Retas PoV
I glanced around at the city we had landed in. Varia had gotten us authorization to land. No one seemed alarmed by our ship, which made me think Yusan didn't reach this world yet. Had something happened to him? While it would be disappointing to not snuff out his life ourselves, it did mean one less issue.
But like Wilneth said, he might've modified his methods. The man might like violence, but he wasn't an idiot. He knew when he was outmatched. That only made him more dangerous.
As we walked through the bustling streets, I couldn't help but notice the recurring logo in all the ads and even on some buildings. A sleek, stylized symbol—three interlocking rings surrounding a central star—appeared everywhere. It was on holographic billboards, transportation hubs, and even the public announcement screens. The symbol was omnipresent, a constant reminder of the entity that governed this world.
"That logo," I murmured to myself. "Must be the symbol of the Nomuus Corporation."
It made me wonder how such a group had taken over as the official government of Quadra and beyond. Corporations in Titanos were powerful, but they'd never replaced the traditional government structure entirely. The Nomuus Corporation, however, seemed to have achieved a level of control that was almost unparalleled.
Arare, walking beside me, noticed my gaze. "What are you looking at?"
I pointed to one of the holographic ads, which featured the logo prominently. "That symbol. It's everywhere."
Arare nodded. "Yeah, Vyran said the Nomuus Corporation runs everything here. It's hard to imagine a business entity having so much power."
I couldn't help but feel a mixture of intrigue and skepticism. "In Titanos, corporations are influential, but they don't govern planets. How did the Nomuus Corporation manage to take over as the official government?"
"From what Vyran said, they provide a lot of services and maintain a high standard of living for the citizens," Arare replied. "People seem to trust them because they deliver results."
"Results," I muttered, still skeptical. "Results can be manipulated on paper. And power can be abused."
Varia who had been listening in, chimed in. "They're tangible. Also it's not just about providing services. The Nomuus Corporation has intergalactic influence. They have the resources and technology to maintain order across multiple worlds."
I nodded, my mind racing with possibilities. If Yusan managed to infiltrate or manipulate such a powerful entity, the consequences could be catastrophic. His methods might have changed, but his ambition remained the same.
As we continued to walk, I kept a wary eye on our surroundings. The city's seamless blend of technology and nature was impressive, but it also meant that surveillance was likely omnipresent. We needed to be cautious, especially if Yusan was already here, lurking in the shadows.
"Stay alert," I said to the group. "We can't afford to let our guard down. The Nomuus Corporation might be efficient, but that doesn't mean they're infallible. And if Yusan is here, he could be planning something big."
Wilneth nodded in agreement. "Ret is right. We need to gather intel and assess the situation. Let's split up and cover more ground, but stay in constant communication. If anything seems off, report it immediately."
We nodded. Varia and Wilneth split us up.
I found myself in the same group as Vyran, Day, and Goerld. I didn't worry about Goerld, but the other two weren't very fond of me at the moment.
"Say, how did the Nomuus Corporation take over exactly?" Day asked, her curiosity evident as she walked beside Vyran.
Vyran tapped his own head. "The history crystals say it happened centuries ago during a period known as the Great Upheaval," he began.
"Great Upheaval?" I echoed, intrigued.
"Yeah," Vyran continued. "It was a time of significant governmental failure. The central government couldn't support its people adequately, leading to widespread discontent and eventually, mass revolt. The people were desperate for stability and solutions, and the existing political structures were crumbling under the pressure."
"So, the Nomuus Corporation stepped in?" Day asked, leaning in.
"Exactly," Vyran confirmed. "During this chaotic period, the Nomuus Corporation was already a prominent entity, known for its innovative solutions and efficient management. They offered to step in and provide the stability and resources that the governments couldn't. They started with small-scale projects, but their success quickly garnered public trust."
"And during the era of space travel," Vyran continued, "the corporation gained even more power. While the governments of Quadra struggled to fund even a single space mission, the Nomuus Corporation managed to develop and implement a feasible plan for space exploration. They took people to space, terraformed planets, and created new colonies. Their ability to deliver on promises that the government failed to fulfill solidified their position as the de facto rulers."
