, the fighters wore swimming trunks and carried a few girls around for the video as Hailee's song "Party Pop" played via the integrated speaker system throughout the manor.

Hailee made sure to include her friends in the video as cameo appearances, persuading everyone to get involved; even the stubborn Kyle got into the groove and started dancing to the catchy tune like everybody else.

Hailee was content with the swimming pool and exotic cars scene, using Vince's Agera SFV and Agera R in the background a few hours later.

Though the music video shoot was over and Oliver's team had left, the party was far from done, as Fortis and Tom entertained the guests with their wild antics.

Vince's friends didn't really party too much because of their young age and only drank alcohol at places they could. So it was natural Kyle, Jessica, Rick, and Sarah were enjoying themselves with random and familiar company.

Around midnight, plenty of the guests was either too drunk or high, so Vince graciously offered to dispatch CAVs to take them home.

A few ZTA chicks remained like Tom and Fortis' girls for the night while Vince headed to his lavish bedroom, posh like everything else in the Dalton Manor.

Hailee entered the room a few moments later and mischievously asked, "Do you remember promising me you won't say no to anything tonight?"

Vince admitted it and helplessly replied, "Alright, what do you want me to do?"

Hailee gave him an evil smile before opening to door, revealing Yui, the Japanese-American university senior, and declared, "Do us both."

Vince took a moment and pondered, [Am I getting punked right now?!]