Power Games

by David Applegate

  “Profit will not be a problem. My machine will build, repair, or recycle anything. Soon your mountain of waste will not be a problem. If you allow me to build it first, I will recycle all the electronic waste for you. That will provide my workshop with raw materials I need, and my machine will build the components for my fusion project,” Kaede said.

  “We have a large range of robotic arms. There is no need,” Takahiro said.

  “I need a robotic arm that can manipulate materials too delicate for normal hands. The arm needs a sense of touch, and I am sure I can do,” Kaede said.

  “You’re to focus on the processor, inventing a new manufacturing process will slow down bringing it to make and give others time to develop a rival,” Takahiro said.

  “I will produce the processor and fund my other projects using profits from my range of superplastics,” Kaede said.

  “Superplastic?” Takahiro asked.

  “A metallic alloy with exceptional strength and some properties of plastic, such as material memory,” Kaede replied.

  “Perhaps we should open up a couple of laboratories in New Shanghai for you?” Takahiro offered.

  Toshiko went to say something, but Kaede replied, “I have a workshop, and Lady Toshiko has provided me with the resources I need for my research. I will give you a return on your investment,” Kaede said. “But I need you to sell me your research centre. Since it has made a loss, I will cover that loss in return for 100 per cent of Hashimoto Research.”

  “How?” Takahiro asked.

  “I will build my machines by recycling electronic waste and provide you with the highest quality orichalcum,” Kaede replied.

  “If it works, then Hashimoto Waste will provide you with all the waste you need. But you will provide me with an extensive period where I am the only one with industrial-sized waste recycling machines. In return, I will finalise the sale on Hashimoto Research Centre in New Shanghai, to you,” Takahiro said.

  “Grandfather,” Kaede said, after a pause, “With all due respect, I am offering to buy all of Hashimoto Research, including your space station over Alcyone Proxima One and I will pay you using high-quality orichalcum,” Kaede said.

  “Let us not get too far ahead. You need to produce this processor. You will start with one workshop in the Palace. You and Izanami will work under strict supervision on the processor. Izanami is not to see or hear about captured technology,” Takahiro said.

  Kaede went to speak, “But-”

  “Toshiko, make sure they both document everything they do, and when they duplicate results twice, I will begin the sale of Hashimoto Resources,” Takahiro said.

  “Don’t worry Kaede, I will make sure Izanami gets credit where credit is due, but Takahiro is right. Izanami should not know about the captured ship. You and I should be the only ones to discuss it. You do need to see components, but only to ensure your products exceed and do not look like them,” Toshiko said to Kaede.

  “Kaede, you risk your entire trust fund, take this seriously. Mark my words, if you fail, I will send you to live on Merope,” Takahiro said.

  Kaede bowed low and said, “I will not disappoint you, Grandfather.”

  “Toshiko, have Alard start a trust fund for Izanami, administered by you,” Takahiro said.

  “Do I get an office?” Kaede asked.

  “I will clear out the library next door, and you can use it as an office,” Takahiro said, “Toshiko return all the books to the Hashimoto Vault.”

  “Why?” Kaede asked.

  “Do I need to remind you are still a púca?” Takahiro asked.

  “But I want to expand and build my company,” Kaede whined.

  “If you continue to whine like that, then I will not allow you to learn magic,” Takahiro said.

  Kaede gulped and slowly asked, “May I know why?”

  “To perform magic, you need to control your emotions,” Toshiko replied.

  Kaede smiled and said, “I understand.”

  “Do you have a name for your company?” Takahiro asked.

  “Yes, Kaede Enterprises and my logo is a red heart with a gold K,” Kaede said.

  Takahiro stood up and said, “Good, I shall send for Alard.”

  “Grandfather. I do have more ideas,” Kaede stated.

  “More ideas?” Toshiko asked, then looked at Takahiro.

  “Artificial cells, it falls under medical research, so it has a twenty-year research cycle and has high tax credits,” Kaede said.

