On the 5th of May, we had our usual Tuesday meeting. The first after the weapons test yesterday. Michael already had arranged for Vandermeer to get the license for all the weapons we demonstrated, except the proton lance and the disruptor, as stated, for a flat 5% of the net price Vandermeer would sell them.

The smart ones among you probably already realized that that would give us nothing for weapons they build for their own use, but frankly, that was intended. Heck, we even let them build the anti-ship weapons for their own military after all.

They just could not sell them. They were our firm allies nonetheless.

So there I was, sipping my coffee, while I waited for the rest of the board to arrive. I was still thinking that we should have those meetings in VR, mind you. Just the time factor was worth it. Heck, every one of them was reasonably intelligent, they had the best hardware available at the moment, and we had a rather secure, private network, thanks to the Q-links.

All in all, we should be able to have those meetings at something approaching 60:1.

I pleaded in vain though, as all the others thought meeting in the real world was the thing to do.

It was when Marcel came in a bit harried as the last of us, Michael started the meeting. OK, he waited until Marcel actually had sat down, and had his coffee, before he began.

“Well, now that we are all here, let’s start. James, how is the build-up going?”

“We are getting a bit faster thanks to the increased number of bots working, but the bottleneck is still the number of buildings we can raise. The conversion into a factory is quickly done after that.”

James sighed and smiled at me.

“It would be faster if Vivian would just give us her Constructor. It is insane how fast this thing works.”

I -barely- managed to withstand the urge to roll my eyes. We had this very same discussion so often since my Constructor came out of the water dome it was becoming boring by now.

“As I said before, get your own. Or wait until I am done with mine.”

“But it takes two months to build one. I need it now.”

“And I have started yours three weeks ago. So five weeks to go. You can wait that long.”

“But think about all the money we are losing.”

I raised my eyebrow.

“You mean a profit after taxes of what, $120 billion per month is not enough? We are still a double-A and earn more than Enertech, a triple-A already. We can wait.”

Michael interrupted us mildly before James could give another argument.

“James, let it go. Yes, the Constructor would be a serious boon, but I have to remind you that this was not an Enki project. It was designed and built solely by Vivian, with her own money. She sourced the materials and provided the fusactors and the replicator, the water dome, the bots, and everything. She did the same for the second one, that you will get in five weeks. So let it go, OK?”

James literally sulked but nodded visibly reluctantly.

“Yeah, fine. I let it go.”

That made Michael nod, and then continue:

“While you are in the spotlight, how is the Manhattan project going?”

“Quite well. We will get the whole Island, with all that is still on it, for $276 billion. We estimate that we will find around $150 billion in raw materials alone. And there is no way to know how many priceless art and cultural objects are still salvageable. It will be a large amount of work to get it cleaned up, but nothing we can not do.”

Some of us frowned, and Arnedra voiced one of the concerns:

“When you mention art and cultural objects… do you intend for us to salvage them? I don’t think bots can do that, or can they?”

“It will be a bit tricky, but I think we can manage it. Anything valuable still salvageable will most likely be in a vault somewhere.

For most of the rest, we can have the bots empty the rooms of anything movable and then let it be sorted by our employees.

It means that we won’t be using large-scale disruptors to clean it up though. Not in the beginning at least.”

Michael shrugged.

“That’s OK. We have years. Decades even to do it right. For the time being, we will start with repairing some residential buildings here in Queens to give our workforce a better living environment.”

“That should be doable.”

I piped up at that moment:

“Will we repair the bridges and tunnels to and from Manhattan?”

“Of course! Would be stupid if we didn’t.”

“Maybe. Maybe not. With the new grav coils, somebody will likely develop an affordable light skimmer or hovercar in a not-too-distant future.”

“Even then, we are still trying to buy and rebuild the subway. For that we need tunnels. And bridges for pedestrians, or bikers.”

Honestly, I didn’t care too much about it. With modern materials and a Constructor, instead of taking years and billions of dollars, we could build a stronger bridge in a couple of days costing no more than a few 100 grand. In other words, chump change and a short distraction, nothing more.

When nobody said anything for a few seconds, Michael nodded and continued the meeting.

“Then, next topic. Naveen, Jessi, how is the cyberization of our security personnel going?”

It was the redheaded doctor who answered:

“It’s going well. By now we have 103 full combat cyborgs with an Achilles body. And 237 security personnel with less extensive cyberization. The bottleneck right now is enough doctors to do the prep, and the number of auto-docs to do the actual conversion, as well as the production of the cyberbodies.

