Ryan stood at the head of the long conference table, scanning the faces of the assembled board members on his screen. Holographic displays projected detailed data streams in mid-air, while the walls were lined with sleek, touch-sensitive panels. For now, he forbade any face-to-face meetings, as he deemed it too risky.
Ryan’s expression was stern, his presence commanding the attention of everyone present. There was no need for introduction or niceties, as everybody knew what was at stake.
“We stand on the precipice of a new era,” he began right away. “The power to control the most powerful militaries is not a responsibility I take lightly, nor should any of you. Today, I will explain how this control is exerted and what it means for our mission.”
He gestured to a holographic projection that materialized above the table, showing intricate diagrams of the human brain. “The key lies in altering the neurotransmitter profiles in specific regions of the brain: the prefrontal cortex, the amygdala, and the hippocampus. By targeting these areas, we can influence decision-making processes, emotional responses, and memory formation.”
Ryan paused, allowing the gravity of his words to sink in. “Through the use of advanced NanoChips, we have developed the capability to adjust these neurotransmitter levels. Our AI data center here in Singapore allows us unparalleled influence over those who possess the NanoChip, including high-ranking government and military officials.”
Brian Han, always one of Ryan’s sharpest critics, raised his hand. “Ryan, could you please explain: does that mean we can control people’s thoughts and actions?”
“Not control,” Ryan corrected, “but influence. The chips don’t take away free will; they merely nudge individuals toward decisions that align with our objectives.”
This was not true, but lying had become second-nature to him. The NanoChip was controlled exactly like he had controlled Priya, just on a much larger scale. But what good was it for them to know the details?
He leaned forward, his gaze intense. “Our mission is to create a world where such suffering is a thing of the past. By joining forces and using this technology responsibly, we can achieve lasting peace. What are your thoughts on that, Brian?”
Mr. Han thought for some time. “Well, actually, I think this is a great initiative! Isn’t this what the world was waiting for? Finally, someone is taking the reins and responsibility for their actions. And I think that NAPPA is best suited to do that!”
Ryan smiled. “Any other thoughts? What do others think?”
“I think it is an excellent idea!” General Meyer jumped in. “And I wish to thank you, Ryan, for pushing the boundaries! NAPPA is once again at the forefront of innovation!”
Nods and smiles all around.
“Some critics still exist, as we can see on social media,” Ryan continued. “But I can assure you that our actions, though drastic, are necessary to prevent further bloodshed in the world. I will show you the situation in Afghanistan as an example.” He gestured again, and the holographic display shifted to a map of Afghanistan, highlighting recent conflict zones.
“By combining the forces of the US and Chinese military, we intervened in violent conflicts of local warlords here, there, and there.” He gesticulated. “Before NAPPA took over control, there was always one side, either the US or China, blocking any sort of intervention. Three days ago, we targeted terrorist strongholds and bombed the three surrounding areas of ten miles. This was followed by a ground operation. Yes, it is true that the measures were quite harsh and, unfortunately, civilians were reported as casualties, but I believe we needed a deterrent.”
The faces of the board members showed no reaction.
“The operation was a full success. After word got out that we will not tolerate any armed conflicts, several ceasefires have been declared around the world in the days following our intervention.”
The room fell silent, the board members processing the information.
Jeffrey Thompson spoke. “Ryan, the public is becoming aware of our methods. Discussions on social media about NAPPA’s practices are growing. Many are calling us out for being too heavy-handed.”
Ryan nodded. “I am aware. The opposition primarily comes from individuals without a NanoChip. Although we have friends among most of the governments in both the Western and Eastern Bloc, we need to continue expanding our global reach. Marsha and I made the decision to offer a free NanoChip to anyone in the world who wants it. Millions have already subscribed to our program. We are one step closer to making the world a better place.”
In a small, shabby room on the outskirts of Bangkok, Niko, Priya, and Klara huddled over a map spread out on a rickety table. The air was thick with tension and the smell of mildew. The broadcast they had seen yesterday had shaken them to the core. The power that NAPPA now possessed was unimaginable.
“We are screwed,” Priya accurately summarized their situation.
Niko sighed. “Not only do they control the two most powerful armies in the world, but I’m pretty sure they are working on enhancements of their program.”
“Oh jeez, now what? Aren’t we all maxed out on mind control?” Klara asked, her eyes narrowing.
“If I was them, I would develop NanoChip so it could gather data from users in real-time, acting as their eyes and ears.”
