Five days later…
The underground hangar of NeuTech Industries was lit by high-frequency white lights. Every step echoed across the metallic floor as Ethan Graves walked through the space, followed by his newly formed security team.
Standing before them was a boy no older than fourteen, watching them closely. Small, but with some notable muscle definition, a calm expression, and eyes that seemed far too old for his age. This was Jimmy—the founder, owner, and mastermind behind everything in that building. The very same Jimmy everyone had sworn to protect.
Despite his age, no one in the room dared question his authority.
"Boss!" Ethan said firmly. "They're here."
The boy approached with his hands in the pockets of a custom-made jacket. No bodyguards. No visible weapons. Yet the aura surrounding him was more intimidating than any weapon.
Ethan nodded, and one by one, the members of the elite squad lined up in front of him.
"I handpicked them myself," Ethan said, introducing his subordinates. "They're not the most obedient. Nor the most famous. They're the best."
Jimmy stepped forward, examining each one as if he could read them instantly.
Sasha Krieger, close-quarters combat specialist, former recon pilot.
Tyrese Lang, expert in urban warfare tech, with a record of successful missions in collapsed zones.
Naomi Yurei, sniper with triple-vision ocular implants, unshakable, like a shadow.
Juno Kim, evasion and route expert, known for escaping impossible ambushes.
Reed Voss, the youngest of the group, military hacker and cryptographer, capable of disabling entire systems from his wristwatch.
Each wore a matte-black tactical uniform bearing the blue insignia of NeuTech Private Division on the chest. They were equipped with cutting-edge tech: augmented reality visors, silent pulse weaponry, and active neural networks for anticipatory response.
"You will protect me," Jimmy said softly, almost innocently. "But you'll also represent NeuTech to the world. I don't want mercenaries. I want shields with judgment. Are you those?"
"Yes, sir," they all responded in unison.
Ethan allowed himself a proud smile. For a moment, he looked more like a father than a head of security.
"I trust them, boss. But more importantly… they trust you. And that's something technology can't buy. It's earned through vision."
Jimmy nodded, still calm. "Then it's time for the world to see them in action."
A side door opened, revealing the convoy that would take them to NeuTech Industries' first investor meeting at the Aegis One skyscraper.
Three armored vehicles, no visible windows, with autonomous navigation AIs. In the center, Jimmy's transport, tailored to his needs: threat scanners, signal jammers, and a vertical escape capsule.
As the squad took their positions, Jimmy climbed into the vehicle, flanked by Naomi and Sasha.
Ethan lingered for a moment, observing the scene. A boy whom many would consider fragile… had just been treated like a commander by war veterans. The contrast was striking. But it no longer seemed ridiculous to him.
It seemed inevitable.
The convoy started silently. Inside, Jimmy reviewed the notes for his presentation to the investors. Beside him, the AI assistant projected profiles of every businessperson who would be present. The boy didn't blink. He knew what was at stake.
"Let the show begin," Ethan murmured over the radio.
And the city opened up before the NeuTech convoy.
Jimmy, who had built all of this—mainly to stay safe from those who might try to take it all away from him.
His robots were powerful, especially the tech embedded in his own body. But that didn't mean he wasn't worried about other things. So, to be safe, he had hired a security team.
His main concern was being underestimated, but now that he had the best of the best and was about to present something that could shift the mindset of the world's wealthiest people, those worries were about to be left behind.
"They might try to kill me," Jimmy said jokingly, playing with his tech mask that kept his face hidden.
"That's not going to happen, boss. We've got every angle covered," said Ethan, leaning on the intel he'd received from the base.
"Yeah, I guess…" Jimmy put on the mask and added, "I can't die before graduating from college."