The cameras aligned at an impeccable angle.
The lights of Phoenix News illuminated the main studio, decorated with golden tones and floating holograms of the three powers gathered there: Diamond Tycoon, Phoenix Solarius, and the Phoenix Empire itself.
The chief journalist, an elegant man in a black suit with blue neon embroidery, looked at the camera.
"On a global and intercontinental network... ladies and gentlemen, this is a historic broadcast. For the first time, the three most influential forces of our empire and, perhaps, of the world come together to announce a project that could change the history of humanity."
The lights focused on the central sofa.
There were Matthew Solarius, Luna Malroth, and at their center, Arkan Deyther, representative of the Phoenix Empire, wearing the traditional navy blue tunic of the high consuls.
The journalist bowed slightly. "Mr. Arkan, Mr. Matthew, Miss Luna. Thank you for being here." He turned to the camera. "Let's start with the question the world wants to know: what is Project Helios?"
Matthew took the microphone with the calm of a veteran CEO.
"Project Helios is a strategic cooperation between Phoenix Solarius, the Phoenix Empire, and Tycoon for the construction and launch of a constellation of satellites with orbital solar panels." He projected with a gesture an animated hologram showing the satellites being positioned around the planet. "These satellites will capture solar energy outside the atmosphere and transmit it by highly secure microwave beams to reception points on Earth."
The journalist widened his eyes. "Clean energy... for the entire planet?"
"We will start with the Phoenix Empire," said Arkan, his voice deep. "Our people exceeded 1.2 billion inhabitants. The energy demand is at the limit. Traditional sources no longer sustain the technological evolution we pursue. Helios is our answer for the 32nd century."
Luna then smiled, her voice soft but sharp as always. "Tycoon was invited to act as the logistical, financial, and dissemination pillar of the project. Our job is to ensure that Helios is not only functional but accessible. A new model of energy economy will be implemented, reducing costs for the population and opening doors for subsidies in lower-income regions."
The journalist turned to her, surprised. "Tycoon will assume part of the financing?"
Luna gave a mocking giggle.
"We already have." And released a charming wink. "Initial investment of 1 trillion dollars. Clean energy is a right, not a luxury."
The reaction on the internet was instant. Comments exploded on social media.
"She invested ONE TRILLION?! Where does this woman get so much money??"
"Literally the Beyoncé of the tech world."
"Tycoon never sleeps. Literally revolutionizing the whole world every month."
While the digital buzz happened, the interview continued firmly.
"Mr. Matthew, critics say that orbital solar satellites are a bold idea... perhaps utopian. What is your answer?"
Matthew relaxed in the seat, crossing his legs confidently.
"Utopia is just the reality someone dared to start before everyone else." He cast a look at Luna, who smiled back. "When I became CEO of Phoenix Solarius, they told me that advances in AI, holograms, and sustainable bioarchitecture were dreams. Today, they are the foundation of our modern civilization. Helios is the next step."
The journalist nodded, visibly already infected by the enthusiasm of the three.
"And what is the initial schedule?"
Arkan answered. "First 20 satellites in 6 months. Estimated energy reach for 150 million people in the first year."
Luna completed with a sparkle in her eyes. "And of course, with amazing designs. Because energy can also have style." And she winked at the camera, immediately viralizing the moment.
Comments exploded.
"That's why she is my supreme CEO."
"Energy with style. Only Tycoon."
"GODDESS"
"..."
The journalist asked the last question. "One last doubt: can this project be replicated by other continents?"
Matthew answered objectively. "Yes. And we already have 6 governments interested in buying the license and participating in the expansion. But the Phoenix Empire will be the cradle of this new era."
The program ended with applause, holograms of the Helios Project logo spinning in all directions.
In the Phoenix News control room, audience ratings hit historic records.
In the first 24 hours after the broadcast, the world entered a state of excitement.
Project Helios became the most typed name in all search engines, social networks, and government conference rooms.
The words "orbital energy," "Tycoon," "Phoenix Solarius," and "Trillion" began to be used in memes, protests, political speeches, and even veiled technological war declarations.
In Verdantis, the Continent of Wildlife, amidst lush vegetation, the leader of the Verdantis Green Confederation publicly commented.
"Orbital energy? A remarkable advance... but what will Gaia say when more machines are launched into the sky?"
The Council debated fiercely. Half wanted to participate, the other half wanted to sabotage the satellites with electromagnetic interference orbs.
In Ignis, the Continent of Fire and Fury, the ruling trinity of Ignis convened an emergency meeting.
"Tycoon threatens to monopolize the global energy flow," growled the Patriarch of Magmór.
"We have the largest geothermal generators in the world. We will not give up market so easily."
A secret operation was launched: a prototype thermal satellite powered by volcanic plasma. Their spies began trying to invade Tycoon's servers. But they forgot one thing: Nikoly sleeps with the firewall.
In Cryon, the Emperor reacted coldly and strategically.
She summoned Victoria by a private hologram.
"Project Helios is brilliant... but the world needs balance. Cryon will provide logistical support, precise atmospheric sensors, and... technology to stabilize microwave beams."
Victoria smiled. Her father-in-law joined as an official ally of the project.
In Tiamat, the Empress of the Seas watched the news. "When men play with the Sun... they always end up burned."
Tiamat did not officially manifest but doubled the monitoring of the skies. Spies were sent to Phoenix disguised as diplomats.
Phoenix felt it... but did not comment.
In Aethelgard, known for Ancient Kingdoms and Blue Blood, King Alaric III raised his solar wine glass.
