I think this came up before, but it bears repeating. Someone has to make the military hardware that the governments of the world use. Even when I was a child, I considered it odd that governments did not build their weapons in house and contracted others to do it for them. After all, that would be putting these powerful weapons in the hands of others, and even a little child knew that the less people involved, the better.

  However, it seemed no one had told the governments of the world this, because they contracted out almost everything.

  In fact, following the year 2010, when NASA had its funding cut and space travel in the United States began to be privatised, various members of our newly formed group had gained such a foothold in the industry that, when combined with my military grade equipment and Mrs. Wang’s highly trained forces, we effectively had the strength of one of the world’s superpowers. That was unsurprising considering that some of the most powerful individuals from two of the three superpowers were involved, the only missing superpower was India- however, that could be explained by simply pointing out the turmoil that was arising from its meteoric rise in national power that had taken most of the world by surprise.

  Not me, of course. It was plainly obvious that China was going to step on to the world stage thirty years ago, and that India would follow for roughly the same reasons. Still, there was quite a bit of chaos in the country that would likely take decades to be sorted out completely.

  More immediately important were the images on the screens in front of me. Between satellite and drone imagery, combined with the blueprints I ‘acquired,’ and live feeds from the various soldiers we employed- those of us observing this operation felt night omniscient.

  It was thrilling, to say the least, watching my forces hack the local security networks and then snipe the guards on watch. The tech they had was so advanced that they could see targets through walls and I watched with rapt attention as my men advanced like wraiths. It was fifteen minutes before the target even realized something was wrong- and I felt amused as I watched a man attempt to sound the alarm, only to realize that the entire system was disabled and be shot.

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  As one might change the channel, I called up images from other teams- we had our forces assault as many of their bases as possible, all at once. There would be no drawn out fight, just a swift decapitation. To be honest, it left me feeling uncomfortable and I took a sip of scotch to calm my nerves.

  It may seem odd, considering my business and the group I am a part of, but I am a firm non-interventionist at heart. In the same way I am against killing people- which is to say, “wouldn’t it be nice if I didn’t have to do this?” I have no doubt that this assault will, in the short term, make things difficult for the countries affected. Our rival group essentially gutted their governments after all- with them removed, they will likely cease to function and collapse. Which will mean the military hardware brought in by our rivals will disappear and find its way into the hands of unpleasant people who will make life difficult for peaceful folk in the future.

  Both our rivals and our own group essentially want to rule the world. We are gods struggling against giants and the result is largely academic to people who are dying in the crossfire. It is times like these that I have to sit back and reflect on my own ego- I have a vision for the world, one that I feel is superior to the elected governments of the entire planet. For that vision, a man has just knifed another man in the throat, killing him silently and hiding his body in the shadows. For that vision, a country that was recovering will be plunged into chaos.

  I remember thinking not that long ago that I wished normal people knew those of us at the top made mistakes. A joking thought considering the beauties that were next to me at the time, but the reality was that I was human and was certainly not perfect. Which made me wonder if this was the right thing to do- no, whether I was the right one to do it.

  This other group could not be tolerated, their ideals were the antithesis of my own. I wished for the world to grow beyond the shackles that held it and they wanted to shackle it to their will. However, perhaps a better man might be able to find a solution that would not ruin innocent lives.

  That will require some thought actually, this event today is what it is- but I should learn from this for the future. I need a think tank of the best and brightest, with diverse beliefs and backgrounds, and then back them with powerful AI and data analytics. A better man than I might not need that, but I am not him. Instead, I will gather enough good people and computational power to force my way through these issues- if we check every possible answer, eventually we are bound to find the right one.

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  “Mystic Ink” Releases: Thursday and Sunday

  A grimdark fantasy adventure following Cass, a homeless orphan abducted off the streets of Tyine and subjected to magical experiments. Join her in a journey through blood and magic in a treacherous world that strives to warp her very mind! In my opinion, this is my most well written story, and it is certainly my highest rated!

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  Set in the future where governments have collapsed and corporations have claimed the lands for themselves, the remnants of nations fight back against the encroachment of these giant companies in a special operations shadow war. Reduced to its original thirteen colonies, the United States employs the Elite R.A.D.E. squad to take on missions no one else can. Recon, Assault, Demolition, and Espionage, all fall under the purview of this elite squad!

  “Pathos” Releases: Saturday

  Set in a province of Imperial Rome, Pathos is our world and yet not. Emotions leak out from people to affect the very air itself creating an Emotional Atmosphere. This atmosphere can range from prosperous to destructive, and some powerful individuals can use the strength within it to produce magical abilities and miracles. Marius, the son of the Governor of Germania Inferior, is taking over for his father while he is away in Rome. However, internal strife, trouble across the border, and hurricanes of emotions will make his easy life far harder than he ever imagined!

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  Thomas Savery invented the steam engine, and in this alternate history world, he did not stop there! A steampunk slice-of-life story set in the London of the late 1700’s where steampunk automations are a common sight and have even begun to push people out of jobs! Follow Mary and Alan as they live life in this constantly changing world and try to make their own way through!

  “The Illuminating Heroes” Releases: Monday

  Set in the near future, Kevin Sterling, a billionaire owner of a giant tech company can no longer stand to watch the governments of the world destroy it. Environmental disasters, violence both domestically and internationally, economic struggles… All caused by bumbling fools at the top who care nothing but for keeping their fat asses in their seats. Sterling has had enough, and so have his friends and colleagues. The movers and shakers of the world, business leaders from every industry and sector, artists and scientists, all gather together to form The Illuminati! And they will work to save the world from the destruction corrupt and inept governments have brought down on it. They may not be the heroes we want, but they are the only ones we are going to get! A slice-of-life, overpowered protagonist (overpowered pocketbook that is), comedy focusing on Sterling’s work to start a New World Order!

  “A Dungeon Core”

  Releases: Tuesday

  The main character dies and is resurrected as a dungeon core. So far, so normal. But he has no intention of staying as a crystal for eternity. Join this Core on his path to regain his body and his life while building up his defenses against people who would plunder and kill him!

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