While the Achilles is more or less standard, as Mark Holt has worked it out with us, the non-combat bodies are completely individual. Every one unique. This takes time.”

When she stopped, our security chief continued:

“Right now, we have the effective strength of a battalion of power-armor jockeys in combat cyborgs. When we have everybody who has already registered for it converted, we will have a slightly reinforced battalion of combat cyborgs, which should be the equivalent of a division of armor jockeys.

We have standardized on the loadout that Mr. Holt has developed as well. Two modified Thunderwarriors, and an Exterminator. We have also brokered a licensing deal between Mr. Holt and Vandermeer about the Exterminator.”

“So in other words, we only lack a fleet and enough assault skimmers to be fully protected?”

“Yes, that’s the case. At least until enough Achilles are sold for the other corps to match us here. We will have to increase our numbers constantly I fear.”

“Is there an option to create a bot on the base of the Achilles? Bigger, faster, and stronger than the Einherjar?”

It took me a moment to realize that the last question was directed at me, as I had just taken a sip of coffee. I calmly put the mug back on the table before I answered:

“Yes, the option is simple. Just put a robot head on an Achilles instead of a cyborg one. The real question is if it is something we should do. Without a human brain behind it, they will be limited. Even with Cerberus riding them. That is something you have to ask Naveen I fear.”

The Indian took a moment to consider it and then shrugged.

“Honestly, it depends on the price. Purely from the combat power perspective, we could use as many as you can give us. Even if they are lacking compared to a cyborg, they are still stronger than what anybody else has.”

That made James grumble:

“Great. Another demand for our replicators. As if we didn’t have enough of that already.”

“Well, we can afford to not grow our profit quite as fast I think. We should set that up. Maybe double the Achilles production line?” Michael sounded mild, but determined, not broking any dissent in that regard, and after a moment, James sighed.

“Fine, I’ll see to it. But you better look into increasing our production capacity.”

“You are already getting the next Constructor, and I am sure that when Vivian is done with hers, you can use that one too.”

“Yeah, about the Constructor…”

We all turned our attention to Marcel, who still looked a bit harried.

“I’ve spent the last week calming down the ABAS regional HQ about it. They thought we would enter the grav-ship market. They simply would not believe that this thing was no grav ship. I had to finally show their people the Constructor at work. Yesterday.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

And today I got a call from them, they want to buy one. Oh, and they are asking if it is space-rated.”

Wait, why would they need it to be space-rated? I shook my head in confusion but then answered:

“No, not really. At least not this one. But it is easy to build one that is. But why? Space-borne construction does not benefit much from a Constructor. Things are already weightless up there.”

“There is talk that they want to build a new research center on the moon. Maybe they want it for that? But that’s not all. Burgmeister wants one as well.”

For a few seconds, we all were silent, looking at each other. I mean, I understood from the beginning that the Constructor was a valuable tool, and I thought it might be something we could sell. But two at once? Finally, Michael sighed.

“That was a bit sooner than expected. We will look into it, but the next one is for our in-house capabilities. Say… Vivian, would a proper building hall help in the construction of one?”

I shrugged.

“Yes, of course. Just the scaffolding alone would speed it up quite a bit. If we include tractor beams to move the parts around, we could probably use a second NADA, and get one build in a month instead of two. Maybe even faster.”

“OK. So, James, the first thing your new Constructor will build is a building hall for the next Constructors. Then we have to set a price for those things. Not too cheap.”

James sighed visibly unhappy, and answered with a sullen:

“Yes, boss.”

I closed my eyes and made a mental list of what was needed for the hall. Then I sighed as well.

“I will work out the hall design then.”

“Do that. Now… with this little surprise out of the way, anything else new?”

Maggie cleared her throat.

“Yeah… I have been asked about the new cranial board and when it will be available.”

That made Jessi chuckle.

“Technically, we could implant it now. It is the same size as the old one, only that it has a Bia instead of a Regulus. But we should wait a bit for that I think.”

“Uh… why?”

“Well, we had so much more computing power available that some of my people got the idea that we should try to make a better jack. Nearly four times the connections than the ultra-bandwidth one. They call it hyper-bandwidth. It is in the testing phase right now, as it, unlike the new board, has some new cyber tech that has to be tested. We should limit the amount of operations as much as possible.”

I was of two minds here. On one hand, more power was always better. On the other, the ultra-bandwidth jack already had an insane amount of connections. Did we seriously need even more?

