Next, Sam spoke of an unprecedented ambitious project that made everything else seem mundane by comparison. He painted a vivid picture of a base, unlike anything on Earth. An impregnable fortress, it was situated in a location that made his parents' eyes widen in shock - the infamous Death Island. His narrative didn't stop there; he went on to describe a submarine and an underwater base designed as relay points to ensure safe passage to the isolated island.
His mother's next question was a quiet plea, "And don't tell me that you created more robots?" The desperate hope in her voice was as palpable as the tension in the room.
In response, Sam offered a simple affirmation, "Yes, Dad, we have 15,000 Military Robots and 15,000 Construction Robots, all on standby." He relayed the fact with an air of nonchalance, as if discussing the weather.
"Damn, boy. Are you trying to start a rebellion? Aren't you afraid of the government?" Ryan asked, his voice a mix of awe and concern.
Sam met his father's gaze, his expression inscrutable. "Why should I be? They were among those who attempted to hack us. Without power, how can I ensure they'll treat me with the seriousness I deserve?" His words hung in the room like an unspoken challenge, daring anyone to refute his logic.
Seeing the resolve in his son's eyes, Ryan knew that Sam had made a difficult decision that he wasn't likely to back down from. He sighed, raking a hand through his hair as he asked, "Alright, what's the plan now?" His voice was not one of defeat but rather of resigned acceptance, ready to support his son no matter where the path led.
"Dad, there's something else," Sam began, hesitating for a fraction of a second before plunging ahead. "We. . . we also redirected 137 billion dollars from those who tried to harm us." As soon as the words left his mouth, he braced himself for the impending eruption, the shockwaves of which could already be felt. His prediction didn't disappoint. Like a volcano awakened from a deep slumber, Ryan exploded.
"WHAT?! STEALING MONEY?!" His father's voice echoed throughout the room, the outrage clear and potent. Ryan had lived his life as an honest man, built on principles and unyielding integrity. To hear his son admitting to an act of robbery was an affront to everything he stood for, even if the victims were those who sought harm.
After the initial fury subsided, replaced by a cold, controlled anger, Ryan found his voice again. "You need to rectify your mistakes, boy. I will never advocate for theft, no matter the circumstances." His words hung in the room, thick with his disappointment and disapproval.
Sam exhaled a sigh of relief, half release of tension, half resignation. He felt as though he'd been caught in a squall, now subsided, leaving a deceptive calm.
"Dad," he started, choosing his words carefully. "I never used that money for personal gain. We have more than enough from Orion Enterprises. I used it to develop Death Island, the submarine, and the underwater base." He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing. "They aren't just for us to retreat to in times of danger. They will serve as the spearhead for space travel, the future of humanity."
His words hung in the air, echoing his belief that the ends justified the means. The room held its breath, awaiting his parents' reaction, the emotional pendulum swinging between disbelief, fear, and awe at the audacity of their son's vision.
Sam's words seemed to hang in the air for an eternity, creating a bubble around the three of them that was insulated from the rest of the world. For a moment, Ryan and Maya could only stare at their son, their minds struggling to comprehend the enormity of what he had just proposed.
Then, as if someone had flipped a switch, Sam's words began to find traction in their minds. The sheer scope of his vision began to unfurl like a gigantic panorama. Humanity wasn't just looking at conquering a new continent or subduing the depths of the oceans. They were to cast off the shackles of terrestrial life altogether and stride across the stars, harnessing the untapped power of celestial bodies, and embracing the boundless potential of the cosmos. It was a grand design, reminiscent of the pioneering spirit that had once tamed the Wild West.
Their son's ambition was breathtaking, staggering in its audacity, and yet tinged with the promise of the most profound kind of revolution. But with such immense aim came immense uncertainty. "Son," Ryan found his voice again, but his tone was different, soft with a newfound respect but still laced with trepidation, "that's quite a grand vision. Can you. . . Can you truly bring it to fruition?"
In response, Sam said nothing. He rose from his seat and disappeared into the kitchen. When he returned, he held a simple ceramic plate. His fingers wrapped around the cold porcelain, the matte finish contrasting the sheen of determination in his eyes. It was time for Sam to reveal yet another facet of his newfound capabilities. If his words failed to convince his parents of the validity of his vision, perhaps a demonstration of his Matter Transmutation ability would. He looked at his parents, an unspoken promise of wonders yet to come etched on his face, his heart pounding like a war drum in his chest. This was his moment to show them that his grand dream was anything but baseless.
