BXBX NOVEL Chapter 40 - The Mecca Of Esports
The executive directors were taking turns in updating their young CEO regarding their businesses. A British man in his 40\'s was keeping silent while others talked in the video conference meeting.
[I feel so out of place joining in such an important corporate meeting.] Kevin Lawson thought apprehensively.
"Kevin, You haven\'t talked since we started the meeting. So how is the Future Tech F1 team doing? Is your department on track to fulfill the assignment I gave you?" Vince asked curiously.
"I\'m sorry, Vince. I\'m just not used to attending meetings with such influential people. I\'m just a racing team director." Kevin replied.
"If you feel like your position is too demanding, we can replace you, but you don\'t have to be a racing director forever. Show Future Tech your skills and talents, and we\'ll assign an appropriate position." Vince replied reassuringly.
"I\'ve never been paid as much as I earn now. So it\'s only natural I\'ll have more responsibilities. Future Tech F1 has assigned all the engineers to develop the recon drones besides those collaborating with Future Tech VR. The designs should be ready for manufacturing in two months." Kevin replied confidently.
"That\'s good to hear. We\'ll need to equip Price and Future Security with our new military tech to ensure their safety." Vince replied.
"Which reminds me. Where\'s Price?" Vince asked.
"Price told me he\'d be busy installing new security equipment at the headquarters, tech campus, FS training facility, and our other buildings within the United States," Hudson replied.
[It seems like Future Security\'s cyber division is already upgrading Future Tech\'s defensive systems. I\'ll have to give Price a bonus for all his busy work.] Vince thought.
"How has the company restructuring been going?" Vince asked.
"Your outline was detailed enough for me to start implementing this new organizational structure. I can already tell this new method will help us cope with further expansions in the future, especially abroad." Hudson replied.
"Executive and management positions will enjoy Future Security\'s protection to avoid corporate espionage," Hudson added.
"Well done, Hudson. You\'ve served me well since Kemp-Jacobs recommended you as my staff manager. I\'ll promote you to Chief Operations Officer after the restructuring." Vince replied.
"AIM processor and device development will be its own department now. Assign Morgan as the executive director for Future Tech Micro Devices." Vince added.
Hudson was elated by the unexpected promotion and thanked Vince profusely before he ended the meeting.
Vince and his entourage flew on the Dreamliner to Daegu the next day.
Vince spent some time catching up on the Arena Pro League playoffs results by watching the \'Daily Esports\' broadcast in the private jet.
"Prime Alliance barely won their bracket, though it was stacked with some of the best teams in the APL. They\'ll get a chance to defend their title tomorrow afternoon." a male daily esports broadcaster said.
"Clear Sky\'s performance is getting better. It seems like they want to avenge their defeat last year in front of their home crowd. It\'s exciting just thinking about it!" a female broadcaster replied.
"They\'ll have to put on a great show because the young CEO, Vince Dalton, will be gracing Daegu Stadium with his presence during the Grand Final." the female broadcaster added.
"There will be more than 60,000 people in attendance for the Finals, so you better get there early or risk getting swamped by the huge crowd." the male broadcaster stated.
[Sixty thousand spectators in one place could get dangerous, but Price is sending a detachment of 1,000 FS operators equipped with our new military technology to keep the peace.] Vince thought.
Future Security rented five C-17 Globemasters to transport all their personnel and equipment.
The detachment departed from Austin and landed at one of the US Airbases in South Korea, waiting to be deployed for the event.
"It will be a bitter fight between Clear Sky and Prime Alliance, but I think Fortis can out carry Charlatan like what happened earlier this year." the male broadcaster said.
"I disagree. Charlatan has been playing so well the past season. They\'ve learned their mistakes and will win the Finals while their home crowd cheers." the female broadcaster rebuked.
"We\'ll see what happens tomorrow. The hype is growing, and I\'m so excited to watch the event. Don\'t forget to watch the free broadcast on Instagram, YouTube, or any other platform. See you tomorrow!" the female broadcaster said as she ended the show.
A group of armored SUVs drove from Daegu\'s local airport to a hotel.
Leah spent some time appointing employees within the non-profit organization and Future Couture to new roles based on the corporate restructuring.
It was well within her authority to do so as an executive director herself.
Vince was working on his laptop in the living room and was so focused that he jumped in surprise when Leah grabbed his attention.
"Mom, You scared me for a second there. I was so engrossed in writing programs with Future Security\'s new cyber agents. What did you need?" Vince asked.
"As an executive director, I assume I can use my yearly budget however I want, right?" Leah asked curiously.
