Super Spender

Chapter 719: Chapter 713: Everyone Has a Story

“Luna Starfield, search for any similar rituals performed earlier within the Galactic Federation’s domain,” Finn Lewis gave the directive once Jasmine Davis and her group left.

Finn couldn’t find it in himself to believe the space pirates possessed military etiquette akin to soldiers, especially after noticing a distinct change in their behaviour during the execution of the ritual.

Any fool could tell there was a story behind it, but if Davis chose to keep silent, Lewis wasn’t going to pressure her for answers. He opted to gather information from the sidelines instead.

“Your Highness, I didn’t find any matching results. There are 132 similar rituals but according to my analysis of the video, none match what they performed. It seems likely their understanding of the ritual was incomplete and only a part of the whole,” Luna’s voice resonated promptly.

“So, they have a story of their own. Can we trace their history?” questioned Lewis, after a moment of contemplation.

“I apologize, Your Highness, but I found no records. I dug into the identities of some of them during my search for the ritual but failed to unearth any certified identification. There are few records, none of which validate their identity or trace their lineage. The Federation’s history is complex and from what I can tell, their origins date way back into ancient times,” Luna presented her results concisely.

“Alright, let’s not investigate further for now. Note any information you encounter about them. If they ever get into trouble, let me know and we’ll assist where possible. After all, they did save me once,” decided Lewis after a moment.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“March on, let’s return home,” Lewis shook his head, having decided on spending a while on Earth to settle matters there first.

By the time Lewis returned to Earth, the Virtual World Corporation’s press conference had concluded. That day saw a record 700 million people globally enter the Second Life game, including major companies and official testing groups from around the world.

Ordinary players merely entered the game to play. Big companies on the other hand were keen on testing the implications of the holographic virtual reality glasses on future technology, notably companies like G Company. The G Company had previously introduced a similar product, the G Company Glasses, which stood inferior compared to Virtual World’s technology.

The focus for the official testing groups from different countries wasn’t the Second Life game but the virtual glasses and how they could get the human brain to accept electronic signals directly. Even though they weren’t expecting immediate results, they believed long-term research could yield insights, eventually.

However, Virtual World Corporation didn’t halt its operations. With Kay Lee yet to return from the North Federation, Lewis entertained representatives from other corporations at the Virtual World headquarters.

“Mr. Lewis, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” began Daniel Teddy, CEO of Flame Nation’s International Aviation Company.

“The pleasure is mine,” Lewis greeted everyone with a smile. “Strictly speaking, we’re all in a similar industry. Our company operates an airline of its own,” he gently added.

Daniel chuckled and exchanged pleasantries, although he had his reservations. ‘Your airline is exclusively for your personal and company flights. Only fifteen aircraft in total, servicing merely your company without any commercial operations. Initially, the purchased SP Airlines did have a considerable range of routes and some civil businesses. But now, all have been cancelled and the company loses billions every year servicing only your company. This is your definition of us being in the same industry?’ Of course, these were only his inner thoughts. Wistfully, he pondered, ‘Who can stop a rich man from acting waywardly?’.

“Mr. Lewis, the purpose of our visit is clear to you, as initial agreement talks have already been completed and relevant tests have been carried out,” said Daniel. “We would certainly like to know the possible completion date for your holographic glasses.”

“That’s quite simple. In a week, your requested special holographic glasses will be ready,” Lewis responded, understanding that the aviation companies want to purchase holographic glasses that could be shared among passengers, rather than the one person one device model sold to individual gamers. Thus, they required the manufacture of specially customizable glasses.

“Great, here’s to our pleasant collaboration,” Daniel expressed jovially.

“Here’s to our collaboration. Still, I have another question for all of you. As CEOs of the largest airlines in the nation, are there plans to purchase new aircraft?” Lewis asked with a smile.

“Please ask,” encouraged Daniel after a pause. “We shall share anything within our knowledge limit.”

“It’s simple. Are any of your companies planning to purchase new planes?” Lewis enquired with a grin. Most of the CEOs from the largest airways in the country were present.

“Of course. All our companies plan to purchase new aircraft in the near future,” Daniel answered promptly since every company present had either plans or intent to purchase new planes.

Unlike cars, you can’t just walk in and purchase an airplane. You contact manufacturers like Sky Crane or Wolfhawk, place your order, and they produce the aircraft for you. There are no pre-manufactured planes waiting for purchase.