Sam stood before his parents, the ceramic plate cradled in his hands like a sacred artifact. With a steadying breath, he closed his eyes and focused, picturing his ability coursing through him like a live wire, crackling with potential. A new sensation began percolating within him, strange yet familiar, a sense of something siphoning away his energy. At first, it was a trickle, but as seconds ticked by, it escalated into a torrent. The drain was alarming, yet he didn't panic. He observed, he learned.
Beneath his fingers, the plate began to change. Its porcelain white morphed into a shimmering gold plate. Its coarse texture grew smooth and heavy. By the time he opened his eyes, the transformation was complete - the mundane ceramic plate was now pure gold. A silent appraisal of his energy levels told him that the demonstration had cost him nearly a fifth of his reserves, a sobering realization that gave him an idea of his current capacity.
"Wait, is that. . . is that pure gold?" Maya was the first to break the stunned silence. Taking the plate from Sam, her fingers traced the cool, gleaming surface in awe. "It is, Ryan. It's pure gold. It's. . .it's a miracle."
The revelation of his post-accident abilities was met with a profound silence. Sam explained, "Dad, Mom, I gained some abilities from the accident. I can alter matter, almost like. . . like the philosopher's stone."
"You must keep this a secret, Sam," Ryan's voice was firm, grave with the weight of his understanding. "Never use it in public, or in front of anyone. Promise me."
"I understand, Dad. I only told you because. . . because I trust you. You're my parents." Sam's voice held a deep sincerity that seemed to still the room.
As he shared his tale, a burden he hadn't fully realized he'd been carrying began to lift from his shoulders. His confession was like a much-needed purge that made him feel lighter and somehow more centered. It was as if he'd finally found an anchor amidst the tumultuous sea his life had become.
The night was far spent, and sleep was calling, but it seemed a distant siren song. The revelations of the evening felt like the plot of a thriller movie, far too engaging to simply leave behind in the pursuit of rest. But, eventually, the allure of sleep proved too powerful to resist. Everyone retired to their respective rooms, their minds still humming with the electrifying truths they'd learned.
As Sam drifted off, he couldn't help but feel that tomorrow would be different. A day with a whole new meaning for his family, a day where they'd wake up to a world where their son was no ordinary teenager but a wielder of otherworldly abilities, a day that marked the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.
-
The new day dawned, sunlight filtering through the gaps in the curtains and filling the house with a warm glow. Each family member awoke, stretching off the remnants of the surreal dreams that the previous night's revelations had inspired. A sense of anticipation hung in the air as they all freshened up, the normalcy of their morning routine a sharp contrast to the extraordinary circumstances that had brought them here.
They gathered in the kitchen, a platter of pancakes, a cascade of fruit salad, and steaming mugs of coffee setting the stage for a hearty breakfast. Laughter echoed, interspersed with shared glances that held an undercurrent of newfound understanding. After they had eaten their fill, Sam spent some time with his baby sister, engaging her in a round of peek-a-boo that had her gurgling with delight.
Around 10 o'clock, the familiar sound of the doorbell chimed through the house. Eva walked in, her customary energy as infectious as ever. "Everything's set, Boss," she addressed Sam, her nickname for him hanging in the air. Wasting no time, she scooped up Sam's sister, her face lighting up with a broad grin as the baby gurgled in response.
Sam nodded, appreciating her efficiency. "Alright, it's time for you and Crystal to see this too. Call Crystal, and let's plan to leave in 30 minutes. My parents are also coming along," he instructed, watching as Eva absorbed his words with a firm nod.
Her response was instant, "Alright, just give me a few moments. I need to play with this little cutie first." With that, she disappeared into the living room, her laughter mingling with his sister's excited coos.
Sam couldn't help but smile at the scene. With a final look at his family, he retreated to his room to prepare for the day.
A half-hour later, they were all gathered, the anticipation palpable as they piled into the car. A cruise ship was waiting at the docks, the vast expanse of its white hull gleaming in the morning sun. Sam had tasked Gaia with booking the cruise the night before, and she'd performed brilliantly, as always. He had also instructed her to inform William and the crew to ride the ship.
As they drove, the tension in the air was replaced with a growing excitement. Sam looked out the window, the city rushing by in a blur of color. Today, his family would see the breadth of his vision and his dreams for the future. Today, they would truly understand the path he had chosen. Today was a new beginning; he couldn't wait to see where it would lead.