4 - Chapter 3

Tasha ruminated on the possibilities of the test results as well as the access to funds implied about the origins of the system. It clearly went beyond the abilities of most companies and governments. If the £1Tn figure could be believed, then it was out of reach of all known private organisations and, outside the realm of possibility for all but 2 governments. However, given the amounts of money and the implied tech involved, it would beggar belief that this kind of power would be made available to her, an outsider.

Tasha was well aware that her natural instinct was to get to the bottom of the situation and ferret out the details before fully committing, however, that was not seeming likely to be possible at all, at least in the short term. Only question was would she use the resources to advance her own agenda. Tasha came to a decision, she would go along for now and see what the system did. The quests would provide additional data points, as would answers about her family. She would keep investigating and keep a wary eye out, but it didn't seem like she had the tools to peer behind the curtain just yet.

Tasha took a deep breath and firmly made the decision. She would use the system to her advantage and if and when the bill came due, she would do what she could to minimise the cost on herself and the world at large. To that end, she thought through the immediate implication of this kind of money. It would create problems as she spent it. Inflation would become a massive issue as she poured in money into the economy. She would need to balance her spending with creating wealth and ensuring that people didn't get left behind. She could do catastrophic damage if she wasn't careful. In fact, what she had access to wasn't just a tool, but a weapon. The money could be used to destroy any country and group of countries she chose. The sheer amount of power in her hands made her feel light headed.

She would need to build out a team of people with whom she could share at least some of the secret. As she thought through the increasingly dangerous implications of the kind of access she now had, the professor returned.

“So what was the outcome of the conversations with your team professor?” asked Tasha.

“We are willing to sign an NDA. Would you be happy with the standard NDA vetted by OneNDA or would you need your lawyers to draft a specific one?” asked the professor.

“I am happy to sign the OneNDA version professor. But please be aware that what I am going to show you cannot go beyond you. Not even to your team apart from confirmation that I have the ability to provide funding. Yes, I can see by your expression that you think I am being overly dramatic. Get the NDA ready and we can speak further.” replied Tasha. She provided the professor with her company details and the professor went to ask his secretary to prepare and print the NDA.

Within a few minutes the document was ready and signed by both in duplicate. “So what is so sensitive that you had to provide such a stern warning?” asked the professor, still a little incredulous.

In response Tasha first opened the company account and showed just under £1bn balance. Then she just opened the pdf on her phone and passed it over to the professor.

The professor, while impressed at the bank balance, still seemed to think it was not that big a deal. Whilst having access to £1bn was not usual, there were enough companies and individuals with a lot more to the point it wasn't as shocking as it used be. However, his eyes opened wide in shock as he read the pdf. “You..you weren’t kidding when you said it was a serious matter. If I am reading this right, that £1Tn is just the start? Where is this money even coming from? The impact of dropping so much money into the economy, I don't even know where to begin.” responded the now thoroughly shocked professor.

“So I take it we have a deal in principle, professor? I would like to create a team with UCL, Oxford and Cambridge. I have other ideas of how we can help humanity, but it will need to be managed. I am happy to take advice, but be aware the final decisions will rest with me, and once I have decided I will brook no challenge to my authority.” said Tasha calmly.

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“Yes, we have a deal. I can liaise with the other deans if you like to get the ball rolling. Do you already have lawyers to draft the deals?” asked a shaken professor.

“Yes I have a couple of firms in mind. I will have them contact you once I have engaged them formally. I also have to sort out new office space, company structures and staffing. I will be in touch. Please let the other deans know that I will not be meeting with them in the next few days. Let's rearrange a meeting for all of us together here for the end of the week? Also if you could have your legal people available to finalise the arrangements on that day it would be great.” replied Tasha as she stood up to leave.

*

Tasha took another cab back to her friend’s flat. She had so much to do. She would need to speak to lawyers and accountants. Set up a charity structure for her charitable works. Arrange security for herself and her teams. She was going to upset a lot of people and she needed to be prepared for what was coming, but that didn't mean she couldn't have some fun and help her friend out at the same time.

Her friend Ingrid had always been of a more public service mindset and as a result she had never managed to accrue any wealth. She had been working for charities forever, and Tasha thought of how she could help her friend and get someone to run the charity side of the business too. She had a mischievous smile on her face as she pulled up outside the flat.

As she entered the flat, she listed her tasks in her mind. She had to complete the quest. She had to finalise a law firm to deal with her needs. She also needed an accounting firm. It would be best to bring it quasi in house, as would have a lot of needs. It would only make sense to grow that part of her portfolio and to have the work done in house. She wanted to test the draw down ability for the funds too, she didn't want to get caught out if the funds were delayed or didn't turn up, though she doubted the 2nd outcome.

Tasha decided to order some sushi, to be delivered, whilst she had a shower. Have lunch then go through with the quest. She could look up law and accounting firms whilst she had lunch. She would also need to speak to her old colleagues and potentially purchase a security firm. Once she started throwing about serious money, people would notice and she would become a target.

Tasha placed the order via an app and jumped in the shower. In the shower, she also realised that she would need a good tech firm and marketing agency if her wild ideas were to come to fruition. She would also need land. She dressed and opened her laptop whilst waiting for her lunch to arrive.

Tasha spent time looking at medium boutique law firms and small accountancy firms. She wanted to instruct a firm by tomorrow as well as look at the option of purchasing into them. She identified a few firms on her list and made calls to book appointments for the next day. Instead of going to meet the law firms and accountants individually, she decided to book a suite at the Waldorf Astoria in central London, and asked them to meet her there. It would set the right tone for the meeting. Whilst there were some complaints about the short notice, Tasha dealt with it by telling them they could bill her for the hours if they didn't win the contracts. After that all the firms were happy to send a partner.

Her lunch finally arrived, and Tasha continued to work whilst she enjoyed the sushi. Finally after a quick mental review, Tasha lay down and opened her quest screen. She reviewed the first quest.

Quest: Accept the system.

You have accepted the system and used the investment provided.

Status: Complete - Rewards pending. Warning: Do not accept this reward unless you are in a secure and comfortable position.

Accept rewards? Y/N

Tasha mentally poked yes and found herself unable to move. It was like she had lost the ability to control any part of her body.

Distributing rewards

Stat points needed to reach 10 in all attributes 6 - assigning now

Stat points needed to reach 20 in all attributes 69 - assigning now - will require 7 hours to assign

Reviewing life experience and skills to assign class and profession

Class assigned - Rouge (Tier 2)

+1 to all body stats per level

Profession assigned - Technocrat (Tier 2)

+1 to all ephemeral stats per level

Tasha felt her body go through excruciating pain, as she blacked out.