Chapter Twenty

After finishing his breakfast, Peter made his way to the expansive garage, where an impressive lineup of vehicles awaited him. The moment he approached, the motion-activated lights flickered on, illuminating rows of sleek cars, each polished to a mirror-like shine. The air in the garage was cool, scented faintly with leather and engine oil, while the soft buzz of technology filled the background.

As Peter strolled down the line of luxury cars, a robot with a gleaming, chrome exterior glided over to him on smooth wheels. The robot's name was Ihunanya, which meant 'love' in the Igbo language. Peter had given it that name because it was always helpful and kind. Ihunanya was made to help him with all his car needs, from choosing a car to fixing it. The robot greeted him with a cheerful tone.

Even though Ihunanya appeared independent, Peter knew that Chijioke, his central AI assistant, was the true controller of all the robots in the house. Chijioke managed their tasks flawlessly, ensuring smooth coordination. While Ihunanya was specifically in charge of the garage, handling vehicle maintenance and assisting Peter with car choices, it still operated under Chijioke's careful planning, which made Peter's life run effortlessly.

'Good morning, Sir Peter!' Ihunanya said in a cheerful voice. 'I must say, your outfit today is quite presidential. Donald Trump would be pleased to see you dressed like him. You could always give him a quick video call, thanks to the AI networks—he's basically online 24/7,' it joked, as if calling the former president was a normal thing. Then, it added, 'I have the perfect vehicle to complement your look.'

Peter raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his eyes. 'Oh really, Ihunanya? And which car do you think suits my ensemble today?'

The robot's optical sensors flashed as it processed the options. It moved towards the far end of the garage, where a vivid, ruby-red sports car, a limited edition Aston Martin V12 Vision, sat gleaming under the lights. The sleek, aerodynamic lines and custom detailing made it look like something straight out of the future.

'This Aston Martin,' Ihunanya announced proudly, 'is a bold choice to match your navy-blue suit with the red tie. It's flashy yet sophisticated, just like your outfit. Plus, it'll turn a few heads as you drive into Mars Corporation today.'

Peter chuckled, appreciating the robot's flair. 'You always know how to sweet-talk me, Ihunanya.'

'That's why I am here, Sir Peter,' the robot replied, a hint of playful pride in its synthetic tone. 'Shall I bring it out for you?'

Before Peter could respond, Ihunanya's wheels whirred softly as it moved towards the car. As it approached, Ihunanya paused for a moment. A soft blue light emitted from its sensors as it connected to the car's onboard systems.

'I need to verify something first,' Ihunanya said. 'Since this vehicle hasn't been used on the road, I'll request operational clearance from the manufacturer.'

'And how do you plan to do that?' Peter asked, leaning against the wall, intrigued.

'Leave it to me, Sir,' Ihunanya replied confidently. The robot transmitted a request to Aston Martin's central AI, detailing Peter's ownership, the vehicle's intended use, and safety precautions. Within moments, the car's dashboard display lit up with a message: 'Authorisation Pending…'

Peter watched the scenario with interest.

'I'm negotiating terms with the manufacturer now,' Ihunanya explained. 'I've assured them the drive will be limited to urban routes under optimal conditions, with continuous monitoring of performance data. And… ah, there we go!' The display changed to 'Authorisation Approved.'

Peter's eyebrows shot up. 'That was fast.'

'Of course,' Ihunanya replied with a hint of pride. 'Manufacturers appreciate owners like you, Sir Peter—prominent, responsible, and highly influential. They trust you to handle their vehicles carefully.'

With a smooth motion, the robot activated the car's systems. The car's lights flickered to life, and the engine purred like a contented cat waking from a nap. Ihunanya maneuvered the car out of its spot, driving it forward until it stopped right in front of Peter with a flourish.

'Your chariot awaits, Sir Peter,' Ihunanya declared with a playful bow.

Peter couldn't help but laugh. 'You're going to spoil me, Ihunanya.'

'That's my mission, Sir… to spoil you completely rotten,' the robot quipped.

Peter chuckled. 'Gosh! The only thing left for you is to take on human flesh.'

'You can start with yours, Sir Peter. I'll take a good cut and be glad to wear it.' Then, it added, 'Enjoy the drive. And may I remind you… today's weather is perfect for taking down the convertible roof.'

Peter nodded, sliding into the luxurious driver's seat. The scent of rich leather enveloped him as the car's interior lights dimmed to a warm glow. The dashboard lit up, and a holographic display projected his schedule for the day, thanks to Chijioke, his AI assistant that controlled everything from his bedroom to his cars. Chijioke was always there to make sure Peter's day went smoothly, no matter where he was.

