SWORD is now

I looked over the bustling venue in New York's Times Square, transformed into a high-tech amphitheatre for tonight's extravagant event. It was September 1, 1988, and the anticipation in the air was palpable. The towering screens, as tall as the surrounding skyscrapers, displayed the Aperture Science logo, interspersed with dynamic animations and teasers for the S.W.O.R.D. initiative.

The streets had been cordoned off, allowing the crowd to spill freely into the square, filling every available space. Lights from the stage created an almost ethereal glow, casting long shadows and highlighting the excitement etched on the faces of the attendees. It was an eclectic mix of scientists, journalists, tech enthusiasts, and curious onlookers, all drawn by the promise of a groundbreaking reveal.

The stage itself was a marvel of modern design, a blend of sleek lines and advanced technology. Holographic displays floated above it, showing real-time data and images from Aperture Science's previous projects. The central podium, where I would soon speak, was framed by a massive screen that would broadcast the event live to millions around the world.

I took a deep breath, savouring the weight of the moment. This was not just a product launch; it was a pivotal point in history, a glimpse into a future shaped by the convergence of science and imagination.

And it would make a boatload of cash, enough to buy out Black Mesa.

As the clock approached 8 PM, the excitement in the square reached a fever pitch. The ambient noise of the city seemed to fade, replaced by the hum of the crowd and the subtle whir of high-tech equipment. The lights dimmed, drawing all eyes to the stage, and the giant screens went dark, leaving only the Aperture Science logo glowing faintly.

As I stepped up to the podium, everything sharpened into crystalline clarity. The crowd hushed, and for a moment, the only sound was the distant murmur of New York City, the heartbeat of the world.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, and those who consider themselves neither," I began, my voice amplified and clear, cutting through the silence. "I warmly greet you all. You are here to finally find out what S.W.O.R.D. actually is. Well, unless you just wandered by mistake. Stay anyway in that case, I promise you won't regret it. We spent enough money to make quite a spectacle. And it's free."

A ripple of laughter passed through the audience, easing the tension.

"To be honest, I did not expect we would manage to keep it a secret right up to the very moment we are making it public. No leaks. Not among developers, lawyers, or even beta testers. I was really sure one of them would squawk. Well, either our NDAs are that scary, or they liked being smug about secrets they did not share."

I made a dramatic gesture with my hand, and the screen lit with our patented "Aperture Science Test Subject" cartoon character—the stick figure used in various pictograms and animations to convey instructions and warnings clearly.

"Now imagine that you are bored at home." The stick figure imitated a yawn. "Perhaps you would like to read a book?" The stick figure walked to an empty shelf. "Or watch a movie?" The stick figure went to a cartoonish TV, and turned it on, but it only showed static. "Perhaps you are hungry?" The stick figure went to the fridge, and opened it, revealing cobwebs. "Or do you want to talk to a friend?" The stick figure yelled out the window, but there was no response.

The audience chuckled at the playful animation, their anticipation mounting as the scene unfolded.

"Now imagine if you could have all of that in one place." The screens now showed a Frankenstein's monster-like machine made by combining a fridge, bookshelf, telephone, and television.

"Not like that," I said in mock anger. The screen changed to a cartoon image of an Aperture PC.

"You know, computers can be used for more than just accidentally starting global thermonuclear war." As I spoke, the words "Would you like to play a game?" appeared on the PC monitor and were promptly replaced by a nuclear mushroom cloud.

The audience laughed, the absurdity of the animation breaking the tension.

"With S.W.O.R.D., or Synthetic World of Revolutionary Developments, we bring you a unified digital ecosystem. Imagine a single platform where you can read books, watch movies, connect with friends, shop, and even access cutting-edge research—all from one device."

The screen transitioned to show the Aperture PC seamlessly accessing various services: streaming a movie, opening a digital library, making a video call, browsing a shopping catalogue, and accessing a research database.

The animation continued, showing the stick figure effortlessly switching between tasks on the Aperture PC, each transition smooth and intuitive.

"And unlike a telephone, there are no long distance calls. Whether it's your neighbour or that Nigerian prince who owes you money—it's all the same. The whole world at your fingertips."

