Cero raised an eyebrow. "Aetherium-91? What makes it unique?"
"This element is nothing short of revolutionary," Charles said enthusiastically. "It possesses extraordinary stability under certain conditions but can become highly volatile when subjected to high-energy pressure. Even more intriguing, it has the unique ability to absorb and store magical energy, making it the perfect bridge between science and magic."
Cero tilted his head, absorbing the information. "Promising. What are its potential applications?"
Charles' grin widened. "Oh, the possibilities are endless! By refining Aetherium-91, we can create a new fuel for vehicles, highly efficient energy weapons, or even medical devices capable of healing severe injuries in minutes."
Cero folded his arms across his chest, remaining composed. "It almost sounds too good to be true. What are the risks?"
"Of course, there are risks," Charles admitted. "Because Aetherium-91 is so reliant on energy resonance, even a minor imbalance could trigger an uncontrollable explosion. That's why we're developing a completely controlled environment to refine and utilize this element safely."
Cero nodded thoughtfully. "Fine. Ensure everything is secure before I approve its full utilization. I don't want this Core becoming a weapon more dangerous to us than our enemies."
Charles gave a slight salute. "Understood, Director. But I firmly believe the Core's potential far outweighs the risks."
Cero slowly nodded again, his gaze fixed on the graphs and diagrams displayed on the large screen. The sharp tapping of his boots on the floor added tension to the room as everyone held their breath, waiting for his verdict. Suddenly, he stopped and broke the silence with a decisive tone.
"Alright," he said. "Here's my next order: prepare the Core for energy extraction. Prioritize this project immediately. We're running low on power, and I can't keep draining our funds to supply electricity to all divisions."
Charles nodded enthusiastically. "Of course, Director! We'll begin the stabilization and installation process for energy conversion right away."
Cero continued, his eyes narrowing as he focused on Charles. "One more thing. You're free to research anything you want using this Core—consider it a gift from me. But remember, your first priority is energy production. I don't want any reckless experiments jeopardizing the entire operation."
A wide smile spread across Charles' face. "Thank you, Director! This is a tremendous opportunity. I won't let you down."
The following day, Charles returned to his laboratory, energized by Cero's trust. His team was already hard at work around the Core, now housed in a large vacuum chamber lined with electromagnetic shielding.
"Listen up!" Charles called out, drawing everyone's attention. "The Director has given us our primary mission—harnessing energy from the Core. This is now our top priority. But that doesn't mean we can't explore its other potentials. You all know what this means, right?"
Dr. Lenna, one of the senior team members, raised her hand. "A chance to turn this lab into the epicenter of technological revolution, right?"
Charles pointed at her with a broad grin. "Exactly, Lenna! Now, split into two groups: one will focus on energy conversion from the Core, and the other will handle long-term research. I want daily progress reports from both teams."
In the days that followed, Charles' team began designing a prototype generator powered by the Core. The generator would use electromagnetic fields to draw energy from the Core safely and convert it into usable electricity. However, they faced several major challenges:
Energy Fluctuations: The Core's energy output was highly unstable, requiring the development of specialized stabilizers to prevent destructive surges.
Conversion Efficiency: Since the Core contained magical elements, the team had to design hybrid devices capable of handling both magical and electrical energy.
Safety Protocols: Any misstep in the process could result in catastrophic consequences, necessitating fail-safe mechanisms in all equipment.
Dr. Lenna proposed using Aetherium-91, the newly discovered element, as a more efficient energy conductor. "Aetherium-91 has a unique property that allows magical energy to remain stable during the conversion process," she explained to Charles.
"Brilliant!" Charles exclaimed. "Incorporate it into the prototype. If it works, we won't just solve our energy problem—we'll unlock countless new applications."
Weeks later, Charles stood before Cero in the conference room to deliver an update. Sitting with a relaxed yet attentive posture, Cero listened intently to every detail.
"Director," Charles began proudly, "we've reached the initial testing phase. The Core-based generator we've developed has successfully produced stable energy for 24 consecutive hours without interruption."
Cero nodded, his expression composed. "Good. How much energy can it generate?"
"In its current configuration," Charles explained, "the generator can power the entire Dralven facility, including the military base and the docks. With further capacity enhancements, we could supply electricity to all territories under your control."
"And what would the cost of expansion be?" Cero asked.
"We're still calculating, but it's significantly cheaper than relying on coal or conventional generators."
A faint smile crossed Cero's face. "Proceed. Ensure this project is completed before the winter ends. We'll need something to demonstrate our strength to Delos."
Charles gave a small salute. "Understood, Director."