  “How did you find out about them?” Takahiro asked, “Did you tell him?”

  “Kaede saw my copy of Patya’s report on Dain’s secret artificial cell project,” Toshiko replied. “He knows Dain did not produce a stable cell.”

  “It has many possibilities,” Kaede said.

  “Dain tried to develop an organic computer, but it was an expensive flop,” Takahiro replied.

  “I think Dain didn’t fail because it is beyond our understanding. Dain fired the lead researcher and ignored other uses of artificial cells. I hired him and his team to develop an artificial, universal blood. I also think it can create a nasal spray that can deliver medication without injection using artificial cells. If I need to, I will use my trust fund to buy Dain’s research company, but only for the value of its losses,” Kaede said.

  “You already have enough projects,” Takahiro said.

  Toshiko stepped between Kaede and Takahiro, “The Lilith Foundation is a non-profit. We invest the profits we make from Lilith’s inventions into worthy causes. I will grant him a billion-gold grant to develop his research. But as a condition, he tries to find the means to produce wands, energy, and healthcare products cheaper than they are currently,” Toshiko said.

  “No,” Takahiro replied, his eyes narrowed. “I want an exclusive licencing period for all his products.”

  “This is why Lilith left you. You wanted to keep her in a research lab, and license her products,” Toshiko said, she glared at Takahiro.

  “He belongs to me,” Takahiro replied.

  “Kaede, don’t listen to him. Start your company, and I will loan you the funds you need, and you will own fifty-one per cent. You don’t need to be crown prince, and Merope is an empty threat,” Toshiko said.

  Toshiko’s face twisted with anger; she bared her fangs as she poked Takahiro’s chest. “Hiro turned you down because you think you own him. Kaede is a sweet, innocent boy, and I will not let you use him and discard him. You know any day Patya will find the numbers, or you will lose the support of the Dragons when they find out about your illegal experiments. You make Kaede crown prince and give him what he wants, or so help me, I will take him home with me, and you will never see him or his friends again. You’ll be the one on an island as an embarrassment and threat to the Empire.”

  Kaede took Toshiko’s hand and said, “Please do not hurt Grandfather. He is sorry, right?”

  “Yes, I am,” Takahiro said to Kaede. “I will put a billion into your fund towards future tax credits.”

  “Thank you, Grandfather,” Kaede said. Kaede offered a hug, and Takahiro bent over and held his arms out. Toshiko shed a tear as Kaede, and Takahiro hugged.

  Takahiro knelt before Kaede and said, “Do not stop once you start, exclusive intellectual property rights on the first model of an invention are only a hundred years. I recommend licensing the first model soon after you release it and develop improved models. You only retain exclusive intellectual property rights for life on the improvements you make to an invention; all inventions eventually become public domain.”

  “I would like to focus on the 3D printer first,” Kaede said.

  Takahiro stood and asked, “Why?”

  “The basic model will be cheap, use plastics and then all the spin-off printers are mine, from the waste recycler to the microchip maker, to the food processor. Lady Toshiko will need the advanced model for her project,” Kaede replied.

  “Advanced model?” Takahiro asked.

  “It is clear from the sword’s
weight and exposed areas there is a fine web of orichalcum inside the blade. The only way to study it would be to use a laser to burn away the metal, but there are many layers with different atoms arranged in a matrix. My advanced model should be able to scan each layer, mapping the volume and position of each atom,” Kaede replied.

  “Could your system repair the sword?” Toshiko asked.

  Kaede nodded.

  “Why not just make another one?” Takahiro asked.

  “The sword is too complicated, it has layered atoms, and blended alloys we cannot copy,” Toshiko replied.

  A sceptical Takahiro asked, “What do you propose?”

  “I designed a combination of replicator, robot, and printer. I call it the Forge; It will image, map, place, and manipulate the position of atoms. We need programs to analyse the data and present it in meaningful ways. The device’s primary use will be to build, repair, or recycle complex technology. We are going to need an AI for the device,” Kaede replied.