"Technically, Yes. But, I prefer you use it to expand the departments. Why do you ask?" Vince replied.
"I\'ve been thinking of recruiting Dr. Sera and her medical team. I spent a significant amount of time with her team during my treatments, and I miss them." Leah replied.
"You don\'t have to use your budget for that. I\'ll be investing $10 billion in the medical field to support our mission in Afghanistan. You can start forming Future Med with Dr. Sera and her team." Vince stated.
"Thank you, Vince! You\'re the best son ever!" Leah exclaimed.
"Alright, Alright. Calm down. I need to get back to work, so if you don\'t mind." Vince replied.
"Okay. I\'ll go ahead and call Dr. Sera." Leah said before leaving the living room.
Vince and Leah arrived at the Daegu stadium the next day. They were welcomed together with Prime Alliance and Clear Sky riding in limousines following behind their armored SUVs.
Heavily armed Future Security operators could be found patrolling around the large stadium together with Dragonfly drones.
Anti-corporation protestors attempted to form outside the stadium but were quickly repelled by security.
Their group made its way to the VIP box with a clear sight of the main stage.
The pre-show was well received. K-POP groups and artists were invited to perform before the match, and the locals appreciated watching their favorite idols on stage.
FS operators entered the VIP box with President Lee and left quickly after.
"I didn\'t know you were a fan of War Online Arena, Mr. President," Vince said with a fake smile.
"Entertainment is a cornerstone industry here in South Korea. So how can I miss the most prominent event held here since the Olympics?" Mr. Lee declared.
Vince introduced Leah to Mr. Lee before conversing with him with some small talk.
"You\'re security team seems like a cut above the rest. I heard Future Security would be fighting in Afghanistan soon. Are you interested in securing the DMZ in the north? Our defense budget is quite large." Mr. Lee proposed.
"Thank you for the offer, but we\'ll only be involved in Afghanistan for now. I\'m open for it in the future, though." Vince replied.
[If you last that long.] Vince thought chidingly.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the teams are ready. Please welcome the defending champions, Prime Alliance!" the announcer said on the microphone.
The cheers were as loud as it was in the Staples Center earlier in the year.
"Now, please welcome the contenders, South Korea\'s very own, Clear Sky!" the announcer added.
The stadium shook as all the local fans chanted and cheered for their home team.
Prime Alliance and Clear Sky entered their gaming booths and started their first War Online Arena match, best of seven.
"It looks like Fortis is going for a damage build instead of his iconic tank build. Is he trying to match up with Charlatan?" a match commentator stated.
The first game was back and forth as Fortis and Charlatan\'s characters slowly grew stronger from killing enemy creeps.
Charlatan was better than Fortis as a damage dealer, and team wiped Prime Alliance to win the grueling first game after 45 minutes.
Fortis stayed true to his offensive build and out carried Charlatan the second game to everyone\'s surprise.
"Fortis is such a great player. He can even change roles whenever he wants!" a commentator declared.
History was repeating itself as the Grand Final reached the seventh and final game to decide the season champions.
Charlatan turned into a gaming demon during the last game, trading blow for blow with Fortis.
Everybody else was dead and waiting to respawn except the two best players on each team.
"This fight will determine the champion!" the commentator shouted.
Charlatan received a heavy blow from Fortis\' [Piercing Throw] and retreated to the high ground with his skills.
Fortis saw an opportunity to kill Charlatan and win the game. He used his only gap-closing skill [Leaping Thrust] to chase the low HP Charlatan in the fogged high ground.
Charlatan performed a masterful series of movements and skills, fighting Fortis instead of trying to escape.
Fortis quickly realized he had the disadvantage of fighting Charlatan head-on because he built his character for team fighting.
During the split second, when Fortis committed the grave mistake, Charlatan turned the fight around, stunning Fortis with his ultimate skill [Shadow Bind].
Fortis was killed before the stun effect wore off, and the crowd cheered even louder than earlier.
[South Korea is truly the mecca of esports.] Vince thought with a wide smile on his face.
Stats last time checked:
Future Tech current valuation - $300 billion
15 million BTC (currently trades at $1,000)
$80 Billion cash in Future Tech
8350+ employees (FT AI, Future Studios, Hive Mind Manufacturing, FT Micro Devices, BitCash, Future Security, FT VR, Future Tech F1, FT Investments, Future Arms)
Vehicles: Klassen Phantom, Agera R, Agera SFV, Boeing Luxury 787 Dreamliner
Five company collaborators (Epic, Koenegisegg, SpaceX, Tesla, Hyundai C&E)
Dozens of investments under Future Tech Holdings (i..e., Instagram)