As I spoke, the stick figure answered a call, first showing a friendly neighbour and then a comically exaggerated Nigerian prince holding a stack of cash.

"For digital libraries, those familiar with Aperture BBC already know what we're talking about—you can read any book you like. But it's not just books; journals, art, or even just something people want to share. So, that town gossip who's always dreaming of being a journalist now has a platform to share all that she observes about her neighbours."

The screen showed the stick figure gossiping, with speech bubbles containing juicy titbits about its cartoon neighbours, who react in exaggerated horror and surprise.

"Think you have a hot story or a book you want to publish but can't find a publisher? Here's the place, and if you get enough readers, who knows? You might just become the next big author."

The stick figure typed furiously on the PC, then watched as stacks of virtual books flew off the screen, symbolizing publishing success.

"And for movies? Scheduling is a problem of the past. No more choosing between watching your favourite film and taking your significant other on a date. Now you get to watch what you want when you want. And it's not just movies—series, documentaries, news, educational programs, and even tutorials on how to make your own bird feeder are all at your fingertips."

The stick figure appeared on the screen, fumbling with a remote control, juggling a popcorn bucket, and trying to adjust a VCR. The animation then transitioned to the figure effortlessly accessing a library of movies and shows on the Aperture PC.

"And just like with the digital library, you can also share your content. Your most precious moments, fun things that happened, your opinions, or even homemade movies. Why be just a writer when you can be the writer, producer, and main actor? Here, we democratize everything. Making a movie is no longer just for the chosen few."

The animation showed the stick figure directing a film, acting in a scene, and even walking down a miniature red carpet while being showered with cartoon awards.

"With S.W.O.R.D., you have the power to create, share, and connect like never before. Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker, a passionate educator, or someone who just wants to share a part of their world, this platform gives you the tools to do it all."

The crowd's excitement grew, a tangible energy pulsing through Times Square as the potential of S.W.O.R.D. became clear.

"Of course, there's also the digital market—food, clothing, household appliances, cars—practically everything. For now, it features only Aperture products, but we plan to partner with others, and in time, everything will be for sale. And there's no need to run from shop to shop looking for the best deal. Here, you can compare prices and reviews by other buyers in one place."

The stick figure appeared on the screen, frantically running between different stores, carrying an ever-growing pile of shopping bags. The animation then transitioned to the figure comfortably sitting at the Aperture PC, effortlessly browsing through various products, comparing prices, and reading reviews.

"With S.W.O.R.D., we bring the entire marketplace to you, making shopping easier, faster, and more efficient than ever before. Whether you're looking for a new wardrobe, the latest gadgets, or even a new car, it's all just a click away."

The animation showed the stick figure making a purchase, then receiving a delivery at home with a satisfied smile.

"Imagine the convenience of having everything you need in one place, without the hassle of navigating crowded stores or dealing with pushy salespeople. It's a revolution in how we shop, tailored to fit seamlessly into your daily life."

I paused for a moment, letting the tension build. The event had electrified the crowd, but it would take some time to see the true effects.

"But now you're asking, 'How can I get it?'" The stick figure appeared on the screen, trying to pull a sword from a stone.

"Simple. S.W.O.R.D. is all about connection. And for that, we have satellites." The image of Earth surrounded by swords appeared.

"You just need to connect your computer to the satellite. Do you have a computer? The best option is an Aperture PC, but an Apple Mac will do in a pinch."

"Now, you just need Aperture Science Satellite Transmission Over Network Equipment. A STONE to connect your S.W.O.R.D." The stick figure triumphantly pulled a stone with a sword icon out of the ground, and a computer connection appeared.

"And, of course, there's a subscription fee, but that's for later. Anyone who buys it soon will get free access until March next year. After that, I'm sorry, but the free trial will only be one month. So get it now."

"Naturally, we also plan to build bigger STONEs and connect using cables, but that's for later."

The screen flicked to an image of a mountain-sized stone dominating a cityscape. Skyscrapers reached barely halfway up its massive height, with lines connecting from its surface to the roofs of each building.

The crowd murmured in a mix of amazement and curiosity, eyes fixed on the massive display.