In the Dralven Air Force base, situated at the edge of the main compound, rows of modern aircraft stood silently in their hangars. The stillness of the area exuded a melancholic atmosphere. Pilots and technicians milled about the space, occupying their time with idle chatter or minor maintenance tasks.
Captain Adler, the squadron commander, stood before one of the planes, inspecting its technical details with a technician. He let out a long sigh. "Are we pilots or museum curators?" he muttered, half-joking.
A nearby technician offered a small smile. "At least the planes are still shiny, Captain. That's something, right?"
Adler chuckled softly, but his eyes betrayed a yearning for action. The hangar's tranquil mood shifted when a soldier entered, saluting nervously. "Captain, the Director is here!"
Everyone in the room froze. Technicians and pilots alike quickly straightened their postures. A murmur of curiosity passed between the pilots, who exchanged puzzled glances.
"Director Cero?" Adler raised an eyebrow. "Here? What for?"
Moments later, Cero stepped into the hangar, flanked by Sarah and two of his personal guards. His calm yet commanding presence immediately silenced the room.
Cero's gaze swept across the hangar, assessing the space and its occupants with a critical eye. He came to a stop before Captain Adler, who offered a quick salute.
"Director, it's an honor to have you here," Adler said.
Cero nodded slightly. "Captain Adler, I've reviewed reports about the lack of activity in this division. I understand fuel has been diverted to power generators, leaving you in a difficult position."
Chapter 25: Wings of Reconnaissance
Adler appeared somewhat tense. "Yes, Director. We understand the current priorities, but our division… well, it's been a bit unproductive."
Cero gave a faint smile. "That's about to change."
He stepped closer to one of the fighter jets, his hand brushing the cold surface of its body. "You are a strategic asset. I don't want you sitting idle. From now on, the Air Force will be involved in intelligence and territorial surveillance operations."
Adler raised an eyebrow. "Surveillance, Director?"
"Correct. We'll use your aircraft to map the surrounding regions, particularly the Glynthar Mountains and potential trade routes that our enemies might exploit. We need to know what's out there before they come to us."
Following a brief meeting, the atmosphere in the hangar shifted drastically. Pilots and technicians scrambled to prepare their aircraft. One of the planes chosen for the initial mission was the Recon Raven, a lightweight aircraft equipped with advanced surveillance tools, including infrared cameras and long-range radar.
Lieutenant Kira, one of the squadron's top pilots, was assigned to the mission. Adler summoned her to his office for a briefing.
"Kira, you'll be the first to carry out this aerial mission. Your task is to map the Glynthar Mountains and gather data on potential enemy routes. Remember, we're short on fuel, so don't waste time in the air."
"Understood, Captain," Kira replied, saluting firmly.
Meanwhile, the technicians worked tirelessly to ensure the aircraft was in peak condition. Some inspected the wings, while others verified that the cameras and radar were functioning flawlessly.
Hours later, the Recon Raven was ready for takeoff. In the control tower, Cero stood alongside Adler, overseeing the preparations.
"Are you confident in this mission, Captain?" Cero asked.
Adler nodded. "Kira is one of our best pilots. If anyone can handle this, it's her."
Cero gave a faint smile. "Good. Make sure she comes back safely."
The aircraft began its run down the runway, its engine humming smoothly before it lifted off into the air. Inside the cockpit, Kira focused her gaze ahead, her hands steady on the controls as all systems ran flawlessly.
Lieutenant Kira sat alone in the cockpit of the Recon Raven, her trained hands calmly operating the aircraft's controls. The engine hummed steadily as the plane glided through the clear blue skies. She gazed at the horizon with a sense of awe, feeling small amidst the vast expanse of Althera's world.
"Not Earth, but there's something… calming about this place," she murmured to herself. The skies here seemed brighter and cleaner than those of Earth, which had been overexploited and polluted. Even the clouds in Althera appeared sharper, forming unique patterns that captivated her eyes.
Kira glanced at the instrument panel before her. All indicators showed the mission was proceeding smoothly. She peeked down through the cockpit window, observing the terrain below. Verdant mountains, rushing rivers, and small villages dotted the landscape like tiny specks on a map.
As her plane neared a larger town, she took note of its layout. "This looks like it could be a local administrative hub," she muttered, marking the location on her navigation system. Once satisfied with her observations, she adjusted her course and returned to the planned flight path.
Below, life in the town carried on as usual. Merchants loudly hawked their goods in the bustling marketplace, farmers carried their harvests, and city guards patrolled the main streets. The presence of the aircraft passing high overhead barely drew any attention. The engine's soft hum was inaudible to those on the ground, and at such an altitude, the plane was nothing more than a small birdlike silhouette in the sky.
However, not everyone ignored its presence.