Re: Life - Business & Technology

Chapter 91 - Visiting Austin

(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 20!)

(3D character designs updated with Rick and Sarah Meyers! Check it out in aux chapter)

A beautiful and sunny day blessed Austin's residents who enjoyed spending time in the outdoors.

FS operators could hear laughter from a picnic area twenty feet away, within their line of sight.

"Thank you for taking me here, Vince. The weather, scenery, and food are fantastic!" Hailee said sincerely.

"We're lucky cause it's usually too hot during summers here. I'm glad you're enjoying our short escapade this morning. I have a meeting with my NetServ director at the headquarters. So you can visit Sarah and the others while I'm busy with work if that's fine with you." Vince replied warmly.

"Please, I've wanted to catch up with your crew for a while now. So let's go?" Hailee replied.

Vince stood up and took responsibility for cleaning up the picnic set delivered by his staff earlier.

Having his FS escort clean up after them never crossed Vince's mind because he respected the veteran soldiers and understood their job was to protect him.

Soon, the group made their way back to the Flyga parked near the entrance, and it took off moments after boarding.

The Flyga arrived at the Future Tech headquarters after a few minutes of flight due to how close Zilker Park was to downtown.

Vince's dutiful android butler greeted and welcomed the couple as they landed above the penthouse.

"Hailee, meet Aiya, the most advanced android project in Future Tech. She's one of a kind." Vince said proudly.

"You're words are too kind, Vince. It's my pleasure to serve you to the best of my ability as Vince's guest, Hailee." Aiya stated.

"Thank you, Aiya. I'll need the support considering how much has changed in this city." Hailee replied in gratitude.

Vince kissed her on the cheek goodbye before he left for a meeting with Azuma and Edward at NetServ.

"See you later and have fun. My mom is in her office in case you want to visit her." Vince said.

"Of course, I do! Aiya can help me find my way. So don't work too hard until I see you again tonight." Hailee affectionately declared.

An ashen-haired beautiful woman in her late 30s was busy designing apparel using Infinity tools and a boutique Hive Mind drone specifically for producing clothing.

Leah's designs were becoming more sophisticated and neo-modern, making them incomparable to her contemporaries such as Gianni Versace and Giorgio Armani.

While waiting for the drone to finish producing her latest prototype design, Leah heard a knock on her office door.

"Come in," Leah said calmly.

Aiya remained by the door while Hailee approached the queen of Future Tech.

"Good to see you again, Leah. I remember our time on The Longhorn fondly. How have you and Dr. Sera been the past month?" Hailee asked courteously.

"We've been well, thank you for asking, young lady. Did my son at least show you a good time out earlier this morning?" Leah asked curiously.

"Yes, he did. We had a pleasant picnic, and I enjoyed it very much. What's this new dress?" Hailee replied after noticing the newly produced apparel design.

"Do you like it? It's for Future Couture's fall collection, though only a prototype." Leah explained.

"I'm fond of the different types of materials used throughout the design. I'd love to buy one when it's available. Alice showed me around the Future Couture store at Rodeo Drive, and it's quite impressive." Hailee replied honestly.

"Come on, don't act like a stranger. Why buy one if I can make one for you right now?" Leah objected and quickly had Hailee stand next to the Hive Mind Dresser the size of a large refrigerator.

Leah clicked a few buttons on her Infinity Tablet, and the machine started taking Hailee's measurements while the manufacturing compartment worked on the physical product.

The two women spoke and caught up with each other for a few minutes while the HMD worked its magic.

Leah chose a different color scheme compared to the prototype, which she thought suited Hailee, purple and gold.

Hailee thanked Leah profusely and excitedly entered the dressing area in Leah's huge office to change into her new outfit.

She emerged from the dressing room looking like a bonafide lady Future Tech executive and would fit right in amongst Heidi, Alexis, and Ms. Miller.

"Stunning, darling. Marvelous. I can tell you have modeling experience, Hailee." Leah commented as she clapped her hands softly.

"I love it, Leah. Your clothing is completely different from the typical designer stores, so I'm curious about what inspired your designs for Future Couture." Hailee asked while she spun in front of the full-body mirror.

