Vince met with Randall and invited him to dinner with his group.

They ate at a BBQ place Price suggested.

Randall rode with Christian in the Agera R while others drove in the Phantom.

Vince spent some time getting to know more about his new F1 driver while the older gentlemen were drinking to celebrate our new deal with the FIA.

They planned to watch the Formula 1 race the next day before bidding farewells.

“I heard you bought an F1 team. Why didn’t you tell me?” Christian asked.

“I still wasn’t sure which team I’d buy and just decided on the spot,” Vince replied with an excuse.

“Okay. But I’ll persuade Jean to allow Koenigsegg to supply your team with engines for next year.” Christian insisted.

“Good luck with that. We’ll have an advantage as the developers of the Freevalve system. Jean will disagree.” Vince said.

“I have my ways in dealing with Jean,” Christian replied confidently.

After arriving at Vince’s villa, he contacted Kyle, instructing him and a portion of Future Studios and FT VR to work with his new F1 team’s simulation division.

[I didn’t mention it to Mr. Mallya, but I also wanted physics simulation engineers to help develop the new Future Tech VR system. Value deal right there.] Vince thought.

Christian, Vince, Price, and Randall returned to COTA the next day to watch the Formula 1 race.

News reporters were approaching their group to ask Vince questions about his new F1 team.

“Randall had already taken one seat for next year. Have you decided on a second driver yet?” an interviewer asked Vince.

“I trust my team’s current race director to fill the role before the new season starts,” Vince answered.

“On a separate subject, Time Magazine had named you the person of the year beating out President Obama and Tim Cook. What do you feel about this?” the interviewer asked.

“It’s an honor, of course. There are billions of people on Earth, and they chose me.” Vince replied.

“Future Tech has changed how our society interacts with the digital world, yet there’s more to come,” Vince added confidently.

“Thank you for taking the time and answering our questions.” the interviewer said humbly.

The race started an hour later. It was the typical battle between the major teams in F1.

Sahara Force India didn’t do too well, and Lewis Hamilton overtook Sebastian Vettel midrace, eventually winning.

A larger crowd from yesterday were cheering after enjoying the Formula 1 race, held in the USA for the first time since the 2007 Indianapolis Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton completed the podium with himself at the top step.

Music was playing as the three drivers popped their huge champagne bottles in celebration.

Jean Todt officially announced the new regulations for the next season, featuring the Freevalve system. Koenigsegg would join Mercedes, Ferrari, and Renault as engine manufacturers, supplying Future Tech F1.

A few hours later, at Vince’s home. Aiya reminded Vince about his meeting with General Douglas he’d been putting off the next day.

[Christian’s flight to Sweden and mine to DC will be early tomorrow. So I’ll need to get some rest soon.] Vince thought.

Christian bade farewells before leaving in the Phantom. Vince had a security operator drive him to the airport.

Vince drove the Agera SFV with Price to Future Tech’s private hangar with security personnel in tow.

Vince recently ordered a luxury 787 Dreamliner from Boeing for $200 million. It could seat 40 people and reach anywhere around the world in one fuel tank.

The group of five boarded the private jet and chose their seats.

[Now, this is first class.] Vince thought excitedly.

They were all served food and drinks by a group of beautiful stewardesses.

It was an utterly comfortable few hours of flight to DC.

Black SUVs were already waiting for their arrival to bring them to the White House. General Douglas insisted on meeting Vince Dalton with the presence of the US president.

They arrived in front of the White House half an hour later, with the help of presidential escorts.

The secret service insisted on disarming my security for a good reason.

Price gave them his pistol while the other security operators were removing all their weapons.

They surrendered heavily modified machine pistols hidden in their suits, extra ammo magazines attached to their body armor on their lower backs.

They also handed over assorted knives and security accessories in their pockets.

The secret service agent was dumbfounded in how heavy Vince’s security rolled.

Secret service brought Vince and the others into the Oval Office.

[The White House is a fortress. I’ve only seen the outside of the White House in my previous life.] Vince thought.

A caucasian man in a military uniform in his late fifties sat across Barack Obama, one of the most powerful men in the world.

