86: A rapidly changing world

In the blink of an eye, it was the end of the new year.

The entire landscape of the Emerald Ocean, and indeed the world, had undergone immense changes.

At the mouth of the Siam Strait, twelve 300,000-ton cargo ships were queuing in the morning light to enter the fully automated port.

What was once a desolate coastline now boasted the most modern deep-water port in the Emerald Ocean.

Giant gantry cranes loomed in the morning mist, like slumbering steel Titans.

Inside the Industrial City's Central Control Tower, Director Emerald stood before a 360-degree holographic sandbox, her fingertip lightly tapping, and the real-time economic data of the entire Emerald Ocean unfolded before her like a galaxy.

"Report, Director," Topaz walked over quickly, her tablet displaying the logo of the Temasek Group, "The Libra Free Port delegation has requested a meeting for the fifth time; they are willing to increase Temasek's investment in the Emerald Ocean's telecommunications business by another 35%."

Director Emerald's red lips curved into an amused arc, and with a light swipe of her finger across the sandbox, the real-time footage of both sides of the Siam Strait immediately magnified.

On the east bank of the canal, in the duty-free zone, Eastern Federation's Dongfeng heavy trucks were lined up, transporting brand-new electronic products to the port; on the west bank, in the Nova United States enterprise zone, Boeing and Lockheed Martin's joint factory was assembling the latest holographic equipment.

"Tell them," Director Emerald's voice was as smooth as silk, "they aren't the only ones in line.

The Gemini Islands Sovereign Fund has already offered 40%, and..." She tapped her fingertip, and a blue light illuminated on the sandbox, "...they are willing to open the Penang Naval Base as our emergency resupply station."

Topaz nodded understandingly, about to leave, when Director Emerald suddenly called out to her: "Wait, isn't today the election day for the Golden Buddha Federation's local parliament?"

"Yes, 95% of the candidates have accepted our 'political donations,'" Topaz pulled up a set of data, "It is expected that the new parliament will pass the 'Industrial City Special Act,' granting us greater policy convenience."

Director Emerald nodded in satisfaction, her gaze returning to the sandbox.

On the outskirts of the Industrial City, a brand-new residential area was taking shape, welfare housing built for local employees.

What was once a poor fishing village had now transformed into a neatly planned community.

Rama VI Community Center, Convenience Mall.

As Sompak pushed his shopping cart through the fresh produce section, his finger lightly caressed the packaging of imported Australian steak.

A year ago, such high-end ingredients were simply a fantasy for him.

At that time, like other fishermen in his village, he had to set sail in his dilapidated small boat at three in the morning every day, sometimes lucky enough to catch a few groupers, other times returning empty-handed.

"Old Som! Look at this!" Basong's excited voice interrupted his thoughts.

His former fishing village companion was holding a bottle of Champs Elysees Federation red wine, "New arrival in the employee special offer section, only 30 credit points! Remember last year when we had to budget even for rice?"

Sompak's eyes suddenly welled up.

He clearly remembered the dark days just before Titan's arrival, when the Southern Four Provinces were plagued by those so-called "freedom fighters."

Those separatists, under the guise of seeking welfare for the people, had actually turned the area into a breeding ground for drugs and arms trafficking.

"Those beasts!" Sompak unconsciously tightened his grip on the shopping cart handle, his knuckles turning white.

His cousin had been hit by a stray bullet in a so-called "revolutionary action," and because the roads were blocked by rebels, the ambulance couldn't arrive in time.

The AI system at the checkout counter recognized his employee badge and emitted a pleasant chime: "Dear Titan Construction Materials Logistics Department Level 3 Operator, you are eligible for a 30% employee discount today, saving a total of 1745 Thai Baht."

This voice brought a smile back to Sompak's face.

He recalled what his supervisor said during his induction training: "Titan doesn't need your gratitude, only for you to create a better life with your hardworking hands.

Of course, a little loyalty would be even better."

Quite a few people had already gathered in the community square, and news was continuously broadcast on the big screen.

When the news of gene therapy was aired, a deafening cheer erupted from the crowd.

Sompak saw old village chief Boonchai leaning on his cane, turbid tears streaming down his wrinkled face.

"If only my son could have lived to see this day..." The old man's trembling voice silenced everyone around him.

His only son had died many years ago in a conflict during a rebellion; at that time, the rebels, in order to seize fishing boats to transport weapons, cruelly murdered young fishermen who refused to cooperate.

Basong, next to the old village chief, suddenly stood up, his fists clenching with a cracking sound: "Those beasts! Titan is still too merciful to them!"

His voice trembled with anger, "They even offered those beasts a way out! If it were me, I'd bury them all to fertilize the fields!"

A chorus of approval echoed through the square.

The rebel leaders who once swaggered around were now paying for their past atrocities in Titan's re-education factories.

And these honest citizens were living a good life they never dared to dream of before.

"My daughter came first in her class at Titan International School," a single mother proudly stated, "The principal said that when she graduates, he can use the school's quota to directly recommend her to Mandala Institute of Technology!"

