The Genius System-Chapter 73: A High-Stakes Meeting

The meeting was held in a high-security conference room, buried deep within the Pentagon,the nerve center of American defense strategy. This was no ordinary room but a space designed for classified discussions, known as "Room 47" by its rare and exclusive occupants.

Located several floors underground, the room was fortified with an array of stringent security measures: biometric scans, reinforced doors, and soundproofing technology that ensured no conversation within could be overheard by the outside world.

The room itself was stark and utilitarian. The gray concrete walls were devoid of any decoration, save for a massive digital screen spanning one side. In the center stood a polished wooden table, surrounded by black leather chairs, each equipped with microphones and small personal monitors to display projected documents. A cold, white light emanated from a recessed ceiling fixture, casting sharp shadows and accentuating the strained expressions of those present.

It was here, in this highly guarded sanctuary watched over by armed soldiers at every entrance, that the most influential figures in the United States gathered to deliberate the concerning situation involving Macro and Monsieur X. The gravity of the meeting weighed heavily on the room. Each attendee understood that the decisions made here could reshape global geopolitics.

The cold, artificial lighting reflected off the table’s polished surface as the room filled with key figures: senators, generals, intelligence agency directors, and a select few technological and strategic experts. The tension was palpable, broken only by the occasional scrape of a chair or murmured exchange.

The president’s chief strategic advisor, a man in a somber suit, stood and cleared his throat. His voice, deliberate and grave, carried an unmistakable urgency.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for assembling on such short notice. We are facing an unprecedented situation. Macro, a small kingdom often overlooked on the world stage, is destabilizing the established order. And at the heart of it all stands one man: Monsieur X."

With a click, the massive screen at the head of the room flickered to life, displaying a series of images and video clips. The recent press conference in Macro played first, followed by footage of Lassen presenting the VR headset and scenes from Ethan Carter’s viral stream.

"What you’re seeing isn’t just a technological breakthrough" the advisor continued, gesturing toward the screen "This is a paradigm shift. This headset has the potential to redefine reality itself. But the real question is: in whose favor?"

A general, his expression carved from stone, spoke next, his voice sharp and commanding "We’ve seen this kind of scenario before. A nation amasses advanced technology in isolation, evading oversight. And what happens next? They become a threat. Macro is building an economic and scientific powerhouse that could surpass us. We need to act,now,before it’s too late."

Across the table, a senator shook her head, her tone firm yet measured "Act how, General? Do you propose we go to war against an entire nation based on speculation? Monsieur X hasn’t displayed hostility. He’s an inventor, not a tyrant. Are we really prepared to risk a global crisis without concrete evidence?"

The room erupted into overlapping arguments, voices rising as tensions escalated. The echoes of heated debates bounced off the cold walls.

A nervous man in thick glasses, the technological advisor, stood next, clutching his tablet that displayed intricate diagrams and charts "Let me be clear" he began, his voice wavering slightly but growing steadier.

"I’m not saying Monsieur X is an immediate threat. But the technology he’s creating is far too advanced for us to ignore. Take the VR headset, for example. It’s… revolutionary. But imagine,what happens if this technology falls into the wrong hands? Worse yet, what if Monsieur X himself decides to use it for… less noble purposes?"

The tech advisor, visibly nervous, tapped on his iPad to display a complex graph on the screen.

"Look here" he said, pointing to the data. "The sensory immersion tests we’ve analyzed from Ethan Carter’s footage suggest an unprecedented level of interactivity. But this raises a critical question: what control do we, as observers or regulators, have over what users experience in this environment?"

He paused, letting his gaze sweep across the room "What if this technology could manipulate perceptions? Alter memories? We’re potentially looking at a psychological weapon disguised as a technological toy."

A murmur rippled through the room. A general, less patient than his colleagues, growled

"You’re talking about theoretical risks. What I want to know is this: what can this headset do on the battlefield? Can it be adapted to train our soldiers? To simulate conflicts before they escalate?"