“You’re most likely right. We know that they can do that with individuals, as I had to find out the hard way,” Priya said, shaking her head.
“According to some estimates I found online, around forty percent of the world’s population already has a NanoChip. Each day, millions more get implanted through NAPPA’s programs,” Klara added. “These numbers don’t include children and people in poorer countries, so the percentage is heavily skewed in many places.”
“Be it as it may, if they succeed, there will be no escaping them.” Priya’s voice was tinged with despair.
“So, now what?” Klara asked.
Niko shifted in his chair. “We need allies more than ever. Thanks to you, Priya, we were able to get out of Singapore, so we can breathe more freely. But we need a plan.”
“Why not call Kuryakov again? I’m sure he will have some ideas,” Priya proposed.
“Yes, let’s do that. Klara, can you work on establishing a connection to him?”
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“I’m already on it.”
The secure line Klara had painstakingly established buzzed to life, and Kuryakov’s face appeared, fraught with tension. Niko and Priya gathered around the laptop screen.
“Good afternoon, you two,” Kuryakov greeted them curtly, his usual friendliness gone. “We have a problem. The Russian government is pressuring me to make their version of the NanoChip operational ASAP. Also, NAPPA loyalists have secretly taken several high-ranking officials into custody in Russia, China, and the US. Anyone resisting is implanted with a NanoChip. And their numbers are growing exponentially.”
Priya frowned. “This is exactly what we feared, Anatoly. But why aren’t the governments doing anything about it?”
“Well, what choice do they have? Any measures by their side could lead to civil war. In Russia, for example, a relatively small number of politicians have the NanoChip—”
“Oh really, why is that?” Niko interrupted.
“Mostly due to their mistrust of the project. And the fact that it was US-supported in the beginning. Also, there was a partial ban here, which obviously never works. So, they started to copy the technology with Chinese help. Nonetheless, right now, the Russians are mostly busy with themselves, trying to maintain control. How are the two of you holding up?”
“We are currently hidden, but I don’t know for how long. We will have to change locations soon,” Niko added.
“Your friend, the one who came with you to Vladivostok, he can help, no?”
“He… is not with us anymore. We left him because he couldn’t be trusted,” Priya said, exchanging glances with Niko.
Kuryakov’s expression was tinged with sadness. “Too bad. I liked him.”
“But Anatoly, we called you for a different reason. We need to find a way to stop NAPPA. If they start announcing their moves even publicly, they must think they’re unstoppable!”
“There are rumors that the Russians have established connections with several other NanoChip-free countries, as they call them, to discuss further measures before NAPPA-controlled politicians take over. And China is exerting pressure, too. I don’t think we can expect much help from any government, for now. I just hope I don’t become part of some prisoner exchange program.” Kuryakov laughed.
Priya was curious. “How have you managed to stay under the radar, Anatoly? Isn’t NAPPA looking for you?”
Kuryakov glanced around nervously. “As Niko probably told you, I have an interference device that masks my NanoChip activity. This helps, but I’m also being shadowed twenty-four-seven by the Russian secret service. My research is too valuable for them to give me up, still.”
“I never managed to thank you, Anatoly!” Priya got somewhat emotional. “You really saved me.”
“Don’t mention it,” Kuryakov said. “I never give up on friends. And Niko did most of the work, anyway.”
“Can’t we disable the NanoChips by entering NAPPA’s AI center in Singapore?” Klara interrupted their reminiscing. “It is close to the headquarters located near the Singapore marina. This is where they coordinate all the NanoChip actions across the world, right?”
Niko shook his head. “Too dangerous, since NAPPA moved to Singapore. The AI center is the most guarded facility in the world. I was able to go into the headquarters, but that was also just dumb luck, to be honest. And I’m sure they bumped up their security since.”
“Too bad we can’t have an interference device for everybody on the planet.” Priya laughed.
“Ha-ha, yes,” Klara replied.
Niko stared at them blankly. “Wait a minute. Why …? Why can’t we?”
“Why can’t we what?” Kuryakov turned to him.
“Interfere with all the NanoChip devices on the planet?” Niko’s expression was serious.
“Have you lost your mind, Niko? How would that work?”
Both Priya and Kuryakov looked at him intently.
