Chapter 99: Moving Out

Chapter 99: Chapter 99: Moving OutSix months later — Bytebull Headquarters, Lugait, Iligan City

The sun poured through the tall glass panels of Richard’s office, catching the sharp edges of metal accents and casting soft glows across the matte-black desk. Outside the glass windows, the Bytebull industrial complex stretched across multiple hectares like a meticulously engineered machine slowly coming to life.

The HQ’s three-story executive building, marked by sleek obsidian tones and reflective paneling, faced across the compound to the re


Perfect. Graceful. Untouchable.

And always at Richard’s side.

Mira smiled bitterly and walked out.

The overhead lights buzzed softly in the silence of the office, a warm amber hue casting sleek shadows across the surface of Richard’s desk. Outside the tinted glass, cranes still towered over the near-finished megaplant like steel giants frozen mid-stride.

Lina stepped in, silent and composed as always, a glowing tablet in her hands. Her suit was sharper today—subtle adjustments to her posture, heel angle, and voice pitch making her even more indistinguishable from a human executive assistant.

Richard slowly spun in his chair to face her.

"Lina," he said, resting his chin on his fingers. "Give me a projection. How long until Bytebull reaches full production stability?"

Lina paused just enough to register attentiveness.

"That depends, sir," she said. "Are we discussing actual output stability, or the point when you plan to hand over the illusion of leadership?"

Richard’s brow lifted slightly. "Sharp as ever."

He leaned back. "I think it’s time I start moving in the shadows. We’ve been playing too much house. Playing company, while the entire world’s quietly washed away by the Illusion of freedom. It’s time for us to pave way for humanity into the stars."

Lina didn’t react visibly, but her processors surged instantly.

Initiating Forecast Model: Bytebull Operational Scaling. Variables: workforce growth, logistics capacity, AI-managed throughput, regional manufacturing facility completion. Correlated against: global political risk, regional conflict index, predicted market stability models, and solar activity

All of it ran through her in 0.00038 seconds.

"Based on our current momentum," she said, eyes shifting with embedded HUD data, "we’ll reach 70% production efficiency by October next year, assuming no major global disruption. Full deployment of EV lines will follow within four months."

Richard nodded.



"Then it’s time to exit the stage."

Lina tilted her head slightly. "Sir, with respect... you are the foundation. The system, the vision, the brand—your absence would cause fracture unless flawlessly masked."

"I’m not talking about leaving the company, Lina," Richard said. "I mean creating... a stand-in."

Her eyes glowed faintly.

"An android," he clarified. "Modeled after me. With my mannerisms. My voice. My behavior. Fully synced to company protocol—but not bound to me. Just a persona shell. A doppelganger who will act as my substitute."

Lina’s internal logic branched rapidly.

"We could create a twin AI, trained to emulate your unique behavioral matrix. Combine it with an adaptive cybernetic body. Minor adjustments would be required to avoid uncanny valley thresholds. Additionally, I recommend constructing my own double also to accompany the Android-Richard—to protect and stabilize social continuity."

Richard grinned. "Perfect. That way we can proceed to next major task"

She stepped closer. "Shall I initiate relocation protocols for the underground base?"

Richard shook his head. "No. Let it stay. Seal off the lowest levels, though—Jack should still have access, just in case."

"Understood. Emergency protocol #GHOSTWALL initiated. Jack, Estello, and select family members will be able to evacuate underground in the event of a threat. Access points masked. Security locked through biosignature overrides."

"Good," Richard said. "Also... let’s begin fabricating security androids. Disguised as hired staff—house security, drivers, personal guards."

"They will be deployed as soon as you’re ready, sir."

Richard tapped the desk, mind running ahead.

"We’ll also need a second base. Remote or hidden. Somewhere we can build without too much noise."

Lina processed thousands of locations instantly. She listed the top five:

"For global isolation and covert activity, I recommend:

Tugul, Mongolia – low satellite coverage, mountainous terrain, low population density.

Kyusyur, Siberia – extreme conditions, but excellent for subterranean concealment.

Saskatchewan, Canada – isolated regions with good infrastructure nearby.

Greenland, under Denmark – low overhead traffic, expensive but stable.

Brazil, specifically western Mato Grosso – ideal due to jungle cover, existing cartel activity, and potential to build a private paramilitary wing under the guise of ’resource security.’"

Richard smiled. "Brazil it is. It would be a perfect cover for an our underground base. It would also be perfect for recruiting local militia since Cartels and gang members operate in the area, but it also poses a risk of word spreading about us. But no matter. Let’s just dismiss the issue for now. Begin scans of local Cartels and gangs."

"Initiating deep probe through satellite backdoors, telecommunication signal interception, and darknet forums. Targeting Brazilian gangs, cartels, and rogue militias for recruitment potential."

She paused. Then:

"Done. Mapped current cartel infrastructure across western and northern Brazil. Initiated passive listening protocols via hijacked telecom networks and satellite loops."

Richard stared.

"Okay. Now give me the rank structures of cartels and gang in Brazil."

"Confirmed."

Lina’s voice shifted slightly, entering classified brief tone.

Brazilian Factions Overview

Comando Vermelho (Red Command) – Rio-based cartel, highly militarized. Controls drug distribution, weapons flow, slums. Long-standing player.

Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) – São Paulo-rooted, highly organized, controls significant parts of prison system. Politically connected. Strategic.

Milícias (Militias) – Often made up of ex-police, ex-military, act as privatized gang-policing. Involved in racketeering, extortion.

Cartel do Norte (CDN) – Rising power in the north/northwest. Strong Amazon presence, controls jungle smuggling routes.

Assorted Factions – Os Manos, Bonde do Maluco, Família do Norte. Minor gangs, ideal for proxy warfare and misdirection ops.

Richard rubbed his temples. "We can secretly introduce ourselves early on as financial supporter of their operation but my question is how much money do I actually have right now?"

Lina blinked. Then, with the gentlest smile:



"As of this moment... $234.6 billion USD."

Richard nearly choked on air. "What?!"

"Since the company’s formation, I’ve been trading global markets, using predictive analytics. Stock manipulation, futures trading, crypto positions, precious metal arbitrage—secured across 10,000 offshore accounts under untraceable shell corporations."

Richard’s face twisted between awe and dread. "Bytebull’s only worth fifteen billion."

"Yes, on the surface."

He sighed, "Forget it. Just use the money from my direct account for now. That’s... what? $556 million?"

"Correct."

"...Can you send $100 million to the cartels? Scatter it across multiple layers as show of goodwill."

"Funds distributed. Routed through 74 intermediary banks, blind shell routing across three jurisdictions. Target cartel bank accounts across Comando Vermelho, PCC, Cartel do Norte, Milícia Carioca, and lesser factions have received encrypted welcome markers."

Richard stood slowly. The gears of something much larger were now in motion.

"Good. Prepare me a deep dossier on each of them. Structure. Lieutenants. Internal frictions, etc."

"Already working on it."