Sompak took out his phone; his screensaver was a photo of his employee badge, wearing a brand-new uniform.

The background was the huge silver warehouse of the Titan Logistics Center, with the Titan logo shining brightly in the sun.

He gently caressed the photo, as if touching a precious treasure.

Not far away, a group of young people were playing basketball on a Titan-sponsored court, wearing T-shirts with 'THANKS Atlas' printed on them.

These were spontaneously designed by the community's youth and looked very cool.

Further away in the children's play area, kids were queuing in front of the latest holographic projection game facilities, their laughter as clear as silver bells.

Sompak took a deep breath; the air no longer carried the fishy smell and the stench of decaying garbage common in the fishing village of his memory, replaced instead by the fresh scent of palm trees and the aroma wafting from a distant bakery.

His phone suddenly vibrated; it was a message from the company system:

【Dear employee, your quarterly bonus will be issued tomorrow, estimated to be 150% of your basic salary.

At the same time, we remind you that free medical check-up services for employees' families are about to begin; please remember to fill in the relevant information in time...】

Sompak looked up at the Titan Monument in the center of the square, a colossal ship braving the waves, with a line inscribed on its base: "We bring change, you create the future."

His gaze passed over the monument, landing on the towering Titan Building in the distance.

There, Director Emerald might be overlooking this revitalized city.

Sompak unconsciously straightened his back, a sense of pride he had never felt before rising within him.

Tomorrow, he would still have to wake up early to go to the Logistics Center for work.

But at this moment, he just wanted to enjoy this beautiful evening and celebrate this hard-won new life with his neighbors.

Pierre Dupont walked out of the glass building of the Titan Ministry of Energy, and the July heat wave washed over him.

The Asia-Pacific President of Alstom Group from the Champs Elysees Federation loosened his tie and looked back at the skyscraper where he had just signed a cooperation agreement, the Titan Emerald Ocean Branch Energy Industry Center.

On the building's exterior, a holographic projection of the Alstom logo was slowly merging with Titan's logo.

"Mon Dieu (My God)..." Pierre wiped his forehead with a silk handkerchief, exclaiming to his assistant beside him, "The policies here are practically tailor-made for industrial giants.

A 15-year tax exemption period, industrial land at only 1 US dollar per square meter, and even environmental standards can be customized according to our technical characteristics."

Madeleine, his assistant, quickly scrolled through her tablet: "Even more astonishing are the supply chain costs.

Raw materials transported through the Siam Strait save 42% in shipping fees compared to going through Malacca.

The unmanned port technology, a collaboration between Titan and the Eastern Federation, has been upgraded again, and the increased loading and unloading speed and reduced costs are enough to increase our profits by 20%.

Representatives from BASF and Bayer moved in last week; they took up two entire laboratory buildings in Zone C."

They walked along the tree-lined boulevard, with office buildings standing in dense rows on both sides of the road.

On the left were the twin towers of Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley from the Nova United States, with global financial data scrolling in real-time across their glass facades; on the right was the hemispherical headquarters of North Steel Natural Gas Industrial Co., Ltd., with a giant holographic projection device custom-made by Titan installed on the building's roof.

"Look over there."

Madeleine pointed to a construction site not far away, where hundreds of holographic projectors were outlining the silhouette of a futuristic building in the air, "That's the Eastern Federation CRRC Group's superconducting maglev factory.

They say it will produce 500 smart train carriages annually once it's operational."

The sound of an engine swept overhead, and Pierre looked up to see a CM-71 nightingale, bearing the Titan logo, landing on the Nova United States district's helipad.

The cabin door opened, and out stepped none other than Warren Buffett, the famous investor from Golden Serpent Street, escorted by a group of JPMorgan Chase executives heading towards the financial center.

"Even Buffett himself came? And he's flying in a Titan nightingale?" Pierre raised an eyebrow.

"To secure an investment project from Titan," Madeleine whispered.

"I heard that General Re has already secured the commercial insurance project for Titan employees, giving them the right to exchange minerals or other production materials for some items not for sale from Titan."

"Like that nightingale, it's rented to him by Titan, and the piloting and maintenance are all done by Titan's own people. I heard that old man exchanged half a year's output of a large lithium mine in Chile for it, available 365 days a year, on call. It can go anywhere except the airspace of a few major countries."

"Tsk, that's what I thought, such a grand display." Pierre's words were dismissive, but the envy in his eyes betrayed his true feelings.

Turning a corner, the sight before them was even more stunning: the Titan Holographic Technology Industrial Park.

In the center of the park stood a massive tower-shaped building, its six faces constantly displaying real-time images from around the globe.

Engineers from Sony, Four Star, and Huawei were engaged in lively discussions at an outdoor cafe, with their latest patent designs displayed on holographic projections before them.

"That's the legendary 'Star Dome,'" Madeleine introduced.

"It was brokered by the Eastern Federation government, with technology provided by the Interstellar Peace Corporation.