"So, they essentially earned their power by proving they could do what the governments couldn't?" Goerld asked.
"Yes," Vyran replied. "And once they had that power, they maintained it by continually delivering high standards of living, security, and technological advancements. Over time, they became the official governing body, and their influence spread across multiple worlds."
"I see. And how exactly does the group work?"
"It has multiple divisions, focused on practically every field, from acting to space research."
"Acting? Like plays?" I asked, recalling some of the operas I had gone to back in my own world.
Vyran chuckled. "They do fund some, but I meant like movies and holographic shows."
"Sounds efficient," I said, still trying to process all the information. "But how do they handle dissent? Surely, not everyone is happy with the system."
"True," Vyran acknowledged. "There are criticisms and opposition, as in any governing system. The Nomuus Corporation has a robust public relations division that addresses concerns and manages any potential unrest. They're very good at maintaining a positive public image."
"And what about the actual governance?" Goerld asked. "How do they make decisions?"
"The Corporation is run by a board of directors, each overseeing different divisions and sectors. Decisions are made collectively, guided by data and analytics from their various departments. It's a meritocratic system, where the most capable individuals rise to positions of power based on their performance and contributions."
Day frowned. "Sounds efficient, but efficiency doesn't always equate to fairness."
"True," Vyran agreed. "There are certainly criticisms about lack of decision making. But for now, the system works, unlike the democratic system we had prior. The Corporation has managed to maintain stability and growth. We managed to integrate with A.I. without issue, making our brains run after than before."
Day hummed. "So you're super smart?"
He chuckled nervously. "Well... I like to think of myself as knowledgeable, but I'm not sure if I would use 'smart'. I was considered the dumb kid at school."
I snickered. "You still have school in this world despite having access to such advance tech?"
Vyran sighed. "I know! I asked myself the same thing. What good is school if all the information is already in my brain?"
Goerld smiled. "You're asking why school is necessary when you have all the information at your fingertips? It's simple, Vyran. School is more than just a place to store information. It's where you learn to socialize, to challenge yourself, to grow beyond what's programmed into those chips of yours."
Vyran looked thoughtful, the glow from his neural chip dimming as he considered Goerld's words. "I suppose you're right. It's just that sometimes it feels redundant, you know?"
"I get it," Goerld said, clapping a hand on Vyran's shoulder. "But think of it this way: without school, how would you learn to question what you know? How would you develop the ability to think critically about the world around you?"
Vyran nodded, a smile creeping onto his face. "When you put it that way, it does make sense. Thanks, Goerld. You're pretty wise for a guy from a rustic universe."
He crossed his muscular arms. "Uto might not be as advanced as Retra or even Titanos, but we value wisdom and experience. Sometimes, the most important lessons aren't found in data streams but in human interactions and lived experiences."
Vyran nodded thoughtfully. "That's something we can overlook here, with everything being so interconnected and data-driven. It's good to be reminded of the importance of personal growth beyond just the information we can access."
Day chimed in, her curiosity piqued. "So, Vyran, with all this advanced tech and interconnectedness, what happens when someone goes rogue? How do they handle internal threats?"
"It's a delicate balance," Vyran admitted. "The Nomuus Corporation has a dedicated security division to monitor and address any potential threats. They rely heavily on predictive analytics and surveillance to identify risks before they escalate. But, as with any system, there are vulnerabilities."
I couldn't help but interject. "So, even in a seemingly perfect system, there are cracks that can be exploited?"
"Absolutely," Vyran said, nodding. "No system is infallible. There are always ways for determined individuals to find loopholes or weaknesses. That's why vigilance and adaptability are crucial."
As we continued our walk, I kept my eyes peeled for anything out of the ordinary. The city's seamless blend of technology and nature was impressive, but it also meant that surveillance was likely omnipresent. We needed to be cautious, especially if there were hidden threats we hadn't yet identified. The cracks Vyran mentioned worried me. Yusan might just have been smart enough to slip through them.