The advisor hesitated, adjusting his glasses "It’s possible, in theory. But imagine the impact if these simulations became so realistic that soldiers lost their ability to distinguish between reality and illusion. The human psyche has its limits."

Another voice, belonging to a military psychologist, cut in

"We’ve studied the effects of virtual reality on vulnerable minds. This headset could foster addictions, cause complete disconnection from reality. If Monsieur X developed this technology with strategic intentions, whether noble or malicious, its effects could destabilize far more than battlefields,our entire societies could be at risk."

He paused, looking pointedly at the general, who maintained an impassive demeanor. A murmur of uneasy agreement rippled through part of the room.

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A younger senator, pragmatic and composed, leaned forward to interject "I agree that the situation warrants serious attention. But instead of discussing war or sanctions, why not consider diplomacy? We could extend an olive branch to Macro. Think of the possibilities if we collaborated with Monsieur X. This technology could benefit all of humanity if shared wisely."

A faint ripple of silence followed his words, broken by an exasperated sigh from the general. He drummed his fingers on the table before rising to his feet, his imposing figure dominating the room.

"Collaborate?" he repeated, his voice a low growl that grew louder "You think he’s just going to hand over his secrets? This man built a technological empire in secrecy. He avoids public appearances, controls everything from the shadows, and manipulates the masses with enticing promises. He’s unpredictable,a wildcard. That makes him a threat to national security."

The general’s gaze swept the room "And let’s be honest. Geniuses like him don’t work for free. If we show weakness now, we’ll end up at his mercy."

The intelligence director, silent until now, spoke in an unnervingly calm tone "There is… another option" he said, fixing the president with a calculated look "A more discreet approach. A targeted neutralization. If Monsieur X were… removed, Macro would lose its cornerstone. The nation could be reintegrated into the global order with minimal resistance."

A sharp intake of breath followed his suggestion, along with the rustling of papers and exchanged glances,some shocked, others contemplative.

The senator from earlier slammed her fist on the table, her outrage cutting through the tension like a blade "What exactly are you suggesting?" she demanded, her voice trembling with fury "Assassination? Is that your grand plan? That’s not just immoral, it’s reckless. Have you considered the fallout? Mr X isn’t a dictator, and Macro isn’t a rogue state. An act like that would make us no better than barbarians."

Her passionate objection cast a heavy silence over the room, each word resonating in the minds of the participants. For a moment, no one spoke, the weight of her argument settling in.

Finally, the president, who had remained silent throughout the discussion, leaned forward in his chair. His expression was unreadable, but his piercing gaze swept across the room, silencing any further interruptions.

"I believe we’ve heard enough" he began, his voice calm but laced with undeniable authority "One thing is clear: inaction is not an option. If we ignore this situation, we risk losing our strategic edge. But an overt conflict or hostile measures could spiral out of control."

He paused, allowing his words to sink in before continuing "Here’s what we’ll do, prepare a discreet communication for Monsieur X. We need to establish direct contact, assess his intentions, and explore the possibility of cooperation. If, and only if, he rejects our outreach or displays hostility, we will consider other measures."

Low murmurs rippled through the room, but the president wasn’t finished.

"Simultaneously, we’ll escalate economic sanctions on Macro. Increase pressure on their international trade, restrict their technological exports. We need to test their boundaries and gauge their response."

Heads nodded reluctantly around the table, though unease lingered in the air. Everyone understood that this strategy carried unpredictable risks.

As the meeting drew to a close, the attendees began gathering their documents, their expressions etched with contemplation and unease. A senior advisor approached the president, his brow furrowed with concern.

"And if Monsieur X retaliates against these measures? Or worse… weaponizes his inventions against us?"

The president crossed his arms, his gaze steady and cold. A faint glimmer of resolve flickered in his eyes.

"Then we do what we’ve always done" he replied "We strike back. And this time, we won’t miss."