64: The holographic craze is coming

Mandala, on the outskirts of Titan Industrial City.

The night was as dark as ink. Three black SUVs silently parked at an abandoned factory three kilometers from the Industrial City. Derek Morris, head of the New Union SIA Technical Operations Team, jumped out of the car. Through his military binoculars, Titan Industrial City appeared as a glowing futuristic metropolis.

"This is the seventh attempt," he whispered into his earpiece. "Continuing further greatly increases the chance of exposure."

A reply came from headquarters in his earpiece: "Remember, we only need one complete projection unit, at all costs."

Derek turned to look at the twelve-person team behind him. This was the most elite technical operations team of the SIA in East Continent, each member having undergone top-level training and dozens of real-world missions. Their equipment boxes contained anti-reconnaissance gear worth thirty million eagle dollars.

"The plan is simple," Derek unfolded a map. "Team A creates a power outage, Team B interferes with the security system, and Team C is responsible for disassembly and transport." He pointed to a flashing red dot on the map. "According to inside intelligence, Warehouse No. 3 stores commercial projection units awaiting shipment."

The team members nodded silently. Over the past three months, six special agent teams dispatched by New Union, North Steel, and Europa had mysteriously disappeared when approaching the core area of the Industrial City. They had tried to dismantle a projection device on the road to complete their mission, but the fear of being pinned down by a team of Warrior robots the moment they took out a screwdriver made them unwilling to try a second time.

As for buying it, they had also tried. However, related equipment was only sold in specific stores in the Industrial City, and purchasers needed to show either a Titan employee ID or approval from a Titan department, neither of which they could obtain.

At the same time, in the core area of the Industrial City.

Ms. Emerald stood in the monitoring center, with hundreds of small projections displaying every corner of the Industrial City in real-time. At this moment, the screen outside Warehouse No. 3 was specifically magnified, showing twelve heat signatures slowly approaching the perimeter wall.

"The New Union people still haven't given up, huh?" Topaz chewed gum, her fingers flying across the holographic keyboard. "Should we deploy the Warriors?"

Ms. Emerald gently shook her head, the emeralds on her earrings glowing faintly under the blue light: "Not yet."

Her gaze shifted to the main screen, which displayed real-time news and trending online data from major regions around the world. Since the holographic projection technology was demonstrated, the traffic to Titan's official website had not decreased, yet no single device had flowed out of the Industrial City to date.

"Tell the Security Department," Ms. Emerald suddenly spoke, "tonight's 'guests' are to be treated specially."

Topaz raised an eyebrow: "Not deal with them directly?"

"No," Ms. Emerald smiled, "let them take some 'gifts' back."

"Oh, I see. It seems the boss has a mischievous streak again?"

Ms. Emerald simply maintained that faint smile, but a hint of playfulness had appeared in her eyes.

Two days later, in the Federal Central District, SIA Headquarters underground laboratory.

Derek Morris stared intently at the holographic projection device in the isolation chamber. This "trophy," which had cost the lives of three top agents to bring back from Mandala, was now emitting an eerie blue light.

"What's the cracking progress?" He turned to Thomson, the lab director.

Thomson wiped the sweat from his forehead: "The shell is standard titanium alloy, but the core components..." He pulled up a scan image. "We've found at least seven layers of encrypted protection, and each layer we crack triggers a new defense mechanism."

Derek frowned: "Speak in plain language."

"Just an hour ago," Thomson swallowed, "when we tried to dismantle the third layer, it suddenly projected this."

The main screen in the lab lit up, and a holographic image of Aventurine elegantly performed a hat-tip: "Congratulations, players, you've successfully passed two levels. Your technology is quite good. Friendly reminder: continuing to dismantle will lead to interesting things happening ~"

"Interesting things?" Before Derek finished speaking, the device in the isolation chamber suddenly burst into dazzling light. All electronic equipment simultaneously malfunctioned, and the laboratory plunged into darkness. When the emergency lights came on, the device's outer casing had automatically decomposed, revealing its internal structure.

A delicate metal sculpture, shaped like an upraised middle finger.

