The Tycoon's Odyssey

The Helios-7 Satellite orbited high above the Earth's atmosphere, its advanced sensors and imaging systems conducting a detailed geological scan of Indra's vast landscape. The satellite employed cutting-edge technology, including spectroscopic analysis and seismic mapping, to penetrate the surface layers and uncover anomalies that indicated hidden reserves of natural resources.

Aurora monitored the incoming data from Helios-7 in real time, her interface illuminated with streams of information. As the scans were processed, the satellite started identifying one resource pocket after another, lighting up her display with detailed geological maps.

[Sir, Helios-7 has completed the first phase of its scan. The results are promising. Multiple resource deposits have been identified across Indra, including significant gold and petroleum reserves.]

Evan's holographic image materialized in Aurora's virtual workspace. "What's the scale of these finds?"

Aurora's tone brimmed with a note of excitement. [I've dispatched teams equipped with advanced drilling and excavation machines to verify the reserves. Once on-site, they will conduct further assessments to determine the exact quantities. Based on preliminary data from Helios-7, here's the summary of what our findings include so far:]

[Resource Findings]

Gold

Location: Thar Desert, near Jaisalmer

Estimated Quantity: 800 metric tons

Petroleum

Location: Offshore, Bay of Bengal

Estimated Quantity: 6 billion barrels

Natural Gas

Location: Krishna-Godavari Basin

Estimated Quantity: 4 trillion cubic feet

Iron Ore

Location: Utkal, Keonjhar District

Estimated Quantity: 3.5 billion metric tons

Copper

Location: Kolar, Arnataka

Estimated Quantity: 200 million metric tons

Coal

Location: Dhanbad Region

Estimated Quantity: 9 billion metric tons

Rare Earth Elements

Location: North-Eastern Hills, Uraya Hills

Estimated Quantity: Estimated 500,000 metric tons

Uranium Stay updated with empire

Location: Tummalapalle, Mahalya Pradesh

Estimated Quantity: 70,000 metric tons

Bauxite

Location: Bauxigarh, Korba Region

Estimated Quantity: 2 billion metric tons

Freshwater Reserves (Aquifers)

Location: Thar Desert (underground aquifers)

Estimated Quantity: 1,200 billion liters

Aurora continued her report. [The teams are en route to these sites and are equipped with ground-penetrating radar and advanced drilling equipment to confirm the depth and accessibility of these reserves. Preliminary estimates suggest that these findings could not only secure Indra's self-sufficiency but also elevate it to one of the leading resource-rich nations globally.]

Evan's expression softened slightly as he processed the data. "Good. Make sure security is airtight around these sites. If the Federation learns about this, they might try to sabotage our efforts."

[Understood, sir. I'll assign aerial drones and on-ground surveillance teams to each of these sites. The extraction process will commence as soon as the assessments are complete.]

Evan nodded decisively. "Aurora, this changes everything. Start drafting plans to utilize these resources efficiently. The Federation wanted to choke us so they might make a move if they learned this, but we won't be able to keep this matter for long, so we need to finish things before that.]

Aurora's voice held quiet determination. [Consider it done, sir. Indra's future just became a lot brighter.]

_____

The global response to Indra's defiance of the Federation was swift and calculated. Countries aligned with the Federation began imposing steep tariffs on goods imported from Indra. The restrictions tightened gradually, and over the weeks, it became increasingly difficult for Indran products to reach international markets.

Visa regulations soon followed, making it harder for Indran citizens to travel abroad.

Applications were delayed, and many were outright rejected. This created a massive roadblock for professionals, students, and families who relied on international opportunities.

Indra's exports, especially textiles, pharmaceuticals, and software services, faced heavy penalties, reducing their competitiveness in the global market. Meanwhile, the cost of the country's importing goods soared as tariffs on essential goods, including electronics and machinery, rose steeply, exacerbating domestic challenges.

The rupee's value plummeted, falling sharply against major currencies like the USL Dollar and Daxian Yuan. What used to be ₹70 for 1 USL Dollar had now crossed ₹95, making foreign goods and services much more expensive. The sudden inflation started affecting the middle class and small businesses the hardest, forcing many to shut down.

