8: p.m.

“Zeus, give me the update and run the software for the last time. Check for any bugs or loopholes.” Emma relaxed on his chair.

His gaze was fixed on the big screen with multiple lines of code. While other sections of the screen were showing simulations of the software.

Zeus: “All plans had already been accomplished. The drones are already in the safe house, ready to be launched. Also, the app had already been potted into different platforms with no bugs, ready to be deployed.”

[Your efficiency in programming is outstanding. I will give you that. But there are still many holes that needed to be filled.]

“Sure. I don’t have the resources or manpower right now.” Emma answered calmly. He had thought about it and knew the point where it needed to be improved. “What name should I call the app?” He thought out loud.

[Think of a name.]

“What about TerraLink?” Emma whispered.

[That’s better. The name had meaning to the software.]

Emma smiled and nodded, pleased with the name. “Zeus, name the app TerraLink”

Instantly, Zeus’s monotone voice echoed. “Done.”

[Won’t you run a personal test on the software?] Lily questioned.

“I almost forget.” Emma creased his brow. “Zeus, run the software on the lowest OS out there.”

Zeus: “On it. Creating a sandbox and allocating resources. Ready.”

On the large screen. An image of a transparent planet with many tiny links connecting appeared. Shortly, the name TerraLink appeared in a nice font. Shortly, the screen displayed rows of information to be filled with short information about TerraLink.

TerraLink is a world where everything is possible. But every feature was locked. Only the mission zone was opened to the public. TerraLink is a traceless world where user existence is anonymous. Also, TerraLink emphasized on Link.

This link connects every member. Anybody that breaks this link would be blocked from TerraLink or receive physical punishment. After 5 minutes, the testing of TerraLink was successful.

[I see, you use some of the technology I taught you in the mini Ai and install it in the software.] Lily requested.

“Yea, and I also used it in the core program of the software. How is it.”

[Good]

[Now launch the software]

“First, I need to take a shower.” Emma stood up from his seat and leave the glass room.

[Why would you need a shower to launch a software?]

Emma shrugged. “You won’t understand.”

Shortly, Emma returned to the glass room, sitting in his previous seat. He looked at the big screen and took a deep breath.

“Deployed the drones.”

Instantly, the safe house was shown on the screen with all the necessary details. 15 drones rose into the air simultaneously. Immediately, on the big screen, 15 images were shown. Zeus piloted the drones, moving them to a specific location.

Zeus’s monotone came from the speaker. “Drones successfully deployed. They will stop ascending at the altitude of 1000 meters. Video feed OK. Sound Effect Ok, Signal strength Ok.”

“Good, Deployed the app,” Emma commanded. He tried to calm his beating heart, but it was obvious in his voice how elated he was.

Zeus: “Deploy commencing: 10%… 40%….70%….90%….100%… Deployment successful”

Instantly, notification beeps rang on every communication device in Desert street. The strange notification surprised the people. But as human curiosity couldn’t be contained. They explored the unknown notification. The HD 3D logo on the welcome screen captured the people’s attention. And the perfect sequence animation of TerraLink flows in with a natural sound.

Emma sat calmly with a bottle of soda in his hand. The statics of every app was shown on the screen. He knew the app would not immediately capture the attention of people. But in the long run, it would rise in popularity and by them, it wouldn’t be free to join TerraLink.

Many scholars in his previous life talk about human behavior. And his father had forced him to read everything and learn many things when he was young. But his laziness makes it the subject of ridicule.

“How many people are in Desert street?” Emma demanded, sipping his soda.

Zeus: “500, 000”

[Hmm, Too small. The population of this world is too small.]

“That is because you’re not from this world. But base earth standard. It’s a lot for the ordinary street.”

[You’re right. Are you getting cold feet about your app?]

“What do you mean, cold feet? I left those people with no choice. This is a chance for them to work, meet people, ask for help, and more with no problem. I’m sure 60% would register. If it was me, I would also register. What would they lose that they haven’t lost already?” Emma explained to Lily.

[You’re right. But there is one problem. Poor people would not explore themselves. Besides, there are many markets place like that on your internet.]

“You’re right. But TerraLink is different. You will see.” Emma continued to sip his soda leisurely as he watched the number of registers increased every second.

[…]

When the number of registrars arrived at 10, 000. The red icon on the giant screen turned green. Seeing this, Emma smiled.

“Zeus, initiate the second phase.”

Instantly, a countdown appeared on the screen. It counted down from 60 minutes downward. Instantly, the countdown appeared on every device that had TerraLink on it. With a message: 60 minutes for TerraLink world to close.

Desert street was not as quiet as people thought. With the countdown. Most people that were skeptical about the app had to give it deep consideration. TerraLink became the subject of conversation in all desert streets.

“Daddy, what are we going to do. Are we going to register or not?” A young girl at the age of 14 asked her father.

“I don’t know. TerraLink looks suspicious. It came out of nowhere and wanted us to register. That’s not how things are done for a new app.” His father responded, looking at his wife.

“Mummy, what do you think?”

“I agree with what your father said. It’s a little too suspicious.”

“But if it the Vulture gangs that ask us to register. Are we going to ask if it is dangerous?” The girl asked her parent innocently.

Both parents were short of words. Truth. if it was the Vulture gang. Did they have a choice?

“You see. You can’t answer. We have nothing to lose. So am going to register.”

In another part of Desert City. Inside an average-looking restaurant. Two young ladies were whispering.

“What do you decide? Register or not. We have less than twenty minutes” One of the young ladies, called Nona, asked her friend, Amanda.

“Register, of course. Is there something worse than what we are experiencing in Vulture City?” Amanda replied.

“Ok, let us register together.”