Friday, 20 September 2001. New York, USA.
Inside the private lounge of one of New York's most luxurious hotels, Bill Gates sat across from a man wearing an elegant silver tuxedo.
The entire room had been reserved for their meeting. No hotel employees entered without permission, the windows were covered by heavy curtains, and two silent men stood outside the door like decorative statues.
Bill had attended many private meetings with wealthy executives, politicians, investors, and powerful businessmen throughout his life.
However, this meeting felt different.
The man sitting across from him smiled constantly, yet the smile revealed nothing. It was neither warm nor openly threatening. It looked like an expression carefully designed to make other people uncertain about what he was thinking.
His name was Leonard Epstein.
Not long ago, Leonard had personally entered ZAGE Tower and confronted Zaboru Renkonan. Now, for reasons Bill still did not fully understand, the same organisation had begun approaching Microsoft.
Leonard lifted his wineglass and smiled. "Mr Gates, congratulations on the Xbox."
Bill leaned back comfortably. "Thank you."
"I mean it sincerely," Leonard continued. "Many people laughed when Microsoft announced its intention to enter the console industry. They believed software companies should remain in software. They thought ZAGE, Sonaya, and the established Japanese manufacturers had already divided the market between themselves."
Leonard took a slow sip of wine. "But Xbox has potential. More than potential, actually. It has the resources, infrastructure, and leadership required to become ZAGE's most dangerous rival."
Bill smiled faintly. "You certainly know how to begin a conversation."
"I prefer beginning with the truth."
"That depends on whose truth."
Leonard chuckled. "Fair enough."
He placed the glass down and folded his hands neatly on the table. "You have already heard our proposal. Microsoft develops a mobile phone capable of competing against the AKAI Black Berry Z01. Your company provides the operating system, software ecosystem, communications platform, and online integration. Our associates assist with manufacturing, distribution, telecommunications access, political approval, and market entry."
Bill studied him carefully. "And your organisation—the Illuminati—would help Microsoft dominate the market."
"That is the simplest description."
Leonard smiled again. "Several important figures inside Nokia already cooperate with us. Telecommunications executives, component suppliers, media owners, financial institutions, regulatory officials—we have relationships everywhere, Mr Gates. A powerful product is useful, but access determines whether the world is allowed to see it."
Bill chuckled quietly. "Interesting."
He did find the offer interesting.
The Black Berry Z01 had become one of the most disruptive technology products of the year. Its messaging system, internet capability, multimedia features, camera, keyboard, and connection to ZAGE's services had pushed the mobile-phone industry forward almost overnight.
Microsoft had the resources to create a rival.
But creating one quickly enough to challenge ZAGE would require cooperation across industries Microsoft did not yet fully control.
Leonard was offering precisely that.
Even so, Bill had no intention of accepting immediately.
"For now, I have to refuse," he said casually.
Leonard did not look surprised.
Bill continued, "Your organisation is interesting, but also extremely secretive. Until recently, I only heard rumours that the Illuminati existed. Now one of its representatives is offering to place telecommunications companies, governments, and manufacturers behind Microsoft."
He smiled. "You can understand why I might be careful."
"Completely."
"That was easy."
"I did not expect you to accept during our first meeting," Leonard replied. "Intelligent men rarely step through unfamiliar doors without first examining the room behind them."
Bill watched him. "And what is behind your door?"
Leonard's smile became slightly wider.
"Everything you cannot buy."
The answer made Bill pause.
Bill looked around the private lounge, then back toward Leonard. "That is a strange thing to offer a billionaire."
"It is the only thing worth offering one."
Leonard leaned back in his chair. "Money impresses poor men. It comforts ordinary men. It gives ambitious men the tools to change their lives. But eventually, a man accumulates so much wealth that money stops feeling like power."
Bill said nothing.
Leonard continued calmly, "You can buy any house you want. You can eat in any restaurant. You can travel anywhere, meet almost anyone, fund any project, and acquire companies whose founders once believed they were untouchable."
He gestured lightly toward Bill. "How long does excitement survive when almost every answer becomes yes?"
Bill's faint smile weakened.
Leonard had noticed something that very few people mentioned directly.
Bill was still ambitious. Microsoft remained far from finished. He wanted the company to dominate software, internet services, communications, games, and eventually almost every important computer platform.
But ordinary luxury no longer excited him.
Another expensive house was only another building.
Another car was only another machine.
Another successful investment was only another number on a report.
Bill still enjoyed victory.
But comfort had become painfully predictable.
Leonard observed his silence and knew he had found the correct path.
