Re: Life - Business & Technology

(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!

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

It was a typical Saturday noon in Austin when a Future Tech 787 taxied towards a private hangar.

Fortis enjoyed the comfortable flight and said, "Here, I thought flying First-class was already amazing. Your jet is incomparable."

"Naturally. If I sail in style, I'll also fly in style. As you can tell by the CAV over there." Vince said, referring to his Koenigsegg Flyga parked next to an FS FAV-1.

Fortis rushed to the exotic AV to examine it and excitedly said, "I've grown to love CAVs after hanging around with you, dude! Where can I buy one? How much?"

Vince didn't remember what it cost but replied, "Christian is in town overseeing his factory's construction. I can introduce you later today to ask him directly."

Fortis was pumped and shouted, "Hell yeah! It's a beautiful piece of art compared to the typical Ford or General Motors CAVs."

Jaden was skeptical of his cousin's desire for the most expensive CAV in the market and said, "Cuz, are you sure about that? I heard the Flyga costs like $10 million or somethin'."

Fortis wasn't the shy type with his finances and defensively replied, "The APL is poppin', bro. FaZe Clan offered me $50 million under the table to switch sides during the off-season cause we beat them at every regional final, but I'm still with Prime Alliance. So I told you, Cuz. You should've joined my team when you had the chance."

Jade and Alice began coughing in disgust and disbelief as he thought, [I'm making millions but not tens of millions. So maybe he was right, after all.]

And even Hailee was surprised to hear such a significant sum, not even stipulated in a contract.

Vince knew about the APL's finances well and wasn't surprised to hear the league MVP was earning as much, if not more, than the likes of David Beckham and Lebron James.

Future Tech was raking in hundreds of millions worth of advertising space and from the Bitcash betting platform available to NetServ subscribers 21 and older.

Not to mention the War Online player base itself, which continuously contributes to the Infinity Marketplace eco-system.

Vince was feeling mischievous and said, "You know I can get you and FaZe Clan fined for colluding to circumvent APL franchise policy."

Fortis started to sweat a little and replied, "Come on, Vince. Nothing came of the deal with FaZe. Hecz hooked me up, and we're happy. So please don't tell anybody."

Vince got a good laugh from Fortis' shaky response and said, "I'm just messin' with you, bro. That's the APL commissioner's problem if it ever does come to light."

Jaden was a bit scared for his cousin and interjected, "Cuz, be careful about what you say, especially around APL staff here in Austin. That big mouth of yours will get you into trouble."

Before exploring the rapidly growing city, Vince and his entourage decided to settle in at his Barton Creek manor.

All five of them fit comfortably in the exquisite Flyga while a FAV-1 escort followed towards Vince's home.

The three friends were in awe of Dalton Manor's size and aesthetic as they landed on the AV pad, and Alice said, "I've seen all the houses in Beverly Hills and Bel Air, but this one has to be bigger than any of them."

Hailee went for an inside joke and replied, "Vince's previous house was even larger than this."

Vince stared at Hailee while remembering their shared moment at his old home before giving her a quick peck on the lips.

"Haiz, you little brat," Vince said as he playfully chased Hailee throughout the central atrium.

A few house staff members arrived to assist Vince's guests settling in at the guest wing of the manor.

The young couple finally stopped running as they reached the hedge maze at the mansion's expansive backyard.

Vince pointed at the pergola located in the center of the maze before they both sat down and relished in nature.

Hailee loved the hedge trees and rustic scent of the old wild west, reminding her of shooting True Grit a few years ago in New Mexico.

Vince sat down near the fountain and asked, "I'm free on Saturdays, so what would you like to do?"

Hailee valued the thought of Vince considering her decision but replied, "What do you usually do on your off days? Drive around the Agera SFV?"

"I usually hang out with Kyle and the others. Though, I attend classes at the Fury Gym twice instead of once a day during the weekends." Vince patiently explained.

"How about I join you for a class? I've never done martial arts before, and I'm pretty interested." Hailee honestly replied.

"Will it be ungracious of us to leave Alice and the others by themselves?" Vince inquired.

"I'm sure they'll have fun if they come with us. It's only an hour and a half, right?" Hailee stated.

"Alright, but before we go back inside, I want to tell you something important." Vince earnestly stated.

Hailee remained silent to give her counterpart a moment to speak.

Vince said, "Now that you're living in Austin indefinitely, I'd like to explain a few things. First, I didn't want to bring this up when you asked if you could live with me. I was scared you'd take it the wrong way like I didn't want you in my life, and I hope you don't think less of me after."

"Haiz, I'll be honest. There are some things I can't share with you for your own sake. I believe in Future Tech and what it can achieve in terms of helping society advance in a positive way, though we skirt the lines of legality. We're competing with conniving corporations and politicians, but I'm not afraid of using their own weapons against them."

[Especially the reincarnation voodoo magic thing that happened to me. Or else she'd think I'm crazy.] So Vince thought while waiting for Hailee to digest his frank explanation.

It took some time, but she recollected herself and supportively replied, "Thank you for opening up, but which billionaire didn't break a rule or two before becoming that rich? You have the biggest heart out of all of them, and I know for certain you're trying so hard to make your dreams a reality."

Vince was relieved to hear Hailee didn't take it the wrong way and cheerfully replied, "I'm lucky to have you here in Austin, Haiz."

Hailee's heart fluttered before she responded, "I'm the luckier girl who found her prince charming."

"Alright, princess of Future Tech. Let's unite with the others inside. I bet they're keen to explore the city." Vince said as he guided Hailee back to the manor.

Fortis ran up and down the wide corridors until he found Vince and said, "Dude, imagine how huge of a house party you could host here. It would be bananas!"

Vince replied, "I'll consider it, but my mom has been planning a charity ball or somethin' for a while now. But would you and the others be down for a quick MMA class at my friend's gym?"

Fortis was carefree and replied, "Yeah, I've got another week of free time before the regular season, so I'm down for anything right now."

Alice and Jaden arrived from the guest wing a few moments later and agreed. Vince had the Flyga take them to the local Future Couture storefront and procure the essentials like rash guards, gi sets, mouth guards, crotch guards, and compression shorts.

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

After a fifteen-minute AV commute, the group arrived at the downtown gym, then Vince guided them to the changing room before the noon session started.

While walking, Vince noticed a massive 18-year-old Caucasian-American man running on the anti-gravity treadmill, which Future Tech sponsored.

Vince took a moment to greet his friend and said, "Hey, How's training going, Tom?"

Tom Fury was in the zone but recognized his number one supporter and replied, "Vince, it's been going well. So who are these guys lookin' dapper in BJJ gear?"

Vince introduced the local MMA favorite to each of his friends and said, "My friend here will surely become the UFC champ one day. However, I feel like only Jon Jones is his match."

Tom shook his head and said, "Stop it, Vince. It's embarrassing. I'll be done with the treadmill before the session starts, so we'll see each other on the mats."

Hailee and Alice looked rather cute in their new outfits as they walked towards the training mat area where Brazilian Jiujitsu classes take place.

Vince explained, "We'll only be doing grappling today because kickboxing might be too much for our casual session. Mr. Fury usually teaches the class, but it changes sometimes."

They were a bit early, but it only took a few minutes before the rest of the gym members arrived for the Saturday class.

Tom's dad entered the training room as the clock hit noon and instructed the class to perform a quick warm-up before assigning Tom and another blackbelt to teach Vince's friends.

Mr.. Fury didn't mind the extra work considering everything Future Tech had done for his gym and son.