General Douglas introduced himself and the president after.

“It’s a pleasure to meet the 2012 person of the year finally.” President Obama said with an amiable smile.

“The pleasure is mine. It’s an honor to meet up in person, Mr. President.” Vince replied.

Vince introduced Price as his head of physical and cybersecurity while the others stayed outside for the meeting.

“Are you aware of why we’ve scheduled this meeting?” General Douglas asked.

“The request was vague, but I do have a rough idea,” Vince replied.

“Our NSA agents have reported Future Tech employing security drones at your tech campus.” General Douglas mentioned.

“That is indeed the case. Our patrol drones assist the local police department in quickening their response times in case of emergencies.” Vince replied.

“The Pentagon would like to use your autonomous drone technology in our war efforts in Afghanistan.” General Douglas declared.

[I knew this would happen eventually. I have my principles but would need to compromise.] Vince thought.

“How exactly do you want our autonomous drones to assist in the war?” Vince asked.

“We’ll install them on attack bombers.” General Douglas replied.

[That’s too much. I can’t have the military dropping bombs autonomously using my technology.] Vince thought angrily.

“I understand that the US military uses unmanned predator drones already. So it would be redundant.” Vince replied.

“You’re but a child. You don’t understand the military as much as I do.” General Douglas angrily replied.

“Calm down, Douglas. I’m sorry about his sudden outburst. He’s very passionate about the military.” Obama said.

“I can see that,” Vince added.

“You understand Future Tech technology more than Douglas or I. So what would you suggest, Vince?” Obama asked.

“I understand that unmanned drones have pilots. However, it’s ultimately these pilots’ decision to shoot or drop bombs. They’re human and are capable of making or changing their choices. AI drones do not.” Vince said.

“I suggest providing these pilots with more intelligence and information about their targets.

Then, ensure they destroy the correct buildings and eliminate their chosen targets. With the use of autonomous recon drones in the sky and on the ground.”

You can outfit your current aerial recon drones with Future Tech AI, and our robotics division can supply each infantry squad with a terrestrial recon bot that can clear urban environments and tag targets in rooms or buildings.” Vince added.

[I can’t just say no to the military. The DOD will drag me in front of the Senate and force a deal down my throat.] Vince thought.

A similar case happened with Microsoft in his previous life. They found out the army was using the Holo Lens to train and equip infantry units.

Microsoft didn’t want anything to do with direct military involvement but was forced to sign a deal, officially selling batches of Holo Lenses to the Pentagon.

“Those ideas sound quite compelling. What do you think, Douglas?” Obama asked.

“It will give our pilots and boots on the ground some reassurance.” the general replied.

“I feel generous in giving ideas at the moment. How about IED sweeper bots to help clear the main Afghan roads and highways?” Vince added.

“I’m open to working with the government, but there are lines I can’t cross.” Vince declared.

The president and general were satisfied with Vince’s ideas.

Price inserted himself in the conversation.

“A large portion of the Future Tech security operators are interested in taking contract deals to secure forward-operating bases or performing other missions. For the right price, of course.” Price pitched.

He was in charge of Future Security and was within his rights to offer their services.

[It seems like the guys in the security department are itching for action. Guarding me or our buildings can get boring, I guess.] Vince thought.

General Douglas took note of the offer before negotiating the specifics of the DOD’s partnership with Future Tech.

The initial deal was for $30 billion worth of upgrades to current drones and the new equipment.

The US government provided favorable tax agreements and allowed Future Tech to expand the current transcontinental and transatlantic fiber optic cables for their sole use.

[The fiber optic expansion deal is more than worth the Hive Mind manufacturing hours.] Vince thought happily.

Stats last time checked:

15 million BTC (currently trades at $1,000)

$74.5 Billion in Future Tech

8350+ employees (Future Studios, Hive Mind AI, ARM, BitCash, Future Security, FT VR, Future Tech F1)

Vehicles: Klassen Phantom, Agera R, Agera SFV, Boeing Luxury 787 Dreamliner

Five company collaborators

Dozens of investments under Future Tech Holdings