John glowered as he reviewed the latest earnings reports. Profits were still rising steadily, but nothing compared to the absurd wealth Fournier Enterprises was accumulating from their awakened portal teams.
He had assumed their small start-up couldn't possibly compete with his company's resources and government connections. Yet somehow, Fournier had pulled ahead in the portal exploitation race.
Now the Portal Security Agency's aura-based restrictions loomed, threatening to freeze out ordinary humans like John. He needed gifted followers and legal loopholes immediately if he hoped to keep competing.
A knock interrupted his brooding. "Come in," John growled.
His deputy, Mr. Rocha, entered cautiously. "Apologies for disturbing you, sir. There's been another clash with Fournier's gang at the Cerberus excavation site."
John slammed his fist on the desk, making Rocha jump. "Damn those bastards! My incompetent crews are no match for awakened freaks!"
"We outnumbered them ten to one this time," Rocha said timidly.
"And still lost!" John thundered. He took a breath, getting his anger under control before continuing.
"Fournier has the advantage for now. We cannot stop them through direct confrontation."
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Rocha shifted uneasily. "Then what should we do, sir?"
John leaned back, steepling his fingers. "Beat them by joining them. We'll awaken our own portal teams, whatever it takes. And send lobbyists to water down the PSA restrictions."
Rocha looked uncertain but nodded. "I'll inform Congress and our researchers immediately."
"See that you do," John said coldly. "I will not have some rogue start-up usurp my rightful place atop this industry."
After his deputy left, John turned again to the earnings report, its numbers now looking like ashes in his mouth. Fournier's awakened warriors had proven more capable than his vast corporate army.
But John Masters did not accept defeat. If mutated powers were the new paradigm, then he would seize that power for himself. Fournier and Black's authority both now rested on borrowed time. The portal wealth would be John's, by any means necessary.
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Joshua rubbed his temples wearily as he reviewed the latest batch of aura test results and explorer rankings. The data confirmed his worst fears - Frontier was cementing their dominance among the portal corporations.
With multiple top-ranked awakened individuals like Astor and Ava leading their expeditions, Frontier secured the most profitable excavation sites and artifacts with ease. Their monopoly was only growing as they collected more gifted followers.
By comparison, the other companies could barely keep up. Even Flowers, with standout explorers like Sophia and Mei, posed little real challenge to Frontier's ever-expanding might.
This utter imbalance undermined the core purpose of Joshua's aura-based rankings - ensuring diversity and fairness in portal involvement. Instead, the system was unintentionally reinforcing Frontier's supremacy.
A knock preceded Joshua's head analyst entering. "The latest projections, sir. Frontier's revenue is estimated to triple in two years at this rate."
Joshua sighed, tossing the report on his overflowing desk. "Yes, a very illuminating data set, thank you."
After the analyst left, Joshua leaned back, brooding darkly. He had to act before Frontier's awakened elite became utterly unassailable. But how could he restore balance without being seen as obstructionist?
Perhaps some targeted restrictions on high scorers, limiting consecutive explorations...or minimums for lower ranks to ensure more equity...none of the options felt quite right.
For now, Joshua had to be content with close oversight of Frontier's activities. But if their dominance kept growing unchecked, more assertive interventions might become necessary.
However distasteful, Joshua could not rule out harsher sanctions like exploration bans or stripping of auras. The integrity and safety of the entire system was at stake.