As soon as we walk into the room all eyes turn to us. Jay puts a hand on my shoulder, with the protectiveness of an older brother, and nods, smiling with his easy going smile. I wave awkwardly while looking down at the pristine, wooden floor. We both head over to two empty seats. Jay chats to the people around us making very natural conversation as I listen in. Everyone we were talking to was nice and very bright, though not always in the traditional sense. It was obvious from the few interactions I was having that everyone here had been chosen for a reason. After finishing an intresting conversation with a girl who has a degree in Nuclear Physics I quickly scan around the room to catch a glimpse of the people I'll be working with for the next while. Ages seem to range from early twenties to late thirties. Some people are engaging in pleasent coversations, others in intense debates and some [like I would have probably been if not for Jay] were sitting by themselves looking really nervous.

Just as I'm begining to get overwhelmed suddenly all the noise and chatter dies down. I straighten up and over the tops of people's heads I see my idol standing at the top of the room. Professor Willow is a stern looking, slender woman with light brown hair that is gently streaked with strands of grey. But her most striking feature is her brilliantly clear, green eyes which are taking in the room. I am so excited, all fatigue and nervousness are now forgotten.

"Hello everyone." Dr Willow begins "I want to thank you all for coming here. I know some of you have had long journeys so for today I'll try to keep it brief." Nuclear Physics girl sighs and Jay gently nudges me in the ribs. Dr Willow gives a tight smile sensing our relief. "I will go more indepth tomorrow when you are assigned your tasks and teams but for today all you need to know is this. Recently our scientists here at Industria have been given the go ahead to launch a project that we have wanted to work on for a long time. Our investor decided that you all should be brought in for a fresh, new perspective and my colleages and I agree. Know that this is a private project, so no information is to be leaked on social media or any other platforms, though I feel that goes without saying. The one thing I will tell you today in regards to what we'll be doing is that it involves Einstein's statement E=mc2." she seems to smile genuinely now as she says "But I know most of you are tired so as I said we'll brief you properly tomorrow. If you will all head to reception, Sharon will show you the way to your living quarters where you will be staying during the duration of this project. See you tomorrow." with that she turns and leaves the room.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

I don't know about my peers but all thoughts of falling asleep tonight is forgotten. Thoughts and theories buzz around my head as I pick up my bags and head to reception with Jay. I remember studying E=mc2 but the details are a little fuzzy, I will have to read up on it again tonight. Sharon is waiting for us at reception and she begins to lead our litte group towards our new living quarters. Theories one by one start popping up until almost everyone id discussing what this all could possibly mean. Jay and I snatch theories out of the air and begin to discuss them until they don't make sense anymore, we then tune back into the main conversation, snatch a new theory and repeat. Sharon walks us us through a corridor that connects the Industria building to the one next door. She swipes a key card through a machine in a big oak door, opens the door and exclaims "Welcome home!"