Amadeusz followed the man in uniform through the labyrinth of Star-Tech corridors. His footsteps echoed on the polished floors, the monotony occasionally interrupted by the faint hum of passing hovercarts or distant voices.
“Where exactly are we going?” Amadeusz asked, his voice tinged with impatience.
“To the main conference hall, Professor,” the man replied without turning his head. “From what I understand, you will be leading a team of exceptional specialists.”
“Leading a team?!” Amadeusz’s tone was incredulous.
“That’s what I’ve been told,” the man confirmed, his words clipped and professional. “You’ll be the head of the research expedition.”
The professor shook his head, muttering something under his breath. The thought of leading a group irritated him—he preferred to work alone. The journey through the building was endless: corridor, turn, elevator, another corridor, another elevator. Amadeusz suspected that, if left alone, he wouldn’t even be able to find his way back to his room.
By the time they arrived at the conference hall, he was wide awake, the initial shock of the unexpected summons replaced by growing annoyance.
When Amadeusz opened the doors, the sight that greeted him was breathtaking. The conference hall was suspended between two towers of the Star-Tech skyscraper, on the 40th floor. Its walls, floor, and ceiling were made entirely of glass, offering an uninterrupted panoramic view of the sprawling city below.
Natural light flooded the space, casting shimmering reflections on the glass surfaces. In the center of the room stood a round table made of translucent material, its edges adorned with subtle, glowing patterns. Around it were sleek, modern chairs with transparent backs, seamlessly blending with the aesthetic of the room.
Along the glass walls were intricate stained-glass panels depicting galaxies, nebulae, and planets. The vibrant colors and meticulous details gave the impression of being surrounded by the cosmos itself.
Amadeusz paused, taking in the surreal beauty of the space. For a moment, he felt a spark of inspiration—a reminder of why he had dedicated his life to exploration and discovery.
“Ah, finally, Professor Brick,” said a voice, snapping him out of his thoughts.
Amadeusz turned to see a man gesturing toward an empty seat at the table. Reluctantly, he walked over, deliberately choosing a spot that left at least one empty chair between him and the nearest person.
The man began introducing the team members:
“Dr. Anna Lopez, an expert in ecosystems and vegetation.”
A medium-height woman with brown hair and hazel eyes smiled warmly. “Oh, John, please drop the formalities. Just call me Anna,” she said, her tone light and friendly.
Amadeusz’s neural chip activated instantly, displaying a flood of information about her:
* Name: Dr. Anna Lopez
* Born: 2010, Kraków, Poland
* Education: Master’s in Biology from the AGH University of Science and Technology; PhD in Ecosystem Adaptation at the University of Cambridge.
* Achievements: Proven the possibility of simple vines growing in zero gravity.
Fascinating—and slightly unsettling. A single glance was all it took for him to know everything about her.
Amadeusz nodded slightly, impressed by her credentials.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
Next, John introduced: “Dr. Robert Parker, geologist specializing in planetary rock composition.”
Amadeusz glanced at Parker—a tall man with short brown hair and piercing blue eyes. His athletic build hinted at a life spent in the field.
“Pleasure to meet you, Professor,” Parker said, extending a firm handshake.
The chip in Amadeusz’s brain delivered another stream of data:
* Name: Dr. Robert Parker
* Born: 2012, Berlin, Germany
* Education: Master’s in Geology from the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich; PhD from ETH Zurich.
* Achievements: Extensive research on asteroid compositions in Saturn’s belt, including analysis of newly discovered elements.
Amadeusz exhaled deeply. “Likewise, Dr. Parker. Your work is impressive.”
John moved on to the next member. "To your left is Michael Wright, an astrophysicist specializing in planetary atmospheres and cosmological phenomena."
Amadeusz shifted his gaze to the left, noticing a tall man in middle age. His short gray hair and neatly trimmed beard framed intelligent, piercing gray eyes.
“Good day. I hope our collaboration will be smooth and conflict-free,” Michael said in a calm, measured tone, extending a hand.
Amadeusz offered a polite nod and handshake. “Likewise, Professor Wright. I look forward to working with you.”
The neural chip once again sprang into action, delivering detailed information:
* Name: Dr. Michael Wright
* Born: 2012, United States
* Education: Master’s in Astrophysics from MIT; PhD from the University of California, Berkeley.
* Expertise: Composition of planetary atmospheres and their role in the evolution of life.
Amadeusz noted the vast breadth of Michael’s knowledge but also sensed an undercurrent of reserved ambition in the man.
“And last but not least,” John gestured to a young woman at the far end of the table, “is Julia Adams, a robotics and technology specialist. She’ll be responsible for operating our state-of-the-art research devices and maintaining communication systems during the mission.”
“Ingenieur Adams,” Julia corrected sharply, her voice carrying a touch of irritation. “I didn’t spend years on my education for my title to be forgotten.”
Amadeusz observed her—a young woman with long black hair, striking green eyes, and an air of unshakable confidence.
“Apologies, Ingenieur Adams,” Amadeusz said, his voice neutral but carrying a hint of amusement. “Your expertise in robotics will undoubtedly be invaluable.”
Julia’s expression softened slightly as she inclined her head.
The neural chip activated yet again:
* Name: Julia Adams
* Born: 2015, United States
* Education: Bachelor’s and Master’s in Robotics from MIT; expertise in designing and operating advanced exploration devices.
* Achievements: Led the development of next-generation communication systems for deep-space missions.
Amadeusz marveled at the ease with which his neural enhancements allowed him to know so much about these people. It was efficient but unnerving—did they feel the same about his reputation as a "legend of planetary exploration"?
“All of you likely recognize our final team member, Professor Amadeusz Brick,” John declared with a smile. “His achievements are renowned across the field of planetary exploration.”
Amadeusz felt the weight of everyone’s eyes on him, their silent expectations pressing down like an invisible burden. He drew in a deep breath, then offered a modest smile.
“Good to meet all of you,” he said simply.
The moment passed, and John directed their attention to the purpose of the meeting.
“Now, let’s discuss Mikirini—also known as planet M98C11,” John began, activating a holographic projection in the center of the table. It displayed the mysterious planet, its swirling clouds and rugged terrain bathed in hues of green and gold.
“Recent data from our long-range probes suggests that this planet holds extraordinary mineral deposits, including rare elements that could revolutionize our technology,” John explained, his voice steady and measured. “Its atmosphere is also uniquely composed, offering us insights into the evolution of planetary climates.”
He paused, his tone growing more serious.
“However, the most intriguing feature of Mikirini is its magnetic anomalies. The planet’s surface exhibits irregular and highly unstable magnetic fields that defy current scientific understanding. We believe these fields could hold the key to breakthroughs in physics—or pose significant challenges to our mission.”
Amadeusz listened intently, his curiosity piqued. The anomalies resonated with the strange dreams he had been having. Was there a deeper connection between his visions and this mission?
As the hologram spun slowly, John leaned forward, his eyes scanning the team. “This is no ordinary mission. The discoveries we make on Mikirini could change the course of human progress. But the risks are real. We’ll need each of your unique talents to succeed.”
Amadeusz met John’s gaze, his skepticism warring with a growing sense of intrigue.
“All right,” he said at last. “Let’s see what this planet has to offer.”