CHAPTER 27: Vought Counterattacks

The tension in the Neotech boardroom was palpable. Marcus Hayes stood at the head of the table, surrounded by his top executives and advisors, his face set in a grim expression as the news broadcast played on the large screen behind him. Wang Ling, his closest confidant and the technical mastermind behind Neotech's innovations, watched the screen intently, his brows furrowed in concern.

On the screen, a well-dressed news anchor was reading from a teleprompter, her voice carefully modulated to convey just the right mix of alarm and authority. Behind her, a graphic displayed the headline in bold letters: "NEOTECH'S VR CAPSULE: DEADLY CONSEQUENCES?"

"We have breaking news tonight regarding Neotech Industries' revolutionary VR Capsule 3000," the anchor announced, her eyes narrowing with feigned seriousness. "Reports are surfacing of individuals suffering from severe neurological damage after using the VR system, with several sources suggesting that these effects could be permanent or even fatal."

The broadcast cut to a pre-recorded segment featuring a middle-aged doctor in a white lab coat, standing in what appeared to be a hospital room. "We've seen multiple cases now," the doctor said, his expression somber. "Patients experiencing severe headaches, seizures, and in some instances, irreversible brain damage. The common factor? They all used the VR Capsule 3000."

The camera then panned to a woman seated next to a hospital bed, where a young man lay unconscious. The woman, her eyes red from crying, clutched a framed photo of her son. "He was fine," she sobbed, "until he used that damn machine. Now he might never wake up."

Marcus clenched his fists, his knuckles whitening. This was a deliberate attack. Vought was playing dirty, using their media connections to fabricate a crisis and turn public opinion against Neotech. He had expected resistance, but this level of aggression was surprising, even for Vought.

"Turn it off," Marcus ordered, his voice cold and controlled. Wang quickly muted the screen and switched it off. The room fell into a tense silence as everyone waited for Marcus to speak.

Wang was the first to break the silence. "This is bad, Marcus. They've got doctors, patients, even grieving families on camera. It'll be hard to discredit this. People are already scared of new technology, and this is going to hit them where it hurts."

Marcus nodded slowly, his mind racing. "This isn't just about the VR Capsule," he said, his voice calm but steely. "Vought knows that if they can undermine our credibility, they can cripple Sentinel Force before it even gets off the ground. They want to make us look reckless, irresponsible, like we're playing with people's lives."

One of the board members, Elena Ruiz, leaned forward, her expression serious. "We need a response, and fast. If we don't counter this narrative, it'll spiral out of control. Our stock is already taking a hit, and if the military gets spooked, we could lose the contract for good."

Marcus glanced at her, then back to Wang. "Start drafting a statement," he said. "We need to reassure the public that the VR Capsule is safe, and that these claims are baseless. But more importantly, we need to find out who these 'doctors' and 'patients' are. I want to know everything about them—their backgrounds, their connections, everything. This smells like a setup."

Wang nodded, already tapping away on his tablet to begin the search. "I'll get my team on it. If there's any dirt to be found, we'll find it."

Marcus turned his attention back to the board members. "We also need to start a counter-narrative. Highlight the successes of the VR Capsule, the people it's helped, the breakthroughs it's made possible. We have testimonials, data, real evidence of its benefits. We need to flood the media with positive stories, drown out their lies with the truth."

Another board member, a sharp-eyed man named Victor Carlson, raised a hand. "What about the military? If they get spooked by this, we could lose them entirely. They were already on the fence about going public with their endorsement. Now…"

"We'll deal with the military," Marcus interrupted. "For now, focus on damage control. We can't let this slow us down. Sentinel Force is too important. And make no mistake, this is just the beginning. Vought will throw everything they have at us, and we need to be ready."

The room buzzed with a flurry of activity as the board members and executives began strategizing, their voices overlapping in urgent conversation. Marcus watched them for a moment, then turned to Wang. "And get me in touch with our contacts in the media. I want to see how deep this goes, who else is in Vought's pocket."

Wang nodded, already making calls. Marcus knew they were in for a fight, but he also knew that they were prepared. Vought had made the first move, but they had underestimated just how far Marcus was willing to go to protect his vision.

---

A few hours later, Marcus sat in his private office, going over the latest intelligence reports from Wang's team. They had managed to dig up some interesting details on the so-called doctors and patients featured in Vought's smear campaign.

The doctor in the white lab coat, Dr. Jameson Reed, was not a neurologist but a plastic surgeon with a history of malpractice suits. He had no known expertise in neurology or the kind of brain injuries he was discussing on camera. The woman with the unconscious son was an actress who had appeared in several minor roles in Vought-sponsored productions.

"Predictable," Marcus muttered, leaning back in his chair. "Vought didn't even bother to hide their tracks."

Just then, Wang walked into the office, a satisfied grin on his face. "We've got them," he said. "The connections, the payments, everything. It's all there. Reed was paid off by a Vought subsidiary, and the actress has been on their payroll for years."

Marcus smiled. "Perfect. Get this out to the media immediately. And make sure our allies in the government get copies. If Vought wants to play dirty, we'll drag them through the mud they've created."

Wang nodded, turning to leave, but then hesitated. "Marcus, there's something else. We intercepted a communication from Vought. They're planning something big. Something that involves you directly."

Marcus raised an eyebrow. "Go on."

Wang hesitated for a moment, then continued. "They're planning to use your past against you. The whole 'Lenny' thing. They're digging into your history, trying to find any connection they can exploit to make you look unstable or dangerous."

Marcus's expression darkened. "They're desperate," he said quietly. "But they're also underestimating me. Let them dig. They'll find nothing but ashes."

Wang nodded, but he still looked concerned. "We need to be careful, Marcus. They're not going to stop until they've discredited you completely."

Marcus leaned forward, his eyes cold and calculating. "Then we'll just have to make sure they don't get the chance. Prepare a statement about these so-called victims and doctors. And set up a press conference for tomorrow. We're going to take this fight to them."

---

The next day, Marcus stood behind a podium in a packed press room, cameras flashing and reporters shouting questions. He waited for a moment, letting the tension build, before raising a hand for silence.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he began, his voice calm and authoritative, "I stand before you today to address the false and defamatory claims being spread about Neotech's VR Capsule 3000. Let me be clear: these accusations are baseless, and they are being perpetuated by a company desperate to maintain its monopoly on power."

He paused, allowing his words to sink in. "The so-called experts and victims you've seen in these reports are actors, paid off by Vought to spread fear and misinformation. We have evidence—hard evidence—proving these connections, which we are releasing to the public and the appropriate authorities as we speak."

The room erupted in murmurs and whispers as reporters hastily typed notes and exchanged glances. Marcus continued, his voice steady and unwavering.

"Neotech is committed to transparency and to the safety of our users. The VR Capsule 3000 has undergone rigorous testing, and we have countless testimonials from individuals whose lives have been positively transformed by this technology. We will not be intimidated by Vought's underhanded tactics. We will not be silenced."

As he spoke, Marcus could feel the momentum shifting. The reporters were hanging on his every word, and he knew that Vought's smear campaign was starting to unravel. He was always ten steps ahead, and this time was no different.

After the press conference, Marcus returned to his office, feeling a rare moment of satisfaction. The battle was far from over, but for now, he had managed to turn the tide in their favor. He knew Vought would come back with something else, something bigger, but he was ready. He had always been ready.

Marcus felt a renewed sense of purpose. The path ahead was treacherous, but he was no longer afraid. He was prepared to face whatever challenges lay in his way, and he would not be stopped.