The Tycoon's Odyssey

After reading the contents of the folder and setting it down, Zhao muttered. "They're imposing restrictions on Indra."

His fingers tapped rhythmically on the desk as he leaned back, processing the information.

The Secretary-General hesitated before speaking. "Sir, this could trigger significant disruptions in the global market. Indra's tech sector is highly integrated with various economies, including ours."

Zhao waved his hand dismissively. "Yes, yes, but this is also an opportunity. If Indra is weakened, it will create a vacuum—one that Youkou is well-positioned to fill. Linwei Ding has been pushing hard to catch up to Evan's latest innovations. A situation like this could give him the breathing room he needs to close in the gap."

The Prime Minister paused, his sharp eyes narrowing as he considered the larger picture. "Still, it wouldn't be wise to act too aggressively. Suppress them too much, and we might risk provoking retaliation. Indra has shown surprising resilience of late. Besides, jumping ahead of the Federation on this would be a foolish mistake."

The Secretary-General nodded, recognizing Prime Minister Zhao's measured approach. "What do you propose, sir?"

Zhao tapped his chin thoughtfully. "We'll play it subtly. Increase tariffs on Indra's imports—just enough to pressure them without making it obvious. Let them feel the pinch, but not so much that it results in an open confrontation."

"And exports to Indra?"

"Raise rates there as well, but marginally," Zhao said, his tone measured. "We need to ensure that their dependency on Daxia remains intact while signaling our alignment with the Federation's stance. However…" Zhao's voice grew firmer as he leaned forward. "We won't make any bold moves unless others take the lead. It's not wise to take the lead in this kind of situation."

The Secretary-General scribbled notes, his pen moving swiftly across the paper.

Zhao leaned forward, his expression growing colder. "Keep a close eye on the Federation. If they escalate further, we'll adjust our stance accordingly. Also, monitor the USL—they've benefited the most from Evan's innovations. If they hesitate, it could mean this conflict won't escalate too far."

The Secretary-General hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Prime Minister, there's also the matter of Indra's retaliatory capabilities. Their tech and military advancements, particularly under Evan's influence, have become… formidable. Should we prepare for any unexpected developments?"

Zhao's smile returned, sharper this time. "Of course. Begin reinforcing our own sectors quietly. Strengthen our cyber defenses, and instruct Youkou to accelerate the development of their competitive technologies. If Indra retaliates, we must be ready to counter swiftly."

"Yes, Prime Minister," the Secretary-General said, bowing slightly before leaving the room.

As the door closed, Zhao picked up the report again, his gaze lingering on the details about Evan.

"This man," Zhao muttered to himself. "He's clever. But cleverness alone won't save him. Let the Federation take the lead and draw the fire. We'll step in only when the time is right. For now, we bid our time and ensure that Daxia comes out ahead."

_____

Outside the window, the city hummed with its usual activity, oblivious to the brewing tensions and the careful machinations unfolding behind closed doors.

Evan sat in his dimly lit office, his elbows resting on the desk, his expression shadowed by thought. Aurora's calm, measured voice resonated in the room, breaking the heavy silence as she delivered her report on the Federation's latest move.

[Sir, the Federation is taking aggressive measures. They're imposing restrictions on oil and natural resources, targeting Indra's critical lifeline at its most fundamental level. The first phase will cut oil supplies, followed by systematic blockades on imports and trade routes. If we don't respond quickly, the cascading effects on our economy could be devastating.]

Evan leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. For the first time, the magnitude of the situation weighed heavily on him. This wasn't just about technology or control—it was about survival. Indra's dependency on oil and natural resources had always been its Achilles heel, and now the Federation had struck the most fragile point.

"What's your suggestion, Aurora?" he asked after a moment of contemplation.

Aurora's holographic form shimmered into view. Her expression was as serene as always, but her tone carried a hint of urgency.

[Sir, this problem is a complex one. The only immediate solution I can propose is to utilize the Helios-7 Satellite. Its advanced geo-scanning capabilities can map Indra's geological landscape in detail, potentially revealing untapped reserves of oil, gas, and other critical resources within our territory. If we find such reserves, we can exploit them to reduce our dependence on external imports. However...]

Evan narrowed his eyes. "If we don't have our own reserves?"

[If not, the Federation will escalate further. Once we overcome the initial phase of restrictions, they'll move to phase two: imposing secondary sanctions on countries that continue to trade with us. They'll use economic and political leverage to isolate Indra globally. Even if we secure alternative supply routes, those routes will come under pressure.]

Evan clenched his fists, his mind racing through contingency plans.

"Aurora, what's the rough estimate of their attack phases?"

[Phase one is already underway: cutting oil supplies and restricting essential imports. It will destabilize industries that are dependent on oil and slow down our technological progress. Phase two, involving secondary sanctions, will likely come into effect within six months. If we manage to counter these, phase three will focus on cyber-attacks and propaganda campaigns, aiming to discredit our government and disrupt public trust. Their strategy is to weaken us from within.]

Evan's jaw tightened. "And if we find a way around all of this?"

[If we successfully navigate these phases, the Federation may escalate to military intimidation—naval blockades, airspace restrictions, or proxy conflicts. Their goal isn't outright war but to suffocate us into submission. If we don't prepare thoroughly, Indra will struggle to withstand the coming onslaught.]

Evan took a deep breath as he leaned forward, his gaze hardening with resolve.

"Aurora, do one thing. Start modifying our military's weapons and tactics immediately. Train Indra soldiers intensively, focusing on adaptive warfare. Send them in batches to the Bermuda stronghold for intensive drills. Fortify the sight as soon as possible."

Aurora nodded. [Understood, sir. I'll assign the task of starting the modifications to our military engineers and coordinate with General Kumar.]

Evan continued his voice firm. "Take out that molecular printer rotting in storage. Calibrate it and put it to work on rebuilding the infrastructure. Focus on advanced manufacturing capabilities—we will need to ramp up production across all the sectors."

[The molecular printer will need recalibration. I'll deploy a team to optimize it for large-scale infrastructure projects. Shall I proceed with the renewable energy directive as well?]

"Yes. Contact Rajesh and instruct him to transition our energy grid to renewable sources. Wind, solar, hydro—use whatever works. It's time for Indra to advance on all fronts. I was waiting for him to clean up things from the government side and now he must be done, it's time to move forward on all fronts."

Aurora's hologram shimmered, a slight smile of approval touching her features. [Understood, sir. Initiating all directives immediately. Helios-7 will begin scanning within the hour. I'll send you a preliminary report as soon as any potential reserves are identified. Indra will endure.]n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

As Aurora vanished, Evan stood up, gazing out at the sprawling city below. The stakes had never been higher, but his determination burned brighter than ever.

Unlike before, when retreat was his only way out, this time he was going to strike back.