The Outsider (Outsider #1) ✔️

Chapter 76 : Tech Ministry

The four men were sitting in a lounge in the Imperial Secretariate. It was called an 'Audience Chamber'. The ministers rarely used conference rooms unless there was a presentation.

"I am Corso Flander, Minister of Commerce, Imperial Government." The man sitting across introduced himself.

"Very pleased to meet you, Lord Flander." Daniel greeted him. "I am Daniel Warren, CEO of Micro-Mega Technologies LLC. We are a small company based in Ci'gazze specialising in software technology."

"Yes, I have been briefed by my team about you. And also, by Lord Melster." Corso said with a smile. "Your career is interesting. Surviving in that environment and growing to a $100 million in 10 years is not easy."

Daniel nodded his head briefly. Sitting on either side of him were Lord Melster, Minister of Finance and Prince Drabert.

"A lot of the younger people are starting to look at building a business, starting their own company, being answerable only to themselves, and in the process, giving employment to many those who cannot start their own. This is important because it helps us achieve our goals of full employment. Or at least, as close to full employment as is possible.

"Recently, the interest has dropped significantly due to stories of abuse of power by the nobles and big business. Your girl, Dusk Hale, has put the focus back on it and is the perfect counter to the negative news, specially when she wins against Big Tech like Carla Vacuxa."

Daniel gave a smile but said nothing. He had been ordered to the meeting by Prince Drabert with absolutely no agenda. But you do not refuse a Prince, specially one funding some of your projects.

The Minister opened some files on his holo-screen. "Interestingly, I also have some transcripts of discussion you have had with various people, outlining your dissatisfaction with the way things are going for entrepreneurs. About how the government is not doing as much as other large nations are doing, about how there is no level playing field and repeated talks about 'abuse of power' by us Nobles."

Daniel felt his blood go cold. Was he being set up by the Prince? The imperial government had an impressive intelligence network. They probably had him under surveillance, though he could not understand what he had done to get into the limelight earlier. He was not the only one making such statements, nor the most vocal. Perhaps he should have been more careful after met Princess Rosemary.

A thought suddenly struck him. Was Luke Jones a part of the opposition? Is that why Drabert did not dare to openly oppose Luke? For fear of unrest? Did his friendship with Luke put him in the spotlight? Gathering information on a person was easy in a connected digital society. But private conversations were not stored on servers for AI to search. Unless, that is, a person is under investigation for a long time.

"No need to be alarmed. This meeting is not about harmless dissention in the kingdom. The emperor has never believed in the concept of Uniform Conformity to his point of view. He believes such a thing stifles growth and no innovation. The Emperor cannot order innovation to suite his whims. That is not how you foster a modern society. But then things are changing in our country, as you are aware..."

Daniel looked at the Minster and then at Drabert wearily. Most of the 'reassurances' were empty words. Sometimes spoken just before a backlash. He needed to keep his wits about him.

"Now, personally, I prefer a man with solutions rather than one just showing me problems. Do you have the solutions to the problems you have complained about?" the minister continued.

"I am not a politician or a Minister...So you see, I do not have a presentation to offer you as a solution. In fact, I don't think there is a fixed solution as such. Business is Dynamic, you see... If I had an advance intimation of the matter, I could have put my thoughts in a presentation that I think can help you, Your Lordship."