Chapter 15
Reality is a concept that tries to put experience into a box. I experienced this so therefore it must be reality.
Example: The neighboring village has been at war with my village since I was born so my reality is war.
Then came along the idea that we could create a virtual experience and then term it 'Virtual Reality'.
I believe this to be insidious. My life and travels have taught me that if it is an experience no matter if it's a dream state, waking state, virtual either computer/digital or magical means. It is still experienced and therefore real or reality.
If you allow yourself to dismiss an experience because you were told it is less real. At best it will stagnate and hold you back. At worst it will kill you for not learning from your experience.
The only benefit of having separate boxes for Reality is the lessons you learn.
~Musings of an Isekai~
It has been a week since Natasha has come under my employ. After allowing her a few days to make her necessary arrangements. Her training really does make her the best PA.
The first order of business I handed her was the planning of the Gala. The next day we had armies of caterers and servers, legions of decorators, and General Natasha leading the battle to turn Lilith into an appropriate venue.
Turns out having to interact with Natasha has brought me back more towards my humanity.
Over the last week having to interact with Natasha constantly has required me to keep my perception and mental processing to human norms. Thus, I realized that I had become too narrowly focused. Not paying attention to any details around me. Not seeing the beauty of Lilith's city ship construction.
How when Crystal was creating Lilith's body instead of the blueish metallic color scheme and futuristic embellishments the show used. Crystal went with a more muted and sophisticated palette and forgoing any embellishment opting to use adaptive walls.
Lilith is beautiful. Her outside skin is a beautiful metallic dark purple almost black with beautiful beauty accents of greens, oranges, and reds randomly scattered across her surface enhancing her assets. Her interior halls floors are dark almond with the ceilings being light almond. The walls, being adaptive default to a gradient allowing the transition from the dark almond of the floors to the light almond of the ceilings.
All rooms that would normally be designated as non-essential or as I like to think the civilian areas have all surfaces with adaptive technology so it can be tailored to fit either need or a specific taste.
Looking around my office trying to decide if I like how I finally chose to decorate it two days ago. For the floor I went with a charcoal base sprinkled with dark gold flecks. The walls transition in color from the floor to the ceiling of a soft lavender pastel.
I hand made my new desk from a black walnut slab with a waterfall edge on the left side. The support on the right side is a vertically cut amethyst geode of thirty-six inches allowing six inches to cut through the table.
I went with a traditional executive office chair in dark red leather for myself. I have a leather Chesterfield couch along one of the walls. Sitting on either end of a standard coffee table are two Chesterfield chairs. On the opposite wall I installed an office bar.
I marvel at Natasha sitting in a chair. Legs crossed wearing a business skirt suit. As she reviews her notes for this meeting to go over final plans for the Gala that will be taking place tomorrow.
"Are you staring or are you spacing out again" asks Natasha.
Taking time to finish pouring my single malt and taking Natasha's gin and tonic with jalapeno instead of lime. Setting her drink down before heading to the other chair and taking my seat.
I take a slow slip embracing the alcohol with my biofield to allow my tongue and mouth to feel the burn of the alcohol and the subtle notes.
"Of those two options, I was spacing out. I'm still getting used to constantly perceiving my world at such a pace." I finally answered the question she asked.
Looking up from her notepad she establishes eye contact with me before saying. "I believe I should feel offended."
"How have I offended you, my Lady?" I inquire.
"You haven't, and it is actually refreshing not having a boss that drools over me." She responds.
"I find it hard to picture Fury drooling over you."
"Oh, he drooled just like the rest of them, granted his drooling wasn't regarding my body. But my skills."
"I see, that makes sense." I respond before taking another sip.
"Natahsa, I understand that you are busy with last minute details, but I asked for this meeting to share some information with you."
"Are you familiar with one Obadiah Stane?" I ask starting the topic for the meeting and to derail the direction the conversation was heading.
"Former CEO of Stane International left the company in the hands of his protégé to assume CEO of Stark Enterprises when Howard Stark his close friend was killed. Kept that position till Tony assumed it around eight years ago then moving to the position of COO." She answers.
"Well, it seems the legendary chess player finally made a bad move. Since he has chosen to use the Gala to assassinate Tony Stark."