"We were tricked!" Morris slumped into his chair. "Titan deliberately let us come back..."

Morris's communicator suddenly rang; an urgent summons to the Roman Palace.

In the Oval Office of the Roman Palace, the President slammed the Golden Snake Street Daily onto the table, the front-page headline boldly reading: [Titan Mocks SIA: Ten Million Dollar Operation Returns a Middle Finger].

"This is an utter disgrace! These reporters have no bottom line for a hot story!" The President's face was ashen. "Who on earth gave them the information!?"

"Mr. President, let's not dwell on such minor details now," the Secretary of State redirected the President's words. "The key is the technology."

"Then you tell me what to do! I want Titan to pay the price within 24 hours!"

The Secretary of State quickly pulled up a contingency plan: "The media war is ready. UNN, BCC, and FOXS will simultaneously report on the dangers of Titan's technological monopoly tonight."

National Security Advisor Mark Reynolds added: "Whether it works or not, we can mobilize the WOT to launch an investigation on the grounds of 'technological barriers,' and at the same time..."

"At the same time what?" the President pressed.

Reynolds showed a meaningful smile: "128 tech companies in Silicon Valley have jointly protested, demanding Titan open up its technical standards. We can use this to exert pressure and get the technology."

Mandala, Titan Headquarters.

Ms. Emerald lay languidly on the sofa in her panoramic office, her fingertips gliding over dozens of holographic news windows in front of her. A BCC anchor was gravely discussing "the impact of technological monopoly on the global economy," while UNN was broadcasting footage of protesters in Silicon Valley.

"Oh dear~ Our President certainly chose his most familiar tactic. I wonder what they're thinking, why they believe such a trick would be effective?" She chuckled, closing all windows, and turned to Topaz, who had just entered. "How are the preparations coming along?"

Topaz projected a data screen to her: "The New City District Exhibition Center has been renovated and is ready for use at any time."

Ms. Emerald nodded in satisfaction, then suddenly spoke to the air: "Miss Bronya, please begin."

The entire floor-to-ceiling window instantly transformed into a display screen, and Titan's official website homepage refreshed with a major announcement: [Holographic Equipment Open Bidding Conference, at the Mandala New City District Exhibition Center].

New Village, Ten Thousand Nations Roundtable Headquarters.

William Howard, New Union's permanent representative to the Ten Thousand Nations Roundtable, was passionately speaking at an emergency meeting: "Titan Group's technological monopoly has severely threatened the balance of global technological development! We call for..."

His speech was interrupted by a sudden phone ring. An assistant hastily handed him a tablet, the screen showing Titan's newly released announcement.

"This!" Howard's expression changed, then he forced himself to appear calm. "It seems our pressure has achieved initial results, but we must continue to supervise..."

Representatives from various countries below had already left their seats, busy contacting their national headquarters. As Zhou Zhengyang, the Eastern Federation representative, passed Howard, he said meaningfully: "It seems your country's 'public opinion weapon' isn't as useful as imagined."

Howard's face was ashen, his tone unfriendly: "But they still compromised!"

Zhou Zhengyang ignored Howard's stubbornness, and as he passed him, he lightly said: "After all that effort, they just released an advertisement for recruiting agents. I wonder what some people are so proud of?"

Three days later, Mandala New City District Exhibition Center.

The morning sun pierced through the clouds, casting a cold metallic sheen on the silver-gray alloy exterior walls of the Industrial City. The apron outside the city was already filled with business jets from all over the world, from the A380 to the Gulfstream G650, and even a few military transport planes painted with the logos of various governments.

In the plaza in front of the New City District Exhibition Center, people surged like a tide. Business elites in suits, tech experts wearing smart glasses, reporters with cameras, and even radicals holding protest signs. They shouted, "Technological monopoly is a crime!" but were politely stopped at the cordon by a team of security personnel in Xingtian Armor.

"This is even livelier than the Ten Thousand Nations Roundtable summit." Ms. Emerald stood in front of the top-floor French windows, overlooking the crowd below, a slight smile playing on her lips. Today, she was uncharacteristically dressed in a sharply tailored black business suit, the emerald pendants on her earlobes gently swaying with her movements, gleaming with a cool, ethereal light in the morning sun.

