Chapter 220
The board meeting concluded, leaving an electrifying tension in its wake at PowerGen headquarters. Each department buzzed with activity, armed with the groundbreaking schematics that Max, the acting CEO, had presented. The designs had come from Alex, the unseen genius who had revolutionized their approach to technology. Their task wasn't to create something new but to bring Alex's vision to life.
Max stood in his office, watching the teams disperse. He couldn't help but admire the mix of talent PowerGen had assembled over the years. Some of the brightest minds, both ability users and cultivators, had worked their way up to the upper echelons of the company. Their unique skills made them invaluable in handling a project of this scale.
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In the research wing, Sheila reviewed Alex's schematics, marveling at their precision. She had been with PowerGen for six years, recruited fresh out of graduate school few days after she awakened to her exceptional ability to manipulate electromagnetic fields. Her talent allowed her to troubleshoot and optimize circuits in real-time, a skill that had propelled her from an entry-level researcher to head of the VR development team.
"Alright, team," Sheila called, her voice cutting through the din. "These designs are already brilliant, but execution is everything. We need to follow Alex's schematics to the letter while ensuring seamless integration with our existing infrastructure."
Her team, a mix of ability users and cultivators, nodded. Carter, who could analyze material properties by manipulating light wavelengths, spoke up. "I've been looking over the VR interface specs. The hardware requirements are steep, but with a few adjustments, we can hit the efficiency benchmarks."
"Good," Sheila replied. "Get on it. And double-check the shielding on the processors—we can't afford any overheating issues."
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In the logistics office, Tom sat with his intern Jenna, who had been meticulously inspecting the reactor components using her X-ray vision. Tom, who didn't possess any abilities, relied on his level-3 mental strength, a result of years of cultivation practice. His sharp focus and enhanced memory recall allowed him to manage the logistics of the rollout with uncanny precision.
"Jenna," Tom said, glancing at her notes, "did you find any anomalies in the shielding?"
"Just a few minor ones," Jenna replied, her eyes scanning the internal components of a reactor unit. "I flagged them for rework. It's nothing catastrophic, but better to fix it now than later."
Tom nodded. "Good work. Keep cross-referencing with the compliance checklist. If anything else comes up, flag it immediately."
Jenna had been recruited through PowerGen's ability outreach program, which sought out individuals with unique talents. She had started as an intern three years ago and had quickly risen through the ranks due to her exceptional work ethic and her ability to identify structural flaws others couldn't see.
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In the materials lab, Dr. Elena Voss examined the superconducting materials detailed in Alex's designs. Her ability to control molecular vibrations allowed her to fine-tune materials at an atomic level, making her instrumental in producing the components needed for the compact reactors.
"Elena," Miles called from across the lab, "I've adjusted the magnetic alignment on the prototypes. Do you think we should run another stress test before assembly?"
Miles, a magnetic field manipulator, had joined PowerGen five years ago. His unique ability had made him a valuable addition to the materials team, and his meticulous approach to problem-solving had earned him respect among his peers.
"Yes," Elena replied. "Let's make sure everything aligns perfectly. Alex's schematics are flawless, but we can't risk even a minor deviation."
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The recruitment of ability users like Sheila, Jenna, and Miles had been a deliberate strategy by PowerGen years earlier. The company had scoured universities, research labs, and even grassroots networks to identify individuals with talents that could elevate their projects, mostly due to Eva's quiet mechanism. Those without abilities were not overlooked—they were encouraged to practice PowerGen's in-house cultivation technique, a method designed to enhance focus, memory recall, and cognitive function.
Employees who reached level-2 or level-3 mental strength were known for their sharp minds and unwavering concentration. These cultivators worked alongside ability users, their discipline and precision balancing out the sometimes unpredictable nature of the abilities.
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Weeks passed as the departments worked tirelessly. Every piece of the puzzle came together, with teams cross-referencing their progress against Alex's designs. Max ensured constant communication between departments, holding daily briefings to address challenges and align efforts.
One day, during an all-hands meeting, concerns about safety and public perception were raised. A senior engineer, Theo, who had an ability to generate precise electromagnetic pulses for testing, spoke up.
"Max, the designs are revolutionary, but the public won't understand their complexity. How do we plan to address their concerns?"
Max nodded thoughtfully. "Transparency will be our cornerstone. We'll launch an education campaign alongside the rollout, explaining the technology in simple terms. We'll address safety concerns head-on and demonstrate our commitment to reliability."
The room buzzed with a renewed sense of purpose. Each member understood that they weren't just following orders—they were part of a monumental effort to reshape the future.
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In quieter moments, Sheila reflected on the journey that had brought her here. From her early days as a junior researcher to leading a team on one of the most ambitious projects in PowerGen's history, she had seen the company evolve.
During a lunch break, she overheard her colleagues discussing their roles.
"Jenna's X-ray vision is a game-changer for quality control," one said.
"Don't forget about Tom's mental focus," another replied. "He's like a human computer with that level-3 cultivation."
Sheila smiled to herself. PowerGen wasn't just a workplace; it was a hub of extraordinary talent and relentless determination.
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As the rollout date approached, the teams moved with precision and focus. Alex's designs were their blueprint, but the execution rested on the shoulders of PowerGen's diverse and talented workforce.
In the heart of PowerGen, ability users and mentalists worked side by side, their skills complementing one another. Together, they were on the brink of something extraordinary—a technological revolution that would change the world.