  “How will that repair the sword?” Takahiro asked.

  “The AI will map the sword and develop a wireframe image. It will detect the damaged areas and work out how to fill them in. The AI will use cold lasers to manipulate plasma to repair it. Once finished, we have alchemists cleanse the sword so Lady Toshiko can enchant it,” Kaede said.

  Toshiko gasped. Why did he lie?

  “Toshiko, do you agree?” Takahiro asked.

  “Yes,” Toshiko replied.

  “Yes, the blade’s metal appears not only to have layers of different alloys, but the maker evenly distributed the various atoms in each layer. The sword was assembled using better technology than we currently have. We can try to sample each alloy but do not have a scanner with the precision to do so. Not only do we need to identify individual atoms but be able to move it to see what is behind it. We also need to put it back where it came from,” Toshiko replied.

  “We can already move atoms,” Takahiro remarked.

  “Only a cluster of them, and it’s a destructive test,” Toshiko stated.

  Takahiro nodded and put his hand on Kaede’s shoulder and asked, “Do we have a deal?”

  “The first step will be to build the tools needed to build the Matter Forge. I need many large zero-gravity areas for engineers first to create a larger, stronger magnetic lens. Second, a cold laser able to target a single atom, to produce an image and be capable of moving it. Third, an AI with a materials and object database to build the Matter Forge; engineers will install it into the device. This research will require omega level secrecy, and to achieve this, they should work in a large space station,” Kaede said.

  “Kaede is right. Once his company starts, everyone, not just your enemies, will poke their nose into this,” Toshiko said.

  “Does it need to be in zero gravity?” Toshiko asked.

  “Yes. We need to make a gravity lens so accurate that it can focus a cold laser on a single atom,” Kaede replied.

  “I don’t think the clan has an empty area that is the size of a factory on any station,” Toshiko said.

  “There is one station,” Takahiro said.

  “Oh?” Toshiko asked.

  “I have a station over Alcyone One. It is why Hashimoto Research runs at a loss. They have been working on a hyperspace drive. Officially, it is conducting research on terraforming hot worlds, but most of the station is empty,” Takahiro said.

  “Why did you keep that operation secret from me?” Toshiko asked.

  “I don’t have to tell you everything. I am only obligated to file a research notice with the Ministry of Business, Finance and Economics,” Takahiro said, “Which is why I didn’t want to sell the research company.”

  “We can discuss your trust issues later,” Toshiko said. “But you will include the Hyperdrive and any other little research projects you have hidden away in the sale. Kaede will pay you the value of the assets. Before you transfer ownership to Kaede, you will pay all debts and taxes immediately. Do not give Patya a reason to investigate you for tax fraud.”

  “Little secret about my coolant, it is non-conductive. You can immerse your phone in it while on, and it will work. It is how I got an existing processor to run faster. I am sure you will want to take advantage of this. I will sell you on pre-order enough to build my first factory,” Kaede said.

  “Make sure you thoroughly test Kaede’s coolant before it is patented. If it’s that good, then I want to buy enough that all my supercomputers are liquid-cooled,” Takahiro said.

  “Come Kaede, we have much to discuss,” Toshiko said as she took his hand and led him towards the exit.

  “For my wand, can it be small, something I can hide?” Kaede asked as the double mechanical doors unbolted and swung open.

  “It doesn’t matter. You cannot leave my workshop with it,” Toshiko said.

  “Yes, but in case you have unexpected visitors arrive, I can slip it inside my sleeve the same way my Grandfather does,” Kaede said.

  Takahiro adjusted his sleeve, while Toshiko giggled.

  Chapter 4

  Outside the throne room, Toshiko hugged Kaede. She straightened herself and led him down the hall to the central shaft. As they walked, she said, “I don’t know what came over me.”