I continued, my tone casual but confident, "Imagine this: a world where your entire city is connected, where information flows as freely as water, and where the boundaries of technology and daily life blur into seamless interaction. This is the future we are building, one STONE at a time."

"As the steam engine marked the start of the Industrial Age, S.W.O.R.D. marks its end and the beginning of a new era—the Information Age. This is not just a technological leap; it's a transformation of how we live, work, and connect with the world. Welcome to the future, where possibilities are limitless."

At the platform's edge, I could see Doug trying to get my attention. Either that, or he really needed to pee. Probably not, as his latest set of medications to manage his condition did not have heavy diuretic properties as a side effect.

"Next, a demonstration of how S.W.O.R.D. works," I said, improvising a little to see what Doug wanted. "But first, a short trailer for the movie that will premiere exclusively on S.W.O.R.D. 'Kiss of the Wasp' is the first movie Rock Hudson has acted in since his recovery, and an adaptation of the book by the same name by our own Dr. Jane Smith. The book can also be found on S.W.O.R.D."

I used Hudson's name to promote it, but he was not the main male role in this scientific vampire romance. He was a bit too old to properly portray a vampire high schooler. Sen was the one who had taken that role, but since this was his first movie, it would be less useful to mention him.

As the trailer was shown on the screen, I approached Doug.

"Are we having technical difficulties? If we need to delay the demonstration, I need to know right now. This trailer is not that long," I said without preamble; time was of the essence.

Already, my mind was running through possible ways to delay the demonstration of SWORD if necessary. Perhaps a commercial?

Maybe an ad for Aperture Sensual Leisure and Adventure Vacation Experience (S.L.A.V.E.). The real reason I used Aperture funds to obtain that island in the Pacific was to secure the Anchor Gate. Officially, it was to build a research facility for testing portal connections between geostationary satellites and the ground near the equator. The island's volcano was just a bonus for geothermal power research.

And once we had the island and needed to make accommodations, adding a BDSM-themed resort in the unused part was just good sense.

However, adding commercials outside of the schedule could hint that something was wrong.

No. It had to be something surprising. Something attention-drawing.

Fusion? No. That was still far off, and I wanted it to be more developed before announcing it.

Sodium-ion batteries? Announce them as part of the sustainable home project?

Portals? Absolutely not. Besides, we needed to sell to the military first before dealing with civilian applications. With Fixture Gel, that was finally possible. It was just that SWORD was a greater priority, and with the situation in Russia, plus the government's lessening interest in military funding, it was left for later.

"No, Director. The problem is with the Moon assets," Doug said, his arms twitching, "There's an invasion fleet of spaceships."

Had the reptilians finally acted? Or even worse, something new?

"Do we have identification?" I asked. This was inconvenient timing. On the one hand, the situation was serious and interesting. On the other, the complete value of all Aperture assets on the Moon was a rounding error compared to the profits expected from SWORD.

"It seems to be Nazis," Doug said.

"Nazis?" I replied, utterly flat-footed. "Have you forgotten to take your meds?"

Doug pulled back his sleeve, revealing a device that looked like a mechanical centipede wound around his wrist. "It's completely automatic now. No needles. Jet injector. Much nicer."

I recognized the device as one of ours. There were so many new inventions that some slipped from my mind. One of the benefits of S.W.O.R.D. would be to put all prototypes in circulation, allowing us to sell patents to others. We didn't have the production capabilities for all of them.

"I need to look into that," I said, referring to space Nazis, not the medical device.

"But Director, what about the demonstration of S.W.O.R.D. capabilities?"

"You can do it. Not only were you part of the design team, but you've also been using it for a year," I replied, my mind already fixed on the other problem.

"But… I… Stage…" he mumbled, "I don't think I have your presence."

He was right, but it hardly could be helped. I spotted Zach, who was here mainly to watch as a reward. My lips parted in a smirk. Or perhaps it could be helped.

"Take Zach with you. Together you will make quite a memorable team." A reclusive scientist, unused to public speaking, and a rambunctious genius boy. Like a scene from a sitcom. It might even look planned.

Even if the results were suboptimal, it would just be seen as a gamble that didn't pay off, rather than an interruption due to an emergency.