Chapter 16: When the World Holds Its Breath

The moment the announcement dropped, the entire school was thrown into chaos.

Whispers spread like wildfire. Students huddled in groups, exchanging stunned glances. Faculty members fumbled for answers, their eyes darting toward the administration office, where the higher-ups scrambled to verify the legitimacy of what had just happened.

But it was real. This wasn't some elaborate prank.

I had bought the school.

Holoband notifications flooded my vision—messages from students, urgent meeting requests from the board of directors, and even inquiries from media outlets desperate for a statement. The weight of my decision settled over me, but I had expected this.

I had planned for this.

Renz walked beside me, still reeling. "Dude, you seriously just bought the whole school?"

"Not just the school," I corrected, my steps steady as we moved through the now-silent hallways. "The land around it too. Think bigger."

Cris let out a low whistle. "Bro, you're talking about city-level control now."

I smirked. "That's the goal. You saw what happened in class, right? The system is broken. Education needs to evolve, and I'm done waiting for someone else to fix it."

Ced adjusted his Holoband, scanning through the latest updates. "Yeah, but you're playing with fire. You just pissed off an entire system—the government, the education board, maybe even corporations watching from the shadows. They don't like it when someone young and unpredictable disrupts the status quo."

"Let them come," I said coolly. "I'm not just some kid with a dream—I have the resources, the technology, and the power to back it up."

Cris shook his head with a grin. "Man, you're really out here trying to become a legend, huh?"

I stopped walking and turned to face them, my eyes sharp. "No, Cris. I'm here to make history."

The fallout from my takeover was already in motion, but I had no intention of micromanaging every detail. That was why I had Jarvis.

"Jarvis," I called out through my Holoband. "Handle the administrative meetings. Let them discuss and plan whatever changes they want, but ensure it aligns with my vision. Keep me updated on the essentials."

"Understood, sir," Jarvis replied smoothly. "Shall I anticipate resistance?"

"Of course," I said, smirking. "But that's part of the fun."

With that settled, I shifted my focus to a far bigger concern—one beyond this planet.

"Jarvis, how's Aurora? Can I talk to her freely now?"

"Yes, sir. Aurora's system has been fully upgraded, though her capabilities remain limited to her station for security reasons."

"Good," I nodded. "Patch me through."

A brief silence, then a soft yet commanding voice resonated through my interface.

"Supreme Commander, I am here."

A smirk tugged at my lips. "Aurora, status report. How is the station? And what's the progress on ship production?"

"The station is fully operational. All systems are functioning normally—no anomalies detected. Currently, we have:

200 Interceptor-class ships

100 Fighter-class ships

80 Hauler-class ships

100 Exploration vessels

300 operational robots

100 fighter drones

100 rescue drones

Our current production rate remains at maximum capacity."

I exhaled in satisfaction. "That's what I like to hear. Aside from that, have you scanned the nearby systems for intelligent life or habitable planets?"

"Yes, Supreme Commander. We have successfully scanned two neighboring star systems. Unfortunately, no habitable planets have been detected."

I frowned slightly but remained unfazed. "I see. No matter—we'll expand our search. Right now, the station is positioned within the Oort Cloud, just outside the solar system, correct?"

"Affirmative."

"Good. Then it's time to push further. I want you to send a fleet of exploration, fighter, and interceptor-class ships toward the Alpha Centauri system. If there's a habitable planet out there, we're going to find it first."

"Understood, Supreme Commander. Dispatching fleet now."

I leaned back, watching as the mission was set into motion.

After handling the mission dispatch, I turned my attention back to Aurora.

"Aurora, can you travel between systems right now?" I asked.

"Negative, Supreme Commander. The propulsion system has not been installed yet."

I exhaled, already expecting that answer. "Then prioritize its installation immediately. Once it's complete, I want the station to move closer—position it near Earth within the solar system. Also, send me 50 fighter ships and hauler-class ships to Earth."