Topaz stood beside her, holding a cup of coffee, and lazily said: "It's only been 12 hours since the official announcement on the website, and the CEOs of the top 100 tech companies globally are all here. Even the heads of Apple and Four Star flew in personally."

"Of course they have to come." Ms. Emerald chuckled. "Whoever is a step slow, their market will be crushed by their competitors using holographic technology."

The conference hall, capable of accommodating five hundred people, was now packed, with people even standing in the corridors. The air was filled with tension and anticipation, and low conversations buzzed like a swarm of bees.

Suddenly, the lights dimmed.

A holographic projection unfolded in the center of the conference hall, Titan's LOGO slowly rotated, then dissolved into countless points of light.

Ms. Emerald's figure appeared on the stage. She smiled slightly, her voice clear and calm: "Welcome, everyone, to the Mandala New City District Exhibition Center."

The entire hall instantly fell silent.

"I'm sure you've all seen the announcement." She waved her hand, and the holographic screen switched, displaying a demonstration video.

A city was constructed out of thin air, with lifelike skyscrapers, streets, pedestrians, and even swaying leaves. There was no screen, no medium; the image floated directly in the air, tangible.

A collective gasp rippled through the audience. Although many had already seen it in person, more had only seen it on television. Now, seeing it with their own eyes, they still couldn't help but marvel.

"Titan is officially opening up holographic projection technology licensing." Ms. Emerald's voice was unhurried. "This licensing is divided into three levels: Basic, Commercial, and Military."

As soon as she finished speaking, the hall immediately erupted.

"Military version?!" someone exclaimed.

"I knew it! This technology definitely has military value!"

"Silence!" Ains's voice, amplified, filled the hall, carrying an undeniable authority. The venue instantly returned to silence.

Ms. Emerald continued, "The basic version is suitable for civilian entertainment and advertising display, with a resolution of 8K and haptic feedback support."

"The commercial version adds real-time interactive functions and can be applied to medical simulations, remote meetings, and even virtual shopping."

"As for the military version..." She paused intentionally, her gaze sweeping over several military representatives in the audience, "It supports real-time sand table exercises, tactical command, and..."

The holographic image suddenly changed to a cluster of buildings, an invisible fighter jet roared past, and then a small mushroom cloud exploded on the ground. As the smoke and dust cleared, the buildings were reduced to ruins. The sound of wind, explosions, and collapsing buildings—everything felt as if it were truly happening.

"Realistic battlefield training."

The venue was silent.

A few seconds later, the New Union Lockheed Martin representative suddenly stood up: "We want to discuss the military version!"

The CEO of Rhine Empire's Siemens followed closely: "The commercial version, global exclusive agency rights, name your price!"

An executive from East Ocean Niso directly raised his hand: "The basic version plus the commercial version, we can exchange all our semiconductor technology for it! If that's not enough, you name the conditions!"

The scene became chaotic once again.

Ms. Emerald gently tapped the podium, and the entire venue fell silent again.

"The authorization method is very simple," she said with a smile, "Bidding."

Three hours later, the bidding reached a fever pitch.

"20 billion eagle dollars! Plus a 5% share of the North American market!" Apple's CEO, Cook, gritted his teeth as he announced the price, his fingers tightly clutching the bidding paddle.

"25 billion! Plus the entire production capacity of three of the most advanced lithography machine production lines!" The Four Star representative refused to yield an inch.

In the corner, EastWei's Rotating Chairman Xu Zhijun slowly raised his hand: "We can't afford that much cash." He paused, "But we can exchange the shared rights to our 6G patent pool."

The entire venue was in an uproar.

Ms. Emerald's eyebrows raised slightly.

General Manager Xu continued, "Additionally, EastWei is willing to open up the design and technology of its next-generation mobile phones, including the Kirin chip. We invite Titan's Engineer team to work together on technical upgrades and adaptation. Based on the upgrade proportion, we can discuss profit, revenue sharing, or usage fees—anything is negotiable."

