My Ultimate Sign-in System Made Me Invincible

Chapter 170: Panic (2), Caught Between A Rock And A Hard Place

Toulouse – Airbus HQ

The Airbus executive board sat in the top-floor war room, blinds drawn and their phones muted. On the main screen, the black A380 lifting out of LAX glowed like a phantom.

A hush fell over everyone in that room, as they all knew the truth: the aircraft wasn’t a retrofit or a scavenged hull. It was a one-off, hand-built under a bespoke contract and an NDA that’s incredibly complex, confusing, and difficult to understand or navigate, much like a maze.

It was a project they have no idea about but their records says otherwise. Not only did they build it, they and their subcontractors got paid in full for it. Their bank records and accounts balance also confirms this.

It was a very bizarre situation they found themselves in. But they can’t do anything about it. NDAs, this NDA especially isn’t something they dare to break.

But their problems wasn’t over. In fact, it was just beginning.

”Washington has already called,” said the head of government relations, with a low voice. ”London, Riyadh, and Beijing are pinging us as well. Everyone’s demanding to know who owns it, who paid for it, and why we built it. They’re hinting at subpoenas.”

The CEO leaned back, steepling his fingers. ”We say what the NDA allows: nothing. We confirm only that Airbus complies with all export controls, all certifications, and that the aircraft is fully airworthy. Ownership is confidential. Period.”

Legal counsel, pale but steady, nodded. ”The NDA binds us as tightly as it binds him. Breach it and we’re open to ruinous penalties. Even governments can’t pry without a court order. We’ll stall, and if compelled, we’ll give only sanitized documentation.”

Someone else muttered, ”They’re going to think we’re hiding a state project. This is going to look like a black-budget program.”

The CEO gave a small smile. ”Let them think. We delivered a product to a client under contract. We did nothing illegal. The panic is not our problem.”

Communications glanced nervously at the CEO. ”And if the press keeps calling?”

”We give the same line: Airbus has no official private A380 program. We cannot comment on confidential customer projects. That’s all. Not one word more.”

The CEO’s gaze swept the room. ”Everyone understand? We built it. We delivered it. Now we let the world tear itself apart guessing.”

Nods all around, as phones stayed muted.

***

Stuttgart – Daimler AG Headquarters (Mercedes-Maybach Division)

The boardroom was silent, save for the muted video looping on the big screen: shaky cellphone footage of an onyx-black Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet Imperium gliding through Los Angeles traffic.

The head of Maybach Design broke the silence, as he spoke with a low voice, ”...That’s it. That’s the Imperium.”

A marketing director pinched the bridge of her nose. ”We’re dead. Every journalist in Europe and America has been calling since dawn. They’re demanding to know how a concept car — one we swore was never road-legal — is driving down Wilshire Boulevard.”

Legal counsel spoke evenly. ”We remind everyone: the Vision 6 was always presented as a design concept. Any appearance of a road-worthy version is outside our public program. Ownership and contractual obligations are covered under confidentiality agreements. That is our line. Nothing more.”

The head of Special Projects shifted uncomfortably, as he spoke helplessly. ”But you all know the truth. On paper, our team built the one-off under Project Imperium, delivered on schedule. The NDA’s airtight, but now...”

The Daimler CEO’s expression hardened. ”Well, we did what we were contracted to do. Nothing illegal. No breach of export law. This is a bespoke commission, like the one-off cars Bugatti or Rolls build for their best clients. Only difference is scale... and visibility.”

”Visibility is the problem,” muttered PR. ”They’re saying it’s military. They’re saying it’s Applē. Elon Musk. Christ, someone on CNBC called it ’alien technology.’ If they dig too deep—”

”—they’ll hit the NDA wall,” Legal interrupted sharply. ”Let them. We cannot confirm. We cannot deny. We simply... don’t comment. Any breach costs billions. No one here will say a word.”

The CEO’s gaze swept the table. ”Good. Then we hold our line. If pressed, remind them: Vision 6 was a concept. Concepts do not go into production. End of discussion.”

PR hesitated. ”...And if Washington calls?”