The autocab pulled up to the Helix Research Facility at 1:53 PM.
Orion paid the fare and stepped out. The building looked impressive—sleek glass and steel, modern architecture, the Helix logo displayed prominently above the entrance.
He barely made it three steps before noticing the crowd.
People lined both sides of the walkway leading to the entrance. Researchers in lab coats, technicians in clean-room suits, administrative staff in business casual. Maybe eighty people total, all standing at attention.
A banner hung across the entrance: WELCOME TO HELIX, MR. STARR
"Oh no," Orion muttered.
POV: DR. ELENA VASQUEZ - SENIOR MATERIALS SCIENTIST
Elena had been working at Helix for twelve years. She'd seen three CEOs, five restructurings, and countless corporate acquisitions. This was her first time seeing a new owner arrive in a public autocab.
"Is that really him?" whispered David Kim, one of the junior researchers beside her.
"Must be," Elena said. "How many twenty-one-year-olds do you think are visiting today?"
The young man walking toward them looked... normal. Jeans, button-up shirt, messenger bag slung over one shoulder. Could've been any college student. Except this college student had just bought their entire research facility for 2.3 billion credits.
"He came in a cab," David said. "A regular cab. Not even a private car."
"Maybe he's eccentric," Elena said. Though honestly, she'd expected someone older. Someone with gray hair and an expensive suit. Not a kid who looked like he'd just left campus.
The facility director, Dr. Raymond Torres, stepped forward to greet their new owner. "Mr. Starr, welcome to Helix Research Facility. We've prepared a small reception—"
"Thank you, but we can skip the formalities," the young man said. His voice was calm, confident. "I appreciate everyone coming out, but we have work to do. All researchers, please head to the Conference Room. We'll have a meeting to discuss the new research direction."
Just like that. No speech. No handshaking. Straight to business.
Elena exchanged glances with David. "Well, that was efficient."
"Think he's always like that?" David asked.
"Guess we're about to find out."
CONFERENCE ROOM A - 2:05 PM
Orion stood at the front of the conference room. Forty-three researchers filled the seats—materials scientists, chemists, physicists, biologists, engineers, and the nuclear fusion team. All staring at him with varying degrees of curiosity and skepticism.
He got it. He was twenty-one. He'd shown up in a cab. They probably thought he was some rich kid playing scientist.
Fine. He'd show them.
"Thank you all for gathering on short notice," Orion began. "I'm Orion Starr, the new owner of this facility. Before we discuss the new research agenda, I need everyone to sign updated NDAs."
He gestured, and Rene sent the documents to every terminal in the room.
"The technology we'll be developing is revolutionary. I cannot afford information leaks. These NDAs are stricter than your previous agreements. Read them carefully. If you're not comfortable signing, you're free to leave with a generous severance package. No hard feelings."
Silence. People pulled up the documents on their tablets.
Elena skimmed through. The NDA was serious. Lifetime confidentiality. Severe penalties for violations. Basically, anything they worked on here could never be discussed outside the facility without explicit written permission.
But the severance clause was generous. Six months salary if you chose to leave now.
She looked around. Nobody was leaving. Everyone was signing.
Elena signed too. Whatever this kid was planning, it was clearly big enough to require this level of secrecy.
"Good," Orion said once everyone had submitted their signatures. "Now, first order of business. This facility will be rebranded as part of Innovatia. Helix Research Facility becomes Innovatia Advanced Research Division. The name change is effective immediately."
Murmurs around the room. Innovatia. They have never heard of it before.
"I know you must have never heard of it before, but in the following weeks it will be the only on your minds."
"Second, your computer systems have been upgraded to Aether OS. This happened automatically A few minutes ago. You'll notice your terminals look different."
More murmurs. People were already checking their screens.
"What the hell?" someone muttered.
Elena pulled up her terminal. The interface was completely different. Sleek, intuitive, fast. Everything loaded instantly.
"Aether OS on your includes a special scientific research module," Orion continued. "It's powered by advanced AI and runs on optimized algorithms, physics models, and mathematical frameworks significantly ahead of current commercial software. The module covers all scientific disciplines—materials science, chemistry, biology, physics, engineering, economics. It includes simulation capabilities, AI-assisted analysis, automated data processing, and predictive modeling."
Elena opened the scientific module.
Her breath caught.
5 minutes of investigation.
The interface was beautiful. Molecular modeling tools with real-time quantum mechanics calculations. Material synthesis simulators with atomic-level accuracy. AI assistants that could suggest experimental improvements. Simulation engines that could render complex physics with stunning visual clarity.
"This is..." she started, but couldn't finish.
Around the room, researchers were having similar reactions.
"This is insane," David said, staring at his screen. "It's showing me optimization suggestions for the catalyst project I've been stuck on for three months."