Well, it was not directly my decision, and if it was safe and stable, why not?

Michael sighed and knocked softly on the table.

“I think we should wait at least a year before we bring a new, better product to the market. Otherwise, we might snub our best customers.”

“Oh, it is quite a way from the market. But we can use it internally. I see no reason not to use any advantage we can get.”

“And what will we do if Vivian now produces new products twice as fast? We are already barely keeping up now.”

I could hear that he did not mean this seriously, but Jessi slapped a hand in front of her mouth and murmured:

“Oh shit. What have I done? New rule. Vivian can only work half days from now on, does anybody second?”

After a few seconds, the whole table broke out into laughter, and after some time, Michael knocked onto the table again.

“Enough of that. Yeah, we needed that, but let’s get back to serious business. Is there anything else?”

Eli nodded and answered verbally:

“Yep. We’re being sued, again.”

Most of us frowned, and Michael sighed and rolled his eyes.

“Let me guess. Panacea again?”

“You guessed it. This time it is because ‘somebody’ placed a hacked firmware of our auto-surgeon on the dark web that contains Panacea’s patented decision tree. The thing is, it is not just ours, but almost everybody’s. And honestly, I don’t know what they expect to achieve with that.”

“Isn’t it kinda not our fault when somebody hacks our firmware and inserts their tree?”

“That is the case almost everywhere. And Panacea lacks the pull to find a jurisdiction where that is not the case nowadays. So… it is like a small yappy dog growling and yapping at the tiger here.”

“So… just a side note then. I assume you and your team have it under control?”

“Of course. But one thing… we should look at their new firmware a bit closer. Their auto-surgeons made a big jump in processing speed a couple of months ago. Incidentally a couple of days after the hacked firmware was placed on the web.”

“You think they ripped off our decision algorithm? That would be typical of them.”

“Yup. We will have to have Calliope look over their firmware, but there are strong indications.”

“Well, if that’s the case, give them a taste of their own medicine. Sue them, here in the US as well in the Commonwealth.”

“Will do boss.”

With that done, Michael closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

“Well then, as unsavory as that was, we should continue I think. Alena, I purposefully left you for last this time. How are our finances…”

He stopped when Cerberus materialized over the table.

“Excuse me, sir, but a situation has developed that you likely want to observe. Please connect to VR room 2778-T.”

It took us a moment to switch gears, and then we all met in the named VR viron again. Standing this time.

There we found not just Cerberus and Warden, but Ramon and Enrique as well.

“Hey, there you are.”

Ramon sounded quite satisfied, and the reason became immediately apparent when he continued:

“We’ve positively identified Cabal and Velvet.”

It was Naveen who moved forward with some determination.

“Are you sure?”

“Yup. They’ve just got the message to get to the same online meeting as Blumenthal. Not from the same number, obviously, but we are now looking at who else got the same message. That is being made a bit harder by them not using the same carrier.

But for Cabal and Velvet, we had them already under observation because we suspected them.

Cabal is Elena Montdumier, officially a business consultant, inofficially a fixer, and doing none of it.

Velvel is Charles Bigelow, an ‘independently wealthy’ playboy, and ‘hobby-fixer’. Again, no fixing done in the last three to four years.”

“That is good to know, but also not a reason to interrupt our meeting, you know?”

“Direct your protests at Warden. She was the one who sent Cerberus. And I think it is because of the chat meeting.

We have five Lachesis each following Cabal and Velvet, as well as the new one with the disruptor-enhanced Clotho for Blumenthal.

Blumenthal is right now entering his bunker.”

“OK, fine. We will look over it then.”

Michael managed to glower at Warden when he said that, but as usual, that had no effect.

With a wave from Ramon, three displays appeared, showing us three dark rooms, with a single person sitting at a computer each.

Blumenthal was immediately identifiable for all of us. Then there was a dark-haired woman with thick-rimmed glasses and some sort of severe business suit, as well as a dark blonde man in way more legere clothing almost lying in his chair, visibly bored.

Then a fourth display appeared, with a chat window in it.

Carnage: Any idea what the topic is today?

Quicksand: I bet you will learn shortly. Why are you so impatient?

Carnage: I don’t know how it is for you, but I had nothing on the radar that made a full meeting necessary.

Quicksand: Come on, you are almost sounding like Badger.

Carnage: Take that back!

Honor: But he’s right, you know. Why are you so impatient?

