Back in Ghana, during the 2007 period, there was a reshuffling of the entire currency that caused some financial turmoil within the country. Many people were ruined by this, as the rate of the dollar was brought to be perfectly equivalent to the new currency, so those who worked on foreign projects could no longer enjoy inflated rates.
Meanwhile, those rich in the local currency mass bought the dollar and hoarded it, even as it slowly rose over the years.
Jump forward to 2022, when the Ghanaian currency experienced a nosedive in value over the period of a few months, going from 1 USG = 5 GHC to 1 USD = 14 GHC. The consequences of this were still felt to this day, but it was too long to list them.
Rather, it was how this change benefited the hoarders of the past, whose money had jumped nearly 14 times in value!
Damon's parents had been one of those who did this.
At the time of the currency change, Damon was only 3 years old, unable to understand or comprehend what was happening, but happily sang the government-mandated slogans in class along with his juvenile friends who were entertained by the simplest things.
But by the time of the currency recession, Damon was already 18 years old and came to understand the consequences. More than that, he came to know his father and mother's foresight at the time, and while impressed, couldn't help but inquire.
"
"Patience?" Damon responded with a raised eyebrow, knowing that the word his father used was from their local tribal language.
"Correct. Did I predict that the dollar rate would rise again? Yes, it is inevitable. We are leagues behind the world's currency in terms of competitiveness, especially with the corruption that goes on." Derek answered with a nod.
"However, everyone else knew that during that period, so why are we one of the few to benefit in this era? I will have you know, according to the Bank of Ghana and the GCB, the total amount of dollar reserves was only about 3 billion in 2007, but it's now almost three times that amount."
Derek casually put out his cigarette and glanced at his son. "Yet I know for a fact that the amount of dollars exchanged was more than this in the 2007-2009 period. So where did all the other dollars go?"
Damon knew the obvious answer. "People traded them early."
Derek chuckled. "Exactly so, Damon. The rate last year was at its peak at a dollar to 6 cedis. In the span of a few months, it grew by such a huge disparity, causing many things to lose value. But this is only the start. Regardless of the economics, the simple fact is that it's been nearly 15 years since the currency change."
"I and many others took advantage, yet only a few of us benefited significantly, akin to those who possessed bitcoin during the 2017 period. This gap is denoted simply by those who were more patient than others."
"Some saw the rate of 6 cedis per dollar and felt it was efficient to exchange their money then, because it would be a six times growth. After all, who knew whether the economy could miraculously become better, or if some international incident may jeopardize the dollar and reduce their money to scrap?"
Damon rubbed his chin. "I mean, I get it. The patient hunter is the one who secures the foal. However, waiting too long can also lead you to miss the key opportunity and end up with nothing."
Derek smiled. "Well said, son. That's why patience has to be tempered with caution. Do you know why I was able to hold out this long and chose now rather than later? It's because the money I traded into dollars, large as it was, was only a part of the profit on my principal investments."
"If I lose the dollars, too bad, but it wouldn't cripple us or our way of life."
Derek held up a finger. "Remember, son, only the patience that is backed by security is the smart patience. Patience that is backed by risk is nothing short of gambling."
......….
"Na Tsui, huh?" Damon muttered to himself quietly as the elevator soon reached their destination, opening up to reveal a resplendent hallway decorated as if an emperor lived there.
Then again, given the importance of this particular room and those who utilized it, such decorations were merely a given. Damon couldn't help but feel his heart thump with nervousness as he exited the elevator and walked down the hallway with brisk steps, Ambrose mirroring him with a slight smirk.
By the time the young man reached the door, his neutral expression shifted to one bearing a soft, confident smile, pushing the door open and walking into the conference room within.
The first thing he saw was a row of seven seats lined up against the opposite end of the door, each of them occupied by the very beings on the statues outside the building. Behind these seats stood many others in rows of what seemed to be importance, given that their heads were lowered more and more per row.
On his side was a simple two-seat arrangement, which showed that his itinerary had already been calculated ahead of time. Or maybe this was the standard procedure for new species, with the new Prime Representative only bringing the overseer?
The moment Damon walked in, he gave only a cursory scan of the room before walking briskly to the seat allocated to him and sitting down calmly. The entire time, from the moment he pushed the door open to when he sat down, he could feel hundreds of gazes boring into him, as if trying to strip off his flesh and see the innards within.
Seven of those gazes were the most intense, almost palpable enough that he could feel their heat on his body, searing his skin. However, he forcefully maintained his calm as well as his confidence, raising his head to glance right back at those looking at him.
The seven displayed varied expressions in response to this, from surprise, to mockery, disdain, and even approval. Damon noted each one's response and began creating a character profile for each of them, which would assist in the ensuing battle.
"Greetings, I am Ambrose Bloodwarren of the Vampire Race, current Overseer for the Human Race. As per the rules and regulations of the Intergalactic Union of All Species, I will act as a temporary advisor and legal representative to the Prime Representative of the Human Race." Ambrose greeted as per custom, the vampire seemingly even less bothered than Damon despite being before powerhouses who could annihilate him and his race to ashes.
However, the response was something neither expected.
"Humph, so it's you. You're the cretin who dared to withhold information from the IUAS. Trying to help the human race? You will come to realize how foolish your decision was." Bertrand spoke in an arrogant and haughty tone, glancing at Ambrose with disdain.
"Enough, Bertrand. This is a publicly sanctioned meeting which will be recorded for legal purposes. Anything you say here can be used against you, your company, and even your father." Talia Vritu warned with a frown.
Bertrand only sneered with mockery, and everyone knew that this was because the IUAS' policing of a race like the dragons was terribly weak in this era. If it wasn't for the dragons having their own pride and disdaining to use dirty tricks, the entire universe would be a much darker place.
Talia Vritu scowled in response to Bertrand's behavior, something that the keen Damon sharply noticed. He realized that it was one of two things: either Bertrand and Talia had some personal history, or it was because, in his dealings with the IUAS, the elves always seemed to occupy high places.
As such, it could be seen that the elves either had high standing in the IUAS or treated it as their backyard, and having a race like the dragons who could openly flout the authority of the IUAS was something the elves deeply disliked.
Intergalactic politics… not so much different from human politics, huh?
"Enough antics, let us focus on the purpose of this meeting." Garton spoke deeply, his eyes never leaving Damon for a moment.
"Damon Arnan, Prime Representative of the Human Race, I will assume you know of our identities and our standing. Today, this meeting is to be held to resolve the Public and Private Financial Introduction of your race into the Intergalactic Union of All Species, with the former taking the lead." Garton continued, glancing to Talia.
Before Talia could speak, beginning to discuss the valuation of the solar system and the prices her company was willing to buy them at, Damon coughed and shook his head.
"There will be no need for a Public Financial Introduction, only the Private."
While maintaining that annoyingly confident look, Damon dropped bombshell words. "That is because the Human Race does not plan to sell any resources."