Re: Life - Business & Technology

Chapter 53 - Future Education

President Obama's speech calmed most of the populace down from the incident, but some were skeptical. Many were wondering if their data had been compromised by hackers or even the government.

A caucasian man in his early 30s wearing glasses and semi-casual clothes watched the news broadcast on his phone. After quitting the NSA due to his political beliefs, Edward Snowden started working at Booz Allen Hamilton as an infrastructure analyst, otherwise known as a hacker.

[The masses think they're safe from cyber security threats but are none the wiser. Future Tech is innovative in protecting their data, and it seems that more people are learning how dangerous the internet can be.] So Snowden thought after watching the news segment.

He gathered evidence regarding the government's unethical data handling while working at Booz Allen Hamilton, doing the same thing at Dell a few months ago.

His worldview was turned upside down after working for the NSA in many foreign countries. While in Japan, he was tasked to investigate mass surveillance in central Asia and found it all to be true.

Shortly after, the United States started doing the same to Americans using the same techniques the NSA stole.

[The moment is right. I have enough evidence already, and releasing it right now while cyber threats are a hot topic will be perfect for sending my message everywhere.] Snowden pondered.

He started compiling all the evidence he had accrued over the past few years and bought a ticket to Hong Kong. Snowden planned to meet Glenn Greenwald, a journalist from The Guardian away from US soil.

General Douglas called Price regarding the new deal to be ironed out.

"Good day, Price. The President approved $50 billion from our discretionary fund to award Future Security a new contract. I've done some research and plan to order military spec AVs, Stingrays, 5 ASR-1s, Dragonflies, and the training for maintenance and piloting. A small number of the Colt Defense-licensed M4FT rifles for testing in SOCOM and various ammunition types. The President also requests Future Tech to upgrade our current network systems in all foreign US military bases." the General stated.

"That can all be arranged. The training sessions will take place in our facilities around the United States. We got plenty of them after I bought Andrews International." Price replied.

"Good to hear you'll be able to accommodate my men. The contract is good for one year, and I expect you will hold your end of the bargain." General Douglas stated before bidding farewell.

Price then contacted David to update him about the negotiations and called Andreas to place the expedited orders for the military.

Price opened a communication channel, and Anthony connected.

"Your new mission is to lead a nethunter team to upgrade network security at all foreign US military bases. I'll assign an FS detachment for your protection and Hive Mind sets for your use," Price instructed.

"Understood. I better get bonus pay for leaving my comfy office, Price." Anthony replied jokingly.

"You're already paid a million times more than you would at any information technology consulting firm, but fine, your team will get a bonus." Price yielded and ended the call.

He talked walked out of his office to find Alexis, the sub-director for Future Education.

He saw a pretty caucasian woman in her late 20s talking to some local Afghan children. The populace well appreciated the Future Tech training facility at Kandahar, and many men and women found an opportunity here when none could be found before.

Future Education has been testing new teaching tools and methods for adults attempting to get Future Tech certified and children who want to learn the basics.

FT Education bundled unreleased Future Tech products like the AI-processed real-time language translators and Mixed Reality Visors with augmented reality interactive teaching tools.

Farukh learned to pilot aerodyne vehicles so quickly because of his involvement in testing earlier versions.

Jessica and the software systems division implemented an operating system for the visors, while Rick and Sarah designed the user interface. The physical controls on the device were located near the temple of the head, and the visor itself employed eye-tracking.

Kyle and Future Studios developed software tools enabling the creation of custom augmented and virtual environments with the help of Epic through a multi-million dollar partnership contract.

Children can learn to read and write by listening to instructions through earphones and making writing gestures in the air.

Aerodyne pilots can connect a Future Tech laptop or computer to the mixed reality visor and experience crisp quality virtual reality practice simulations and the visor even works as a HUD while piloting.

The Kandahar training facility had plenty of mock aerodyne cockpits where students could learn while in VR.

"How's your work here at Kandahar going?" Price asked Alexis.

"It's been enjoyable teaching and helping the locals and your men. The Future Tech Mixed Reality Visor trial has been an enormous success. And the bonus was nice too." Alexis replied honestly.

"I'm glad you've been thriving in your role as the point-woman of Future Education. For now, I'll be assigning you to train US military troops and pilots to use and maintain Future Tech products. You're currently a sub-division director and have done great work growing our training capabilities. I'll ask Vince to promote your subdivision if you fulfill this mission within the contract year. Price instructed.

Alexis perked up when she heard about the potential promotion.

"Of course, director. I'll accept this mission. Thank you!" Alexis replied joyously.

[I have to take every chance I get. Life was rough when I became a teacher, but it all turned around after using my management degree and finding this random job in Kandahar.] Alexis pondered.

"I have faith in you. However, you've only worked with Future Tech for a few months. A year is enough of a timeframe for Vince to judge Future Education's worth. Therefore, I'll allocate $5 billion from the contract as a budget injection for you. Don't let Vince down."

[That should be enough for the General's men.] Price thought.

Alexis was surprised to hear about money in the billions of dollars suddenly.

"I can assure you we'll train the troops well and create more profitable avenues for the long run," Alexis replied confidently.

She immediately opened the corporate store and ordered enough sets of MVRs based on the outline Price had given her.

Each aerodyne pilot in Kandahar made an average of $200 thousand annually, twice as much as the industry standard, mainly due to the higher risk of death on the battlefield.

The FS Kandahar branch employed 80 stingrays and 80 FAV-1s. And almost all of the pilots were Afghan. So while most other countries were busy legalizing aerodyne vehicles, Kandahar locals were piloting AVs daily when patrolling and performing missions.

Future Tech employed many other experienced and trained locals now that three months had passed since the facilities' founding.

The economy of Kandahar had reached an all-time height due to reasonably high wages shared by many in the community.

American stores and franchises like Walmart that primarily served the SpaceX and Future Tech employees expanded with more branches across the city.

Larger biospheres were in construction to grow more crops and perform further testing for the inevitable mission to the moon, providing cheap labor jobs to anyone interested in helping with Future Tech's research.

The energy was cheap in the region as crude oil was abundant, and Future Tech bought oil directly from the China National Petroleum Corporation, which legally mines oil in Afghanistan.

The Kandahar branch housed a material science unit that refined fuel for use in AVs and Stingrays. Further research and development were invested in creating more efficient versions of the fuel complex and advancing jet fuel technology with SpaceX petroleum engineers.

[This city is a considerable asset that Future Tech has invested billions in over the past few months. I'll have to put more effort into defending the city, especially after what Ashkan had said. Maybe something like the Israeli Iron Dome defense system would be a good option. I may have to talk to Vince about it.] Price pondered while walking back to his office.

Stats last time checked:

Future Tech current valuation - $300 billion

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

$85 Billion cash in Future Tech

21,000+ employees (FT AI, Future Studios, Hive Mind Manufacturing, FT Micro Devices, BitCash, FT VR, Future Tech F1, FT Investments, Future Arms, Future Med, Future Tech Robotics)

20,000+ operators under Future Security

Personal 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)