NOVEL WEB Chapter 235: The Counteroffensive
The Counteroffensive
March 24, 2026 — 10:45 AM
Sentinel HQ, BGC — Strategic Affairs Office
Julian stormed into the meeting room with a tablet in one hand and a cold brew in the other. His face said it all before he spoke a single word.
"They've started."
Angel looked up from the conference table where she had been reviewing Aerus' Singapore telemetry reports. Matthew was beside her, laptop open, pulling data on consumer sentiment and media trends.
Julian tapped the tablet. "First major strike came from a think tank in Brussels—Global Emissions Analytics. They released a report claiming microturbines produce higher ultrafine particulates than internal combustion engines."
"Bullshit," Matthew muttered.
Angel took the tablet and scanned the document. Her eyes narrowed.
"They're comparing uncontrolled aerospace-grade turbines to our filtered units. This is misinformation dressed as peer-reviewed work."
Julian nodded. "And they know most people won't check the footnotes."
Carina called in from Subic, her voice coming through the table's speaker system. "I've got bots amplifying the report across every tech forum. Even on Reddit and X."
Angel clenched her jaw. "This isn't just backlash. It's coordinated."
Matthew leaned back, exhaling slowly.
"They're not going to beat us in engineering," he said. "So they're turning the battlefield into public trust."
—
March 24, 2026 — 2:00 PM
New York — World Automotive Council Headquarters
A roundtable of executives from legacy automakers sat quietly as the GEA report was presented onscreen. One of them, an aging man with silver-rimmed glasses, sipped his coffee and said nothing for a long moment.
Then: "Good. Now we put it in the hands of legislators."
Another nodded. "We push it in Brussels, California, and Tokyo. If we get one major city to place a regulatory freeze on turbine cars, Sentinel's expansion collapses."
"But what about Singapore?" a younger executive asked.
"They're a testbed. But they're small."
The older man leaned forward.
"They're small until they're a signal."
Silence.
Then orders.
Calls were made.
Emails sent.
And behind closed doors, powerful voices began whispering into the ears of officials.
March 25, 2026 — 7:30 AM
Singapore — Parliament House, Ministry of Environment Office
Minister Darius Lim sat across from his counterpart in the environment portfolio, Minister Rachel Tan.
"This isn't just about mobility anymore," Rachel said, sliding a printed copy of the GEA report across the table. "Our Green Cities Working Group wants to delay the full pilot pending further environmental impact assessments."
Darius didn't flinch. "We already did our own testing. The Aerus passed with flying colors."
Rachel's expression was unreadable. "But the international community is watching. And we can't appear reckless."
He leaned forward. "So what? We're supposed to fold because Europe sent a memo?"
"I'm saying we need a political buffer," she replied. "Delay the next deployment phase. Give them less of a headline."
Darius stood.
"This isn't about headlines. It's about momentum. And I won't watch us give away leadership because someone else feels threatened."
Outside the room, aides were already making calls.
—
March 25, 2026 — 3:10 PM
Sentinel HQ, BGC — Situation Room
Angel stood before a wall of screens—social media feeds, news clips, op-eds.
One read:
"The Jet Car Mirage: Are Microturbines Greenwashing 2.0?" — Vox
Another:
"The Silent Threat on Our Streets: Noise Isn't the Only Danger" — Bloomberg Asia
Matthew paced slowly. "We're being painted as liars. As manipulators."
Julian chimed in. "They're using the same playbook Big Oil used in the 80s. Cast doubt. Muddy the science. Turn public support into hesitation."
Carina spoke from the Subic line again. "Even our parts suppliers are getting cold feet. One Japanese firm just pulled out of our synthetic polymer deal."
Angel's voice was calm, but hard as steel.
"Then we respond."
Matthew looked up.
"How?"
She turned to the room.
"Not with statements. Not with data dumps. With people."
—
March 26, 2026 — 8:00 AM
Singapore — Mobility Corridor Beta Zone, Live Feed Studio
A pop-up video booth stood on the sidewalk. Above it, a simple message:
"Have you seen the Aerus?"
Passersby were invited to record short messages after encountering the car in traffic or seeing it on display.
A young delivery rider stepped in. "Honestly, I didn't even know it was running. It just… moved. No smoke. No sound. It's smoother than an EV."
An older couple followed. "We thought it was one of those prototype taxis. But it didn't make a sound even when it passed right by us. My hearing aid didn't react once."
A university student: "If this is what mobility looks like in the future, I'm in."
By noon, Sentinel's comms team had edited a 3-minute video from the responses.
They uploaded it directly.
No commentary. No rebuttals.
Just the title:
"Ask the Streets."
It went viral in twelve hours.
—
March 27, 2026 — 5:00 PM
Brussels — Office of the European Transport Commissioner
A young staffer rushed into the commissioner's office, holding a tablet.
"You need to see this."
The commissioner, mid-discussion with a German automotive lobbyist, frowned as the video played.
Unscripted testimonials.
Real citizens.
No polish. No agenda.
Just one silent car changing every assumption.
The commissioner watched the full three minutes.
Then slowly set the tablet down.
And turned to the lobbyist.
"You'll need better arguments."
—
March 28, 2026 — 11:45 PM
Rockwell — Matthew and Angel's Apartment
Aurora was asleep. The city outside was quiet.
Angel sat on the couch with her legs folded under her, watching the news on mute. Onscreen was a new report:
"Indonesia Confirms Interest in Aerus Pilot Program."
Matthew walked in with two mugs of tea, handing her one.
"They're pushing hard," he said. "But so are we."
Angel nodded. "They tried to drown us in noise. A feat that is difficult."
"But we answered with silence, which is the right response."
Matthew sat beside her, resting his head back.
"Do you think they'll stop?"
Angel didn't answer for a moment.
Then looked at him.
"No," she said. "But they're starting to realize they can't stop us either."
"Is that so? Very well."