Chapter 21: "Image" of the Titan 3G "Merde!"

Seattle Time, July 12, 09:25

On the 11th floor of the Atlas headquarters building, there was a spacious hall capable of accommodating 1,400 people. The hall had been meticulously arranged by staff members dressed in black uniforms, with sofas and chairs neatly aligned. Each armrest table was equipped with bottled water, mint candies, and paper and pens, providing extra convenience for the attendees.

At this moment, the staff were conducting final checks to ensure everything was in order.

09:30

As the four north-facing doors opened, it was as if the floodgates had been released, allowing the waiting reporters and photography teams to pour into the hall. They quickly found their designated seats and areas according to the signs. Before long, the hall became noisy.

However, the host's arrival on stage and the announcement, "The products unveiled by Atlas today will usher in a new era, but before revealing everything, let's first enjoy a short film," gradually quieted the room. As the lights dimmed, an atmosphere of calm and anticipation was created for the pivotal moment ahead.

The screen at the top of the hall lit up. The image first showed darkness, then a jagged flash of lightning illuminated the screen.

A rumbling thunder followed, showing a group of cavemen huddling in a cave, staring fearfully at the storm outside. Cold and hunger, and more significantly, fear of the unknown, caused the cavemen to tremble uncontrollably.

As shadows moved outside the cave, the cavemen became even more frightened. However, these shadows turned out to be their hunting companions returning with food. The group rejoiced and gathered around their successful hunters. Amidst their fears, there was also concern for their companions who had to face dangers.

The perspective then shifted slowly out of the cave, showing a stormy sky. A white pigeon flying in the rain entered the frame, and a close-up of its leg band revealed it was a carrier pigeon. As the perspective merged with the pigeon's view, the audience saw a human city below, transitioning from a primitive forest to a city with walls, houses, and palaces.

The pigeon then flew into a cloud, blurring the view. Emerging from the cloud, the scene transitioned to a modern metropolis with tall buildings. The screen rapidly switched between scenes, from hand-written letters to messengers on horseback, to a photo of Alexander Graham Bell with the first telephone. The cuts became faster, accompanied by increasingly intense orchestral music, featuring wartime radio transmissions and the first mobile phone by Atlas.

Finally, the screen and hall were plunged into darkness.

"Communication, sharing..." The iconic voice of actor Morgan Freeman narrated, "Humans have established social bonds, strengthened communities, met emotional needs, and shared knowledge and culture, accelerating social development. Especially with the proliferation of real-time personal communication tools—phones—connections between people have become closer. So...

Let Atlas lead us into a new era."

The narration concluded, the short film ended, and the hall gradually brightened with warm lights to avoid overstimulating the audience's eyes.

Applause erupted as the hall fully lit up, with everyone eager to learn more about the showcased products.

"Everyone, are you excited?" The host returned to the podium with a smile, saying:

"Our continuous advancement in communication technology at Atlas is closely tied to our current company owner. It is he who provides innovative ideas, and he..."

Meanwhile, Samuel Young, the person being introduced, was backstage, undergoing final checks on his attire and hairstyle. His expression was unusually serious, not due to nerves about the upcoming speech, but rather a subtle sense of unease that was distracting him. This feeling was indescribable, a vague sensation accompanied by fleeting images of laboratories, potions, and discussions with Alexia on research topics.

Notably, satellite images of the Kenya base and Congo featured prominently in these flashes, suggesting a possible future vision.

Pondering this for a moment, Samuel signaled for Arthur to approach and quietly instructed, "Arrange for a few elite investigators to go to Congo to investigate any anomalies. Also, inform Lieutenant Krauser that I suggest conducting the graduation test in Congo."

"Understood, Boss," Arthur nodded and left.

"...Hahaha, and now! Please welcome Atlas's current owner, Mr. Samuel Young!"

Applause resounded once more as Samuel heard the noise outside. He took a sleek, black device from his suit pocket, only 1 cm thick, 14 cm long, and 6 cm wide. Then, he stepped through the side curtain, passing through the flashing cameras and shutter clicks to the podium.

"Thank you all for accepting our invitation and coming to Atlas's headquarters. I personally don't like beating around the bush..." Samuel raised his left hand, revealing the device to the audience, and said directly, "This is Atlas's first and the world's first third-generation mobile phone, the Titan 3G (Altas 3G)."

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July 16, Noon

Despite the sun shining brightly, the mist lingering in the rainforest had not yet dissipated. Along a relatively wide road in the forest, people dressed simply, carrying baskets of fruits, buckets of water, and various items on their heads, moved along.

Given their customs, skin color, and tropical climate, it was clear this was somewhere in Africa.

At that moment, a battered, rusting four-door car was speeding north, heedless of pedestrians' safety.

Inside the car:

"Merde! (Shit!)"

"Ah!! Putain!! (Ah! Damn it!)"

"Va voir ailleurs! (Get out of the way!)"

The driver cursed, annoyed by people blocking the way. Meanwhile, the blonde passenger in the front seat gripped the car's roof handle, his expression and gaze betraying a hint of concern.

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