The conference room fell silent instantly. Everyone knew that EastWei's communication and chip technology had developed with great difficulty under strict Western strategic blockade. Furthermore, they had already achieved global leadership, and now, they were actually willing to exchange more advanced technology for holographic projection?

Ms. Emerald gently nodded: "An interesting offer."

Late at night, in the lounge on the top floor of Titan Headquarters.

Chen Hao's figure appeared in the holographic communication, with the observation deck of the "Pierpoint" space station in the background, and the Blue Star slowly rotating behind him.

"What do you think of EastWei's offer?" he asked, a hint of playfulness in his voice.

Ms. Emerald leaned back on the sofa, her fingertips lightly tapping the red wine glass: "Communication patents are indeed good, although for us, they are not particularly advanced technology."

"The key is whether they are willing to be our 'technological bridge,'" Chen Hao interjected, "Using their channels to smoothly introduce Titan's technology into the Eastern Federation market."

Ms. Emerald smiled: "Exactly."

Chen Hao pondered for a moment, then suddenly laughed: "Then give them a copy."

"Perfect, I can also prepare the last gift."

Mandala International Hotel, top floor conference room.

Ms. Emerald gently swirled her red wine glass, the amber liquid tracing elegant arcs on the rim. Opposite her, EastWei's Rotating Chairman Xu Zhijun was meticulously reading the terms on the holographic projection, his spectacles reflecting the dense text.

"General Manager Xu," Ms. Emerald's fingertip lightly tapped the table, and the text on the projection flowed, "Don't you find it very interesting? Eastern Federation enterprises want the international market, and Titan just happens to need the Eastern Federation market."

Xu Zhijun pushed up his glasses: "Director Emerald's conditions are indeed generous, but..." He pointed to Article 34, "'The core technical team of the joint venture must accept personnel dispatched by Titan,' this clause, I'm afraid..."

"Are you afraid we'll steal technology?" Ms. Emerald suddenly laughed, the emeralds on her earrings gently swaying with her movement, "Do you think Titan needs it?"

She raised her hand and snapped her fingers, and the conference room instantly transformed into a vast starry sky. A meteor streaked across, turning into a three-dimensional anatomical diagram of EastWei's latest mobile phone.

"Kirin process, 15.3 billion transistors." Each time Ms. Emerald uttered a word, a layer of the phone's image disassembled, "Our Engineers made a small toy in their spare time."

The anatomical diagram suddenly reassembled, forming a crystal the size of a fingernail: "Neuro-mimetic crystal technology, 10% the volume and 10% the energy consumption for the same performance. Would you like to see the prototype?"

Xu Zhijun's Adam's Apple subtly bobbed.

"So," Ms. Emerald put away the holographic projection, "what we want is not technology, but..." She softly uttered two words, "Channels."

Shen City, 3 AM, EastWei Headquarters.

General Manager Ren looked at the encrypted screen showing the negotiation minutes sent back by Xu Zhijun, his brow furrowed. Outside the window, the lights of Shen City Bay still sparkled.

"What do you all think?" he asked the think tank in the conference room.

The head of the strategy group spoke first: "Titan seems to be seeking some kind of 'protection.' Their technological strength can indeed be said to be unparalleled, but if they truly go head-to-head with a major power, I'm afraid there isn't much hope."

"I think cooperation is possible, but the technological gap between us and Titan is too large; even if they are willing to teach us, I'm afraid we won't be able to digest much in a short time," Rotating CEO Guo Ping mused, "But if we refuse to cooperate, and the West gets more authorizations, we will definitely be completely marginalized in the international market."

General Manager Ren's fingers lightly tapped the table. Suddenly, his phone chimed. After reading the message, the elder showed a rare look of surprise.

"Prepare a private jet," he stood up, "Depart tomorrow morning, I will go to Mandala personally."

Zijin Pavilion, 2 AM emergency meeting.

