Chapter 174: I HAVE THE WHEEL.
Anton then moved on to Richard’s doppelganger, a subtle cough clearing his throat, a calculated interruption that instantly halted the silent, simmering rivalry between the two powerful women. Krill Khians, not wanting her subtle assertion of dominance to be completely overshadowed, merely showed a reptilian smile. To human eyes, it would look eerily creepy, a baring of teeth that spoke of ancient predators. But to their culture, it was simply a sign of interest and a subtle display of female dominance among the Krill.
As she began to address Richard’s doppelganger, Anton interjected smoothly. "And now, Mr. Santamo, the rest of the companies and domains you will control, under the Seat of Circuit."
A collective murmur rippled around the table. The other Seats, their initial interest in the human’s ’immortality’ now eclipsed by the sheer scope of the power being granted, leaned forward, a mixture of curiosity and a subtle, assessing envy in their eyes. This new Seat was being given an unprecedented amount of influence.
NSA (National Security Agency)
Direct data harvesting from global telecom and online platforms. Prism, XKeyscore, and Boundless Informant programs.
In-Q-Tel (CIA’s venture arm)
Funds emerging tech: AI, surveillance, data-mining software, facial recognition—usually years before public adoption.
DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency)
Future tech seeding: brain-computer interfaces, AI swarms, autonomy, robotics.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Interfaces with Silicon Valley to shape domestic surveillance and cybersecurity narratives.