CHAPTER TWO: THE FIRST STRIKE

Asher stepped confidently onto the stage, adjusting the microphone to his height. The audience quieted, anticipating the demonstration of NeuroSpark's revolutionary AI memory-powered implant, Plexi.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Asher began, "today marks a major milestone in the field of artificial intelligence and memory enhancement. Our team at NeuroSpark has worked tirelessly to develop a technology that will change the world."

He paused, surveying the crowd before continuing.

"This is not just any new product, it's a gateway to unlocking human potential. With us you'll never forget a face, a name, or a skill ever again."

"Ladies and gentlemen, I want to welcome you all NeuroSpark's latest Innovation - Plexi. This is an AI memory-powered implant designed to enhance and expand human memory."

(The screen behind Andre came to life displaying a 3D animation of the product).

"Imagine being able to recall every detail of your life, every conversation, every experience. Being able to remember every dream accurately, imagine being able to learn and acquire technical skills with accuracy within a very short period.

—The audience murmur in awe and approval as Andre continued.

"Plexi uses advanced algorithms to learn and mimic the human's brain memory processes. The implant can store and recall memories with ninety nine percent accuracy."

"This is Victoria, a college student who has been struggling with memory loss due to a traumatic brain injury. Andre said pointing at the screen behind him. With Plexi Victoria was be able to regain her memories and excel in her studies."

The audience fixed their eyes othe screen in amazement as Asher implanted the Plexi device into Sarah's brain. Within minutes, Sarah's eyes widened as memories began flooding back. "I remember my childhood," Sarah exclaimed, tears of joy streaming down her face."

—The audience erupted into a thunderous ovation and there smiles and signs of approval from them.

"This is just the beginning," Asher declared. "With Plexi we'll revolutionize the way we learn, work, and interact with each other."

"I can tell you for a fact not as the CEO but as a scientist that having access to such a product is very advantageous to you. It places you way above peers in every sector.

"I urge you to participate in donations to fund this project."

"It's a technology that's reserved for the one percent of the one percent and for you to have made it here tonight means you've been considered as one of the top one percent who would be given access to this technology."

"This and many more is what Plexi has come to offer."

—The audience erupted into another thunderous ovation as Andre bowed and left the stage smiling with confidence.

But amidst the applause, Tacha Lee, CEO of OmniCorp, watched with a mixture of admiration and concern. She knew that NeuroSpark's new innovation had the potential to disrupt the entire tech industry and she was determined to stay ahead of the curve.

Andre's eyes locked onto a familiar face in the crowd as he came down the podium, It was the CEO of Zinman technology and his longtime rival, Tacha lee. She looked flawless in the black flowing gown she wore, it suited her skin perfectly. She carried her self with so much confidence and grace that one could never guess that behind that perfect looking face was one of the most ruthless beings ever.

Andre stay afar to observe her countenance and she looked very impressed with what she saw, 'well who wouldn't'? Andre thought smiling.

He flashed a smile as he finally decided move closer to her. He was first greeted with the subtle scent of her perfume. He could not help but notice her perfectly shaped breasts that looked like they were inviting him to touch them or her lips that looked so heavenly that he felt he would kiss them if he didn't distract himself soon enough.

He probably would have almost fallen in love with her had he not known what sort of cruel personality existed behind that angelic look and perfectly shaped body.

"Her behaviour certainly does not match her face" he thought aloud.

"Hi Tasha, didnt know you'd be able to make it down considering your busy schedule"

"Ooh, she smiled, well I had to make time you know the saying—keep your friends close and your enemies closer, well I'm impressed with how far and well you've done tonight and congratulations. To be honest I didn't expect much from you, I hope you do not take it as an insult."

"Not at all, it's nice to have surpassed your expectations, knowing you have high taste." "Well miss Tacha you are not an enemy hun, you ain't even upto a competition of course you are very good but there are levels to this things and I hope you don not take offence at my words either." He said with a glint of mischief in his eyes.

"Not competition you say, wow I take it to mean you haven't heard of our new product Eclipse, our own AI-powered memory device, is already showing far more promising results than Plexi, with all the talks of merger and partnership I'm sure you know what we have been upto and I bet you do know we are more than an ordinary competitor she said, her voice confident.

I'd love to see Eclipse in action especially with all this talks of having patent right issues. Well I do hope you enjoy the rest of your evening, if you'd excuse me now."

"Yea sure you're excused and we hope you do not leave an event you organized as a matter of urgency, since that's your specialty" Tacha replied with an even more mischievous smile.

'Of course she wouldn't let him have the last words, never!!' she thought almost aloud.

Tacha's eyes narrowed, with a mixture of admiration and concern, her mind raced with ideas on how to surpass NeuroSpark's latest Innovation. She didn't expect them to do this well, she had underestimated them.

Well she had not totally lost the crown, atleast not yet. Yes! The battle for Ai supremacy has just begun and I'm not ready to back down for anyone' she thought to her self while sipping her wine and slowly scanning around.