I strode confidently back into the auction hall, my eyes scanning the room as I made my way to the stage. Reginald Thornton-Furst, the auctioneer, looked up in surprise as I approached.
"Ladies and gentlemen," I announced, my voice booming through the microphone. "I'm afraid the auction is over. The Moon flag has been sold to a private buyer."
A murmur of discontent rippled through the crowd, with some bidders shouting in protest. The room began to descend into chaos, with people arguing and shouting over one another.
I raised my hands, and the room slowly quieted down. "I know this is unexpected, but I assure you, the buyer is willing to pay a premium price. In fact, the price is... 100 billion credits."
The room fell silent, with all eyes fixed on me. The bidders looked at each other, seemingly stunned by the astronomical price tag.
Reginald cleared his throat. "Is there anyone who can match this price?" he asked, his voice laced with skepticism.
The room remained silent, with no one daring to speak up.
I smiled, knowing I had effectively ended the auction. "Very well," Reginald said finally. "The auction is closed. The Moon flag has been sold to the private buyer for 100 billion credits."
As the reality set in, the room erupted into a mixture of gasps, whispers, and angry shouts.
I smiled calmly, knowing I had pulled off the impossible.
As I turned to leave, Jennifer grasped my arm, her eyes narrowing. "Is it true, Rowan? Did you really sell the Moon flag to a private buyer?"
I hesitated for a moment before responding, "No, Jen. I didn't. I just said that to stop the auction."
Jennifer's expression turned from curious to furious. "You lied? Why would you do that?"
I shrugged. "I had to. I couldn't let it fall into the wrong hands. And I have a feeling that William Blackwood knows more about what's going on."
Jennifer's voice rose. "You're just going to trust some mysterious stranger over me? I thought we were in this together, Rowan."
I sighed. "We are, Jen. But I have to do this. I'll explain everything later, I promise."
Jennifer's anger was palpable, but I just turned and walked away, the stun gun hidden in my pocket.
I made my way to the old clock tower, the encounter with Jennifer still lingering in my mind.
As I approached the tower, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was getting in over my head.
I stepped into the old clock tower, the creaking of the door echoing through the silent space.William Blackwood emerged from the shadows, his eyes locked onto mine.
"Rowan," he said, his British accent low and even.
I nodded, my heart racing with anticipation.
"What's going on, Blackwood? What's so special about the Moon flag?"
Blackwood's expression turned intense. "It's the catalyst we need to unlock the source."
My face screwed up in confusion. "What source?"
Blackwood took a deep breath, his eyes burning with conviction. "The source is a... a reservoir of limitless energy, Rowan. A clean, sustainable power that can fuel our deepest ambitions. It's a quantum energy field, hidden deep within the fabric of space-time, waiting to be tapped. Imagine it, Rowan - a boundless supply of energy, enough to power entire civilizations, to propel our ships across the galaxy, to unlock the secrets of the universe."
My eyes widened, my mind racing with the implications.
"We need the source to power Venture," Blackwood continued, his voice filled with determination.
My lips parted, my voice barely above a whisper. "What is Venture?"
Blackwood's eyes gleamed with purpose. "Venture is an organization dedicated to expanding humanity's presence in the galaxy through exploration, colonization, and resource acquisition. But we're on the brink of collapse, Rowan. We need the source to survive."
I took a deep breath, my mind racing with the scope of Blackwood's vision. "And how, exactly would I profit from this?" I asked, my voice firm.
Blackwood smiled, a hint of triumph in his eyes. "Ah, Rowan. You'll be given a sacred post within Venture, one with the power to shape our future. You'll lead your own team, command your own expeditions, and have the resources to make your mark on the galaxy. And, of course, you'll be compensated with a guaranteed 1 million credits, plus a percentage of the profits from our... acquisitions."
"I'm in," I said, extending my hand.
Blackwood's smile widened as he shook it.
"Excellent. I'll arrange for you to visit our headquarters and see the scope of Venture's operations. Once you're satisfied, we'll finalize the deal and you'll hand over the Moon flag."
"I want to see Venture's operations before I hand over the flag," I clarified.
Blackwood nodded. "Fair enough. I'll send a transport for you tomorrow. Be ready to leave at dawn."
I nodded, a sense of excitement and trepidation building in my chest.
"Oh, and Rowan?" Blackwood added, his eyes glinting with intensity."Be prepared to see things that will change your perspective on the galaxy forever."
I swallowed hard, wondering what I was getting myself into.
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