Joseph didn't waste any time on pleasantries. With everything moving so fast, efficiency was his highest priority. He immediately began delegating the next wave of assignments.
"Hammer is going down. Oasis will rise in its place."
That was the essence of his message.
Thanks to the massive fortune raked in from recent market moves, the financial status of Second World had shifted dramatically. With their capital reserves now overflowing, it was finally time to accelerate expansion.
The next step? Establishing global game distribution hubs.
With Oasis nearing launch, they needed to make sure that once the product went live, players around the world could instantly purchase game hardware and immerse themselves in the Second World experience. To ensure that, they needed an efficient logistics system, and what better way than to tap into Stark Industries' already sprawling production and transportation network?
This wasn't just important—it was foundational.
It was a core part of Joseph's early game plan for global domination of the VR market. Although the logistics and infrastructure build-out would be tedious, it wasn't complicated.
It just took money.
And Second World had more than enough of that now.
Joseph had full confidence in Louis, the head of their finance and operations team. He was a financial wizard, and more importantly, he knew how to move fast. Joseph paired Louis with Iceman, Colossus, and Roberto, assigning them to the expansion team. It would give the young mutants hands-on experience with large-scale operations while also leveraging their unique talents to speed things up.
"Same principle as always," Joseph reminded them, his tone resolute. "Forget the cost. Speed is everything!"
He waved them off, letting Louis take the three mutants with him to get started on the project.
Joseph then turned his attention to Shadowcat—Kitty Pryde.
"The Daily X operation should be relatively simple…"
Before he could even finish the sentence, Shadowcat was already flipping through a stack of documents.
"Already ahead of you," she said with a smirk. "The company is registered under my name. No formal connection to Second World. The app's developed and ready to launch."
Then she shot Joseph a sideways look, lips twitching in mock frustration. "You've basically done all the work already. Feels like I'm just the delivery girl at this point."
Unlike mainstream media titans like the Daily Bugle or Daily Planet, Daily X wasn't trying to elbow into newspapers or television. It was a sleek, modern new media outlet designed specifically for the mobile-first generation. Short videos. Quick impact. Maximum virality.
Joseph understood the power of self-media better than anyone—especially the addictive influence of short-form video content.
That's why he had already created the Daily X app himself, using the blueprint of TikTok from his previous life. For him, it was just another way to lay digital foundations for a new empire.
Now it was time for execution. Fast and loud.
And with that, Shadowcat's job was to push Daily X into the mainstream using every tool in their arsenal.
"I'm telling you, Kitty," Joseph chuckled, "you're not just a tool—I mean, not only a tool. You've got a critical mission ahead."
He grinned as he turned to both Kitty and Jubilation Lee.
"It's time to formalize your roles. Iris, as the new technical director of Second World, you'll begin upgrading Alice's core systems. And Kitty…"
He paused dramatically, raising his hand like a host announcing a winner.
"Congratulations! You are now officially the Chief Reporter of Daily X!"
Shadowcat blinked, then laughed. "Wow, you're really making it official, huh?"
Though her mutant power allowed her to phase through solid matter, she'd never truly been suited for head-on combat. However, under Joseph's guidance over the years, she'd honed her powers to a level that rivaled some of the most seasoned X-Men.
But more than that, her curiosity, discretion, and tenacity made her perfect for investigative journalism. There was truly no one better suited to uncover and deliver the mutant perspective to the world.
"You got it," she said, nodding firmly. "From this moment on, the Mutant Channel is under my control!"
Jubilation Lee, now going by Iris, wasn't quite as confident.
"The technical department is the heart of Second World," she said with hesitation. "It's a huge responsibility… I'm not sure I can handle it all alone."
Joseph could see the worry behind her eyes. Though she was a genius with artificial intelligence, she was also fresh out of academia. This was her first real-world test—and the stakes were high.
Before he could respond, Kitty stepped in, gently grabbing Iris' hand.
"Hey, be confident," she said warmly. "You're the best AI developer in the world, second only to Tony Stark himself."
Joseph nodded in agreement, then leaned in with a conspiratorial smile.
"And I've made sure you're not alone."
"Huh?"
Both women looked at him, eyes wide in confusion.
"I found each of you a personal assistant," he said, placing his phone on the table.
"Assistants?" Kitty echoed in surprise.
"Trust me," Joseph said with a grin. "You'll be more than satisfied."
He tapped the screen. "Alice, initiate video link."
"Got it, boss!" Alice chirped.
Two beams of light flared out from the phone, forming a pair of shimmering holographic screens.
And on those screens appeared two women.
The first was a stunning Western beauty—blonde hair, blue eyes, crimson lips, and a sharp pair of glasses. The kind of woman who could dominate a boardroom or a nightclub with equal ease.
"Felicity Smoak," Joseph said, gesturing to her. "Former IT specialist for Queen Consolidated. A technical genius."
The second was a mixed-race woman with an edgy presence. Her hair framed her face perfectly, and she wore a black leather jacket that exuded rebellious energy.
"This is Skye. One of the world's best hackers. She and I go way back on the dark web."
"Hey, Joseph~"
The two women greeted him casually.
Kitty and Iris exchanged a glance. They could immediately sense that these weren't just professional connections. There was familiarity here. A closeness that went beyond a few emails or projects.
A flicker of suspicion lit in both of their eyes.
How does Joseph even know women like this?
Hasn't he been at the academy this whole time?
And yet, here they were. Two impossibly qualified women, acting like old friends—and maybe something more.
Despite their private doubts, both Kitty and Iris smiled warmly.
"Welcome to Second World, Felicity. Skye," Kitty said diplomatically.
Joseph took over again.
"Felicity and Skye have just accepted my invitation to join us. Once they get settled in, they'll report to HQ."
He looked at Iris first. "Felicity graduated from MIT. Her skills in systems architecture and cybernetics are top-tier. With her helping you, your job just got a lot easier."
Then he turned to Kitty. "Skye is your assistant. Once the Mutant Documentary launches, she'll be responsible for hacking major platforms and spreading our short videos globally. She'll bring millions of eyes to Daily X."
There was no exaggeration in his words.
Both women were the best in their respective fields.
Felicity had served as the tactical brain of the Green Arrow's team in another life. Skye—better known in some circles as Daisy Johnson—would one day become a powerful Inhuman and the director of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Joseph had cultivated relationships with both of them for years in the shadows of the dark web. Countless late-night exchanges, deep dives into system code, and shared victories over seemingly impenetrable firewalls had forged a deep mutual respect—and perhaps more.
Felicity and Skye both credited Joseph as one of the major influences in their development as elite hackers.
He was their mentor, partner, and—though neither would say it aloud—something more.
The only reason Joseph hadn't brought them into Second World earlier was simple: Felicity was a regular human, and Skye had not yet encountered the Obelisk that would awaken her powers.
Now, however, the timing was right.
With the upcoming confrontation with Professor X and the broader mutant world, Joseph needed all hands on deck. So he'd reached out, made his pitch…
And spent a few nights talking things through.
Separate nights, of course.
But with a lot of deep communication.
Now, both women were officially part of the Second World project.
Two more powerful allies had joined the rising storm.
And things were just beginning.
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