DC - The Path to Supremacy

"Just turn the couch a little bit to the left," Aizen instructs, watching the movers adjust the furniture in his new apartment.

"Perfect. Thank you!"

After handing a $100 tip to each member of the moving crew, Aizen closes the door behind them.Taking a moment to survey the minimalist decor, the sleek lines and muted colors, he crosses the room and turns on the television to Channel 5 News— muting it so the flickering images provide a silent backdrop.

Aizen then moves to the dining table where his laptop awaits. 'Show me the current progress for Project Monopoly,' he mentally commands.

Instantly, intricate bars and graphs cascade across the laptop screen and the lenses of Aizen's glasses. Data streams in rapid succession before settling on a loading screen displaying "Progress: 0.07%."

'Why is the progress so slow?' he asks.

[Greetings, Creator. Thus far, I have only managed to create a digital footprint for you, tracing back to the 'Shiro Orphanage' located on the outskirts of Neko in Japan.]

[The orphanage was shut down seven years ago due to financial issues. Most of the staff who worked there during the fabricated timeline are either deceased or elderly enough that inconsistencies can be reasonably attributed to memory loss.]

[I am still gathering data on the history and technological progress of this civilization. The major delay is due to inconsistencies in the level of technology across this world. There are twenty-eight marked locations where I am unable to gain access due to the sheer advancement of their technology— plus an additional seven locations due to energy interference.]

Aizen taps his fingers thoughtfully on the mahogany table, his gaze fixed on the slowly increasing progress bar. 'Don't worry about those areas for now,' he decides. 'You've already siphoned $78 million from the forex market. Use it as starting capital to market an instant translation software—it shouldn't be too difficult for you to create one. Feel free to set a price you deem reasonable.'

[Affirmative]

[What level of technology should I utilize in creating the software, sir?]

Aizen raises an eyebrow. 'What do you mean?'

[I have categorized technological advancements into levels based on their capabilities:

Level 1

Capabilities: Internet, smartphones, basic space exploration (low Earth orbit), artificial intelligence, basic genetic engineering (CRISPR), and renewable energy technologies.

Key Examples: Smartphones, autonomous vehicles, SpaceX rockets, modern medicine, and 3D printing.

Level 2

Capabilities: Widespread AI integration, quantum computing, fusion energy, interplanetary travel, and advanced cybernetics.

Key Examples: Mars colonization, brain-computer interfaces, self-repairing materials, and nanomedicine.

Level 3

Capabilities: Fully integrated human-machine symbiosis, advanced AI governance, genetic mastery (designing new species), and large-scale terraforming.

Key Examples: Partial Dyson spheres, mind uploading, quantum teleportation, and interstellar travel.

Level 4

Capabilities: Complete mastery over a star system's resources, creation of artificial planets, and near-infinite energy harnessing.

Key Examples: Full Dyson spheres, stellar lasers, and interstellar megastructures like ringworlds.

Level 5

Capabilities: Control over galactic-scale resources and space-time, ability to manipulate gravitational waves and dark matter.

Key Examples: Star-moving technology, constructing galaxies into energy grids, and early stages of faster-than-light communication and travel.

Level 6

Capabilities: Mastery over universal constants, creation of micro-universes, and control over entropy.

Key Examples: Engineering black holes, artificially creating big bangs, and rewriting laws of physics on small scales.

Level 7

Capabilities: Altering space-time on a universal level, generating and collapsing dimensions, and redefining causality.

Key Examples: Time travel without paradox, multiverse navigation, and creation of new dimensions.

Level 8

Capabilities: Full simulation of reality indistinguishable from base reality, creation of sentient life at will, and reshaping of existence.

Key Examples: Entire universes as virtual realities, becoming the 'god' of digital realms, and achieving immortality by transcending physical forms.

Level 9

Capabilities: Total control over all multiverses, omnipotence within defined limits, rewriting existence and non-existence.

Key Examples: Omniversal engineering, warping metaphysical laws, and disassembling multiversal structures.

Level 10

Capabilities: Power to rival or surpass omnipotent beings, annihilate deities, or create entities akin to the biblical Lord.

Key Examples: Weaponizing faith and metaphysics, creating and destroying gods, generating infinite realities, and replicating miracles akin to divine intervention.

Aizen narrowed his eyes. 'How did you come up with this classification system?' he inquires.

[Through quantum analysis, I have deduced what is possible within this metaphysical plane] 

'According to your definition, quantum computing is Level 2 technology. How can you use it to deduce the theoretical existence and capabilities of Level 10 technology?' Aizen asks, a hint of curiosity in his tone.

[By reverse deduction using quantum entanglement] 

"I… see," Aizen murmurs, stroking a strand of his hair as he gazes absently into the distance.

'What's the highest level of technology you can create or have access to?' 

[Level 3, sir.]

'So those twenty-eight locations...' Aizen muses, piecing together the puzzle. 'Interesting.'

'Create the translation software using Level 2 technology,' he instructs. 'It should be advanced enough to capture the market without drawing undue attention.'

[Affirmative] 

[Generating…]

[Complete.]

[The software will be marketed under your company. Under what name shall you register your company, sir? Additionally, how should I name the translation software?]

Aizen begins typing on the keyboard, accessing databases to gather information about existing corporations and market gaps. 'Register the company as Throne Industries, and name the translation software Throne Translations.'

[Affirmative.]

[Registration complete. There is $2.7 million remaining in the account.]

[Current balance: $2,704,382.66. Incoming transactions: +$29.99... +$29.99... +$29.99…]

[Progress: 0.08%.]

___

"Right this way, Mr. Nygma," says Mercy Graves, her heels clicking sharply against the polished marble floor as she leads Edward into Lex Luthor's expansive office.

Edward Nygma, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit adorned with his signature green tie and a subtle question-mark lapel pin, strides in with an air of confidence. His sharp eyes take in the opulence of the room, nodding at the strategic placement of art and the sweeping views of the city skyline.

Lex Luthor rises from behind his desk, extending a hand and a fake smile. "Edward. Thank you for coming on such short notice. I trust Gotham's ever-present gloom hasn't dulled your brilliance."

Grinning mischievously, Edward shakes his hand. "Flattery so early in the conversation? Tsk, tsk. What's the riddle you need solved?"

Lex gestures toward a luxurious leather chair as they both sit. Leaning forward, his tone becomes more earnest. "Let's just say it's a problem that requires a certain... finesse. The kind of finesse that only a mind like yours can provide.

This project is of considerable importance—one that, if mishandled, could have... undesirable consequences for my reputation."

Edward leans back, intertwining his fingers. "So you need deniability. A magician's sleight of hand—smoke and mirrors to keep the great and powerful Luthor's hands clean. Sounds deliciously devious. Continue."

"It's a plan I've been mulling over for a while now," Lex begins, his eyes glinting with ambition. "I call it... Operation Birthright."

___

Aizen continues to monitor the steady influx of data on his laptop.

After half an hour of concentrated focus, Aizen closes the tab and opens another, logging onto arXiv and opening a PDF file titled "Exploring the Relationship Between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Psychological Behaviors." 

Slightly tilting the laptop so it faces the front door, Aizen waits for 3…2…1…

A faint knock reverberates from the door.

"Um, excuse me, Mr. Aizen?" Jenna called softly from the other side. "I just baked some cookies. Thought you might like some."

---

Support me on Patreron @ Patreon.com/onesword