Getting a Technology System in Modern Day - Chapter 884 - 884: Watering the Seed
“I understand your reluctance, but my proposal doesn’t violate the restrictions placed on you,” Minister Youssef replied calmly, the confidence in his tone making it clear they had already considered such limitations. “Our side won’t receive any wormhole technology, we’ll simply provide mana stones for their operation. Your side would handle all technical aspects. We’d share the profits as business partners.”
He leaned slightly forward. “Think of it as us being shareholders. You manage the operations; we invest and receive dividends. That way, we maintain full compliance, we never come into direct contact with the technology.”
“If that’s the case,” the representative said after a pause, “and the wormhole use is restricted within our own territories, then yes, it might be possible. But I’ll still need to report this back home before anything can move forward.”
His tone remained neutral, but the subtle shift in his expression was enough; he was already hopeful and leaning toward agreement.
“No problem at all,” Youssef said, rising to his feet. “We’ll await your government’s response on this and the VR matter. Thank you for your time.”
He extended his hand, and the two exchanged a firm handshake before the representative exited the meeting room, formally concluding their discussion.
“Do you think this will yield the results we expect?” Youssef asked as he settled back into his chair.
{Most likely, this proposal is generous enough to make them view the VR technology in a more favorable light. It increases the chances of them accepting it individually, even if it fails to gain a Conclave-wide majority,} his AI assistant replied, materializing beside him. She had been present the entire time, simply invisible.
“Yeah, let’s hope these two elements are significant enough for them to overlook the risks,” Youssef muttered. He understood clearly, if the Empire didn’t take proactive steps to increase the appeal of the VR technology, it would be difficult to overcome the wariness surrounding its potential threats.
If VR remained as a means of shortening communication distances and doubling available time, those alone might be considered valuable enough to secure approval. Still, the risk of rejection was high. But when paired with the wormhole proposal, a real-world equivalent of shortening the distances between star systems, it might be just enough to tip the scales.
Together, these technologies had the potential to unify and transform previously isolated economies, spurring massive growth and revitalization across all sectors. Governments, too, would benefit from being able to assert territorial control and respond to crises far more swiftly. What used to take months or years could now be done in days or weeks, fast enough to intercept pirates or quell rebellions before they had time to entrench or escape.
{Sir, the next representative has accepted our meeting request,} his assistant informed him.
“Bring him in,” Youssef said, rising from his seat. A practiced smile formed on his face as the new representative materialized. He extended his hand, his tone warm but measured. “Forgive me for having the meeting take place in VR instead of the real world, just a precaution to avoid prying eyes.”
He spoke as if it were his first meeting of the day, knowing full well it wouldn’t be his last. Every representative at the Trade Hub had received the same invitation.
…………………..
While the Empire was focused on ensuring the Conclave accepted the VR technology, somewhere far away, in silence and isolation, a different seed of the Empire was being watered.
PSSSTT. A soft hiss of gas escaped as the medpod, sealed tightly for over a week, finally opened. The man inside remained still for a few moments, the faint mist dissipating around him before his eyes slowly blinked open. Then, with a quiet inhale, he sat upright.
“There’s… really no trace of any of my previous injuries,” he murmured, staring at his hands, once bloodied and scarred from years of slavery and the recent attack, now smooth and unblemished, not even a shadow of a callus left.
{Welcome back, Dreznor,} a familiar voice chimed softly.
Little Protagonist materialized in her usual miniature form, her projection hovering just above his eye level like a guardian spirit. Seeing her brought an involuntary smile to his face.
“Thank you,” he replied, reaching out instinctively, but his hand passed right through her, a gentle reminder that she existed only as a projection in his neural interface.
Looking around, everything in the medbay seemed pristine, like it had just been manufactured. Yet there was something in the layout that gave him a strange sense of familiarity, as if he had used this ship for decades.
Then it hit him. His eyes widened.
Without another word, he quickly dressed, donning a space suit with practiced ease. He made his way to the ship’s airlock and stepped out into the larger hangar.
His breath caught in his throat.
It was his ship. Or rather, what remained of it.
The silence of the hangar was absolute, the kind only space could provide. Dreznor hesitated for a long moment, his gloved hands clenching slightly before he exhaled and moved forward.
He knew exactly where to go.
Each time he came across a body, he stopped, gently picking it up and carrying it to the open space at the center of the hangar. One by one, with reverence and solemnity, he laid them down. His friends. His crewmates. His family. The ones who didn’t survive.
Despite the time that had passed, the bodies hadn’t decomposed. The vacuum of space had ejected all atmosphere from the ship, the lack of atmospheric pressure resulted in all of the boldly fluids to vaporize quickly, and the cold had preserved them in a dry, mummified state. There was no smell, no rot, just the haunting stillness of death that had been paused by the universe itself.
He didn’t speak, but his actions were clear. He was preparing them for burial, not just as a ritual, but as a promise.
The Little Protagonist’s creator had given him a second chance.
And he would repay it, with purpose.