At the same time, oil prices within Indra skyrocketed due to the cut in imports. Public transport and industries depending on petroleum products were hit hard, leading to widespread discontent.

[Key Economic Impacts]

Exports Declined: A 40% decrease in textiles; and 30% in pharmaceuticals.

Imports Costs Rose: Essential electronics saw a 25% price hike.

Rupee Depreciation: From ₹70 to ₹90 per USL Dollar.

Inflation: A sharp 15% rise in general commodity prices.

Soon news headlines flashed around the world, escalating the crisis even more.

[Indran Rupee Plummets Amid Global Sanctions]

[Indra's Oil Crisis Worsens, Economy in Turmoil]

[Visa Restrictions Cause Widespread Outrage Among Indran Professionals]

Inside Indra, the situation became tense as people began protesting the soaring cost of living. Factories struggled with raw material shortages, while businesses found it increasingly hard to stay afloat.

Despite the bleak situation, Indran media started broadcasting hopeful stories of the country's measures to stabilize the economy.

Aurora's efforts to stabilize Indra by uncovering its hidden wealth were now more crucial than ever.

Observing the deteriorating situation, Evan knew that the time was running out. Indra had to act fast to shield itself from the economic and political storm brewing around it.

_____

The video call began with Rajesh's visibly agitated face dominating the screen. His brow was deeply furrowed, and his voice carried the weight of urgency as he launched into his tirade. "Evan, what are we supposed to do now? The situation is grim! The prices are skyrocketing, protests are starting to simmer, and if this goes on, people might revolt! They have already started questioning the government."

Evan leaned back in his chair, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "This is just the first phase of their attacks, and you're already scared out of your wits?" he said, his voice laced with nonchalance.

Though he maintained a blank expression, he wanted to curse this bastard.

'Indra going to shit doesn't seem to have a profound effect on Rajesh compared to the fact that people are protesting and almost on the verge of changing government.'

This man feared more about getting his ass kicked out of his seat rather than the nation's situation.

Evan had given him a leeway in neural rewiring but even this little leeway hadn't managed to evade the greed and selfishness he harboured.

Rajesh's eyes widened in alarm, and he almost leapt out of his chair, shouting, "What? The first phase? Are you telling me there's more to come? Dammit, Evan! Why did you defy them in the first place? Couldn't you have just… accepted their terms? It's better to bow to those who are stronger than to drag the entire country into chaos!"

He slammed his hand on the desk, his frustration spilling over. "Do you even have any idea as to what you've done? Look at the consequences! The rupee has plummeted, trade is in shambles, and now we're facing a resource crunch!"

Evan raised an eyebrow, his demeanor unchanged. He waited for Rajesh to finish his tirade before speaking in a calm, measured tone. "So, what's the problem?"

Rajesh blinked, momentarily thrown off by Evan's indifferent question. "What's the problem?" he repeated, his voice rising in pitch. "The problem is everything! The Federation is out to cripple us, and you're sitting there acting like it's no big deal!"n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Before Rajesh could go on, Evan cut in, his tone turning sharp. "Didn't we just recover a massive stash of black money from those ministers? Use it. Pull out every minister's stash of black money. That alone will solve the financial crisis. If we combine all the black money hidden away in this country, it'll be enough to keep Indra running for at least a year, if not more."

Rajesh paused, visibly startled. "It's not just about the money, Evan," he said after a moment, his voice quieter but no less urgent. "There's still the issue of resources. The oil, the imports… we can't just—"

Evan nodded, cutting him off again. "Aurora, send him the data."

[Yes, sir.]

As the sound of Aurora's mechanical confirmation filled the room, followed by the sound of the printer in Rajesh's office, his secretary let out a sharp gasp as she fumbled with a piece of paper and her hands trembled as she held it up.

"What is it?" Rajesh asked, his tone impatient.

The secretary didn't answer. Instead, she handed the sheet to him with wide, disbelieving eyes. Rajesh grabbed it, and as his gaze scanned the contents, his jaw dropped.

"Do we really have all this?" he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Evan's smirk widened. "There might be more than what's mentioned there."