Free Chasm Waxing: A Startup, Cyber-Thriller by BMichaelsAuthor Page A

employees,
sometimes as much as 40-100%—or more. Because software-based smart contracts and the Blockchain
automate everything, BlockHR takes a much smaller cut. BlockHR pays
the employees via Bitcoin, which is visible on the Blockchain. The
IRS is going to start processing tax returns and payroll taxes via
the Blockchain soon.
    “ I see BlockHR as the
solution to your problem. There’s one more alternative. It’s a step
beyond BlockHR. It’s 100%
automated. No humans are involved. I t’s a true robot company. Legally, it’s known as a
Distributed Autonomous Trust. But it’s newer and unproven. I’m
concerned with who you’d sue in a
dispute. And, unlike BlockHR, they’re not
indemnifying their clients yet. So, I’d stick with
BlockHR.”
    Samantha was pleased.
“Wow! You could have just said call BlockHR. But, thanks for the
background information and your counsel. I agree with you.
Blockchain is going to be huge. My mind is struggling to grasp all
the ramifications.” Samantha politely ended the call.
    “ General, ” said Samantha, flirtatiously,
“we’re way ahead of schedule. I expected some serious work to solve
this problem. All I have to do is phone BlockHR; so...we have some time to
kill.”
    Shields devilish smile
returned. “Before we kill that time, let’s go over your financials.” The
General glanced quickly at the cash flow statement.
    Samantha let him digest
the report. “You can see why I’m so excited about Gecko. I’ve got
75 days of cash . All of my staff is critical. I don’t want to lay off
anyone. So, I’m a little stressed out right now.”
    “ I know. I feel good about
Gecko. If they’re a no- go, or you can’t get the money from them in time,
then we’ll work on closing a new round of financing. I’ll urge the
investment team to value
Gamification at a higher valuation, so
that you don’t have to give up as much equity as last
time.”
    Pressure released from
points all over Samantha’s body. She took her first satisfying
breath in months.
    The General continued,
“One last item before we start killing that time. Becca said the
Gamification Systems’ API can work with other games; games you
didn’t design. Right?”
    “ Yes, that’s the idea.
Just like I don’t want us to be an AI company, I also don’t to be
in the business of developing video games. Becca did a great job
with Castle Gecko, but I’d rather have the company focus on
improving the core gamification software—G-Bridge. It’s just a
matter of meeting with the game manufacturer and determining what
gaming engine they’ve used.”
    “ Outstanding,” replied
General Shields. “I’m going to introduce you to Velocity Game
Studios, the makers of Fog of War. It’s a blockbuster first-person shooter, video game.
Velocity has a contract with the US Special Operations
Command—SOCOM—to port Fog of
War .”
    “ Port it for
what?”
    “ Velocity created a
version of the game that incorporates classified information.
Special forces operators use if it for close-quarters combat
training. The Velocity team has programmers with TS/SCI clearances.
Your work with Velocity is
a TOP SECRET project code named, FOGGY. I need
you to pick one of your most trusted employees with a TS/SCI
clearance. This employee needs to make Fog
of War work in GAMESPACE. I suspect that’s
Saul?”
    “ Yes, it’s definitely going
to be Saul. G-Bridge was my idea, but Saul was the brains behind
the architecture.”
    “ Fine. Then, I’m going to
read you, Saul, and some Velocity employees into project FOGGY, as
well as Lin. The only SCIF accredited for FOGGY will be on your
floor. Also, I want you to expedite the integration with Prosthetic
Thought.”
    “ Ok, ” said Samantha.
“We ’re close to being integrated. Their stuff is a little buggy.
Thought-based control of VR is cool, but it doesn’t work all the
time.”
    The General agreed.
“They’re improving their algorithms that understand brain waves. I’ve