General Ross leaned back in his chair, the flickering light from his cigar casting brief shadows across his face. He had just finished reviewing the last page of Henry's proposal — the one that showcased the military version of Vanderbuilt Technologies' Modia Units.
After a long pause, he nodded approvingly.
"I'm very satisfied with your plan," he said slowly. Then his voice hardened. "But… there's still a small problem."
Henry remained silent, his calm eyes studying the General.
Ross continued, his tone clipped and firm. "Your military-grade Modia Units haven't undergone any large-scale testing yet. Their field performance is still unknown — and the Department of Defense won't approve a procurement without evidence."
The room grew quiet. Chief George and the Governor exchanged uncertain looks, while the sound of Ross setting down the document broke the silence.
"Understand this," Ross went on. "We can't just buy an untested army of machines, no matter how impressive they look on paper."
Of course, Henry already knew this. The U.S. military procurement process was strict — it required Department of Defense clearance before any experimental weapon could be mass-produced or fielded. Usually, those approvals came easy for traditional firearms or tanks.
But this? The Modia Units were an entirely new kind of warfare technology, a merger of robotics and AI that blurred the line between soldier and machine. The government would need more than pretty demonstrations; they'd need proof that these machines could function in the chaos of real battle.
Still, Henry didn't seem worried. Instead, a faint smile curved his lips.
He knew Ross wasn't just rejecting him — he was testing his response.
Ross noticed the smirk and chuckled. "Hah! As expected of you." He exchanged a knowing look with Chief George. "Let's not waste time. George, tell him."
Chief George nodded. "We've been discussing this," he began, tapping his cigar against the ashtray. "Since these three Modia versions — Police, Firefighting, and Military — all share the same core system, we can start by testing the police variant first."
Henry raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? And how do you intend to test it?"
Chief George's tone grew serious. "New York City has been a mess lately. Gangs, underground drug rings, organized crime — even street robberies are up by forty percent this quarter. The police force is stretched to its limits." He leaned forward, eyes gleaming. "So, we're planning to form a new unit — a special branch operated primarily by Modia Units. We'll test your machines directly in the field."
Henry's interest deepened. "A robotic task force?" he asked, though he already liked where this was going.
Chief George nodded. "Exactly. These Modia officers will handle real police work — surveillance, patrol, even tactical response. Human officers will only supervise operations and provide support if necessary. It'll be a true test of autonomy and coordination."
General Ross grinned, his cigar glowing red. "One month, Henry. That's all the time I'm giving you. Within one month, I want results."
He leaned forward. "If these Modia Units meet my expectations, I'll push for a large-scale military contract. And if that happens—" He exhaled smoke slowly. "—we'll deploy them directly to the Ira-Ko War front."
The mention of the Ira-Ko War made everyone fall silent for a moment. It had been America's quagmire for years — a desert war with no end, draining soldiers, money, and morale. Thousands of troops were killed or maimed annually. The government spent billions on pensions and compensation alone.
If the Modia Units could replace even a portion of human soldiers, the economic and political impact would be monumental.
Henry's faint smile returned. "It's a deal," he said confidently. "One month — you'll get your results."
Ross laughed heartily. "Good! Then we'll need a name for this little experiment."
He paused for a moment, then snapped his fingers. "Let's call it A.I.M.S. — Artificial Intelligence Military Service."
Henry chuckled at the irony. "A.I.M.S.," he repeated softly. "That's… clever."
The name struck him as amusing. In another world — perhaps in fiction — A.I.M.S. might have been a government department created to prevent AI-related crimes. But here and now, it would serve as the birthplace of the first humanoid robotic law enforcement division in New York.
Chief George stood up, clearly pleased with the decision. "All right then, that's settled. Tomorrow, I'll have my people coordinate with your company. Let's make this official."
He extended a hand, and Henry shook it firmly.
"Understood. Vanderbuilt Technologies will begin immediate deployment."
Ross grinned as he stood as well. "You've got guts, kid. I like that."
Henry simply nodded, expression calm, though his mind was already racing ahead — planning logistics, manufacturing, and public rollout. If this succeeded, Vanderbuilt Technologies would not only dominate the private sector — it would become a cornerstone of America's future defense industry.
"Then, gentlemen," he said, standing and straightening his jacket, "I won't take up more of your evening."
"Good luck," George said, patting him on the shoulder with a confident smile. "I'll see you at the field test."
Henry turned and exited the room, Izzy following silently behind.
---
Later that night.
The sleek black Vanderbuilt sports car glided through the illuminated streets of New York. Its AI navigation system handled the steering perfectly, the vehicle adjusting lanes and speed with precision. In the back seat, Henry leaned against the window, the city lights reflecting across his thoughtful expression.
"President," Izzy finally spoke, her voice calm yet curious, "are you really planning to cooperate with the police on this project?"
"Of course," Henry said without hesitation. His tone carried both confidence and excitement. "It's the perfect stage to prove our technology — and to show the world what Vanderbuilt Technologies is capable of."
Izzy tilted her head slightly. "But won't this be risky? What if something goes wrong?"
Henry chuckled softly. "Izzy, progress is always risky. But without taking bold steps, humanity never evolves. If this works, the world will never look at artificial intelligence the same way again."
The car sped down a bridge overlooking the East River, the lights shimmering across the water's surface. After a few more minutes, it pulled smoothly into the underground parking area of Vanderbuilt Technologies Headquarters, located in the northern district of New York.
The towering building stood among other tech giants, its glass façade glimmering against the night sky. Though not as ostentatious as Stark Tower, it carried a quiet power — sleek, efficient, and confident.
Despite the late hour, the building was still alive with activity. Teams of engineers, designers, and programmers worked tirelessly, their screens glowing through the transparent windows. Vanderbuilt Technologies thrived on ambition, and tonight was no exception.
As Henry and Izzy stepped into the brightly lit lobby, employees immediately turned and greeted them.
"Good evening, President!"
"Welcome back, sir!"
Each greeting carried genuine admiration. Many of these employees had joined the company because of Henry's vision — a belief that technology could not just serve humanity, but protect it.
Henry smiled politely as he walked past, nodding at his people. His presence had an unusual warmth that inspired loyalty — calm but driven, visionary yet approachable. People felt that when he spoke, the future didn't seem so far away.
He and Izzy reached the elevator at the end of the hall. Its doors opened automatically with a soft hiss.
"Welcome, President Henry," said the elevator's AI voice, smooth and human-like.
They stepped in. The interior was sleek and metallic, with no visible buttons. The elevator recognized Henry's identity automatically and began to ascend.
"Destination: Executive Level," the AI announced softly as the doors closed.
The faint hum of the machinery filled the small space. Izzy turned slightly, her glowing eyes meeting Henry's reflection in the mirrored wall.
"President," she said, her tone softer now, "when this project begins… you'll be changing history."
Henry smiled faintly. "Not just history, Izzy. We'll be shaping the future of humanity itself."
The elevator rose higher into the tower, cutting through the shining night skyline of New York.
Outside, the neon lights reflected on the glass — and for a brief second, Henry's reflection merged with the cityscape below, like a ghost in the shell of a machine.
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