"Working at Future Tech made me appreciate the simplicity of patterns and symmetry. It's my version of the 'neo-modern' style. But my knowledge is mostly based on design books and resources I read during my treatment rest days. Sera encouraged me to pursue hobbies as a form of rehab while she supported me throughout the process." Leah explained honestly.

"I can see why you hold her to such high regard. Thank you for the insight, and I'm glad your treatments were successful." Hailee replied genuinely.

"Me too. Alright, you better say hello to Vince's friends, or they'll hold it against you as a joke for a long time. So I'll see you at dinner tonight." Leah stated kindly.

Hailee bade farewell before Aiya escorted her to the Future Studios offices. 

Jessica worked at the Software Dev division and Future Tech AI, so Hailee could only find Kyle, Sarah, and Rick amongst the hundreds of media developers ranging from video game architecture to VFX animation artists.

Unfortunately, the entire development roster couldn't fit in the headquarters, and the thousands of devs were based at the Tech Campus instead.

Most of the staff observed the arrival of an iconic actor, especially to people in the south. But none chose to bother her for autographs due to their professionalism.

[This is quite the operation they got going here.] Hailee pondered as an acclaimed media professional herself.

Aiya brought Hailee to Future Studios' lounge area, where Kyle, Rick, and Sarah were already waiting, having been contacted prior.

"Welcome to Future Studios, our little home away from home," Kyle stated.

"Thanks. It's been a hot minute, huh?" Hailee replied.

"Sure has been. How's the Hollywood hustle been treating you lately?" Sarah interjected.

"My agent's still negotiating and hunting for a good deal, leaving me bored out of my mind with homeschool," Hailee replied honestly.

"Homeschool is the least fun activity, I one hundred percent agree." Rick gave his two cents.

"Though watching Twitch and Instagram livestreams and playing War Online or Everlife kept me entertained. Though, the more free time allowed me to pursue other passions like music at least." Hailee explained.

"You write music, Hailee? Who would've guessed Hailee here was multi-talented." Kyle joked casually.

[My pent-up feelings were so intense that I had to write music to release a bit of tension in my heart.] Hailee pondered but was too embarrassed to say out loud.

"Give our guest a break, Kyle. Not everyone is like us, being able to take your relentless teasing." Sarah scolded in banter.

"Alright, alright. If you're passionate about music, then you'll appreciate our music studio located just around the corner from here." Kyle explained.

A short walk later, their group arrived at Future Studios' in-house music production facility, primarily used for creating video game soundtracks and sound effects.

There were seven young men inside the recording booth while another was working behind the soundproof glass as a producer. One thing they all had in common was being Korean.

"This studio is crazy! Comparable to the mainstream music studios in LA, for sure!" Hailee commented excitedly, initially ignoring the people inside.

"We contracted Pharrell Williams to produce the Everlife soundtrack and included his consultation for setting up this music studio. All I can say is, it was expensive."Kyle replied.

"Awesome! So who are these guys?" Hailee asked inquisitively.

"During the South Korean financial crisis, FT Investments bought out numerous South Korean companies which included Big Hit Entertainment if I'm not mistaken. That's Pdogg, the producer, and those guys are known as the 'Bangtan Boys'. Their first studio album is a work-in-progress so you've probably never heard of them." Sarah explained.

"Directors, we thank you again for allowing us to record in your studio. The one we have in Seoul isn't half as good." Pdogg stated sincerely with his thick Korean accent.

"Don't mention it. We're all family here at Future Tech." Rick interjected.

"Also, our esteemed guest here apparently loves music so let's entertain her when you're done with the recording session if you don't mind," Kyle instructed with an air of authority.

"Of course, Director Kyle. We would be happy to be of service to miss?" Pdogg asked with his broken yet understandable English.

"My name is Hailee. And I would really appreciate a rundown on how stuff works in the music studio, Pdogg." She stated truthfully.

Stats last time checked: 

Future Tech current valuation - $300 billion 

15 million BTC (currently trades at $25,000) 

$16 Billion cash in Future Tech 

105,000+ 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, Future Education, Epic Games, 60% of SpaceX, 10% of Tesla, 10% of Koenigsegg) 

20,000+ operators under Future Security 

Personal Vehicles: Klassen Phantom, Agera R, Agera SFV, Boeing Luxury 787 Dreamliner, The Longhorn, Flyga

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

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