Seto Kaiba could be compulsive at times, but he also knew how to be patient. Keeping to his resolution to handle one thing at a time, he prioritized getting Sabrina's inheritance settled and sending her back to the US. Once she was gone, he focused on running his company, waiting for an opportunity to seize.
That opportunity came at the board meeting three weeks later. The head of product testing, a middle aged Mongolian man named Dzhambul gave his proposal to the board of trustees.
Dzhambul had a slideshow to accompany his presentation, but his enthusiasm on his face and voice were far more convincing than any pictures on a screen.
"Since the earliest days of gaming, developers have sought out ways to make technology more immersive. The creation of the Nervegear helmet made full sensory immersion possible, but at what cost? Some 6,700 deaths and irreversible trauma to tens of thousands more," the department head clicked through pictures as he spoke, 'And what was the solution to killer VR helmets? Killer VR visors. Statistics show that Japan has had an increase in several medical issues including seizures, malnutrition, sleep-deprivation, dehydration, muscular atrophy, DVT, and toxic shock syndrome, all due to the misuse of full dive VR. Owners of the visors are also victims of more crimes, including home invasions, robberies and even murder and sexual assault. Criminals target known gamers to prey on them when they are in a helpless state." For a moment, the department head forgot to cue in his scripted pictures of pie graphs showing the sources of his statics, caught up in the passion of his presentation.
"'There ahs to be a better way.' you tell yourself. How can we have the advancements in technology we do but still turn to an inherently flawed method of immersion? The answer is simple, there is no alternative. Until today."
The faces seated around the table remained grave, but were nonetheless intrigued.
"KaibaCorp has been the leader in hologram technology for the past fifteen years, refining both the hardware and software in to perfection. We can use this technology to offer a safer, healthier and more interactive gaming experience than any VR system can offer. Using our patented hologram fiber optics, a single room can lead you through the busy streets of NYC, or let you perform open heart surgery, or even find the cure for an unknown zombie outbreak." Dzhambul flicked through pictures to the accompanying scenarios. "If we continue researching light refraction combined with electromagnetic forcefields, we can create more than just individual units that the user can se and hear, but ones that can be handled with distinct textures and hardness. Imagine being able to swim in the ocean as long as you want and emerge dry with no sand or lingering salt on your body. Imagine getting to feel the water with your own hands and with other real people, not interacting vicariously through some avatar. Imagine all of this conducted in a safe, climate controlled and supervised setting. Gentlemen, we have the tools to make this a reality. We can guide the world into the future because we made the journey there first. Let's beat the competition to the future, shall we?" With a final click, the last slide disappeared, leaving a white screen. Confidence seemed to come out of his pores as he opened the floor to questions.
The concept seemed to be well received. The room came a live as the board members asked question after question ranging in topics from cost to liability to profit projection. Dzhambul almost seemed to enjoy having full grown men fight for his attention. Eventually the topic of a launch 'environment' came up.
"Is there a specific way you plan on launching?"
"Yes. Rather than several locations with three or four small environments, I suggest we don one large combination indoor-outdoor scenario either at a created location or possibly KaibaLand. Focusing on just one would give us the ability to deliver the highest quality and biggest scope."
"Any specific environment you have in mind?" Mokuba asked.
"Indeed, I do. I considered several venues, but the best idea I think would be a Duel Monsters theme," Dzam explained. "It gives us both options to show off the new concept while still appealing to our current customer base. The scenario has a diversity of lighting, color and textures as well as delivering an experience not comparable to a real-world experience."
"What does that mean?"
"No one has ever seen Thebes at the height of its glory and battled monsters against each other…"
Mokuba sneaked a short glance at his brother, who was glancing back.
"They can't compare that kind of simulated experience to a real one," the Mongolian man continued. "People can however visit the Great Wall of China. Why give people something they can compare to the original. We have a chance to break into the field with something no one else can duplicate or find elsewhere, why would we waste this opportunity creating something they've seen before? Besides, it would be easy to incorporate all of the Duel Monsters holograms we've already created. Everything about this concept screams profit, capturing a market, and revolutionizing the field, and we will call it: The Dawn of the Duel."
"It's over-the-top enough to be a KaibaCorp production," Mokuba muttered quietly enough only a few heard.
"You've really put a lot of thought into this," a long-standing trustee noted.
Dzambul halted before offering a reply. "Holograms are my passion, sir. That's why I work here."