"The simulation accuracy," another researcher said. "It's running molecular dynamics at femtosecond resolution. Our old software took hours for this. This is doing it in seconds."
"And it covers everything," someone else added. "Materials, biology, economics? I can run cross-disciplinary simulations?"
One of the fusion researchers, Dr. Amara Okafor, was practically shaking as she explored the nuclear physics modules. "The plasma dynamics modeling... this is more accurate than anything ITER has access to."
Orion waited for the initial excitement to die down. "The software is a tool. Use it. It'll accelerate your research significantly. But remember—it's proprietary technology. Covered by the NDAs you just signed."
Elena was barely listening. She was already testing the materials synthesis simulator. Inputting basic compounds, watching the AI suggest modifications, seeing simulation results appear in real-time with full visualization.
This wasn't just advanced software. This was a complete revolution in how research was conducted.
"Third order of business," Orion said. "I have specific experiments that need verification. The procedures and expected results have been sent to your terminals. They're divided by specialty—materials science, battery technology, laser systems, fusion engineering, and general R&D."
Elena's terminal chimed. New files appeared.
She opened the materials science folder.
Two experiments: Advanced Thermoelectric Material Synthesis and Room-Temperature Superconductor Fabrication.
Elena blinked. Read the titles again.
She opened the thermoelectric file. Complete experimental procedures. Material compositions. Fabrication steps. Expected results: 90.3% heat-to-electricity conversion efficiency.
Ninety percent.
Current best thermoelectric materials barely hit fifteen percent.
She opened the superconductor file. Even more insane. Room temperature superconductivity. 170 Tesla magnetic field strength.
"These results are..." Elena started.
"Ambitious," Orion finished. "I'm aware. That's why I need verification. The data was developed using the scientific module's simulation capabilities. The theoretical basis is sound. But I need physical confirmation before we proceed to full-scale production."
Elena understood immediately. The data came from that simulation software. Which meant it was probably accurate—the simulations were incredibly sophisticated. But experimental verification was still necessary. Theory and practice sometimes diverged.
"You developed all this using the simulation software?" Dr. Amara Okafor asked from the fusion team section.
"Yes. The software provides the framework and computational power. But it still requires human direction. Research questions, experimental design, interpretation of results—that's where you all come in. The AI can optimize and calculate, but it can't replace scientific intuition and expertise."
Elena felt a surge of respect. He understood the relationship between tools and talent. The software was powerful, but useless without skilled researchers directing it.
"Anyone else have concerns?" Orion asked.
Dr. James Kowalski, head of the laser systems group, raised his hand. "The laser ignition parameters specify only a few kilowatts of input energy. How do we achieve the necessary megajoule output for fusion ignition?"
"Good question. The design uses a gain medium—a specially synthesized crystal that amplifies light through stimulated emission. You pump the crystal with electrical energy, then fire the laser through it. Photons passing through trigger emission of more photons with identical phase and direction, multiplying the beam energy to hundreds of megajoules."
"A gain medium that efficient doesn't exist in current technology."
"It does now. The synthesis procedures are in your folder. The crystal composition and fabrication process are included."
Kowalski checked his tablet. His eyes widened. "This is... this is actually brilliant. A layered crystal structure with rare-earth doping to create population inversion..."
"Exactly. Your lab will test the laser output and power amplification. No need to test actual fusion ignition—that comes later when the reactor is assembled."
Dr. Amara Okafor raised her hand, practically vibrating with excitement. "The fusion reactor data. Is it complete?"
"Yes. Complete reactor design, assembly procedures, manufacturing specifications. You'll receive that after we verify the component technologies. But I can tell you now—we're building a compact fusion reactor. Eight meters in diameter, 3,000-megawatt output."
The fusion team erupted in whispers.
"Eight meters?" Amara said. "That's... that's smaller than our current test chamber."
"The superconducting magnets provide 170 Tesla fields. We can compress plasma far beyond current capabilities. Combined with 90% efficient power conversion, the entire design shrinks dramatically."
"If this works..." Amara's voice cracked slightly. "If this actually works, we'll have achieved fusion. Real, commercial fusion. Not a test reactor. Not break-even. Actual power generation."
"That's the goal. And it's why I acquired this facility specifically. You already have a fusion research lab. It's passed all Federation safety regulations and precautions. We don't need to waste time building new infrastructure or navigating government procedures. We can start immediately."
The fusion team looked like they might cry with joy.
"Any other questions?" Orion asked.
Silence.
"Then let's get to work. I want preliminary results by evening. Full verification within three days. Team leads, coordinate with your groups. Use the Aether OS module for analysis and troubleshooting. Let's make history."
He walked out.
The room erupted into noise.