Opening Pages - Goodman: The Rise of an Empire

An extract from Oliver Ashurst’s science-fiction epic adventure, where entrepreneurs and corporate empires are redefining the future and the cost of greatness has to be reckoned with...

Chapter 1: The Spark of an Empire

John Goodman leaned against the window of his cramped London flat, his eyes scanning the fog-drenched skyline as if searching for a way out. It was 1998, and while the world braced for the new millennium, Goodman felt trapped—by the city, by the corporations, and by a system that rewarded obedience over vision. He refused to be just another cog.

At just twenty-six years old, John Goodman’s ambition burned with an intensity that set him apart. Armed with an Imperial College degree and a sharp engineering mind, he found the confines of traditional corporate life suffocating. The thought of climbing someone else’s ladder was intolerable. He didn’t just want to climb; he wanted to build the ladder, dictate its heights, and decide who ascended.

One foggy evening, as he gazed out over the Thames, inspiration struck like lightning. Ideas formed in his mind, not as fleeting flashes but as intricate blueprints: a vision for an enterprise that wouldn’t merely compete in the market but redefine it. That night, at his father’s heirloom desk, crafted from the wood of an ancient ship, Goodman began to sketch his dream. Page after page filled with schematics, concepts, and innovations: the foundation of a company he would name Goodman Global.

But ambition alone couldn’t open doors. The corporate world, wary of his youth and bold ideas, dismissed him outright. Investors turned him away, unconvinced by his audacity. Yet Goodman remained undeterred. His determination caught the attention of Leopold Hoffman, a sharp-minded ally from his university days. Together, they threw themselves into the work, refining their vision and pushing the boundaries of possibility. Nights blurred into mornings as they faced rejection and setbacks, but their resolve never faltered. They weren’t building just another company—they were creating the future.

By 2003, after years of relentless effort, their perseverance began to pay off. Goodman and Hoffmann’s small but significant victories attracted the interest of influential figures who recognized the potential in their innovative approach. With the first substantial investments secured, Goodman Global transformed from a vision into reality. They acquired office space on the 27th floor of a sleek new building in Canary Wharf, London’s financial hub, complete with cutting-edge facilities and sweeping city views.

Goodman officially registered Goodman Global Ltd. and assumed the role of director. Alongside him, Hoffmann was appointed chief security officer of the company’s first major venture: the Goodman Global Security Division. It was a moment of profound significance for them both.

On their first day in the new office, Goodman sat in his newly claimed corner office, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. He opened a manila folder labeled ‘Property of Goodman Global: Potential Employees’, retrieved his black and gold fountain pen, engraved with his name, and began signing contracts. By the end of the day, Goodman had hired fifteen employees across key departments, prioritizing research and development.

With this foundation laid, Goodman Global began to gather momentum. The newly assembled team, driven by talent and unrelenting ambition, dove headfirst into their roles. The research and development department quickly became a powerhouse of innovation, generating projects that laid the groundwork for the company’s success. Under Goodman’s visionary leadership and Hoffmann’s strategic oversight, the company started to make its mark—not just on the industry, but on the world stage.