"Well, your passion is certainly contagious," Mokuba replied, "If there are no other questions, I think it's time to put the proposal to a vote."
The proposal and its budget were almost universally approved.
Immediately after it passed, Seto made a motion to adjourn, which was unanimously approved. While most of the trustees dispersed to go to lunch, the brothers lingered in the conference room. Dzam unplugged his laptop from the projection system before giving Seto a vigorous handshake.
"I can't tell you how grateful I am for this opportunity, sir," he beamed with an irrepressible smile.
"You do good work," Seto said flatly, prying his hand free when the handshake lasted longer than what he deemed appropriate. "I'd like to get started right away. I take it you will be needing a private team of programmers and testers?"
"Yes, sir, and the sooner the better." The department head nodded vigorously.
"Start internally. The best hologram programmers and developers in the world work for me."
Dzam clenched his fists as if working up the nerve to make his next statement. "The best hologram programmer in the world is Seto Kaiba."
The CEO raised his eyebrow. He was of course correct but the implication of pointing it out was incredibly risky on his part. "Are you asking me to program for your project?"
"Listen, sir. We could have a great product or a perfect one, depending how involved you are in the creation of the software. I am convinced of it."
"I have a corporation to run, Mr. Yadamsuren," Seto responded. "I hardly have the time to dedicate to a specific project."
"Even a project that could redefine the future of the company?"
Kaiba shot a look at his underling that made him realize he'd overstepped his bounds. Dzambul recoiled. "Can I at least ask for your oversight? Even if it's just the first month? We'd have a solid foundation that we could build on."
He could never say it, but Seto silently admired his persistence.
"One month then," he agreed. "Where do we start?"
Dzam's smile returned. "We start with a field research team to the valley of Kings. Record everything from the texture of the sand to the temperature and humidity. If we want to re-create Egypt, we are going to do it right down to the last detail. I also think we should have a team of Subject Matter Experts on Egyptian history and religion.
"As luck would have it, I know a guy…and woman now that I think of it," Kaiba said. "I'll have Yui contact them when I return to my office. Get me a list of everyone on the project and the field team by next week."
"Will do, sir," Dzam saluted, "Again, sir, thank you for the opportunity."
"No, thank you for your vision," Mokuba corrected. He grabbed his brother's arm. "Food?"
Kaiba nodded. The brothers wished their new project head a good afternoon before leaving the conference room.
"Everyone seems well pleased with the proposal," Mokuba mused in the privacy of the elevator.
"Mhmm," Seto grunted.
"I think Dzambul's enthusiasm was contagious," Moki continued, "I like him. He's a bit excitable but I think an undertaking as big as this will need someone that's high energy."
"Indeed," Seto agreed.
"How much did you pay him to suggest Egypt?" the younger turned to face his brother, hoping he'd flinch with the sudden accusation.
It was to no avail. Instead of looking the least bit surprised, the elder brother let out a short, cynical laugh. "He would have done it had I merely recommended his proposal to the board, but I did compensate him with an increase in his salary. A substantial one."
"So now we go to Egypt. With a team of KaibaCorp employees."
"And Yugi and Ishizu," Seto added.
"Your SME's? You've thought of everything."
The elevator pulled to a halt at the second basement. "Except what I want for lunch," Kaiba smiled as he stepped through the metal doors. "Come on. One thing at a time. Lunch first, Egypt later."
After lunch, Kaiba spent the afternoon sifting through his programmers and developers from the various worldwide KaibaCorp offices. While for now it was just a means to an end to research the past, that didn't' mean that Seto had no intention of bringing 'DotD' (Mokuba insisted more people would be interested if it were called 'project double D' but Seto stoutly refused to call it that.) to its fullest potential. He compiled a list of coders he had worked with and knew would be a good fit, emailing the list to Mr. Yadamsuren. When he was finished, he paged Yui.
"Yui, could you look up a private number for me?"
"Of course, sir what's the name?"
"Muoto, Yugi,"
"Yugi Muoto. THE Yugi Muoto?"
Kaiba pressed the intercom button harder as if that would help cut her off faster. "Yes, the former Duel Monsters champion. I need a cell phone number for him."
"Already have it. Shall I call it and patch you through?"
"Please do," he stated more as a command than a request.
