The next day.

A high-stakes meeting was in progress inside the grand conference room at NovaTech's HQ.

The glossy mahogany table gleamed under the cold lights, and the air buzzed with a sense of urgency.

Similar gatherings were taking place in the offices of other major companies worldwide. The directive was clear: acquire Orion Enterprises at any cost.

At the table's head was Alfred Kincaid, NovaTech's ruthless Chief Strategy Officer.

A man with a commanding presence, his piercing gaze, held the room in a vice-like grip.

His reputation as a formidable strategist was well-earned, and it was this reputation that lent weight to his words.

He leaned forward, resting his hands on the polished surface, his voice calm and determined.

"Gentlemen, our course of action is clear. Orion Enterprises is making waves that will disrupt the flow of our business if not handled immediately."

One executive asked, "Are we considering a partnership, Alfred?"

Kincaid's icy chuckle echoed in the room.

"A partnership? No. We need to eliminate the threat, not befriend it. Orion Enterprises needs to be under our control, one way or another."

"But what if they don't agree to sell?" another executive asked, his voice filled with concern.

The room fell silent, absorbing the chilling directive from Kincaid.

His words, both a battle cry and a ruthless proclamation, hovered in the air like a storm about to break.

Marianne mustered the courage to speak up. "If persuasion doesn't work, we could consider a hostile takeover. It's not the most ethical route, but it is effective."

Kincaid looked at her, his icy gaze unfazed, "That's on the table. But remember, we need the technology, not just the company. We need the brains behind it, not just the infrastructure."

David, a seasoned strategist known for cunning, said, "What about a smear campaign? Highlighting Orion's flaws, maybe even creating a few. Instill doubt in their user base, and disrupt their growth. It could make them more susceptible to a buyout."

Kincaid leaned back, steepling his fingers, "A dirty game, David, but we are not above it. Keep that idea in our back pocket."

Then there was Lisa, NovaTech's Legal Counsel, her voice level as she added, "We should also explore the patent routes. We can hit them with infringement lawsuits if they have any unprotected elements in their technology. It'll drain their resources and morale."

A cold, calculating smile spread across Kincaid's face, "Excellent, Lisa. Leave no stone unturned. NovaTech will not be second to anyone. Remember, this is not just about business. This is about power, dominance, and survival."

As the meeting continued, ideas, strategies, and unspoken threats were thrown around the room, each a testament to the ruthless determination of NovaTech.

The message was clear: they were out for blood and wouldn't stop until Orion Enterprises was theirs.

---

Inside the welcoming office of Orion Enterprises, Sam and Eva welcomed a distinguished guest - Michael Durant, the Head of Technology Relations at the Atlantic Union.

His eyes scanning the busy yet harmonious workspace, Durant noted, "Your office has a lively and refreshing vibe, unlike the stuffy governmental offices I am used to."

Eva, who was leading the meeting, smiled at his remark.

Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

"We believe a conducive work environment fosters creativity and productivity. Everyone at Orion Enterprises is encouraged to bring their best selves to work."

Sam nodded in agreement, observing Durant closely.

Durant was their ticket to a potential government contract, a partnership that could solidify Orion's standing in the industry.

Durant cleared his throat, returning their attention to the matter.

"So, about this Orion Translation app. We are contemplating adopting it for our operations, considering the potential cost and efficiency advantages over traditional translators. How feasible do you think that would be?"

Eva, the more eloquent of the two, took over.

"Mr. Durant, Orion Translation was designed considering the global users. We can certainly customize it for government operations. As for data security, it's our top priority. We follow all international data protection regulations and have multiple layers of encryption."

Durant looked impressed.

He looked back at Sam, "And what about customization? Can Orion be tailored to include governmental jargon and translate complex legal documents?"

Sam nodded, "Absolutely. Orion's AI can be trained with any terminology or language complexity. It's designed to learn and adapt."

Durant stood up, visibly impressed, "This is promising. I will present Orion Translation to my superiors. We will be in touch. Good day, Ms. Hill, Mr. Davis."

As he left, Sam and Eva exchanged hopeful looks.

This was a big opportunity, not just for Orion but also for them to significantly contribute to the government's operations.

The stakes were high, and they were ready to face whatever came next.

---

Inside the glass-paneled conference room of the Atlantic Union, senior officials gathered around a sprawling mahogany table.

Michael Durant, having just returned from Orion Enterprises, initiated the discussion.

"I just had a meeting with the team behind Orion Translation. It's impressive, to say the least. Their technology could revolutionize our operations. I believe we need to consider integrating Orion into our systems," he shared.

This was met with a thoughtful silence.

The Assistant Director of the AUIA, an imposing figure named Sullivan, leaned forward, "Before we make a decision, we need to evaluate our capabilities. Do we have anything in the AUIA that rivals Orion?"

An assistant responded quickly, "We have queried all our intelligence divisions, Director Sullivan. The answer is a resounding no. We have nothing that matches Orion's proficiency."

The room buzzed with murmurs, the reality of their technological lag sinking in.

Sullivan stroked his beard thoughtfully, "Then we must consider acquiring this technology. Durant, I want you to represent us in this. Try to buy out the software. If that doesn't work, negotiate for a partnership with Orion Enterprises."

Durant nodded, accepting the responsibility.

"Understood, Director. I'll prepare a proposal right away."

As the meeting concluded, a newfound understanding dawned on the officials.

The age of traditional translators was waning, and the era of AI-powered translations was just beginning.

And Orion Translation was leading the charge.

---

In the calm solitude of his office, Sam sat pensively, staring at the ever-climbing numbers of his Empathy Points.

As the Orion Translation app was downloaded by more and more users worldwide, his Empathy Points counter kept ticking upward.

Each new download brought him points, and he couldn't help but question why.

"System," he said, more to himself than anything, "why do I gain Empathy Points each time someone downloads the app?"

The system surprisingly answered.

[Each download represents a user who has chosen to trust the app and use it to interact with people of different languages and cultures. This act fosters empathy, and therefore you gain Empathy Points.]

It profoundly made sense.

Each download was more than just a number. It was an individual, a unique person connecting with others, breaking language barriers, and building bridges of understanding.

In facilitating that connection, Sam was promoting empathy on a global scale.

He watched the counter again, feeling a newfound awe and satisfaction.

The numbers that were simply data before now seemed to pulsate with life and connection.

The current count was displaying an astonishing 500000 EP.

This popped up in his head as he was wrapping around this revelation.

[Store Unlocked!]