Three years earlier

For some reason, Niko never felt comfortable using the term “nanorobots.” It just didn’t sound realistic, even for someone who had spent the last sixteen years striving to create exactly that. But, hey, if it walked like a duck and quacked like a duck …

Within the Egg, several life-changing discoveries lay hidden. Firstly, the team had confirmed their suspicion that the Egg was designed to act as a transmitter and send a simple binary radiofrequency message, to Proxima Centauri Bc: “Earth has liquid water.”

Thankfully, they had already made sureall signals are blocked. “Good thing this place is a fortress,” Kuryakov said, typing away at his console. “No alien texts getting out of here.”

“And thank God for that” Niko replied, a bit of tension leaving his shoulders.

They also found possible traces of alien biological material, which Professor Stevenson eagerly began to analyze.

And then there were the nanobots—small, almost spherical devices, approximately 500 nm, about the size of small bacteria. Clearly, they were not biological or living organisms but man-made—or rather, alien-made. While it might have seemed obvious to call them robots later, their origin was a matter of debates in the beginning. Niko had considered they might be biological material combined with robots, essentially miniature cyborgs, but that theory had been proven incorrect.

The nanorobots were not only smaller than any functioning device humans could currently build but also far more complex. Made from boron, initial tests showed they were extremely sturdy and remarkably light for their size. The most intriguing aspect was their ability to self-replicate. Given the right combination of materials and environment, they could produce more nanobots.

Niko, though envious, had to admit that this discovery, made by Edmundsson, was ingenious. It allowed them to study the robots more precisely due to their increased numbers and offered the possibility of creating their own nanobots.

Despite these groundbreaking discoveries, Edmundsson and Niko’s relationship deteriorated rapidly. The lab was a constant storm of scientific disputes and personal animosities, their clashes echoing through the halls. Both brilliant in their fields, they couldn’t agree on anything—from theoretical foundations to ethical implications. Their arguments grew more heated each day, with Edmundsson’s condescending demeanor only fueling Niko’s frustration.

One particularly volatile evening, after a fierce exchange over certain protocols, Niko brought up the idea at the next team meeting.

“We can’t keep going like this, Thomas,” Niko said, rubbing his temples. “We need someone to mediate. Someone who understands the science and can help bridge our differences.”

Edmundsson scoffed. “And who do you suggest? Another one of your Singapore buddies?”

Niko narrowed his eyes. “Actually, yes. Ryan Lee. He’s a brilliant scientist and a good friend. Plus, he has a knack for diplomacy, something this team desperately needs.”

General Meyer leaned forward, considering. “I’ve heard of Lee. His work is impressive. What do the rest of you think?”

Kuryakov nodded. “I think he could be a good addition.”

Lopez shrugged. “I don’t care, really, as long as he gets things done.”

Edmundsson bristled. “I don’t need a babysitter.”

“No, but we need a mediator,” Niko shot back. “Someone who can keep us focused.”

General Meyer raised a hand. “All right, enough. We bring Lee in. I’ll have Priya handle it. Let’s move forward.”

Priya was dispatched to Singapore to convince Ryan to join. Niko imagined that this occurred in a similar manner to his own departure but never asked. In his mind, Ryan would have surely taken this task on without thinking twice.

Ryan’s arrival brought a palpable change to the lab’s tense atmosphere. With his calm demeanor and keen intellect, he quickly became an invaluable buffer between Edmundsson and Niko. Whenever their arguments flared, Ryan deftly mediated, diffusing tensions with a well-timed or thoughtful compromise.

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“Let’s focus on the science, not the squabbles,” Ryan would say, his voice a soothing balm in the heated environment.

To Niko’s slight frustration, Ryan also maintained a rather good relationship with Edmundsson himself, but this allowed the team to refocus on their groundbreaking work.

Furthermore, Ryan’s scientific contributions were nothing short of remarkable in such a short timeframe, delving into the intricacies of programming the nanobots and optimizing their self-replication processes.

However, one question remained a puzzle: if an alien race sent the Egg for planet exploration, then what was the intended function of the nanobots?

Kuryakov, as always, had his theory. He thought that the robots were meant to maintain the Egg from the inside. Evidence supported this—the nanobots regularly circulated within the Egg’s walls, organizing themselves into complex structures resembling human-made chips, replacing broken parts, as needed.

Discovery followed after discovery. Soon, the locomotion of the particles was solved—they had miniature magnetic properties, using fluctuations in magnetic fields to communicate and move. This principle also explained their visibility in the MRI. Here it was, Niko’s time to shine.

