February 10, 2023 – LUMEN Solutions Office, Coyoacán
Rodrigo stared at the numbers on his screen with a fixed expression. Revenues continued to grow, LUMEN's apps remained among the most downloaded globally, and XochitlOS subscriptions continued to increase each month. He had achieved far more than he had imagined. His vision was taking shape. However, he knew that peace was short-lived in a world like that of advanced technology.
The call came without warning.
His phone vibrated on the table. It was a Washington, D.C., number. Rodrigo answered it without thinking, a flicker of concern crossing his mind.
"Hello, Rodrigo Martínez?" The voice on the other end of the line was firm, clear, but with a tone that left no doubt: this was not a friendly call. "This is William Hayes, representing the United States Department of Commerce." We need to discuss an urgent matter regarding the privacy security of the users of your XochitlOS operating system.
Rodrigo frowned. He knew exactly what this meant.
"I'm listening."
"We've received reports of potential security breaches in the applications LUMEN Solutions offers, especially related to American users. As you know, in the United States government, protecting the privacy of citizens is a priority. We want to ensure that XochitlOS is not a threat to the security of our data. We believe there is a risk that sensitive data could be compromised or misused."
Rodrigo stood up from his chair, walking to the window. He knew this moment was coming. Big governments wouldn't sit idly by while XochitlOS gained power.
"What you're suggesting," Rodrigo replied, remaining calm, "is that we gain access to your direct inspection of our source code and databases." However, our system has quantum safeguards that protect both our users and the data we store. Furthermore, XochitlOS was designed with the principle of total privacy. Users are not our products, and they will never be exploited.
William Hayes's tone became more severe.
"That is precisely what concerns us. If XochitlOS is using advanced technology to encrypt and protect data, it is our obligation to ensure that the United States is not vulnerable to information leaks. We need to be given full access to audit its code and ensure no breach is occurring. It is our jurisdiction, Rodrigo."
Rodrigo let out a short laugh, a cold and controlled laugh.
"I cannot comply with that request, Mr. Hayes. LUMEN Solutions is governed by its own principles. We protect the privacy and integrity of our users. If you are suggesting that your government has the right to access our systems without a warrant or our consent, we are not interested in collaborating." XochitlOS wasn't created to serve government interests, but to empower users.
There was a pause on the other end of the line.
"I'm sorry, Rodrigo. Your refusal has consequences. The United States government will not tolerate national security risks. From this moment forward, LUMEN Solutions will be under investigation for potential privacy violations. This will affect your ability to operate in the US market, and we will sanction your company with severe trade restrictions."
The call ended without any goodbyes. Rodrigo dropped the phone and dropped it on the table. He knew this was coming, but even so, the pressure was palpable. The sanctions they were threatening to impose affected many of LUMEN's operations, especially in the United States, which represented a significant portion of its revenue.
February 12 – International Reaction and Sanctions
Within a few days, news of the US government sanctions leaked to the press. The headlines were imminent: "LUMEN Solutions under US security investigation."
International media quickly picked up on the issue, sparking speculation about the implications of the standoff between Rodrigo and the US government.
Through his public relations team, Rodrigo quickly responded:
—LUMEN Solutions defends user privacy and digital sovereignty. The US government's demands are a violation of those principles. We do not trade privacy in exchange for profit or government access. We will not allow international pressure to force us to compromise on our commitment to digital security.
Meanwhile, engineering teams at Microsoft, Apple, and Google intensified their reverse engineering efforts to understand how XochitlOS worked. They knew that if they could unravel its secrets, they could copy its technology and implement some of its most innovative features. However, what they didn't know was that the system was protected with quantum encryption so advanced that even the most sophisticated hacking tools couldn't penetrate it.
Rodrigo had anticipated this move. He had designed a defense algorithm within XochitlOS that not only encrypted data but also constantly mutated. Each attack or reverse engineering attempt generated a new encryption pattern, making it virtually impossible to copy the system.
February 15 – Unexpected Growth for LUMEN Solutions
While the US government attempted to impose sanctions and block LUMEN's access to the US market, international users and businesses began to respond positively.
The XochitlOS operating system continued to gain traction in Latin America, Europe, and Asia, where digital privacy was a priority, especially in countries like Germany, France, and several in South America. Public and private sector companies began adopting XochitlOS in sensitive sectors, such as government and healthcare, relying on its advanced security measures.
LUMEN's subscription system was consolidating, with more than 500,000 new subscribers in the first two months of the year. This meant recurring revenue of hundreds of millions of dollars, and the company was already on the verge of expanding into new areas, such as artificial intelligence applied to personalized medicine and big data.
February 17 – A New Front
As LUMEN Solutions grew, Rodrigo not only had to deal with external pressure. Some members of his own team began to wonder what else he was hiding. Although they trusted him, internal tensions were mounting. The impact of US sanctions was felt not only in the numbers, but in the constant pressure exerted on Rodrigo.
In a closed-door meeting, Sofia was the first to speak.
"Rodrigo, the situation with the United States government is taking a dangerous turn. Shouldn't we consider a negotiation? If we gain access to their market, the profits could be colossal."
Rodrigo remained silent for a few seconds, observing the worried faces of his closest employees. Finally, he spoke.
"What the government wants isn't access to our applications. They want control, they want our source code. And that's not going to happen. LUMEN isn't just a product; it's a commitment to privacy and digital freedom. If we gave in, we would lose what we've built."
The room fell silent. Sofia sighed, understanding the implications of what Rodrigo was saying.
February 20 – Preparations for the Future
Rodrigo knew the situation wouldn't be resolved easily. Although US government sanctions were a threat, he also understood that LUMEN had the power to transform the digital world. It wouldn't stop. The future of XochitlOS was just the beginning.
As the month progressed, Rodrigo ordered the development of new partnerships with allied governments and technology companies in Europe and Asia. His plan was clear: expand global operations while maintaining the subscription system as LUMEN's primary source of recurring revenue.
Meanwhile, the Ark's drones silently continued their mission, collecting data that, in the end, would be the key to its legacy.
Rodrigo knew this journey was just beginning. LUMEN Solutions wasn't just a technology company; it was the first stone in a building that would change the future.