I'm The King of Business & Technology in the Modern World

The Counteroffensive

March 24, 2026 — 10:45 AM

Sentinel HQ, BGC — Strategic Affairs Office

Julian stormed into the meeting room with a tablet in one hand and a cold brew in the other. His face said it all before he spoke a single word.

"They've started."

Angel looked up from the conference table where she had been reviewing Aerus' Singapore telemetry reports. Matthew was beside her, laptop open, pulling data on consumer sentiment and media trends.

Julian tapped the tablet. "First major strike came from a think tank in Brussels—Global Emissions Analytics. They released a report claiming microturbines produce higher ultrafine particulates than internal combustion engines."

"Bullshit," Matthew muttered.

Angel took the tablet and scanned the document. Her eyes narrowed.

"They're comparing uncontrolled aerospace-grade turbines to our filtered units. This is misinformation dressed as peer-reviewed work."

Julian nodded. "And they know most people won't check the footnotes."

Carina called in from Subic, her voice coming through the table's speaker system. "I've got bots amplifying the report across every tech forum. Even on Reddit and X."

Angel clenched her jaw. "This isn't just backlash. It's coordinated."

Matthew leaned back, exhaling slowly.

"They're not going to beat us in engineering," he said. "So they're turning the battlefield into public trust."

—

March 24, 2026 — 2:00 PM

A pop-up video booth stood on the sidewalk. Above it, a simple message:

"Have you seen the Aerus?"

Passersby were invited to record short messages after encountering the car in traffic or seeing it on display.

A young delivery rider stepped in. "Honestly, I didn't even know it was running. It just… moved. No smoke. No sound. It's smoother than an EV."

An older couple followed. "We thought it was one of those prototype taxis. But it didn't make a sound even when it passed right by us. My hearing aid didn't react once."

A university student: "If this is what mobility looks like in the future, I'm in."

By noon, Sentinel's comms team had edited a 3-minute video from the responses.

They uploaded it directly.

No commentary. No rebuttals.

Just the title:

"Ask the Streets."

It went viral in twelve hours.

—

March 27, 2026 — 5:00 PM

Brussels — Office of the European Transport Commissioner

A young staffer rushed into the commissioner's office, holding a tablet.

"You need to see this."

The commissioner, mid-discussion with a German automotive lobbyist, frowned as the video played.

Unscripted testimonials.

Real citizens.

No polish. No agenda.

Just one silent car changing every assumption.

The commissioner watched the full three minutes.

Then slowly set the tablet down.

And turned to the lobbyist.

"You'll need better arguments."

—

March 28, 2026 — 11:45 PM

Rockwell — Matthew and Angel's Apartment

Aurora was asleep. The city outside was quiet.

Angel sat on the couch with her legs folded under her, watching the news on mute. Onscreen was a new report:

"Indonesia Confirms Interest in Aerus Pilot Program."

Matthew walked in with two mugs of tea, handing her one.

"They're pushing hard," he said. "But so are we."

Angel nodded. "They tried to drown us in noise. A feat that is difficult."

"But we answered with silence, which is the right response."

Matthew sat beside her, resting his head back.

"Do you think they'll stop?"

Angel didn't answer for a moment.

Then looked at him.

"No," she said. "But they're starting to realize they can't stop us either."

"Is that so? Very well."