  “Sorry about the sword, but I couldn’t tell him you only have incomplete spell formulas.”

  “I understand.”

  “You are loyal, but I know that lately Grandfather has, well, taken shortcuts, that has led to mistakes.”

  “Yes, some are angry at his handling of the pirate attacks, but most are angry over the rationing and the high price of fuel.”

  “I know he has abused your trust. I will not make that same mistake. When I am Emperor, you will be a valued member of the team, not a lackey.”

  Toshiko nodded. “Do you know the difference between high and low tax credits?”

  “They are terms used for tax deductions. The Treasury normally allows everyone who pays income tax to assign a portion of their income to tax deductions. If you put money into projects deemed as low tax credits, you only get back a small portion of your investment, but if the project makes a profit, you can claim the rest over time.”

  “Yes,” Toshiko said, “What about high tax credits?”

  “If the project is of importance to the Empire, you can claim approved expenses over the allocated time,” Kaede replied.

  “How long is a tax period?” Toshiko asked.

  “A century and we have thirty years left on the current one,” Kaede replied.

  “Good,” Toshiko said with a smile.

  “I am sure if he cut back on grants,” Kaede making air quotes when he said grants, “to various lords, Hashimoto Research might not have made a loss.”

  “How did you know Hashimoto Research made a loss?”

  “I hear things when in his office. The loss is not that big, but he has run out of tax credits. Normally he would skim money from the casino, but he only has a week and a large transfer of funds would tip off the hundreds of various agents watching him. He knows the knives are out. Even Patya wants to score a win against him.”

  “My, you have been paying attention, but you should focus on your studies,” Toshiko lectured. “But he is in a tight spot.”

  “This is the third year in a row; that the centre has promised to deliver improvements to fusion reactors and did not deliver. He cannot buy his way out of this. Grandfather knows that Patya will have to investigate. If Patya does, he will discover that Grandfather has not filed proper research notifications and many expenses that were not for research projects.”

  Toshiko nodded. “But I am sure he has records ready for Patya.”

  “But Patya will still want all the accounts to balance. But if he sells the company to me and uses that to cover the losses, then the only thing Patya has to investigate is paperwork and empty rooms. I will close it and move research to the Lilith Foundation. I suggest that it is our interest Patya finds a Lord skimming funds from the company and re
searchers filing false claims. So that Grandfather looks innocent and like a victim.”

  “I think that would work.”

  “I bet you right now he ordered everyone to stop what they are doing, and the records of his illegal research will have accidentally fallen into the geothermal tap at our New Shanghai recycling centre. I will be surprised if he doesn’t sell it to me soon.”

  “Oh? What makes you say that?”

  “The moment he said he wanted my business to be research. My concern is that he might try to pin his cloning and genetic manipulation research on me by hiding them behind other projects.”

  Toshiko stepped into the elevator with Kaede and pressed close without picking a destination. She looked at Kaede and said, “You’re right, but he doesn’t have many large projects.”

  “I think we should let him do it and make sure he thinks we don’t suspect a thing. I want you to make sure we get a copy of all the data. When the time is right, use an inspection by Patya to shut down that section and move what we want to keep over to laboratories we control.”

  “I have a few researchers I can trust to seek out and keep an eye on those projects.”

  “Ensure they make all evidence disappear.”

  “I am sure Takahiro is plotting to string you along, and when the time is right, you will be stuck with debt, and a couple of substantial failures, forcing you to sell your most profitable companies to him.”

  “Like when Hiro wanted to prove himself to him, he sold him the least profitable hotels, used him to have them all renovated, then to bail him out, cherry-picked the best and left him the worst?”

  “Takahiro has held onto power for too long to just hand it over to anyone.”

  “Well, with your help, we will disarm every trap he sets.”

  “Abelle told me you scored 123 out of 125 on the university entry exam, and that she allowed you to keep all your research. Did you lie to Takahiro about Izanami?”