Spring 1984 cast perfect light across Phillips Academy's graduation preparations. The campus hummed with particular energy - centuries of tradition preparing to launch another generation of privilege into power. In the advanced physics lab, now bearing subtle scars from years of Stark innovations, three young men conducted their final meeting with characteristic precision.
Tony surveyed the dismantled remains of his quantum harmonics project, his hands moving through complex adjustments with practiced ease. "MIT's particle physics department isn't ready for what's coming. I'm thinking of redesigning their entire lab structure during orientation week."
"The department head already submitted three formal complaints about your acceptance," Caspian noted, his enhanced vision cataloging subtle changes in the lab they'd claimed as sanctuary. Years of advanced research had left microscopic patterns only he could detect. "Something about 'preventing catastrophic breaches in the space-time continuum.'"
"That happened once," Tony protested. "Maybe twice if you count the temporal echo incident, which I maintain was a perfectly valid scientific inquiry."
"That's not how Lieutenant Colonel Phillips described it," David observed, completing his final check of the facility's security systems. His movements carried the same military precision that had first drawn Caspian's attention years ago. "Something about 'fundamental threats to causality itself.'"
The lab held comfortable silence as each man continued his particular tasks. Years of shared space had created perfect understanding - Tony's brilliant chaos, David's tactical precision, Caspian's careful balance of multiple disciplines. Three distinct approaches to excellence that had shaped each other through careful interaction.
"Early admission to MIT," Tony noted, packing specialized equipment with uncharacteristic care. "The physics department's theoretical research budget won't know what hit it."
"Try not to redesign their entire lab structure during orientation week," Caspian advised, his enhanced vision tracking the subtle damages their years of experiments had left on the facility.
"No promises," Tony replied, securing the last of his custom components. "Though I might wait until at least the second week. Give them a false sense of security."
David completed his final check of the facility's security systems with military precision. "The weapons training facility is already cleared. Lieutenant Colonel Phillips sends his regards."
The lab held comfortable silence as each man continued his particular tasks. Years of shared space had created efficient understanding - Tony's brilliant chaos, David's tactical precision, Caspian's careful balance of multiple disciplines.
The afternoon sun cast long shadows through Victorian windows as they completed their final preparations. The lab's sophisticated equipment powered down for the last time, leaving only the soft hum of standard power systems.
The advanced physics lab returned to its official purpose, its true nature once again concealed behind wood panels and false doors, while outside Phillips Academy continued its graduation preparations with centuries-old precision.