They say a secondary node of the Eastern Federation's Star AI runs inside, capable of processing all holographic data from the Emerald Ocean in real-time."

Pierre suddenly stopped.

A team of workers in orange jumpsuits marched past, their ID badges indicating they were from the Red Khmer State and Fog City.

The leader held a sign that read: "Thanks to Titan for a new life."

"Those are?"

"Farmers from the former Golden Triangle region," Madeleine explained.

"Titan acquired their poppy fields and converted them to grow various cash crops.

Now their income is three times what it was when they grew drugs."

"The industrial city has formed a complete ecosystem," Madeleine concluded.

"Europa's chemical industry, the Nova United States' finance, North Steel's energy, the Eastern Federation's manufacturing—all revolve around Titan's core technology."

Just as she was speaking, a commotion came from the financial district.

North Steel's Minister of Energy, Rogozov, emerged from the Lukoil building surrounded by reporters, having just officially signed a development agreement with Titan for the Far East oil and gas fields.

Under the flashing lights, Rogozov's smile was perfectly poised, neither overly eager nor lacking in sincerity for cooperation.

A Global Messenger reporter suddenly asked loudly, "Minister, there are rumors that North Steel actually exchanged the development rights for the Far East oil and gas fields for Biotechnica's artificial organ technology from Titan.

Is this true?"

Rogozov's smile remained unchanged.

He elegantly adjusted his suit cuff, as if he had anticipated this sharp question.

"Dear journalist friends," his voice carried a characteristic Russian depth, "North Steel's cooperation with Titan has always been a transparent commercial endeavor.

The development of the Far East oil and gas fields is based on our mutual economic interests, just like Shell Oil between your Fog City Islands and the Tulip Nation—pure commercial cooperation."

A BCC reporter, not to be outdone, pressed on: "Minister, our intelligence indicates that Five Ports City Central Clinical Hospital has begun mass deployment of artificial organ transplant technology, and this technology is believed to originate from..."

"Ah!" Rogozov suddenly raised his voice, interrupting the question, and pulled a medical license from his inner suit pocket.

"Speaking of medical technology, I happen to have an announcement.

White Night Fortress National Medical University will collaborate with Titan to establish a joint laboratory, focusing on severe trauma repair research."

He deliberately turned the words "Biomaterials Production License" on the license towards the camera, "This fully complies with Europa's medical standards, and experts from all countries are welcome to visit."

The Europa reporters present exchanged glances; Rogozov's watertight response precisely confirmed their intelligence.

As a Champs Elysees Federation news agency reporter was about to ask another question, Rogozov elegantly turned away: "Excuse me, everyone, the President is waiting for me to report the details of this project, which will create tens of thousands of jobs across Europa."

On the way to his special car, Rogozov's assistant lowered his voice: "Minister, Europa clearly has some intelligence..."

Rogozov looked back from the car window at the holographic projection on the top floor of the Titan building, which was displaying real-time shipping data for the Siam Strait: "What if they know?"

He stroked the button on his cuff, "Now all of Europa's nanomedical agents must pass through this waterway from the Eastern Federation.

Do they dare to make a move here? If they can't even contend at their doorstep, how could they possibly take on Titan and the Eastern Federation here?"

Watching North Steel's official motorcade drive towards the airport, Pierre looked towards the distant port again.

A cargo ship flying the Eastern Federation flag was unloading, and the containers hoisted by cranes bore the words "Interstellar Peace Corporation."

Further out at sea, a dozen oil tankers were lined up, waiting to pass through the Siam Strait.

"You know, Madeleine?" Pierre took a deep breath, "I just saw in the agreement that Titan plans to establish the world's first holographic projection stock exchange, regulated by AI, in the industrial city."

Madeleine's tablet almost dropped to the floor: "That means..."

"It means Golden Serpent Street and Fog City's financial district will also face their 'Siam Strait moment.'"

Madeleine was somewhat surprised, not understanding how Fog City and the Federal Center would allow such a thing to happen.

Pierre seemed to read her confusion and explained softly: "Why do you think the Nova United States and the Fog City Islands are silently watching the financial center shift without doing anything?"

"Under the supervision of Star AI, all fraudulent transactions and deceptions will be discovered.

For those financial companies, the financial market will become a place where you can make money simply by having capital, technology, and vision, without having to worry about a black swan appearing at any moment."

"Either choose Titan, or choose Interstellar Peace.

For those who prioritize capital, it's just a matter of changing locations."

Pierre adjusted his suit collar, "Clearly, Titan's Emerald Ocean is somewhat stronger than the Eastern Federation's.

Let's go, we need to get ahead of the Rhine people and move Alstom's financial settlement center here too."

Behind them, the holographic projection at the top of the Titan building was changing patterns.

A three-dimensional model of Blue Star, with almost half of the trade routes converging at the location of the Siam Strait.

Below the model, a line of numbers constantly flickered.

Today's trade volume: $22,857,902,371