"Affirmative, Commander. Calculating estimated arrival times—fighter and hauler-class ships will reach Earth in five hours. The station will arrive in ten."

"Good. Keep me updated on progress, Aurora."

"Understood."

With that, I ended the transmission and shifted my focus to the next priority.

"Jarvis, status update—how are the company and the island holding up?"

"The company is fully operational, sir," Jarvis responded. "There is a bulk stock of HALO suits and Iron Armor series available. The island is currently at full capacity, with all personnel in stable condition."

"Perfect," I mused. "Start recruiting new personnel immediately. Contact Alejandro—he'll handle the recruitment. After all, those suits need pilots."

"Understood. I will coordinate with Alejandro to begin recruitment at once."

I leaned back slightly, contemplating the next step. "What about the VR game? Any notable players emerging?"

"Yes, sir," Jarvis confirmed. "Since its launch, participation has surged across both VR and PC platforms. Many players have displayed exceptional skills and adaptability."

A smirk tugged at my lips. "Good. Reach out to them. Offer them a chance to pilot real ships—see if any of them are up for it."

"Understood, sir. I will begin outreach immediately."

I exhaled, satisfied. The pieces were falling into place.

As I leaned back in my chair, staring at the warm hues of the setting sun through the window, my mind shifted toward a more pressing matter.

"Jarvis, give me an update—what's the current status of the war between Ukraine and Russia?"

"The conflict is still ongoing, sir," Jarvis responded. "However, unlike before, Ukraine is no longer at a disadvantage. Their forces are gaining ground."

I nodded, absorbing the information. "I see… Has the president disclosed that the advanced technology they received came from us?"

"Negative, sir. No public acknowledgment has been made."

A smirk formed on my lips. "Good. That means we can still operate under the radar—for now. But once the ships arrive, we'll intervene directly. Let's end this war quickly and show the world that they're not alone in this universe."

"Understood Sir, Shall I begin preparations?"

"Yes. And one more thing," I added, sitting up straighter. "Make an official announcement to the territories under our protection—Ukraine, New Zealand, and the Philippines. Offer them a choice: join our empire and gain access to our technology."

Jarvis processed the request before responding, "What specific incentives should be included in the proposal?"

"We'll give them access to advanced medical technology, unlimited clean energy, and real-time language translation systems—even for ancient languages. They need to understand that aligning with us means stepping into the future."

"A compelling offer," Jarvis noted. "However, sovereignty concerns may arise. How do you wish to address potential resistance?"

I exhaled. "Reassure them—this isn't about conquering; it's about progress. They will govern themselves as usual, but under our protection and guidance. In return, we require one thing."

"Manpower," Jarvis deduced.

"Exactly," I confirmed. "Technology isn't our problem—people are. Skilled minds, capable hands, willing individuals who can help shape the future. If they refuse, we move on. If they accept… they gain access to a golden age before the rest of the world even realizes what's happening."

"Understoood Sir, I will draft the necessary communications and begin discreet outreach to their leaders."

I leaned back, satisfied. "Good. The world is about to change—whether they're ready or not."

As the sun dipped lower on the horizon, its warm glow spilling through the window, I found myself lost in thought—calculating the next steps for the future.

Hours passed.

Eventually, I decided to head back home. Tomorrow was going to be another step toward something greater.

Meanwhile, Across the World…

From deep-space monitoring stations to top-secret military bases, a sudden signal pulsed from the unknown—triggering alarms, flashing red lights, and urgent calls across the globe.

NASA - United States

Inside NASA's Deep Space Communications Center, the control room was a storm of activity. Scientists huddled around holographic displays, staring at a foreign signal repeating in structured pulses.

"Tell me that's not interference," Dr. Coleman demanded, his hands gripping the edge of his desk.

"Negative, sir. This isn't background noise—it's intentional," a technician confirmed, voice laced with tension.

"Origin?"