Soon, they were able to demonstrate that the nanobots could move using the same principle in the bloodstream of animals. With this discovery, the possibilities seemed endless—from combating atherosclerosis to cancer, drug delivery to miniature operations.

Despite these awe-inspiring implications, Niko felt there was more to the robots than met the eye.

“These things are like microscopic maintenance workers,” Kuryakov mused one afternoon, peering at the data on his screen.

“It’s an elegant solution,” Niko admitted. “But why such complexity for a simple maintenance task?”

Kuryakov shrugged, glancing over at Edmundsson. “But a highly developed alien race might not regard it as a complex solution,” he suggested.

Edmundsson nodded in agreement. “Agree. What’s complex for us could be second-nature to them.”

Niko hated that he had no counter-argument.

The next few months flew by, with Niko deeply engrossed in the challenging work at SPA. Despite the constant tension with Edmundsson, he found satisfaction in their progress and started to appreciate his new life at the facility. However, their disagreements over the research direction became more pronounced.

The friction between them reached a boiling point on a specific topic always especially dear to Niko’s heart—ethics.

Edmundsson stood before the group, his voice steady and authoritative. “We need to consider the military applications of these nanobots,” he announced. “The potential for enhanced soldiers, faster healing on the battlefield, and preemptive medical interventions could be revolutionary.”

Niko narrowed his eyes as he listened, his jaw tightening. He could no longer hold back.

“Are you serious, Thomas?” he interrupted, his tone incredulous. “We’re talking about technology that could cure neurological diseases, restore mobility to the paralyzed, and fundamentally improve human health. And you want to turn it into a weapon?”

Edmundsson didn’t flinch. “It’s not about turning it into a weapon, Niko. It’s about utilizing every possible application. The funding we could secure from the military would accelerate our research exponentially.”

Niko stood up, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. “At what cost? Our integrity? Our humanity? This research is meant to heal, not to harm.”

“Do you really think we can achieve our goals without significant funding?” Edmundsson interrupted. “The military is our best option for that.”

“You’re proposing we turn life-saving technology into tools for war. It’s reckless and unethical.”

Edmundsson’s face darkened. “You’re calling me unethical? How dare you?”

Niko’s fists clenched at his sides. “I refuse to be part of a project that compromises our principles for the sake of money. If this is the direction you want to take, I’m out.”

Ryan, who had been quietly observing the heated exchange, finally spoke up, “I agree with Niko. Our work should be for the benefit of all humanity, not just for those with the deepest pockets. If you push this agenda, I will also resign.”

“I agree with my colleagues! I will also hand in my resignation!” Kuryakov shouted.

The room fell into a tense silence, the weight of their ultimatum hanging heavily in the air. Edmundsson’s eyes flickered with anger and frustration.

Before he could respond, General Meyer, who had been watching the confrontation with a steely gaze, stepped forward. “Enough,” she commanded, her voice cutting through the tension like a knife. “This project’s primary mission is peaceful advancement, which is also the direction we received from our investors and our government contacts within the Western Bloc. We are here to improve lives, not end them. Professor Edmundsson, we will currently not proceed with this proposal.”

Edmundsson’s face reddened, but he nodded curtly. “As you wish, General.”

Niko and Ryan exchanged relieved glances, though the underlying tension remained.

The fragile equilibrium in the lab was restored, but everyone knew that the conflict was far from over. The ideological divide between Niko and Edmundsson had been laid bare, and the shadow of that disagreement would linger over their work.

After the meeting, General Meyer pulled Niko aside. “I want you and Edmundsson to lead separate teams from now on. Edmundsson will handle the physical applications of the nanobots, like semiconductors and organic solar cells. You’ll focus on the medical applications.”

Niko nodded. “Understood, General. We’ll make sure to keep our focus clear.”

Niko gathered his team in a quiet corner of the lab. “All right, team, listen up,” he began, his voice steady. “I know this split might feel like added pressure, but it’s an opportunity for us to excel in what we do best. Our strength lies in the neurological applications of these nanobots. We have the chance to make groundbreaking progress in medical science, and that’s where I want our energy to go.”

Ryan stepped forward, a determined look on his face. “Niko’s right. We’re not here to compete with Edmundsson’s team. Our mission is to change lives, not get caught up in a rivalry.”

Niko clapped his hands together. “All right, everyone, We’ve got busy days ahead. Let’s get to work.”