On the long sandalwood table, the Premier slowly pushed a document marked [TOP SECRET] towards Minister of Commerce Ma Wentao. Outside the window, the capital city's night was deep, only the lights of the Zijin Pavilion remained bright.

"The joint assessment results from the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Eastern Federation Academy of Sciences, and the National Security Bureau," the Premier's voice was steady and calm, "See for yourself."

Ma Wentao opened the document, his pupils suddenly contracting.

[Titan Technology Assessment Final Version]

Energy Sector: Miniature Nuclear Power Technology (more than 15 years ahead of existing levels)

Materials Sector: Ceramic Gold Composite Materials (more than 20 years ahead of existing levels)

Biomedical: Nanorobots (more than 35 years ahead of existing levels)

Military Applications: Exoskeleton Armor and Military Robots (more than 20 years ahead of existing levels)

...

Overall Assessment: Overall technological gap of 30 years, military equipment technological gap of 40 years.

"This is not an ordinary enterprise," the Premier gently tapped the document, "but a commercial conglomerate that already possesses national-level scientific and technological strength."

"Although they currently only exist in the Emerald Principality, it's only a matter of time before they cover the Emerald Ocean and even the entire Blue Star."

Ma Wentao took a deep breath: "Premier, your meaning is..."

"Look at this." The Premier brought up a holographic projection. The image showed Titan's medical center in the Emerald Principality. A little girl from the Dragon Country wearing a red scarf was receiving nanotherapy. Her leukemia had entered its late stage, but at this moment, she was smiling in the medical pod.

"They proactively contacted our medical team in the Emerald Principality," the Premier's voice took on a hint of warmth, "and provided free treatment to 127 Eastern Federation children."

The screen switched, displaying a list of technologies secretly transferred by Titan: [Electromagnetic Silence Film], [High-Energy Battery Basic Patents], [Nanomedicine Core Algorithms], [Ceramic Gold Composite Materials]. Each item was a top-tier technology in an area strictly blockaded by the West against the Eastern Federation.

These technologies were even far more advanced than those of the Western powers that had blockaded them.

"This is not charity," the Premier turned off the projection, "but an exchange."

Ma Wentao suddenly understood something: "They want..."

"Political asylum. Or rather, an impartial party with weight in international public opinion." The Premier stood up and walked to the window, looking out at the darkness before dawn, "What Titan wants, or what that mysterious boss wants, is a development environment free from interference from major power struggles."

Another document on the table unfolded, showing Titan's recent strategic deployments:

Emerald Principality: Has completely controlled the economic, energy, military, education, and medical lifelines.

Emerald Ocean: Has begun to infiltrate major infrastructure.

"A typical 'commercial city-state,'" the Premier's eyes sparkled as he turned around, "but they are very smart. By almost 'giving away' advanced technology to us, they want to tie us to their chariot. The key is, we simply cannot refuse."

Ma Wentao's heart quickened: "Then how should we respond?"

The Premier took out an ancient seal from a drawer and gently pressed it onto the document. The seal's pattern was a coiling dragon encircling a gear.

"If Titan wants to enter the domestic market, under circumstances that do not violate our principles," his voice suddenly became sharp, "give them the green light for everything. But three points must be ensured."

"First, all technology transfers must undergo secondary development by the Eastern Federation Academy of Sciences before they can be used internally; second, joint ventures are acceptable, but for products involving basic public welfare, pricing power is the bottom line, and profit sharing can be negotiated; third..." The Premier paused for a moment, "As for that mysterious boss, ask him if he needs us to arrange a suitable 'Eastern Federation identity' for him."

Ma Wentao immediately understood: "Like when Old Qian returned to the country back then? But he hasn't admitted to it..."

"It doesn't matter. A drop of kindness will be repaid with a gushing spring—that is our consistent principle. Just as Ms. Emerald said, sincerity." The Premier said meaningfully, "Prepare to grant him foreign academician status at the Academy of Engineering, and then allocate that piece of land in Shen City's Qianhai to Longteng Technology."

"Longteng Technology? Is there such a company?" Ma Wentao recalled the top domestic enterprises in Shen City and couldn't remember that name.

"There is now."