"Deep space. Oort Cloud region."

Silence. The Oort Cloud was far beyond anything humanity had explored.

Dr. Coleman exhaled sharply. "This is either a breakthrough or the worst day in human history."

Moscow - Russia

In an underground bunker beneath the Kremlin, General Mikhail Volkov scowled at the data streaming across the screen.

"Confirm this with our telescopes immediately," he barked.

An officer saluted. "Already done, sir. The readings are genuine."

"Then what the hell are we detecting?" Volkov muttered, rubbing his temple. "If no one is sending a signal, then something out there is interfering with our systems."

Another officer hesitated before speaking, "Sir, there's another matter—satellite imagery over Ukraine is showing unknown technological signatures. Advanced suits, beyond our capabilities."

Volkov narrowed his eyes. "Find out where they got it. If someone is arming them, we need to know who."

Beijing - China

In a high-security command center, the Chinese Space Agency was in chaos.

"This isn't alien," one researcher insisted.

"Then explain it!" another snapped. "This signal is too precise to be random. Someone—or something—is out there."

A senior official entered, voice sharp as a blade. "Find out if the Americans or Russians know about this. And if they do, we need to be three steps ahead."

Pyongyang - North Korea

Deep in a secret military complex, a North Korean general stared at the transmission with a hardened expression.

"Have the Americans responded?" he asked coldly.

"We do not know, Supreme General."

"Then we move cautiously," he decided. "But prepare our defenses. If this is a sign of invasion, we will not be caught unprepared."

Tokyo - Japan

Inside JAXA's space observation lab, scientists and military liaisons exchanged worried glances.

"Could this be linked to the sudden advancements in Ukraine?" one asked.

"If it is, then someone—somewhere—has been keeping secrets from the world," another murmured.

Meanwhile… Elsewhere on Earth

Far from military bunkers and space agencies, another disturbance was unfolding.

Satellite surveillance teams, independent researchers, and government analysts were gathering reports from the Pacific Ocean—something wasn't right.

Aboard a U.S. Recon Satellite Station

"Sir, we've got movement in the Pacific."

The officer leaned forward. "Submarine activity?"

"Negative. Something else."

The screen displayed anomalous waves, almost as if the water itself was being manipulated.

"Run thermal scans. If there's a hidden structure under there, I want to know."

"Also Sir, we've got unusual activity on one of the islands in the Pacific."

The officer in charge frowned. "Define unusual."

The technician zoomed in on the satellite feed. "There's a group of people moving in and out of the island—large numbers, almost too coordinated. But that's not the strange part."

The officer leaned forward. "Then what is?"

The technician tapped the screen. "There's interference. Our satellites can't get a clear visual. It's like something is scrambling our scans—intentionally."

The officer's expression darkened. "No known military base there, no record of any recent construction. What the hell is going on down there?"

Another technician chimed in, "Sir, it's not just optical interference. Radar sweeps are bouncing off nothing—as if the island itself is cloaked in some kind of energy field."

The officer straightened, tension in his voice. "Keep monitoring. If someone's hiding something, we need to know what it is."

Inside a Private Intelligence Network

A group of high-profile analysts gathered in a dimly lit room, watching live footage from the Pacific and Eastern Europe.

One of them, a woman with sharp eyes, clicked her pen. "The Ukrainians are using technology we can't identify."

Another expert leaned forward. "Those suits—they're not prototypes. They look battle-tested. How the hell did they develop this without the world noticing?"

A third analyst shook his head. "They didn't. Which means someone—someone powerful—is backing them."

A heavy silence settled over the group.

The first analyst exhaled. "We need to find out who—and we need to do it before the rest of the world catches up."

As if when the world holds its breath

As governments scrambled to decode the signal, as intelligence agencies scrutinized the strange tech appearing on battlefields, one truth became clear:

Something was happening. Something beyond human control.

And tomorrow…

The world would finally see it.