“Priya, what you said reminded me of conversations I had with Lopez and Anatoly some months ago. Both of them mentioned that you could reach more NanoChips by using much stronger magnetic signals. This is what happened in NAPPA’s headquarters, when Ryan collapsed—on a small scale, of course. The signal from the interference device was too strong, so his NanoChip structure disintegrated…”
Kuryakov’s eyes widened with realization. “I see what you are saying. If we could create a strong enough magnetic signal with my interference device, we could destroy NanoChips on a massive scale. But how do we do that?”
Niko’s eyes lit up with an idea. “Well, what do we know about the nanobots? They communicate with each other via magnetic fields. This is the technological basis of your interference device. So, where do we find the strongest magnetic devices in existence?”
“The MRI!” Priya exclaimed.
“Exactly!” Niko’s face glowed with anticipation. “21 Tesla MRI, to be exact. There are only two of those in the world—”
“In NAPPA’s Singapore headquarters and SPA in Arecibo!” Priya finished his sentence.
Klara glanced over from behind the screen, intrigued. “But how would that work? MRI machines are not made for signal emission.”
“True, MRI machines are designed for imaging.” Niko nodded. “Nonetheless, they are capable of generating incredibly strong magnetic fields. The two devices with the field strength of 21 Tesla are the only such devices that exist, and the most powerful ones. If we can modulate these fields with the same software that Kuryakov used for the interference device, we might be able to create a powerful signal capable of disrupting the NanoChips.”
Kuryakov interjected, his engineering mind already racing, “To achieve this, we need to modify the MRI machine to emit a coherent signal rather than just pulses for imaging. But to make it work, I would have to integrate advanced RF technology and signal modulation capabilities. We must repurpose the MRI device hardware to generate and amplify the signal correctly, essentially turning the MRI machine into an enormous interference device with a large radius.”
Klara looked skeptical. “But even if we manage to activate the single 21 Tesla MRI in Arecibo, the signal will still not be strong enough to reach everyone over the globe, or will it?”
Niko paused, contemplating. “You might be right. We might need to amplify the signal somehow if we want to disrupt NanoChips globally.”
“How about overlapping two magnetic fields for amplification? If you overlap magnetic fields correctly, the direction, etc., they can reinforce each other and generate a much stronger magnetic field,” Klara added, pensively.
“Excellent idea!” Niko immediately jumped in, getting excited. “Or, what about overlapping hundreds, even thousands of magnetic fields? Do you think you could upload these changes to other MRI devices, as well? We could create a truly global magnetic network.”
“Wait a minute, Niko—that sounds extremely difficult,” Kuryakov interrupted his euphoria. “We would have to time all of these devices to the exact same signal frequency, which would match those of the nanobots.”
“We would need to create a secure and uninterrupted communication link between Arecibo and the MRI machines worldwide to synchronize them perfectly. The timing and modulation would have to be flawless.”
“Well, I’m not an expert, but couldn’t we use some of the equipment in Arecibo?” Priya asked.
Niko’s jaw dropped. “Priya, you’re a bloody genius. Anatoly, could we use the Arecibo radar to connect the MRIs?”
Kuryakov’s eyes beamed. “Of course! The Arecibo Observatory is one of the most powerful radar systems in the world. If we could use Arecibo to send synchronization signals to MRI machines globally, we could coordinate them to generate a coherent magnetic field effect.”
Klara was already thinking through the technicalities. “We would need to create a secure and uninterrupted communication link between Arecibo and the MRI machines worldwide to synchronize them perfectly. The timing and modulation would have to be flawless.”
“Well, that would be on you, Klara.” Niko looked at her, smiling. “You have to get us into NAPPA’s system again to manage this synchronization. It would surely be better if you could somehow break into the 21 Tesla MRI in Singapore, as well. That would additionally help with signal enhancement.”
“Well, that sounds impossible. But leave it to me. Impossible things are my specialty.” Klara smirked. “I’ll get us the access we need.”
After a moment of silence, Niko, Priya, and Klara exchanged looks, feeling a surge of hope.
“Let’s get to work,” Niko said, determination in his voice. “We need to prepare everything down to the smallest detail. We have one shot at this, and we can’t afford to fail.”
As they began to lay out the specifics of their plan, the atmosphere in the room shifted.
“We have to infiltrate the SPA facility in Arecibo,” Priya said, her voice firm. “The access codes that Lopez provided us are our best chance.”
“So, all we have to do is drop into one of the most fortified research facilities in the world, make a device that was never used before, and emit it over the whole planet,” Klara said, looking at them incredulously. “Yeah, that checks out.”