"Wealth can purchase experiences," Leonard said, "but it cannot purchase the experience of entering a world that was hidden from you."
Bill narrowed his eyes slightly.
Leonard continued, "It cannot purchase forbidden knowledge unless someone chooses to reveal it. It cannot purchase historical secrets that were never written down. It cannot purchase access to rooms whose existence is denied. It cannot purchase influence over people who do not officially possess power."
His voice remained smooth.
"And it cannot purchase genuine uncertainty."
Bill's expression became more serious.
Leonard smiled. "That is what you are missing, Mr Gates."
"You seem very certain about what I am missing."
"We study people before approaching them."
"That does not sound reassuring."
"It was not intended to."
Leonard lifted his glass again. "You are bored."
Bill gave a short laugh. "I run one of the most powerful companies in the world."
"Yes. And you are bored while doing it."
Bill's eyes sharpened.
Leonard continued before Bill could respond. "Not constantly, of course. Competition still excites you. Xbox excites you because the outcome is uncertain. Zaboru Renkonan irritates you because he represents a mountain you have not yet climbed. Project 8 excites you because it may create something Microsoft has never possessed before."
He tilted his head slightly. "But how often do you experience genuine mystery anymore?"
Bill remained quiet.
"You already know what happens inside most corporate negotiations," Leonard said. "One side wants money. The other wants access. Politicians want donations or influence. Executives want promotion. Investors want growth. Even betrayal becomes predictable once you understand the price."
Leonard's smile became colder.
"We offer matters that do not appear on corporate reports."
Bill stared at him. "Such as?"
"Knowledge."
"That is vague."
"Of course. If I explained everything before you joined us, there would be little reason to join."
Bill chuckled despite himself. "Convenient."
Leonard nodded. "Very."
He then lowered his voice. "But imagine having access to information before presidents receive it. Imagine knowing which governments will change direction before their ministers understand it themselves. Imagine sitting in a room with men whose names have never appeared publicly, yet whose decisions have shaped industries for generations."
Bill listened without interrupting.
"Imagine no longer competing merely for market share," Leonard continued. "Imagine participating in the construction of the market itself."
The distinction was not small.
Microsoft already influenced the technology industry. Windows shaped how millions of people interacted with computers. Microsoft could encourage software standards, create ecosystems, and pressure manufacturers.
But Leonard was describing something deeper.
Not winning inside the game.
Writing the rules before the players arrived.
Leonard could see that Bill understood.
"This is not about making you richer," he said. "You already possess more wealth than you can meaningfully use. We offer access, secrecy, danger, and influence that cannot be purchased through ordinary transactions."
His smile sharpened.
"We offer the possibility of feeling surprised again."
For the first time in the meeting, Bill did not answer immediately.
Leonard had designed the offer carefully.
He had not promised Bill another billion dollars. That would have been almost insulting.
He had offered him rarity.
A hidden world.
Secrets unavailable to ordinary men, politicians, or even most billionaires.
Most importantly, Leonard had offered him something Bill had struggled to admit even to himself.
Relief from boredom.
Bill slowly smiled. "You are good at this."
"I have spoken with many wealthy men."
"And are all of them bored?"
"Eventually."
Leonard took another sip. "Some become obsessed with art. Some collect rare objects. Some enter politics. Some seek increasingly strange pleasures. Some create rivalries simply because opposition makes them feel alive."
His gaze remained on Bill. "You chose competition."
Bill's smile became more genuine. "Competition is productive."
"Usually."
Leonard glanced toward the city beyond the covered windows. "You want Microsoft to defeat ZAGE not only because it would benefit the company. You want to prove that Zaboru Renkonan is not beyond you."
Bill's face remained calm, but the statement struck accurately.
Zaboru was younger.
At the same age, he had already built an empire that extended far beyond games. ZAGE controlled entertainment, hardware, software, animation, online services, communications, and major technology companies.
Worse, Zaboru seemed to move through industries with an instinct Bill could not fully explain.
He produced successful games while managing enormous companies. He understood engineering, design, media, marketing, and culture. His public image remained overwhelmingly positive despite his terrifying influence.
Bill respected him.
That respect irritated him.
"I believe Microsoft can become greater than ZAGE," Bill said.
Leonard nodded. "Perhaps it can."
"Perhaps?"
"I never flatter a man beyond what is useful."
Bill laughed quietly. "At least you are honest about that."
"ZAGE is powerful because Zaboru understands what people will desire before they understand it themselves," Leonard said. "Black Berry Z01 is only the latest example. ZEPS 4 will likely be another."
Bill's expression shifted. "You know something about ZEPS 4?"
"Not enough."
That answer disappointed him.
