The next morning, the Chase estate buzzed with energy. The guest rooms were full—each housing one of Jason's handpicked thinkers, engineers, activists, and creators. This wasn't just the beginning of another company.
This was the launchpad for a new era.
---
Jason's Command Hub
The command center in his mansion—formerly a media room—was now lit with interactive displays showing real-time data streams, market fluctuations, tech trends, and encrypted conversations with underground networks.
A massive holographic interface displayed the glowing sigil of Project Phoenix: a digital phoenix rising from binary flames.
Cass leaned over the edge of the interface. "You know this feels like we're building a tech cult, right?"
Jason smiled, typing rapid commands. "Not a cult. A coalition. One that doesn't sell out to the highest bidder or bend to corrupt institutions."
Nick entered, slapping a file on the table. "Here's your first target. The patent for decentralized AI oversight, filed by a Stanford dropout last week. Kid doesn't even know what he's sitting on."
Jason flipped through it. "Let's give him a scholarship, stock options, and a home for his work."
Ava raised an eyebrow. "You're just handing over equity?"
"We build trust by being different," Jason replied. "Not by being greedy."
---
Elsewhere: A Hidden Server Farm – Zurich
A man in a grey suit with slitted eyes read the same file Nick had found. Behind him, dozens of quantum machines pulsed with ominous blue light.
> "Project Phoenix… so he finally moves."
He closed the file, then tapped into an old Erebus database.
> "Time to remind Mr. Chase that not every fire brings warmth."
---
Back in Malibu – Rooftop Garden
Jason stood watching the sunset with Roman and Cass.
"So when's the official launch?" Roman asked, sipping bourbon.
Jason smiled faintly. "We're going to start with something small. Open-source encryption tools for journalists and whistleblowers. Then slowly expand."
"And when the giants come knocking?" Cass asked.
Jason's eyes hardened. "We'll already be too big to bury."
---
Final Scene – A Message Broadcast
The screen flickered in millions of homes across the globe. A phoenix logo ignited on screen. Jason's voice came through crystal clear:
> "You don't know me. But I know the world you live in. I've seen it burn and watched it rebuild itself on the same broken principles. Not this time.
Project Phoenix isn't just a tool. It's a movement. A firewall for freedom. We're not asking for trust—we're earning it. One line of code at a time."