Chapter 73 Architect's Vision
"We are here for information," Eva said. "That's what you promised. So if you would be kind enough to share it with us, I would appreciate it."
"Straight to the point. I see you're not here for my hospitality. Still, as your host, I'd feel bad if you didn't have anything." The Architect smiled.
"Bring the tea over for our guest," she instructed the maid.
Eva watched as the maid bowed her head and left the hall. After a few minutes, she returned with a tray of biscuits and three cups of tea.
When she set the tray on the table, Eva noticed that Catherine's tea was different from what she and Adrian received.
The Architect lifted her cup and took a sip.
"Please try it. I brought high-quality tea leaves from another country. It's really good."
Eva held the cup tightly, her knuckles turning white as she watched the steam rise from the tea.
She shifted in her seat, uneasy. Her eyes kept moving between the tray and Catherine's different cup, and her suspicion grew each time she looked.
She couldn't stop thinking about the possibility of poison, and her worries kept piling up.
Every strange sight and sound in the large hall made her feel more exposed and nervous.
Every small movement and hesitant gesture seemed suspicious, making her mistrust grow until she felt ready to snap.
At that moment, Eva noticed not just her surroundings but also how much her fear and suspicion were wearing her down.
Adrian didn't touch his cup. He stared at the tea, a small frown showing his worry. Eva picked up her cup but didn't drink.
The Architect waited for Eva to take a sip. When she didn't, the Architect gave her a look. "Alright. Since you're here to learn about my plans, let me tell you what I'm building and why you should want to be involved."
A brief silence filled the room, signaling a shift in the conversation.
For the next hour, the Architect spoke.
She described a society full of waste and poor use of resources, where people used too much and didn't manage things well, hurting everyone.
She said that constant arguments between officials and citizens had stalled decision-making, keeping the city from making real progress.
If someone needs to move a file or get a proposal approved, they often have to wait months or even years.
Politicians spend their time arguing in parliament and don't seem to care about the people. Economies keep failing, resources are wasted on entertainment, and billions still live in poverty.
She spoke about chaos and problems, saying the system was so broken that only big changes could fix it.
"The current governing system has flaws and is failing," the Architect said. "Not slowly, but quickly. Climate disaster, economic unfairness, political chaos—we're reaching many breaking points at once. The people in charge don't have the will or ability to fix these problems."
"And you think you can do better?" Adrian's voice was skeptical.
"I know I can. I've spent forty years building this capability," the Architect said, her conviction apparent as she leaned forward.
"My motivation has always been to address the failures I witnessed in conventional systems. The Consortium isn't just a criminal organization; it's a practical prototype of my vision.
For example, we have organized international support for supply chains during crises, redirected funds to prevent economic crashes, and helped governments communicate when official channels stalled.
By working together across countries, industries, and governments, we can stop conflicts or strengthen weak economies—something that most organizations often fail to do.
a"By manipulation and murder."
"By doing what's needed. Yes, sometimes that means making tough choices. But look at the harm we've caused compared to the harm we've stopped. We've stopped wars, prevented famines, and kept technology from causing disasters. The world is better because we are here."
Eva felt cold. "You actually believe that."
"I know it. I have the facts to prove that I am right." The Architect's expression softened. "I understand why you doubt us. You've seen the worst we can do: threats, violence, manipulation. But that's not who we really are. That's just the price of working in a tough world."
"What exactly do you want from us?"
"Your resources. Your contacts. Your trust." The Architect met Eva's gaze. "The Consortium has always worked in secret, but that time is ending. We need to be more open and accepting. Both your families can help us make that change."
"You want us to be your public face."
"I want you to be partners in creating something better," the Architect said, looking at both of them.
Eva pressed her hand to her knee, trying to steady herself as she took in the seriousness of the offer. Adrian, sitting stiffly and showing his tension, looked at the Architect.
"The change I'm planning will be hard and disruptive. Some people will fight to keep things the way they are. Having respected allies will help make things go more smoothly."
Eva exchanged a glance with Adrian.
"What exactly is this shift you're planning?"
The Architect smiled mysteriously. "That's what I want to show you. Come with me."
She led them to a secure part of the estate, through heavy steel doors with fingerprint scans and down hallways lit by bright fluorescent lights. Security cameras and motion sensors lined the walls, each making a soft, steady beep.
At the end of the last hallway was a room full of screens, each showing something different: financial markets, news broadcasts, government messages, and social media trends.
The monitoring center was filled with the soft sound of cooling fans and the occasional beep from an alert.
Dozens of screens filled the room with shifting colors, each streaming different content: some showed data, while others showed flashing maps, or scrolling headlines in dozens of languages.
Eva felt the weight of the cold LED lights and the faint smell of ozone left by overworked machines in the recycled air.
The walls themselves seemed to pulse with the constant flood of information.
"Welcome to our monitoring center," the Architect said, her tone composed and assured.
"From here, we watch and record a nonstop flow of information from almost every part of the world. Our network enables us to monitor private messages, money transfers, and live events with much greater detail than other organizations.
We not only spot crises before anyone else, but also track new threats, predict small changes in finance and social trends, and understand political movements as they happen. This way, we have an unmatched level of control and influence over world events."
As the Architect spoke, Eva's wonder faded, replaced by unease as she realized how much surveillance and control the room revealed.
Realizing that the Consortium could watch and influence world events in real time made her uneasy. She became more aware of how far the group's power reached.
"Mass surveillance," Adrian said flatly.
"It's collecting information." The Architect walked to a central console. "Let me show you something."