The thirteen-member team was at the lab. It wasn't an uncommon occurrence, half the team practically lived there, but enough members had other responsibilities that made it so this only happened once a week. This seventh trial would be the last attempt with this particular hardware and would mean another redesign if it failed. Each redesign cost them upwards of three years. The current Portal was the mark four, with fourteen years of hardware development behind it. Today would decide if that would extend to potentially seventeen years or their labor would be finished.
"I hope you're all ready. I'm not one for speeches, but I think now is the time for one if there ever was." Robert was standing at the head of his team. The team that had been with him for years. His closest friends because of this job, this project would brook no new relationships.
Phoenix, his right hand. Sometimes joked to be his keeper, but that one hit a little too close to home for him to feel okay with it. [Ian T.], the development lead. Without his brilliant designs, they wouldn't be anywhere near where they are now. Luke Scur, the software lead. A man that had redesigned what 'modern software' meant, by creating all of the needed software, after creating an OS runnable on Ether-ware. [Grant]. Another set of much needed hands on deck, and a hell of a guy to have a drink with. Lily Karson, builder extraordinaire. Half of the time we use blueprints when creating the machines, and the other half we leave to her. Clair, a one-woman funding and recruitment drive. Half the people here were brought on by her hand alone, sometimes even without his approval. But everyone she hired produced hard results, and after the first few times, he never doubted someone recommended by her. Then there was Raven Shade. She was like a breath of fresh air every time he saw her. Robert would never be so unprofessional as to seek a relationship with her, but sometimes he wondered if she'd like to settle down once this project was finally complete.
Hell, they'd all be rich enough to buy their own personal islands once all was said and done. Large amounts of very cheap power without any known drawbacks was a powerful motivation for investors and countries alike.
"You are all the best and brightest the world has to offer. We are on the cusp of the biggest thing the world has ever seen. If we can't do this, then nobody can. I checked the math again last night." It took Robert until six AM.
"I've figured it out. The reaction we're working with is too small of a scale. It works with these simple devices because of their minimal power needs. But if we want large amounts, the starting Ether reaction needs to be larger. I've made a few copies of the required changes, but it will work with our current hardware. This is it. Attempt seven. Don't let me down." The cheering warmed his heart, and Robert was glad that nobody could notice him staring at her zoned out while drooling.
Everyone went to their positions, preparing the device. They all knew their roles well, this was nowhere near the first time they had used this machine. Half of them knew it inside and out, and the other half knew the outside. The sounds of the machine starting up filled the air. Fans whirring, gears turning, and the hum of the Ether gathering device droned together.
"Steady everyone," Robert reassured his staff.
"We're going to need to store a decent amount of ether, so pay close attention. If something starts getting dangerous, we shut it down immediately."
The Ether gauge steadily filled. Robert knew that with half a full tank the reaction should have enough starting material to get the power output the needed. Ten percent, Fifteen percent, Twenty percent, The sound of the fans picked up, unused to the level of heat being generated.
The gauges met new heights, as the prior trials usual never let it charge this much. Twenty-five percent, The sound of gears clicking picked up in pace. Thirty percent, The sound of dials and levers flipping indicated someone was working hard to keep everything stable. Thirty-five percent, Forty percent, Forty fi-,
"Rob. I'm not sure the machine can handle this." Phoenix's panicked voice rang out.
"We're almost there, just do your best to keep it together." Robert knew there were seconds left before there was enough fuel for the reaction. If it meant running slightly above normal levels, it would be fine for now.
Forty-eight percent,
"Rob….'
"[Ian T.], keep Phoenix from pissing himself. We are right at the cusp. Seconds away. Just keep it as steady as you can." Robert's reassuring voice sounded through the lab. Everyone was anxious, waiting for the final moment.
Fifty Percent. The flip of a switch, the massive lever that started the reaction, echoed in the rooms. Then -
A loud whirring sound of a successful start brought ringing shouts of joy. It worked! The Portal was successfully generating power. The gauges would tell you it was enough to power a medium-sized city easily. But the celebrations were cut short.
The only warning was an alarm, designed to go off in case of a critical malfunction with the Portal. They had less than a second of hearing the blaring sound before the lab exploded. The next day, the world news announced the confirmed death of the Aexis Lab's Ether Research Team.