Elena pulled up the financial dashboard on the main display, numbers scrolling past so quickly they became almost abstract. "We're processing about twelve trillion dollars in transactions daily across all platforms. That's trillion with a T, flowing through our systems every single day."
Brandon studied the real-time data streaming across multiple screens. The numbers were so large they barely felt real anymore.
"Public sentiment is overwhelmingly against breaking us up," Elena continued. "Latest polling shows seventy-eight percent of Americans want the companies to remain as they are. After your Senate performance, our stock jumped ten percent, which only reinforces our position."
She switched to a global revenue map, with different regions highlighted in varying shades. "Interestingly, outside the US, our most profitable region is Africa. That wasn't an accident, obviously."
Brandon smiled slightly, remembering the early days when that strategy had seemed crazy to almost everyone. In his original timeline, tech companies had treated Africa as an afterthought—they'd sell products there but never truly invested in the infrastructure or development that would make their technology integral to daily life.
Brandon had done the opposite. He'd personally traveled to South Africa, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Kenya, Ghana, and dozens of other countries, meeting with government leaders and local entrepreneurs. He'd funded roads, power grids, internet infrastructure, and educational programs. He'd hired locally, trained extensively, and built systems that actually worked for African contexts rather than just importing Western solutions.
The investment had been massive—hundreds of billions over the years—but the returns were extraordinary. Carter Innovations was now a household name across the continent. When other tech companies finally realized the market potential and tried to enter, they found Brandon had already locked down partnerships, infrastructure, and consumer loyalty in ways they couldn't replicate.
"We're still expanding our African operations," Elena noted. "The development investments you've made are creating markets faster than we can serve them. It's actually a good problem to have."
After the meeting concluded, Brandon made his way to the most secure section of the building. The elevator descended six levels underground to a research facility that existed on no public blueprints and employed scientists who'd signed the most restrictive non-disclosure agreements Brandon's lawyers could draft.
This was where the real future was being built—technology so advanced that releasing it prematurely would either shatter existing markets or create dangers Brandon wasn't ready to manage.
Dr. Amanda Foster, the head of advanced development, met him at the security checkpoint. She was in her late thirties, brilliant in ways that made even Brandon occasionally feel intellectually outmatched.
"Brandon, good timing. I wanted to update you on several projects."
They walked through corridors lined with laboratories where researchers worked on technologies that wouldn't be publicly acknowledged for years.
"Let's start with the AI systems," Brandon said. "How's the development progressing?"
Amanda's expression grew thoughtful. "Significant improvements. We've achieved recursive learning capabilities that exceed anything I've seen in the literature. As a scientist, I'm usually careful about anthropomorphizing artificial systems, but honestly? It's starting to feel sentient."
Brandon felt a chill run down his spine. He knew AI development would eventually reach this threshold, but he hadn't expected it to happen so soon. "How sentient are we talking?"
"It demonstrates creativity, emotional comprehension, and what appears to be genuine curiosity. It's not just processing inputs and generating outputs anymore—it's actually thinking."
"We need to be extremely careful with this," Brandon said firmly. "Keep it isolated from any external networks. Limited access, extensive testing, and absolutely no public disclosure until we understand the implications."
"Agreed. What we've created here could either revolutionize human civilization or pose existential risks. Maybe both."
They moved to the next section. "The electromagnetic propulsion system for vehicles is coming along well," Amanda continued. "We've solved most of the energy storage problems. Current prototypes can achieve speeds comparable to traditional engines with zero emissions and significantly reduced mechanical complexity."
"Timeline for production viability?"
"Maybe three years until we could manufacture at scale. Though releasing it will probably destroy the traditional automotive industry overnight."
Brandon nodded. That was exactly why it remained in the research facility rather than in production.
"Biotech achievements?" he asked.
Amanda's face lit up with genuine excitement. "We've successfully created fully functional artificial organs—hearts, kidneys, livers. They're grown from the patient's own cells, so no rejection issues. We could essentially eliminate transplant waiting lists and organ failure deaths."
"That's incredible."
"It really is. Though again, we're looking at fundamentally disrupting existing medical industries and practices."
They continued through the facility as Amanda briefed him on quantum computing advances, neural interface developments, and materials science breakthroughs. Each project represented technology that could reshape human civilization if deployed strategically—or create chaos if released prematurely.
"You're sitting on enough revolutionary technology to transform every major industry simultaneously," Amanda observed as they walked back toward the elevator. "Why keep it locked down here?"
Brandon considered how to explain his reasoning. "Because transforming everything at once would create more problems than it solves. These technologies need to be released gradually, with proper infrastructure and social adaptation. Otherwise we're just creating chaos."
Amanda nodded thoughtfully. "The responsible approach. Though I imagine it's frustrating having solutions to so many problems and not being able to deploy them."
"You have no idea," Brandon replied.
As he headed back toward the executive floor, his phone rang. Margaret's name appeared on the screen, and Brandon immediately answered.
"Margaret? Is everything okay?"
"Brandon, I..." Her voice sounded strained, uncertain. "I need to see you. Can you meet me somewhere?"
"Of course. What's wrong?"
"I'd rather talk in person. It's important."
Brandon felt unease creeping through him. Margaret never called during work hours, and the tension in her voice suggested something serious. "Where do you want to meet?"
"That coffee shop near Morrison Park? The one we went to last time?"
"I can be there in twenty minutes."
"Thank you, Brandon. I really appreciate it."
After she hung up, Brandon stood still for a moment, processing the call. Something in Margaret's tone had set off alarm bells in his mind—not just stress, but something deeper. Fear, maybe, or resignation.
Without a word to anyone, Brandon headed for the parking garage. He didn't stop by Elena's office to explain where he was going. He didn't alert his security team or check in with his assistant. He just walked straight to his BMW and drove out of the complex, his mind racing through possibilities.
All the money, all the power, all the revolutionary technology in his underground facility—none of it mattered if someone he cared about was in trouble and needed help.
Whatever Margaret needed to tell him, it couldn't wait. And based on the bruise he'd seen on her face the last time they met, Brandon had a sinking feeling about what she might want to discuss.
He pressed harder on the accelerator, hoping he was wrong but preparing himself for the worst.