Mr. Black sat back in his richly upholstered office chair and switched on his laptop. The machine’s only purpose was to connect him to his cabal of fellow conspirators. A couple of clicks and a complicated password later, he was added to a chat room with a dozen other individuals.

A voice modulator obscured each person’s identity, and the laptops they possessed didn’t have cameras that could be turned on. Instead, they were identified merely by the colors they picked as an alias.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,” Mr. Black addressed the group. “I’ve received a report that our Chinese assets in the System have been completely destroyed. Not only was their base eradicated, but when they tried to respawn, they found their respawn points buried in the rubble. Hundreds of people permanently died as they were killed again as soon as they re-entered.”

“What’s the plan to recover those assets?” Mr. Red asked.

This time, Ms. Green chimed in. “We’re directing our Korean personnel to begin digging out the base and recovering as much as possible. To our knowledge, each faction only gets one central spawn point until the leader moves it. However, Chairman Zhou cannot respawn for now to relocate the faction spawn point.”

Mr. Black nodded and added to her point, “Unfortunately, doing so will delay our Korean development. We may need to prioritize a different faction.”

“Well, which faction destroyed them?” Mr. Orange asked.

“The Americans,” Mr. Black answered succinctly.

“Why can’t we prioritize their development, then? To the winner goes the spoils,” Mr. Orange suggested.

“Because we don’t control the Americans yet,” Mr. Blue answered. “They have a new leader, and we only have one asset within his new leadership circle.”

“So, have the new leader killed,” Ms. Green stated flatly. “He’s cost us a lot of time and money. If we can’t control him, then I don’t see the use.”

Mr. Black stepped in before the conversation could get sidetracked. “Just because he’s not controllable right now doesn’t mean he won’t be in the future. There’s no sense in killing such a promising talent. He might be the person we need to unite the factions.”

“You just want the Americans to be on top within the System as well, Black.” Ms. Green accused.

Mr. Black frowned before he responded. “Don’t let your national origins cloud your thinking,” he reprimanded. “We’re all world citizens here. We have to think about the good of the planet, not just where we decide to call home.”

“And you aren’t thinking of your host nation?” Green challenged.

“Not at all,” Black disagreed. “If the Americans can’t maintain their position of power within the System, then the overall rule should go to another faction. Right now, the competition is causing all of the factions to develop rapidly.”

“That’s true,” Blue supported Black. “We’ve had more technological progress in the last nine months than in the last ninety years. We’re further ahead in our plan for a united world order than ever before.”

“The hybridization efforts were a wild success,” Mr. Orange agreed, “All the alterations we made within the System carried over to the real world. The subjects were practically immune to all diseases and saw radical increases in overall health. Based on our projections, even some of the more radical powers like psionics will soon be available to people on both sides of the System, and the Americans now have access to the research. We might as well throw in our support.”

Green wasn’t convinced. “If competition breeds progress, Black, then you wouldn’t oppose us challenging the Americans some?”

“What are you suggesting?” Black was curious despite Green’s antagonistic tone.

“Simple,” Green answered. “The Americans have proven their military capabilities, but how are the other aspects of their faction? Up until now, they’ve been dismal. Since Red has responsibility over the forces to the South, I suggest he test their resolve. Further, we should test this prodigy of yours. Why don’t we let it slip to the American government that the System will soon replace our world?”

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“Why would that be an adequate test?” Blue asked.

Black answered before Green had the chance. “Because then he would prove that he has the political wisdom to back up his military might. Any leader of the earth is going to need both qualities.”

“Exactly,” Green agreed. “We found that type of leadership in the Chinese. Chairman Zhou’s only mistake was underestimating the American response.”

“That and conducting hybridization tests on Smith,” Blue interjected.

“That wasn’t a mistake,” Green snarled. “The woman had no use to us anymore, and she was meant to be the perfect trap for the Americans. Had things gone the way they were supposed to, the Americans were due to become a vassal state of the Chinese. Their leader was already in the palm of their hand. Besides, we didn’t expect her to change to that degree.”

“Yet, the trap was sprung, and the Americans escaped largely unscathed, Orange commented drily.

There was a moment of silence as the assembled group thought through the ramifications.

“They were more technologically advanced than Zhou expected,” Green finally admitted. “They shouldn’t have been able to infiltrate that deeply into the compound in the first place. Yet, somehow they could hack into all the security systems within the base. It slowed their response and left them vulnerable. It must be a skill we haven’t seen before.”

“Regardless,” Blue continued the argument, “the Americans won, and we should prioritize their development.”

“Did we even reclaim Smith’s body?” Red asked. “The degree of her hybridization was unexpected. My forces in the South would like to study her corpse. It would be adequate compensation for starting the war you wish to see.”

“No,” Blue said sadly. “Despite her changes, her capsule is sealed tight. We still haven’t discovered a way to open them without the user logging out of the System, and there’s nothing on this side capable of prying them open.”

“Surely, that’s by design,” Orange suggested. “The System is a test for all humanity. We’re proving our worth to join the larger galactic community.”

“Yes, we’ve discussed this sort of thing before,” Green said acidly. “There’s no need to rehash old conversations, and we’re getting distracted. Can we please return to the topic at hand?”

“My friends, Green is right,” Black tried to bring the two sides of the argument together. “We must protect our investments and be sure we’re backing the right play.” Black found himself warming to the idea. “And if Steele has to manage internal divisions within his faction while fending off foreign influence, he’ll prove whether he’s someone worth supporting.”

“I can agree with that,” Mr. Red chimed in.

There was a chorus of agreement from the other members of the call. They were the most powerful and influential people on the planet. They represented titans of industry, global media moguls, highly-placed politicians, and in some cases, royalty. Black knew that it was better to guide the wave of power rather than resist its currents.

“Fine,” Black agreed. “I’ll inform the American political class about the true value of the System. Mr. Red, please encourage your factions to pressure the Americans. We’ll see who proves themselves in the coming conflict. After all, we’re on a deadline.”

“Sure, Black.” Red agreed. “They’re uniting most of their continent both in this world and within the System. Out of all our different forces, they’re doing the most to unite the planet. The conflict would have been inevitable, but they’re going to want compensation.”

Black frowned, but he wasn’t sure what to offer the growing nation to the South. Thankfully, he wasn’t the only person on the call.

“If they defeat the Americans, we’d be willing to officially recognize their nation on our side,” Blue offered.

“As would we,” Green agreed. “With China defeated, I don’t see anyone else ready to take the lead on the world stage. Despite the U.S’ victory, they don’t have the infrastructure or resources to rise to primacy.”

The rest of the world leaders agreed with the proposal, and Red was satisfied with the price he negotiated. With the situation resolved, the powerful members moved on to other concerns. Each of them had constructed private compounds for coffins to hold themselves, their families, and their staff. They intended to create their own faction within the System and take the official mantle of leadership over the globe once the conflict settled down. With their reach, they had access to all the technology acquired by any of the factions under their control.

When the world was fully assimilated, it would be them who would guide their species into the stars. Until then, leaders like Aidan Steele were useful pawns to keep the masses in check. It was far easier for them to handle the day-to-day business of their factions rather than the cabal of world leaders.

When everything that needed to be discussed had been decided, Mr. Black closed his laptop and poured himself a glass of bourbon. He took a sip and then hit a button on his desk.

“Yes, Mr. Kennett?” the billionaire’s secretary answered.

“Sarah,” Kennett addressed, “Call the White House and ask someone to get a hold of the President.

“Sure, Mr. Kennet. What message do you want me to pass?” She asked.

“Tell him to call me at his earliest convenience.” Kennett idly ordered. “I have new information about the System.”