Of Funds, Fireworks, and Fortified Lairs

Ben leaned back in his chair, the soft glow of his supercomputer casting a cool blue hue across his cluttered desk. His manuscript for Book One—his version of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone—was neatly compiled on the screen. He knew his best bet was to start with online self-publishing. It would help him build a dedicated fanbase and establish his reputation before any big publishing houses could even dream of contacting him.

He cleared his throat and addressed his ever-reliable AI, Gideon.

"Hey Gideon, I need your advice. Should I go for online publishing first or try for a big publishing house deal right off the bat?"

Gideon replied in its smooth, measured tone,

"Online self-publishing is the optimal choice at this time. It allows you to build a dedicated audience and fine-tune your brand. Once you've established a significant presence, you can negotiate a better deal with a traditional publisher or wait for them to approach you."

Ben chuckled. "Online it is—let's let the world catch up at its own pace."

Then, switching gears, Ben's eyes narrowed as he typed his next command.

"Gideon, I want you to locate some illicit funds. Scan the dark corners of the network—find accounts in terrorist or shady money networks and start funneling that cash into our offshore accounts. Make sure everything is layered with encryption so it flies completely under the radar."

Gideon responded immediately, "Initiating covert operations. Accessing targeted data sources and redirecting funds into designated offshore accounts with maximum stealth."

Ben grinned. "Nothing like a bit of digital Robin Hood to kickstart my empire."

He paused, then added, "And while you're at it, locate a small warehouse or an old factory on the outskirts of New York—preferably in Queens or nearby. I need a temporary base where I can set up my operations without drawing any unwanted attention."

Gideon replied, "Scanning local real estate databases and industrial listings. Preliminary results indicate several potential locations in the outer boroughs and suburban areas. I will compile a shortlist."

Ben leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smirk on his face as Gideon confirmed the funding channels and potential warehouse leads. "Alright, Gideon, let's get this show on the road," he murmured. The foundation was in place for his next big leap.

-X-X-X-X-X-

As the calendar flipped from June 28 to July 4, the quiet pulse of Ben's secret operations ramped up. In just a few days, Gideon had deftly funnelled offshore funds into millions and identified several promising factory sites for a new base. But before any major moves could be made, Ben grinned at the glowing screen and said, "Hold that thought, Gideon—I've got a family celebration tonight. We'll resume in a day or two after enjoying the fireworks."

Family Night Out – July 4th

That warm July evening, Ben sat with his parents at a lively outdoor restaurant adorned in red, white, and blue. The scent of grilled burgers and hot dogs mingled with the soft strains of summer music, setting a festive mood. Sandra placed a generous plate in front of him with a bright smile.

"Don't eat too fast, Ben," she teased gently. "We wouldn't want you to miss the fireworks later!"

Ben grinned. "I'll try to pace myself. Besides, you know I can never resist a good burger."

Carl laughed, adding, "Just remember, if you finish in record time, you might have to share with me!"

Between bites, Sandra leaned forward, her tone warm yet inquisitive. "You've been holed up in your room a lot lately, son. What's keeping you busy? You're always hitting the books—are you preparing for something big?"

Ben paused, setting down his burger. "Yeah, I've been studying hard. I'm aiming for a top engineering program. I really want to get into a good college, so I have to put in the work now."

Carl nodded approvingly. "Smart thinking. A solid education always pays off."

As dinner wound down, the family strolled through a nearby park. The cool air and gentle music made the walk feel almost leisurely. They chatted about summer plans and shared memories of past celebrations.

"You know," Carl said with a nostalgic smile, "I always loved July 4th because it reminds me to appreciate these simple moments."

Sandra agreed, "It's a day to celebrate family and what we have."

They eventually reached a spacious grassy knoll overlooking the city, where families were settling down with blankets and excited chatter filled the air. As the sky darkened, the first fireworks burst overhead in dazzling shades of red and white. Carl squeezed Sandra's hand, and a shared sense of wonder swept through the group.

Ben sat back, absorbing the spectacle. "These are even better than I remembered," he murmured, savouring the brilliant display. In that luminous moment, with his parents by his side, the pressures of his secret ambitions softened into the simple pleasure of the night.

It was a fleeting but cherished pause—a reminder that while big plans were unfolding behind the scenes, life still had its gentle, human moments.

-X-X-X-X-X-

It was July 6th, and while New York still buzzed with post-holiday energy, Ben was already moving on his next step.

Using Gideon's expertise, he generated a fake ID complete with all the necessary details. Then, tapping into his innate magical abilities, Ben cast a subtle illusion to alter his appearance to match the credentials. A few whispered incantations and a dash of mind magic later, he walked into a real estate office without drawing any attention. The deal was struck quickly, and soon enough, Ben was the proud owner of a small, closed factory on the outskirts of Queens.

That very evening, under the fading light of dusk, he returned to his newly acquired property. With a wave of his hand and a few murmured spells, the dusty interior began to transform. Layers of grime vanished as broken windows mended themselves, and the neglected corners of the building were bathed in a renewed, soft glow.

Not content with mere repairs, Ben set to work fortifying the structure. He cast reinforcement spells to bolster the walls and secure the locks, and wove a subtle warding charm into the building—a spell designed to make passersby simply overlook the factory, as if it were nothing more than a forgotten relic.

Standing in the dimly lit interior of his secret lair, Ben tapped the Omnitrix, using it as his communicator.

"Gideon, I need you to source a large batch of high-end electronics—computers, servers, networking hardware, and fabrication tools—everything we need to fully outfit this base. Find me viable channels where I can acquire these without drawing any unwanted attention."

Gideon's voice came through, smooth and precise:

"Scanning viable sources. Potential acquisition routes include black market suppliers, corporate surplus auctions, and direct manufacturing reroutes. Compiling options now. Please hold."

Ben leaned against a support beam, his mind racing with possibilities, when suddenly Gideon's tone shifted.

"Alert: There is an ongoing emergency. Reports indicate a fire at an Oscorp research facility—source unknown. The situation is escalating, and preliminary—"

To be continued...