Leonard noticed. "But more than the public."
Bill leaned forward slightly. "And joining your organisation would give me access to information like that?"
"It would give you access to opportunities to earn it."
"So even the Illuminati makes people work."
Leonard chuckled. "Naturally. We are not a charity for bored billionaires."
Bill leaned back again, considering everything.
The offer was tempting.
More tempting than he wanted to admit.
Still, joining an organisation he barely understood would be foolish. The Illuminati might possess powerful connections, but power always carried obligations. Accepting help today could allow Leonard to demand something far more dangerous tomorrow.
Bill had no intention of surrendering his independence merely because someone offered him an exciting mystery.
"Tempting," Bill admitted. "But not now."
Leonard remained relaxed.
Bill continued, "I believe Xbox can dominate the video-game industry eventually. It may require five years. Perhaps ten. But when that happens, I want the victory to come from Microsoft's leadership, technology, studios, and decisions."
"A victory you can call your own."
"Exactly."
Leonard smiled knowingly. "That pride is another reason we approached you."
Bill chuckled. "You turn every refusal into another observation."
"It keeps meetings entertaining."
Bill looked at the silver card resting near Leonard's hand. "I am open to future discussions. But Microsoft will not enter your organisation today."
Leonard nodded without disappointment. "That is acceptable."
He slid the card across the table.
It contained only Leonard's name, a telephone number, and a small unfamiliar symbol embossed into the silver surface.
"No company. No address," Bill observed.
"Neither would remain useful for long."
Bill took the card and placed it inside his jacket.
Leonard stood. "It was pleasant speaking with you, Mr Gates. When wealth becomes boring again, call me."
With that, Leonard left the private lounge.
Bill remained seated for several minutes after the door closed.
He looked toward the untouched wineglass in front of him and thought about Leonard's words.
Everything money could not buy.
Forbidden knowledge.
Invisible influence.
Genuine uncertainty.
Bill hated how accurately the offer had been constructed.
Later that afternoon, he returned to Microsoft's offices and placed Leonard's silver card inside a locked drawer.
"Illuminati, huh?"
He had heard rumours about them for years. Secret meetings. Powerful families. Hidden financial networks. Government influence. Most stories sounded ridiculous.
But Leonard was real.
And the confidence behind his offer suggested that at least some of the rumours were true.
Bill opened several documents related to Microsoft's newest internal initiative.
PROJECT 8.
The concept was ambitious but simple.
Microsoft would establish or acquire eight large video-game studios, each capable of producing major Xbox releases. ZAGE's strength came partly from the terrifying volume and variety of its games. One month could include a football game, basketball game, party title, children's action game, and an enormous PC release such as DOOM 3.
Microsoft could not match that output with one or two studios.
Project 8 would solve the manpower problem.
Each studio would focus on a different genre or audience. One could develop role-playing games. Another could produce shooters. Others could focus on racing, strategy, sports, action-adventure, online games, or experimental projects.
Quality would still matter.
Bill did not want eight factories producing forgettable software. He wanted eight powerful creative organisations capable of supporting Xbox year after year.
It would take time.
Five years, perhaps longer.
But Bill had patience when the reward was domination.
He looked at the current Xbox reports and smiled. "We haven't heard anything significant about ZEPS 4 recently. Are they becoming stagnant?"
He did not genuinely believe that.
Zaboru rarely remained inactive.
Silence from ZAGE usually meant something was being prepared behind closed doors.
Still, Bill enjoyed imagining the possibility that Microsoft had finally gained time to catch up.
He wanted to prove that Xbox could become more powerful than ZEPS.
More than that, he wanted to prove that Microsoft could defeat ZAGE in the industry Zaboru loved most.
Perhaps it was ego.
Bill did not care.
Ego had built many useful things.
For now, he would not join the Illuminati. Microsoft still had its own resources, Project 8, Xbox, and the agreement with Zanki Zagashira.
They also retained the information concerning Ayumi Hamazou.
When ZEPS 4's publicity reached its highest point, Zanki intended to use her connection to Aoshidan and the Hamazou family to attack Zaboru's public image. The strategy was dangerous and cruel, but Bill viewed it as another weapon available in a serious corporate war.
He opened another Project 8 document and returned to work.
However, while reading the studio-acquisition proposals, his eyes briefly moved toward the locked drawer containing Leonard's card.
Bill frowned and forced his attention back to the screen.
He had refused the offer.
Yet Leonard had succeeded in one important way.
The locked door now existed inside Bill's mind.
And no matter how much work he placed in front of himself, part of him had already begun wondering what waited on the other side.
To be continued.
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