Chapter 62 - CNT Batteries

You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com

While Vince and his friends were hanging out at the penthouse, a pretty lady in her late 20s arrived at her home in Brooklyn, New York.

Director Price assigned an FS squad of seven operators with Dragonflies to escort Alexis after leaving Kandahar due to Future Education duties.

Her entourage took one of the new FT-05 Super Galaxy transport aircraft manufactured at the Austin tech campus' gigafactory. The large factory was a collaborative effort between Elon and Andreas, allowing Future Tech to utilize the Hive Mind manufacturing process on a physically massive scale.

Vince made it standard for every junior or senior director to be provided a personal corporate-spec AV when traveling around urban environments where AVs were legal.

It had enough space and comfortable seating for the passengers and security escort equipment.

The autonomous landing system assisted the AV pilot and touched down in front of a residential building in Brooklyn.

Though aerodyne vehicles were a current hot topic based on all of the commercials from Ford and other licensed manufacturers, not many civilians have actually seen one in person.

"Look, mama, that flying car is even bigger than the one we watched on TV." the child said to his mother.

[It's landing next to our building. Should I go and check what's going on?] the mother thought.

"Big sis, Alexis! It's sister Alexis walking out of the flying car, mom!" the child declared.

Alexis saw her mother and brother watching her arrival from their apartment window. Then, she excitedly disembarked from the CAV to greet her family after spending months at Kandahar.

"Sorry about not calling too often, mom. My new job keeps me busy, but I feel like it's worth it. I was lucky to get hired in an educational management position after quitting my teaching job last year." Alexis said to her mother.

"Why did you have to go to Afghanistan of all places? You made me and your little brother worried sick." the mother replied.

"Future Tech needed a manager for their new educational sub-division. Director Price from Future Security promoted me to assistant director for the recent success of this amazing teaching visor tool and promised another promotion after we train the US military troops this year." Alexis explained.

"I didn't know you worked for such a big company like Future Tech. You only mentioned Future Education before you left and flew away." the mother replied in annoyance.

"Even I didn't know about Future Tech's involvement when I took the job. But don't worry about that now. I'll be moving to Austin to work at the headquarters, and I'd like you both to join me." Alexis stated proudly.

"Isn't that going to be expensive, Alexis? You know we haven't had much since I got too old to work a few years ago." the mother said sadly.

"Our big boss is quite the generous CEO. He has an entire department dedicated to employee welfare. We'll be moving to Austin fully paid by Vince Dalton himself." Alexis explained.

[Of course, it's mainly because I'm an assistant director for Future Education, but still.] Alexis pondered.

"I'm so proud of you, Alexis. I knew you'd be able to make something of yourself after teaching university for a few years. So when do we leave?" her mother asked.

It was the first week of May 2013, APL fans were busy watching the last few games of the season on Instagram Live or the many other esports outlets.

"Thank you for watching Prime Alliance vs. Team Vapor here on Instagram! Before we end our broadcast, we'd like to show our viewers a new teaser trailer for Future Studios' upcoming game, Everlife. Please enjoy." the show host stated.

A photorealistic sequence of events featuring the main character, known as the 'mechanic' saving his buyer, played by Dwayne Johnson, from an ambush. The trailer portrayed themes of violence, greed, deceit, and cunning. In addition, some other cast members appeared as quick cameos throughout the trailer, which pulled people's attention even more.

Everlife showed elements of GTA 5, Watch Dogs, and even the driving experience of Gran Turismo 6.

"No way they rendered that trailer in-game, right?" one of the viewers asked his friend.

"The ending credits mentioned a new game console, dude. I was thinking of buying a next-gen console from Sony or Microsoft, but this game trailer got me so hyped!" his friend replied.

"Thank you for watching the trailer for Everlife! Don't forget to tune in during E3 2013 for Future Tech's new product announcement. We'll see each other again this weekend for the Sunday APL Brawl! So I'm signing out." the host said before ending the broadcast.