In just a few seconds, Kaiba was transferred into the outgoing call. The other end rang several times before Kaiba decided Yugi was working, but just before he hung up, the line connected.
"Hello?"
"Yugi, it's Seto Kaiba. Again."
"Wow, you weren't bluffing when you promised to keep in touch. What's up?"
"I have a business proposition for you. KC is taking a research team to Thebes to research the origins of Duel Monsters and I would like to take you along as a subject matter expert."
"As an expert on Egypt?" Yugi's voice sounded skeptical.
"On paper, it would be as an expert on Duel Monsters. In reality, you, Moki, and I will be trying to find more information about Kisara."
"But my shop," Yugi objected.
"They can't spare you three weeks?" Kaiba insisted, "You'll be well compensated for your time and it might be good for you to take a break from the grind. Just leave it to your underlings, what's the worst that could happen?"
"Kaiba, I don't have any employees. It's just me."
Seto couldn't imagine it. He'd had the luxury of being able to delegate since before the company take-over. "You need people," he insisted. "I'll arrange replacement employees for you; qualified retail experts to keep your shop while you're gone and I ensure their pay is commission based so they have incentive to sell and build customer relations."
"I guess I can't say no if you're bending over backward to get me to go. When do we leave?"
"I'll let you know as soon as our field team is put together. We just greenlit the project a few hours ago, but it shouldn't be long. Two weeks at the most and then we're on our way back to the land of our pasts."
"Ooh, can we take the blimp?" Yugi asked, tongue-in-cheek.
"No," Seto sulked, "Mokuba made me get rid of the blimp."
"Party pooper!"
"I know. I hate having him around sometimes, he's so financially responsible." His tone indicated that he was dead serious.
Yugi laughed. "I suppose it can still be an adventure without the blimp."
"It is. Just not as fun. Speaking of fun getting sucked out of an adventure, I also have to call Ishizu today, and I'd like to get her before she heads into work. She's rarely in her office. It's almost 7:30 in Alexandria."
"Say no more, I'll let you go. Just keep me posted," Yugi digressed. "I think you're right, I think I need a break from the rut. Thank you Kaiba."
"I'll call you some time next week," Kaiba promised, "I look forward to working with you again. Goodbye."
Seto hung the phone on the cradle and leaned his elbows on the desk, steepling his fingers. His plan was coming along perfectly.
While Seto was making calls to Yugi and Ishizu, Mokuba made a call on his own from his private office a few floors down. Neither as big or ornate, Moki's office was far cozier, though less used. Mokuba spent little time in his office. Today, he sat with his keyboard in his lap and his feet propped up on the desk as he cradled the phone receiver on his shoulder. The head of art design was a personal friend of his; probably because they were about the same age.
"What can I help you with today?" he asked the younger Kaiba.
"I wanted to ask about a woman you interviewed a few weeks back. A Sabrina Harrison."
"The American," his friend responded. "I personally didn't interview her, but I saw her resume; thought it was impressive. Did legal find something of concern?"
"No, not at all. I want you to hire her."
"I had planned on it," he replied.
"Good, then I need to call in that favor." Mokuba knew they both understood what was owed him. Mokuba had covered for his friend, lying to his girlfriend to keep her from finding out about an upcoming proposal. It'd saved the surprise and he was certainly in Moki's debt.
"Anything," he promised.
"I want you to expedite her paperwork so you can put her on the new hologram environment project, and also put her with us on the away team that's going to Egypt here in a few weeks."
"Is there a reason you want her on that trip so badly?" he asked.
"Yes," Mokuba said shortly.
"Are you going to tell me?"
"No."
"Is she hot?"
"Maybe. Maybe not." Mokuba figured it would be better for him to think he was interested rather than give no reason at all. It might keep him from asking questions later on.
"She's hot, isn't she?" he insisted.
"Ok, yes. Smokin. Now can you get her contract ready to go by then?"
"For you? I can make it happen." He promised, "I take it Seto isn't supposed to be privy to this?"
"Absolutely not."
"We have a deal. Consider my debt fulfilled."
"Fair. We're even. See you around."
Mokuba hung the phone on the cradle and leaned his elbows on the desk, steepling his fingers. His plan was coming along perfectly.
A/N: This will probably be my last update for a while. For right now, my inspiration has left me and I am able to work on my actual book. With my other project and other things going on, I probably won't be able to post another chapter for a solid three weeks. I will come back to it, I promise.