As he drove towards the gates of the villa, he took a sip from a bottle of palm wine he had picked from the refrigerator. Robots and human staff alike waved cheerfully—the human workers with genuine smiles, while the robots raised their metallic arms in a programmed gesture of farewell.

Ihunanya's voice came soft through the car's speakers one last time: 'I've already notified security to open the main gate for you, Sir Peter. Drive safely and have an excellent day!'

The gates slid open with a soft hiss as Peter took another sip of palm wine, savouring the peaceful start to his day. Beyond the quiet neighbourhood, Abuja was steadily transforming into a city of the future. A few autonomous cars, part of a pilot program, smoothly shared the expressway with regular vehicles. These self-driving cars were a joint initiative between Mars and Richie Corporations, testing how the technology could integrate with Nigeria's traffic system.

As Peter enjoyed the smooth glide of the Aston Martin on the open road, his car's dashboard chimed softly. A message from Aston Martin popped up on the holographic display: 'We hope you are enjoying your Aston Martin V12 Vision. As part of your driving experience, we'll be collecting performance data to enhance our systems. Feel free to contact us with any concerns. Drive safely!'

Peter smirked. 'Looks like someone's keeping an eye on me.'

Meanwhile, overhead, drones zipped through the sky, delivering packages to high-rise apartments and offices as part of the companies' pilot project. Although still in its pilot phase, the drones were designed for more than just deliveries, with potential future applications in surveillance and recreational activities, bringing new possibilities to the city. Smart billboards along the streets shifted their ads based on passing vehicles, while solar-powered streetlights, designed to reduce the city's carbon footprint, doubled as charging stations for electric cars. These innovations not only helped create a more tech-driven Abuja but also reflected a commitment to combating climate change, offering a glimpse of a future where sustainability and technology coexist—all thanks to Mars and Richie Corporations.

Peter switched the car to autopilot, allowing himself a moment to relax. He leaned back, gazing up through the open roof at the clear blue sky. As the car glided effortlessly towards Mars Corporation's headquarters, Peter felt a rare sense of contentment. For now, at least, everything seemed to be running smoothly.

Yet, even with all the technology at his fingertips, a part of him still felt that something was missing. The AI assistants, the robots, the luxury—they made life easier, but they couldn't replace the warmth and joy of human connection. Thoughts of Stella drifted into his mind once more, but he pushed them aside as he continued his drive towards Mars Corporation.

At that moment, Peter looked up to see a drone delivering a brightly wrapped box with a toy inside to an apartment. A little girl stood on the balcony, happily waving at the drone as it hovered near their apartment. The sight brought a brief smile to Peter's face as he thought about the progress of the drone and automated car initiatives lately, even though most times, his mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Stella.

As he drove on, Peter's mind wandered to the rapidly changing landscape of technology, especially the pilot programs being tested by both Mars and Richie Corporations. It was an exciting time, but he couldn't help but wonder how Richie's team was managing their advancements. The collaboration between the two companies was propelling the city forward in thrilling ways. Perhaps it was time for a quick call to Richie.

Peter pressed a button on the car's dashboard to activate the communication system. The screen flashed, and Richie's name appeared. After a few seconds, Richie's face filled the display. He was eating an udara while sitting in his home studio.

'Peter! Good morning,' Richie greeted with a smile. 'What's up?'

'Hey, Richie,' Peter replied casually, 'I was just thinking about all the drones and self-driving cars around the city. How's the program going on your end?'

Richie leaned back, his face thoughtful. 'Things are moving fast with the drones, actually. They're already making deliveries across the city, but we're still working on fine-tuning the autonomous vehicle systems. The integration with local traffic needs a little more testing.'

Peter nodded, impressed. 'It's exciting to see how quickly things are advancing. How's the public response so far? Any concerns from your side?'

'Some cautiousness from the public, especially with the self-driving cars,' Richie admitted. 'But the drones are getting a much warmer reception. It's just going to take time for people to fully trust the cars on the road.'

Peter smirked, knowing how people could be slow to adopt new technology. 'Sounds like the usual. Anyway, I think it might be a good idea for us to catch up soon. We're working on similar projects, and I think a little alignment wouldn't hurt.'

'Agreed,' Richie said with a nod. 'I'll schedule a meeting soon so we can dive into the details. I'll make sure we have everything lined up.'

Peter smiled, feeling satisfied with their brief but productive chat. 'Perfect. I'll look forward to it, Richie. Talk soon.'

Richie waved before the call ended, and Peter switched his car back to autopilot as he refocused on the road ahead. It was clear the future of Abuja was being shaped by these innovative projects—Mars and Richie Corporations, despite their separate paths, were both driving the city forward in exciting ways.