Chapter 13: The Golden Horizon, First Contact

[Edited]

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~Summer 1987 – Nevada~

Golden Aerospace had grown into a juggernaut of technological advancement. Situated deep in the Nevada desert, its sprawling research and development complex buzzed with activity. Engineers, scientists, and alchemists worked tirelessly under Edward Lin's watchful eye, pushing the limits of what was possible. With Kryptonium alloys reinforcing experimental spacecraft, the future of space travel was no longer a question of "if" but "when."

Edward stood atop the command center's observation deck, looking down at the latest test site. A sleek, dark-hued spacecraft rested on the launchpad—a prototype unlike anything else on Earth. The fusion of alchemical enhancement and cutting-edge engineering had birthed something unprecedented. It was time for the first real test.

"Are we ready?" Edward asked.

William Lin, now a grown man of 28, nodded. "Systems are green across the board. The Kryptonium alloy held up under stress simulations beyond expected limits. This ship won't just reach orbit—it'll redefine the industry."

Edward's lips curled slightly. His son had inherited his intellect, his ambition, and his unwavering determination.

"Then let's begin."

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~The Birth of the Future~

The test was a success. As the prototype pierced the sky, breaking through the stratosphere with ease, a new era began. Governments and private investors alike took notice. Golden Aerospace was no longer an ambitious project; it was a revolutionary force.

Edward wasted no time. He leveraged the test's success to secure unprecedented funding and partnerships. By 1989, Golden Aerospace had secured contracts from both NASA and private industries seeking to ride the wave of innovation.

Evelyn Lin, overseeing business negotiations, reviewed the latest reports. "The U.S. government wants exclusive rights to our propulsion technology," she said, setting the files down on Edward's desk.

Edward didn't look up from his notes. "Deny them."

She raised an eyebrow. "You sure? They're offering a fortune."

"I don't need their money. I need freedom."

Evelyn smirked. "Then we move forward on our own."

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~A Shift in Power~

While Golden Aerospace flourished, the corporate world grew uneasy. Stark Industries, still at the forefront of global technology, found itself facing a rising competitor in a field it had long dominated. Howard Stark had once been a visionary, but with Tony Stark still years away from taking the helm, Stark Industries lacked direction.

Edward's 3.7% stake in Stark Industries gave him access to its inner workings. He played his role carefully, never overstepping but always influencing. His goal was not to take over but to integrate. He understood that the real future was not competition but synergy.

By 1990, murmurs of a new frontier filled the air. Space was no longer just for governments; it was for those bold enough to seize it.

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[Proficiency Panel]

Name: Edward Lin

Age: 63/85+500

[Alchemy (Fullmetal Alchemist)]

Alchemy Proficiency: 95% (Level: Grandmaster)

Transmutation: 96% (Level: Grandmaster)

Reinforcement: 95% (Level: Grandmaster)

Creation: 94% (Level: Grandmaster)

Physical Condition: Enhanced Human+ (Alchemically Reinforced)

Enhancement: 500 years (Life-extension elixirs & alchemy)

Strength: God-King

Status: Chairman of Golden Enterprise, Head of the Lin Family,

Mood: Calm, Focused

Skill: Inspect

Wealth: Estimated Net Worth - $700 billion

Property: Private estates, corporate buildings, an Aerospace company, hospitals, research facilities, security forces, mercenary companies, rare resource monopolies, 3.7% Stark Industries shares, etc.

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~The Unknown Awaits~

Standing at the edge of the launch platform one evening, Edward watched as the second-generation spacecraft was prepped for a manned test. William joined him, silent for a moment before speaking.

"You ever think about what's out there?"

Edward smirked. "Every day."

William exhaled. "Then let's go find out."

The stars above shone brighter than ever.

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~Spring 1991 – Nevada~

Golden Aerospace stood as a beacon of human ingenuity, its cutting-edge research facility deep in the Nevada desert expanding at an unprecedented pace. With Kryptonium-reinforced alloys revolutionizing spacecraft durability and propulsion breakthroughs pushing past Earth's limitations, Edward Lin had positioned himself at the forefront of the next great era.

Edward stood alongside William Lin, overlooking the final assembly of their latest spacecraft, the Golden Horizon. Unlike anything humanity had ever built, the Golden Horizon was a testament to their ambition—a ship capable of sustained deep-space travel, equipped with an alchemically enhanced energy core. It was no longer about reaching the Moon. This was about reaching the stars.

"You've outdone yourself," William admitted as he studied the data. "With this, we'll go beyond anything Stark Industries or NASA has attempted."

Edward's smirk was faint. "It's not about them. It's about the future. Ours. Humanity's."

The Golden Horizon's test flight was scheduled for the summer of 1993, and with investors and the world watching, it had to be perfect.

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By 1992, Edward's quiet maneuvering had solidified Golden Aerospace's dominance in the private space sector. His 3.7% stake in Stark Industries granted him insider knowledge, but he had no interest in taking over—only in ensuring their developments complemented his own.

Evelyn Lin, handling negotiations as always, updated him on the latest shifts in the industry. "Stark Industries is scrambling to catch up. With Howard Stark gone and Tony Stark still not fully involved in the company, they're looking for allies."

Edward considered it. "We don't need them, but their resources are valuable."

A silent agreement was made—Golden Aerospace would continue its work independently, but if Stark Industries wanted to invest, they would do so under Edward's terms.

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In the summer of 1993, the Golden Horizon was launched.

The world watched as the ship ascended beyond Earth's atmosphere, breaking speed and distance records before disappearing beyond lunar orbit. Days later, it returned—untouched, successful. The test had proven that long-term space travel was no longer theoretical.

Golden Aerospace's value skyrocketed, and the implications were clear: space was open for business. