Chapter 63 - Lacking Energy

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Vince took the elevator from his penthouse and walked towards the Material Science and Micro Device offices.

He found an Indian and British man discussing in one of the meeting rooms.

"Good day, Vince. We weren't aware that you were stopping by." Patel said as he saw Vince enter the meeting room.

"Sorry, gentlemen. I didn't mean to interrupt. I just finished chatting with Elon, and he sang praises of both your work." Vince stated sincerely.

"We wouldn't have gotten this far without the team and your support, Vince. I appreciate Elon's kind words." Patel replied honestly.

"Likewise. Patel and I were discussing the final configuration of the Infinity product line. We'll be working with Andreas to update the HV mass-manufacturing process." Morgan added.

"Have Andreas save 25% of our total manufacturing capacity for corporate-only orders. The rest we'll use to churn out commercial products." Vince instructed.

"Understood. Do you have any input in our next project direction?" Morgan asked curiously.

[I'll leave it to the experts on this one. Nanometer manufacturing is way above my head.] Vince pondered.

"None for now, but what have you guys brainstormed so far?" Vince asked.

"Our system on nanites are sub-nanometer in size and currently too expensive for any commercial use. So we're looking for alternatives to pursue in the meantime." Patel replied.

"Marco's leg cost us $10 million just in materials, and most of our SON components are already allocated to Dr. Sera's cancer research project," Morgan added.

"I suggest going back to basics, then. We've already achieved an economical production process for carbon nanotubes; why don't we refine our graphene manufacturing? It's not as small as SON chips, but still very useful." Vince recommended.

"Indeed. We can slowly master weaving graphene and carbon nanotubes into more applications like radiofrequency antennas. In addition, the new batteries will help with our imminent energy upkeep issue here at Austin." Patel stated.

"Which reminds me. A representative from the EU's contacted me through the British embassy recently requesting technical support for their Graphene Flagship research initiative." Morgan stated.

[The $1 billion European Union fund? The program that practically failed, probably due to such a pitiful investment amount.] Vince thought.

"We own the patents for our production process, and it won't be cheap if they want us to sell them our trade secrets," Vince replied in defense.

"The US government will never let that happen. Our technology is a strategic asset to this country. We'd need approval from the secretary of state when the situation involves such valuable technology as carbon nanotubes and graphene." Patel replied.

"What were you saying about an energy issue?" Vince asked inquisitively.

"Future Tech headquarters and campus use a separate power grid and station from the rest of Texas but still requires energy from the Texas interconnection. Power costs are still within reasonable levels, but the sheer volume of energy is straining the power grid." Morgan explained.

"I just approved a $10 billion budget to expand the power grid systems of LA and Austin. How big of a short-term issue are we talking about?" Vince asked.

"Currently, Andreas cannot expand the Hive Mind factories further without ample energy headroom. So we are at our limits in terms of production." Patel explained in a soft tone.

"Why wasn't I notified about this potential issue?" Vince asked in annoyance.

"Future Tech's rate of expansion this year was like an explosion. We're supplying 25% of the entire US military munitions, mass-producing cutting-edge aerodyne vehicles, and rebuilding a whole Afghan city. All this while producing consumer products for millions of people." Morgan stated.

"Okay. Thank you for explaining the situation. Both of you will focus on optimizing energy transmission technology with the help of Elon and Tesla. I'll add further funding in Q4 of this year." Vince instructed.

"We should be okay with our current budget until the end of the year," Patel replied.

"I'd like both of you on stage to present our Infinity product line during E3. Not required if you don't want to." Vince said.

"I already presented our first-generation AIM products last year, so I'll be skipping E3. How about you, Patel?" Morgan asked.

"Let me speak about the AI-driven ecosystem. It's a feature I genuinely admire." Patel asked.

"Of course, Patel. And you're in luck cause we'll be meeting a few famous people in LA." Vince replied.