"Wow, that came out of nowhere. Why would he want to kill Tony Stark, he was ready to reassume control of Stane International next year after his contract with Stark Enterprises expired." She questioned.
"Stark is all the bad parts of his father with none of his father's good traits." Supplying my answer.
"Doesn't answer my question. Or if it does, I didn't follow."
"Howard was a genius not only of science but in business and duty. Tony can only claim to be a genius of science and even then, only at a lower level than his father." I explained.
"Howard and Obadiah were close friends to the point Howard was the only person Obadiah respected. Which is why Obadiah ran Stark Enterprises and did not just do a merger or hostile takeover."
"Then comes Tony a genius almost as good as his father, creating profitable technology and weapons. One would think this is a great thing, and an amazing thing. The company had a constant yearly growth of eighteen percent the first six years Tony took control with the last two years being sixteen and fifteen percent respectively."
"I remember reading an investment article it pretty much said that Tony was able to revitalize Stark Enterprises, since they had stagnated at a nine to ten percent yearly growth." She imputed.
"Correct in my research I also found that particular article. The only problem is there was no true analysis in that article or any others that parroted each other. "
"A true analysis done by anyone with knowledge and experience would understand that with what Tony created could have provided one of two options. First is a three to four times higher growth with a more gradual decline over a longer period than eight years. Second option is a lower growth but a longer more steady growth over time."
"That is anyone as in just an average CEO or analyst in this same field."
"Now take a strategic business mind at the level of Obadiah. What do you think his analysis would be?"
"Assuredly higher, I suppose. I'm not fully up on how to analyze a business, I only read that article while waiting for a target." She says while shrugging.
"I can guess that Obadiah probably could have hit eight times higher with his knowledge and connections. And kept that growth for twelve to fifteen years. That is if he didn't choose the more conservative slower but extremely longer growth option." I supply.
"The point of this is that Obadiah is not only disappointed in Tony but extremely furious at him. Which has lead Obadiah to contacting an associate by the name Wilson Fisk."
"Kingpin, guess that makes sense. Who is Fisk lending out?"
"Bullseye" I simply state.
"Do I need to intervene?"
"No need, we need to have Bullseye act. He will be recorded, then the evidence and communication chain between Fisk and Stane will be handed over to the authorities along with Lester." I state.
"I just wanted to inform you and make you aware so when the commotion starts you can be prepared."
"Now with that taken care of. Let's talk about our product we will be showing at the Gala tomorrow, what governments have shown interest as well as the lead gaming developers." I inquire trying to gauge the perspective reception.
"As expected, the major powers' military is interested if the training is as customizable and reliable as we claim. The other branches have not really shown interest."
"Regarding the Gaming industry Bliztech, Actionvisor, Mojave have responded about developing their own IP for our VR pods once they are deemed safe for the masses."
"Natasha, I am perplexed at the lack of interest."
"Nobody believes you can fulfill your promise at best. At worst equipment is unsafe or some other nefarious plot by the Evil Space Alien."
"I like that Evil Space Alien. If your world wants to truly go down that route it's fine by me. Just let me ask a question has anyone thought or said what if the Evil Space Alien was a good guy and here for a very specific reason."
"Not to my knowledge sir. I could guess that some of the E.T. loving cult groups have. But government agencies not even one."
"Tell her Garrick. She needs to know. Nobody on this planet believes your story about entertainment." Crystal speaks up.
"Sir, she is right. No one is buying your story."
"Never intended for anyone to. The purpose was I guess fun on my part plus potentially procrastination."
"Procrastination is a common trait of us old ones, the young such as yourself Garrick should have fire and ambition."
Motioning for Natasha to relax and not throw that knife she pulled out.
"Old man you are going to get yourself killed startling women like that or worse lose your manhood." I advise Yao.
"Now sit on the couch I assume you are here to pressure me into sharing. I don't have tea, but I do have a bottle of Chhaang." Getting up and preparing him his drink, while making Natasha another stronger Gin and Tonic.
After setting their drinks down I look at the moon.
"Not for you to hear and know." I state before erecting a dimensional barrier for privacy.