Carnage: Alright, you won’t let it rest anyway. I had a date, you know? A life beyond our job here.

Honor: That’s on you. You know as well as the rest of us how important our mission is. If you start anything else, you know that it has to stay behind when duty calls.

Carnage: I know, I know. I just don’t like it.

Velvet: I get you man. I’m in the same boat. Had a nice young filly lined up that I had to cancel on.

Cabal: Is that really necessary? Come on people, get a grip. We are not here to exchange dating histories.

Velvet: As if you had a dating history. But whatever. Who is missing?

Viking: Monolith so far.

Drake: Typical. He calls us in and then lets us wait.

Gopher: That is being the boss for you. Don’t tell me you wouldn’t do the same in his position.

Drake: Of course I would. But it’s still annoying on the receiving end.

Cinder: Anybody an idea what we were called in for?

Cinder: Wow… overwhelming response… so nobody.

Scarecrow: I guess we will find out as soon as Monolith comes on.

Monolith: Ah, good, you are all here.

Badger: As if that is such a surprise.

Monolith: We are changing strategies a bit. We are starting Operation Pinecone immediately.

Casper: Already? I thought that was planned for in 5 years.

Viking: That is sooner than expected.

Monolith: Venator is not happy about it, but it is a use it or lose it situation. We already see the general unrest calm down just because of the rumors about the cure for infertility. We can’t wait for it to completely vanish.

Cabal: The infertility problem is only one of the many problems that the little people face nowadays. I doubt that the unrest will completely vanish.

Monolith: You are probably right long-term. But mid-term just one of those problems vanishing is enough to calm the people down.

Viking: If the rumors alone are already reducing unrest, how will we rile up the peasants?

Monolith: We will use the rumors. One thing that every one of you, except Viking, is to do is seed rumors that the cure will be banned by the big corps, to keep the sale of clone jobs profitable.

Badger: Wait a minute, why not Viking?

Monolith: We don’t think the rumors will have any effect in New York. C-87 is conducting its tests there.

Viking: It will be hard to get people angry about C-87 in general. I just learned that they instituted a 40-hour work week. And they hired, at their costs, genetic specialists to help those for whom their cure does not work.

Monolith: We know. We do not know yet what their end game is, but so far they push all the right buttons for the small man to be happy with them.

Monolith: But to get back to Operation Pinecone, Venator expects that the new rumors, after the hope generated by the possible cure, will make things much worse in the short term.

Monolith: That is the point where we will seed the new organization.

Gargoyle: Do we have a name for this new org?

Monolith: Yes, Venator decided on the Free Marxist Liberation Force.

Banshee: Honestly, I am not that happy that we will hide behind a terrorist organization.

Badger: Wake up! We are a terrorist organization. Or do you think Bronze Puma was anything less?

Monolith: Calm down, Badger. Yes, some of our means can be construed as terrorism, but it is no more and no less than the corporations do all the time.

Monolith: The FMLF will be different. It will be a declared, and dedicated terror organization. Going after the big corporations. With a manifest and all that.

Badger: Yeah, such a big difference. Face it, we are terrorists as well. We just don’t advertise it.

Monolith: If you want to believe that, so be it.

Monolith: But getting back to the topic at hand, we will suspend all operations except for Tickle, Urban Hammer, and Open Invite. Sow the rumors, and keep your heads down. We will send other agitators to create the FMLF.

Monolith: Unlike most other operations, Operation Pinecone is a global initiative. You are not the only cell getting told to slow down.

Monolith: The point here is that you need to keep as much distance from the FMLF as possible, to keep your identities clean.

Monolith: That was all for now. Viking, please remain behind. I need to go over Operation Tickle with you.

Viking: I have scouted out the location. C-14-002 is confirmed to be there at the expected time. Security will be lax relative to standard times.

Wait, when did he do that? We had him under observation 24/7 since the zombie attack. I could see I was not the only one confused about that. And the way Naveen’s face darkened, I expected that we would have people looking into that very quickly.

Monolith: That is good. We are still preparing the strike force. It will take a couple of months to get everything done.

Viking: The event is almost three months out, so that is no problem. Will the strike force have any information?

Monolith: Officially no. Just what they will ‘dig’ out themselves. That is what takes so long. We have to carefully lead them to the information we want them to have.

Viking: I have just one problem with that. The way the unbound VI has dealt with C-03… do you seriously think C-14 will go to war with C-87?

Monolith: I don’t know. Venator thinks so. But even if it is just a cold war, it will have to be enough.