"What kind of presentation are we doing? The Apple style of product announcements seems to be popular." Patel asked.

"The Apple launch events are dull as fuck. We'll be in LA, and people there require more entertainment value than the rest. So I'll be hiring famous artists for a musical show during our E3 presentation." Vince explained.

"You're going all out, huh? Might as well." Morgan said.

"It's what marketing is all about. Let me know if you guys need anything; I'll finalize our E3 exhibit in my office. Oh, don't forget to nominate an executive director for the material science sub-division." Vince said before bidding farewell.

Vince returned to the penthouse and was notified by Aiya regarding a new arrival.

"Assistant director Alexis of Future Education is waiting for you in the living room. I'll bring some refreshments in the meantime." Aiya stated.

Vince entered the room and found a pretty caucasian lady in her late 20s sitting on a sofa.

"Welcome to Future Tech headquarters, Alexis. I've heard great things about you from Director Price. You're work in Kandahar has been instrumental for the Hypervisor's quick testing phase." Vince declared after shaking her hand.

"Thank you very much, Mr. Dalton. I'll do my best to perform my duties here in the States as well as anywhere this job takes me." Alexis replied sincerely.

"Call me Vince. I admire your innate drive to pursue success but don't push yourself too hard. From now on, you'll be in charge of all Future Security's training facilities, except the main barracks here in Austin. Your office is two floors down. I trust you'll have all the US military troops trained and ready by the end of the year." Vince instructed.

[Hell yeah! That's my ticket to a promotion!] Alexis thought joyously.

"I will, Vince. You can count on me!" Alexis replied.

"Good to hear. I remember seeing you were from Brooklyn on your file. How's the family doing?" Vince asked.

"I asked my mother and brother to move with me here in Austin. We're very grateful for the luxurious accommodations." Alexis replied.

"The tech campus residential area is a prototype for a neo-modern city. I'm glad your family finds it appealing. You've spent plenty of time with the prototype Hypervisor. Do you want to do a live presentation during E3?" Vince asked curiously.

"No. I mean. I don't feel like I've contributed enough to speak in front of so many people, but I'll gladly attend the event as support." Alexis replied in worry.

"That's a great idea! I needed someone to manage the Hypervisor demonstration booth, and you're the perfect person for the job!" Vince declared.

"I'll have a team ready to assist any who wishes to test the Hypervisors, without issue. How many concurrent demos do you think we'll be servicing?" Alexis asked.

"Around one hundred Hypervisor and Infinity Console demos, and please keep it sanitary. But we'll have medical staff around just in case. Most people haven't experienced VR yet, let alone a photorealistic one." Vince explained.

While Vince and Alexis were discussing work in the penthouse living room, Leah walked wearing the latest Future Couture design and was surprised to see a new face around the headquarters.

"Who's this pretty young thing?" Leah asked vivaciously.

"Assistant Director Alexis, this is Leah, my loving mother," Vince said as he introduced them to each other.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Dalton," Alexis said.

"She's been working for Future Education at our Kandahar branch the past five months. Director Price himself highly recommended Alexis." Vince explained.

Leah kept eyeing Alexis up and down with a predacious look.

[What's going on? It feels so awkward.] Alexis thought.

"I can see why Price is so taken with you, my dear. You'll do well in this company, and I can already see it." Leah replied with a matching odd grin.

[Changing the subject is the play here.] Vince pondered.

"She'll also be joining the E3 conference exhibit as technical support and management," Vince explained.

"The nerd convention in LA? That's in June. So the weather would be perfect for sunbathing and hanging around the beach." Leah stated.

"Yeah, but there will be so many tourists around you won't enjoy it all," Vince replied.

"How about I invite Dr. Sera, and we'll rent a yacht to avoid the tourist crowds. Don't tell me you can't afford it, Vince." Leah said with a devious smile.

[As if I can say no to mom.] Vince thought begrudgingly.

"Whatever you say, mom," he replied.

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)

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