"The E3 convention is 30 minutes away from us. We should buy tickets and attend this year! I feel like it would be epic." one of the viewers said.

"Let's bring our recording equipment. Then, we might be able to film content for our video channel." his friend replied.

Similar conversations were happening around the US, anticipating Future Tech's E3 presentation.

Vince was working on the presentation outline when a comlink request from a familiar name popped up on his Hypervisor.

He gestured in the air to accept Elon's call while saving his current work.

"How have you been the past few weeks, my friend?" Vince asked.

"My work with Morgan and Patel regarding carbon nanotube battery technology was nothing short of a miracle, Vince. I never knew your Hive Mind manufacturing process had already advanced to the point of making chemical vapor deposition obsolete. In addition, I heard from Patel that you suggested 3D printing graphene instead of using toxic chemicals." Elon stated reverently.

[In 2021, additive manufacturing had already disrupted entire industries, like printing a whole space shuttle. I spent most of my billions upgrading the Hive Mind for a reason.] Vince pondered.

"Our material science division is fortunate to have reliable leaders like Patel and Morgan. Even my local oil & gas neighbors have been eyeing the AV jet fuel complex." Vince replied.

"Now that we've met our battery goals for Q2 of 2013, can I start implementing the new carbon nanotube batteries in my Teslas?" Elon asked honestly.

"Elon, using small batteries for mobile devices, tablets, and the Hypervisor is perfect, but the large automotive and home batteries will require so much energy to charge from the power grid. We're advancing battery storage technology too fast, while US infrastructure can't catch up." Vince explained sincerely.

"You're right. I was so excited with the thought of carbon nanotube batteries it blinded me from practical and common sense." Elon said in a depressed tone.

"When I envisioned Future Tech becoming a telecom provider, I invested most of my liquid capital into building network infrastructure around the world. I even had to negotiate a deal with President Obama for a private expansion of the transatlantic and transpacific cable systems." Vince explained.

"So you're suggesting we upgrade the US power grid before I can use the CNT batteries in my cars?!" Elon asked vehemently.

"It's for the greater good, Elon. Even if I throw all my money into fusion energy research, the power still has to travel using the aging and inadequate power grid." Vince stated.

"The Department of Energy is a handful to deal with; heck, the entirety of the federal government is a hassle," Elon said in frustration.

"Your quarrel with the government about the car dealership disputes is so dumb. Look at Future Tech. We're selling AVs, and we're technically not even a dealership." Vince said jokingly.

"That's different, Vince. My Teslas don't fly like your AVs." Elon replied depressingly.

"Alright, I'll stop messing with you. I still have a few billion for Q2, but it won't be enough for a complete upgrade. We'll have to lobby for government support on this project as the current estimate cost is around $2 trillion." Vince explained.

"Stop being so negative, Vince. A few billion to upgrade a city like LA and Austin is enough for a start, right?" Elon replied.

"$5 billion for each city, and no more funding requests until Q3. I'm only doing this because of the hard work invested in our carbon nanotube battery technology." Vince instructed.

[Man, even billions can come and go like the wind.] Vince thought.

"Don't be so modest. Your new product line will sell like hotcakes. For example, the Future Tech supercomputers make the Tianhe-2 feel like a Chromebook, and it's half the price. Though $200 million isn't cheap by any means." Elon replied.

"Oh, you've got an Infinity Supercomputer already?" Vince asked curiously.

"Andreas had it installed at the SpaceX headquarters yesterday. My engineers have been playing with it like kids ever since." Elon replied.

"I'll be in LA for the E3 presentation, of course. We can meet at the Future Tech exhibit before the event starts." Vince stated.

"For sure! I can't wait to see those silicon valley suits' faces when you unveil the Infinity product line." Elon said jokingly.

[Dude, you're technically one of those silicon valley suits. What the?!]

Stats last time checked:

Future Tech current valuation - $300 billion

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

$15 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, SpaceX)

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)

You can read the novel online free at novelhall.com