[Global City - Titan Media Headquarters]
"Titan News" was the most-watched channel in the country. Right now, 50 million people were glued to the screen.
On the set, the star anchor, Brad Sterling (a distant cousin of the bankrupt Duke Sterling), was foaming at the mouth. Behind him, footage of the crater in Sector 7 played on a loop.
"This man, Alex, is not a hero!" Brad shouted, slamming his fist on the desk. "He is a terrorist! He used an illegal weapon to destroy a residential district! He is a threat to our children! Why hasn't the government arrested him yet?"
[The Pantheon - 108th Floor]
Alex was eating a steak, watching the broadcast on a 100-inch screen.
"He's loud," Alex said, cutting a piece of meat. "And he's lying. I saved the city from a demon."
"The Serpent Group is funding the broadcast, Sir," Dawn's voice echoed. "They are paying Titan Media $5 Million a day to run a smear campaign against you. Public opinion is shifting. Approval rating has dropped by 15%."
Alex wiped his mouth.
"I can't have my reputation ruined. I have a company to run."
Alex stood up.
"Luna, bring the car. We are going to be on TV."
[Titan Media Studio - Live Broadcast]
"And that's why we must boycott the Pantheon!" Brad Sterling yelled at the camera. "We must—"
BOOM.
The heavy soundproof doors of the studio were kicked open. They flew off their hinges and crashed onto the stage.
The cameramen screamed. The audience gasped.
Alex walked in, wearing a suit that cost more than the entire studio equipment. Luna walked behind him, her hand resting on her dagger.
"Cut the feed!" The Director screamed from the control booth. "Cut the feed!"
"Don't touch that button," Alex said calmly, looking up at the control booth. "Dawn, lock the signal."
[System Hack Active.] [Signal Locked. Broadcast cannot be stopped.]
Alex walked onto the stage. He stood right next to the terrified Brad Sterling.
"You..." Brad stammered, his face pale. "You can't be here! This is private property! Security!"
"I sent your security home," Alex said, adjusting his microphone. "I gave them each a year's salary to take the night off."
Alex looked into the camera lens. 50 million people were watching.
"Citizens," Alex said. "This man is lying to you. He is paid by criminals to make me look bad."
"Liar!" Brad shouted, trying to regain control. "You are a monster! You think you can just bully the press? Titan Media is a pillar of truth! You can't silence us!"
"I don't want to silence you," Alex smiled. "I want to employ you."
Alex pulled out his phone.
"System. Identify the owner of Titan Media."
[Target: Titan Media Group.] [Owner: Rupert Thorne.] [Market Cap: $8.5 Billion.] [Current Stock Price: $120.]
"Dawn," Alex ordered. "Execute a hostile takeover. Buy 51% of the shares. Offer a 20% premium."
"Processing... Transaction Complete." [Expenditure: $10,200,000,000.] [Asset Acquired: Titan Media Group (Global Network).] [Reward: +100,000 Tycoon Points.]
Alex's phone pinged. He showed the screen to Brad.
"Look at that," Alex said. "I own the station now."
Brad looked at the digital deed. His eyes bulged.
"You... you bought the company? In ten seconds?"
"Yes," Alex patted Brad on the shoulder. "And as the new owner, I have to make some changes. Brad, you're fired."
"You can't do this!" Brad screamed. "I have a contract!"
"I bought your contract too," Alex signaled Luna. "Get him out of my chair."
Luna grabbed Brad by the collar and tossed him off the stage like a sack of potatoes.
Alex sat in the anchor's chair. He looked comfortable.
"Citizens," Alex addressed the camera again. "From now on, this channel tells the truth. The weather tomorrow will be sunny. And the Serpent Group..."
Alex's eyes went cold.
"...is going to be bankrupt by Friday."
[The Reaction Shot - Viewers at Home]
In a sports bar downtown, the patrons went silent.
"Did he just buy the news?" a man whispered, holding his beer.
"He fired Brad on live TV," another man laughed in disbelief. "That was the most gangster thing I've ever seen."
The approval rating didn't drop. It skyrocketed. People didn't hate Alex. They feared him, and they loved him for it.