"Looks like the plebs are playing gods," he mocked, but his Council was already calculating the costs of not joining the new energy flow.
The smaller kingdoms of Aethelgard, on the other hand, enthusiastically joined, seeing in Project Helios the chance to free themselves from dependence on the noble kingdoms.
On the continent of Umbrion, no official statement was made. But rumors whispered among the winds: the old elders did not like intruders in their domains.
On the Asian continent, in New Beijing, the Unified Council met in secrecy.
"Phoenix Solarius achieved what we tried decades ago. We need to react or cooperate."
The continent's largest tech company, ZhìXǐn Corp, contacted Phoenix Solarius, offering orbital control nanotechnology in exchange for profit shares in the eastern hemisphere.
Matthew did not respond... yet.
In America, the American Congress entered a state of alert.
"These satellites are a threat to national security," shouted a senator, while secretly his companies invested in Tycoon and Phoenix Solarius shares.
The CEO of a direct rival company declared on the network. "We are behind. Phoenix dominated the game. It's time for the United States of America to counterattack."
Plans for a competing satellite, Project ApolloX, began to be drafted.
In Europe, the leaders of the European Alliance publicly praised the project, but behind the scenes, tried to discover how much it would cost to copy the initiative without infringing patents.
Several European countries, however, began importing technology from Tycoon and Phoenix Solarius en masse, closing deals with physical stores in large urban centers, especially luxury units in Paris, Milan, and Berlin.
Global result:
— Tycoon shares rose 312% in less than 18 hours.
— Phoenix Solarius was officially classified as the most valuable company in modern history.
— Project Helios became an Emerging World Heritage by the UN.
— Matthew named "Leader of the Century" by three geopolitics and technology magazines simultaneously.
And while the world moved...
ÆVA learned.
Silent, in the digital world... the small human AI accumulated data, memories, and sensations.
The whole world applauding standing up.
The headlines? All shone.
"Tycoon and Phoenix Solarius: A new sun for humanity!"
"Matthew Solarius: From CEO to Capitalist Messiah?"
"Phoenix Solarius announces new energy era!"
Everything was triumph... until an urgent notification invaded the Tycoon Tower panels at 3:42 a.m.
[RED ALERT — CONFIDENTIAL DATA EXTRACTED]
[...]
[STATUS: GLOBAL TRACKING ACTIVATED]
[THREAT LEVEL: APOCALYPSE]
The next morning, the Tycoon Council room looked more like an emotional war zone.
Luna arrived furious. The heels of her shoes echoed like hammer blows. Her eyes shone with a rare assassin instinct even among corporate titans.
"WHO WAS THE WRETCHED ONE?" she shouted, banging both hands on the table.
Nikoly, visibly tense, stood up slowly.
"The fault... is mine. I supervised the encryption channels. I..." she hesitated, a rare thing "...was careless. I should have kept holographic surveillance full-time."
But before Luna could explode into another divine outbreak...
Lumine raised a tablet.
"The thief was not from IT, Luna... she was one of my personal assistants," she said in a cold tone.
The silence in the room cut the skin.
"She had auxiliary presidential access level. She served me coffee, cleaned papers... and apparently... entered my office while I was at the ÆVA meeting, using my biometric code from the spare desk."
Victoria murmured between her teeth. "Someone sabotaged us with cold blood..."
"Who was the thief?"
[Registration name: Clara Vensh. Official function: executive logistics assistant. Time at company: 3 months. History: Clean. Discreet. Good employee. Too good.]
But in the last HOURS?
Missing.
Neither Tycoon's satellite network, nor the Phoenix Empire spies, nor AI ÆVA could track her location.
"She evaporated from the planet," murmured Nikoly, frustrated.
"What did she take?"
"Data on the orbital engineering of the solar satellites."
"Partial blueprint of secure microwave technology."
"And, most serious: coded keys of the AI ÆVA maintenance protocol."
"She may not be able to activate ÆVA... but knows how to dismantle it," said Nikoly. "If it falls into the wrong hands, they may try to recreate something similar. Or worse, destroy our AI from within."
Luna snorted and kicked one of the luxury chairs in the room. "I pay billionaire salaries. I create companies to protect women. I throw money everywhere. And yet some bitch stabs me in the back!?"
Matthew, watching from a screen in the annex, kept silent, observing his beloved boil with an intensity she rarely showed.
"I want a complete dossier on that wretch. Family, school history, shopping list, ex-boyfriends, even the damn favorite food. If she breathes on any continent... I want to know before her lungs pull the air."
Nikoly wiped the sweat from her forehead and said. "With authorization, I can spread quantum tracking markers in key world systems. If she tries to sell the data or interact with private networks... I will find her. Even if I have to hack the world's central banks or military intelligence."
Luna only nodded seriously.
"We will need to control the media. If this leaks... stocks fall and allied countries may review the contracts."
Lumine looked at the windows and replied. "The press doesn't know. Yet. But we have at most 3 days before the first speculation of leakage."
"Enough time," Luna murmured. "Let's bury this... or bury whoever spreads it."
Nikoly stayed to track the fugitive by satellites and clandestine AI.
Lumine took on the task of replacing all presidential security protocols.
Victoria went to write a new public speech about 'renewed digital security.'
And... ÆVA temporarily restricted to the simulated environment.
And Luna...
Luna did not sleep that night.
She sat alone on the penthouse of one of the Tycoon Towers looking at the stars. Thinking.
"I created an empire to free people... and yet, there are people who choose betrayal."
Matthew appeared hours later, saying nothing. He just sat next to her, putting his coat over her shoulders.
------
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