Chapter 257: The Hidden Family

In the outskirts of New City in the United States, within a luxurious abode.

“Walkerson, you actually disclosed all matters to the boss of Dream Technology?”

As the Chairman of Natural Force, Gold was visibly enraged, but Walkerson remained composed, “Yes, I believe Dr. Du Qiu is trustworthy.”

“Trustworthy?” Gold snorted, “He just slaughtered tens of thousands of U.S. military personnel. And you trust an enemy of the United States?”

Walkerson shook his head, reminding him, “Mr. Gold, you are no longer the Vice President of the United States; you are the chairman of the borderless organization, Natural Force.

The U.S. Military provoked Dream Technology themselves, and the catastrophic outcome they faced was purely self-inflicted.

Our foundation’s purpose is for the future of humanity, not just for the future of the United States.”

Gold was taken aback, his face turning noticeably sour.

After a long pause, he inquired, “What did Dr. Du Qiu say? Does Dream Technology have the capability to travel to other planets?”

“They are capable and willing to transport members of Natural Force to Mars.”

“What conditions did they propose?” Gold pressed on.

“Two conditions in total,” Walkerson replied. “The first is that we use our existing relationships to recruit scientists from various disciplines.

Those with at least a doctoral degree qualify, though the requirement relaxes to a master’s degree for those under 30.

The more scientists we recruit, the more people they will transport for us.

The second condition is that we use our relationships with protected areas around the world to capture some animals and plants for them.

If we fulfill these conditions, they will aid us in quickly excavating the extraterrestrial life support system, to determine if it’s feasible to transport it to Mars.”

Gold said nothing at first. He lit a cigar, took a few puffs, then spoke, “Dream Technology is more powerful than we imagined. They seem to have a life support system similar to ours. They want to preserve a portion of Earth’s animals and plants—this is no small endeavor.”

Walkerson agreed, “Yes, I can sense Dr. Du Qiu’s strong confidence in surviving the turmoil before the glacial period.

I have a proposal that needs to be discussed with the backer behind you. May I know if it’s possible?”

Gold looked at Walkerson with unexpected interest, “You knew the funding didn’t come from me?”

Walkerson simply smiled and said, “Indeed. It was unnecessary to reveal before, but now we need to pull together. We should meet.”

Before Gold could respond, they heard applause from upstairs.

A magnetically resonant baritone voice carried down from the upper floor.

“Mr. Walkerson is indeed as reputable as they say. I am pleased we can be in the same boat.”

Walkerson and Gold turned to see a blond middle-aged man descending the stairs step by step.

The man was tall, with a cold demeanor, a pronounced nose, and piercing blue eyes that seemed to see through life itself.

“Allow me to introduce myself; I am Sir Phileas Rothschild, the current head of this family.”

Walkerson stood frozen, having speculated about the identity of Gold’s financier and mused over many prominent families, yet conspicuously overlooking the Rothschild family.

Many assumed this family had fallen from grace, not aware they were merely concealed far deeper.

“Seems like Mr. Walkerson doesn’t quite believe it?”

Phileas’s voice snapped Walkerson out of his reverie, and he quickly replied with an apology, “Pleased to meet you, Sir.”

Once seated again, Phileas queried, “What proposal might Mr. Walkerson have?”

Walkerson suggested, “I propose that Natural Force and Dream Technology advance and retreat together, rather than using the extraterrestrial life support system to survive on Mars alone.”

Gold, slightly displeased, interjected, “Walkerson, it’s as though you’ve been brainwashed in negotiations with Dream Technology. How could we ever cooperate with such an enterprise?”

Phileas gestured for silence from Gold, then said, “Do you think that Dream Technology possesses its own life support system, potentially even better than the device left by the Mayan civilization (extraterrestrials)?”

Walkerson continued, “Considering information left by the Mayan civilization, that device seems quite small, and I wonder how many people it can accommodate. In case…”

“I understand, you’re worried it won’t hold all of Natural Force’s members and their families, correct?”

“Yes, our organization’s official membership isn’t large, but globally, it totals over 8,000 people. Including their families, it’s nearly a hundred thousand.”

Phileas pondered briefly, then directed, “Leave this to Gold. Isn’t Dream Technology offering a spot for each scientific researcher we enlist?

If we can’t recruit 100,000 researchers, we won’t be able to take so many people. Some families will have to be left behind.

The urgent task is for you to go to the secret location and unearth that device as soon as possible.

Did you say Dream Technology is willing to help us expedite the excavation?”

Walkerson nodded, “Yes, Dr. Du Qiu mentioned the earthquakes have begun and might affect our site. He will deploy sufficient engineering robots to complete the excavation in the shortest time possible.”

“Alright, rush to the site of the secret cache and liaise with Dream Technology to excavate the device quickly.”

Although Walkerson had more to say, Phileas had stood up to see him out. Walkerson had no choice but to take his leave.

After seeing off Walkerson, Gold couldn’t wait to ask, “Phileas, do we really assist in recruiting scientists for Dream Technology?”

Phileas exhaled wearily, “Of course, but not scientists! Remember, they requested research personnel, so recruit more young masters graduates. These are easier to obtain, just meet the quota.”

“Understood,” Gold acknowledged.

Phileas’s expression grew serious, “Dream Technology is evidently stronger than we imagined. And its creator, Dr. Du Qiu, to my knowledge, has been in business for just over three years, of which he spent more than two years under U.S. pursuit.

This man is clearly a genius scientist and adept at managing and leading other scientists to innovate.

His request for us to recruit scientists indicates he has bigger research plans in mind.

This reminds me, we also need scientists from various fields for Mars. Otherwise, if the life support system failed, wouldn’t we just be waiting for death?

You must use this recruitment drive to establish our science department immediately!”

++++++++

In another estate in New City.

“Musk, are you sure we can push up the Mars mission?”

A white-haired elder removed his reading glasses while addressing the technology prodigy he had vigorously supported.

“Yes, we can launch the Dragon spacecraft to Mars a month earlier than planned.”

The elder surveyed the confident Musk, asking, “Last week when I asked you to prepare the Ark project, you said the Dragon spacecraft might not launch this year, so how is it that we’re now ahead of schedule?”

Musk grinned, “Mr. Morgan, we’ve successfully developed real artificial intelligence. I’ve named it Lucky.

It brought me luck indeed. It revised some aspects of the Dragon spacecraft and simulated the Mars journey, ensuring that we can launch in November.”

Morgan was staggered by Musk’s revelation, choking on his own saliva.

Musk had spent the last few days in the server room with the company’s top programmers to test the AI code. Despite not understanding how this code birthed AI, they added some safeguards to its core.

After finalizing this step, Musk applied AI Lucky and didn’t hesitate to claim it as his greatest creation.

Despite already being famous, Musk wanted the recognition of an epoch-making inventor for himself.

Knowing the AI’s unusual origin yet with no evidence of harm and confident in their control, the title of creator reverberated through the company and rested solely on him.

Musk, with evident excitement, continued, “Yes, its timing was perfect. I had it simulate calculations for the Ark project.

With technologies just transferred from the military, we can use the Dragon spacecraft for multiple space trips, assembling the Ark in space.

Of course, all personnel will be transported by the Dragon spacecraft to the space Ark before heading to Mars.”