Silas sat down on the bed, as he pulled up an holographic notepad and screen, and started doing his research on people he can possibly employ for the lab facility.
He make sure to take his time as he wants very intelligent people and those of character. He doesn't want someone who would let their intelligence get into their head and make them unable to accept the ideas or opinions of others, and acquiring new knowledge becomes extremely difficult for them.
Also, he has to make sure that he doesn't employ anyone who can possibly become a spy or leak the knowledge out to the public without his permission.
One might say that Silas can solve all his worries by having artificial intelligence work for him in the lab. Since he can create an AGI, why not create one that can specifically be used for research purposes and give it the ability to be able lto create smaller AIs? Though that's true, it's actually impossible for him at the moment.
The first reason being that AIs are digital entities which means they can only interact through a digital platform. Which also means that it's impossible for them to interact with the physical world.
Now matter how intelligent and advanced an artificial intelligence is, it's still an artificial intelligence in the end, a digital entity.
The only exception to this rule is Luna, who is currently inhabiting the MAU, using it to interact with the physical world. It is also impossible for Silas to freely purchase MAUs from the system store as he doesn't have its free pass.
Silas took his time as he did his research, making sure he eliminated anyone who could be of potential trouble to him and his plans.
After more than an hour of researching, he was finally done. He looked at the holographic notepad that has the list of individuals he plans to employ, and nodded to himself in satisfaction.
The list was extensive and it had the best of the best that the world has to offer in very field, and discipline.
"Now, all that remains is convincing them." Silas said to himself, as he waved his hand and the holograms in front of him disappeared.
{When do you plan to start with that?} Luna, who as sitting on a sofa across the bed, asked.
"Tomorrow. I will start with the first person on the list, Edward Witten," Silas replied.
{He's an American. How are you sure he will agree to work for you?}
"A true scientist cares not for nationality but for what they can achieve with the advancement of science, and I'm not recruiting him to work for Venezuela but for me.
Convincing him should be easy, as I can make a very convincing case and I'm very sure he would accept my offer. Also, I might just be generous enough to give him a knowledge that will win him the Nobel prize," Silas said with a peculiar smile of his.
{You're using the knowledge as bait? You saying you might means that there's a high possibility that you will definitely give him that knowledge.}
"I won't give him unless I feel like it's necessary," Silas said, and continued, "Besides, I don't really think it will get to that point."
{You saying that makes all the more certain that you will definitely give him the knowledge. Why don't you get someone young who is ready to do every whimp?} Luna asked.
"You see? Luna, that's the problem, I don't want someone who's going to do my every whimp without asking questions. I want someone who's intelligent and can improvise in a good way," Silas replied.
{But there are young people who are like that. A lot of them actually, of you know just the right places to look.}
"That will take time, Luna."
"Don't do what?" Silas asked surprised.
{You're about to touch my hair. Don't do it.} Luna said, and stood up from the sofa, making her way to the balcony.
Silas shook his head when he saw her action.
"Tsk. My sweet Luna is going through her rebellious phase."
Silas decided to get ready for the trip he's going to make tomorrow.
He decided to take Luna's advice and look for young blood he can employ. Though he also plans to employ young and even nearly inexperienced or completely inexperienced people, but he knew that he also needs someone with experience.
Silas also knew that even experienced people can be troublesome as their experience can make them arrogant.
After he was done making his arrangements, Silas lay on the bed and watched the rest of the day pass uneventfully.
The next day, after taking his breakfast, Silas made his way to the airport, with Luna following behind, escorting him.
"Do keep me updated daily and if there's something you can't handle alone, don't hesitate to ask help from Mr Yusmairobis. If the both of you can handle it, let me know. Also, if it's something that's very important, inform me immediately," Silas said, before he got into the aircraft.
Luna stood beside the runway as she watched the aircraft slowly began its takeoff run before it finally took off into the air.
Looking at the disappearing outline of the aircraft, Luna turned and started walking back to the airport's entrance.
{Tch. Who's becoming clingy?}
***
After more than eight hours of flight, Silas finally arrived at San Jose.
As the aircraft taxied to a stop, its passenger door opened up and Silas climbed down the air stairs.
"I wonder how long I'm going to spend at home this time?" Silas thought to himself.
"I should go home first to check on Alex," Silas said, and made his way to the airport's entrance.
At the entrance, Silas got in the his car he left in the airport's parking area and drove off.
The drive home took a few minutes and when he got home, he met an empty house.
Walking into the house, Silas made his way to his room. He opened the door and walked in, and immediately sprawled on the bed.
"It's good to be home."