The journey to City N felt different to Sam this time around.
Before, it was just a place where he worked and lived.
Now, it was more than just a city. It was a place where he would shape his dreams and create a new life for his family and friends.
Sam felt a renewed sense of purpose after all the heartfelt goodbyes from his village.
His determination was more profound now; he knew he was doing this for himself and everyone who had ever believed in him.
Arriving in City N, Sam's first task was to check out the new apartments he had arranged for his family and friends.
The apartment complex was a spectacle to behold, conveniently within walking distance from Orion Enterprises HQ.
Its impressive architecture and elegant design stood out even amongst the sprawling cityscape.
There was something different about this place.
Perhaps it was the anticipation of what was to come, or maybe it was the sheer scale of his dreams coming to life.
The apartment complex boasted 10 floors, each reflecting the pinnacle of modern living.
Eva had informed him earlier that the entire third floor had been rented out under the company's name.
It was an extravagant apartment complex with top-notch security and 24/7 surveillance.
The unique design of the building allowed each floor to have three units, each shaped like a triangle.
The concept might have been unusual, but it provided ample space, ensuring privacy and comfort.
Each unit was a luxury mansion in its own right, equipped with six bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, a study room, a theater, and a game room.
The idea of having such a spacious and luxurious living environment excited Sam.
After all, who wouldn't be thrilled at the prospect of a personal theater and a game room?
After surveying the apartments, Sam decided it was time to inform his friends about their new residence.
With a grin, he texted Jay and Riya, knowing how surprised they would be to see their new home.
His next task was moving. Fortunately, the apartment was already furnished, saving him the hassle of buying new furniture. It was a slight relief but one that Sam greatly appreciated.
His only real task left was to buy groceries.
The city was vibrant and alive, even in the evening.
The nearby mall was a hub of activity, a contrast to the peaceful serenity of his village.
Shopping for groceries brought him a strange sense of satisfaction. For once, he wasn't just buying food but preparing for a new life.
His first night in the new apartment was a quiet one.
A simple meal of noodles for dinner, a phone call to his parents about his new place, and the comforting silence of the night.
As he talked to his parents, his heart swelled with happiness, knowing they wouldn't have to cram into a small apartment.
They had a conversation filled with laughter and promises of the bright future awaiting them in City N.
Finally, after a long and eventful day, Sam called it a night.
As he settled into his new apartment, he could hardly contain his excitement for the new beginnings that awaited him, his family, and his friends.
A sense of peace washed over him as he fell asleep, ready to face whatever the next day would bring.
-
Sam woke up to a new day, a new beginning in City N.
The morning sun streamed through the apartment windows, creating an inviting ambiance.
With a refreshing cup of coffee, he began to set up his workplace in what had been designated as the study room.
The room transformed into a haven for a tech enthusiast in just a few hours.
High-end equipment found their spots on the sleek desk, wires traced their way to various sockets, and the smell of new electronics filled the room.
It was a sanctuary where Sam would build his empire, where countless ideas would take shape.
With his workspace set up, Sam asked Gaia for an update on OrionOS.
He knew Gaia had been working diligently but was unsure of the progress made during his break.
He had taken time off to reconnect with his roots, and now it was time to focus on the future.
As expected, Gaia was prompt and thorough in her report.
[OrionOS was completed three days ago. As well as the Cryptoglare Programming Language's documentation is also ready.]
Sam felt a wave of pride wash over him. His vision, his dream, was finally taking a tangible form.
But Gaia wasn't done.
[Furthermore, without your exclusive permission, I located a few people who searched on the internet about you, and some even tried to hack you. Here is the list of people and their associations.]
Sam felt a chill run down his spine as he read the list.
He expected the corporate giants to be interested.
But to see the Atlantic Union Government on the list was a shock.
They weren't just interested in his work but trying to monitor him.
His heart pounded in his chest; his face paled with realization.
This was far beyond what he had anticipated.
The threat felt real and closer than ever.
Sam felt cornered, but he also knew he had Gaia by his side.
He was not alone in this.
He asked Gaia to check if anyone else was being monitored. After a few seconds, she responded.
[They are tracking your parents and Eva. You are listed as a 'Threat' towards the Atlantic Union from the Top Secret Files I gathered. Still, they also specified that you are not a problem to the point that you need to be neutralized.]
The word 'neutralize' rang in Sam's ears.
It was an absurd reality for a young man who had just created a Translation App. Sam was baffled and infuriated, but he knew he had to keep a cool head.
In the quiet of his new apartment, Sam began to think. He realized his success had disrupted the plans of powerful entities.
They might use him to propagate the 'Great Atlantic Union Dream' narrative.
It was a bitter realization. Now, more than ever, Sam knew he had to tread carefully.
The government was no longer a safe haven for him. He was on his own and had to plan his moves strategically.
His mind was a whirlwind of plans and tactics as he delved deep into his thoughts. The game had just begun, and Sam was ready to play.
Sam's mind was racing as he contemplated his next steps. His intuition and logic urged him to find a secure and isolated spot.
A territory that was practically impossible to invade.
It had to be somewhere surrounded by water, a natural barrier that would deter the curious and the opportunistic.
Sam posed this question to Gaia. She quickly provided some options.
[1. The Isle of Seraph. 2. . . . ]
But before Gaia could continue, Sam interrupted her, "Find a place that is surrounded by water and is controlled by no one."
Gaia took a moment, and then she replied.
[From my findings, the uninhabited island is near the Atlantic Union. The place is not inhabited because of the extreme weather there. The Island is Death Island. No one has survived and comes back alive. Even the photographs that are available are due to satellites.]
The name 'Death Island' unsettled him, but a thrill quickly replaced it.
A thrill of owning an entire island, of having a sanctuary where he could retreat if things went south.
He wanted to create a stronghold that no one could infiltrate.
Next, he dove into the Empathy System's Store, hunting for what he needed.
There it was, 'Construction Robots.' These machines could tirelessly build structures, provided they were given blueprints and enough materials.
Perfect.
Then Sam found 'Military Robots.' Robots that could defend and attack as needed.
Even better.
He knew he had to buy both types. The construction robots to create his fortress, and the military robots to defend it.
But to transport the materials and robots, he needed a massive ship.
He found exactly what he needed and made the purchase.
Now, he was ready to start building.
He had a plan and the tools, but there was one thing he lacked - money. Lots of money.
A wicked smile spread across Sam's face as an idea sparked.
There was a list of people who were interested in his work. These were people with deep pockets.
Why not have them involuntarily fund his project?
He turned to Gaia with his plan, "Gaia, from the list of people, transfer 1% of their wealth to an anonymous account and make sure to clear your tracks. Make it an event that shakes the world."
Gaia's response was instant.
[Sure, Big Brother!]
Sam chuckled. Gaia sounded unusually excited about this.
A few moments later, Gaia provided the total amount transferred.
[Anonymous Account - 137,000,000,000]
Sam's eyes widened. He was taken aback by the staggering amount.
Just 1% of the wealth amounted to 137 billion dollars. The people on the list had a combined wealth of 13.7 trillion dollars.
Sam leaned back in his chair, digesting the reality of this number. The world's wealthiest people were much richer than the public was led to believe.
"All those magazines are a goddamn lie. The real rich people just don't want to come out." Sam mused.
With the finances sorted, Sam was all set to start building his fortress on Death Island.
He was one step closer to ensuring his safety and independence.
His dream of a stronghold was about to come true, and he had every intention of making it happen, no matter what.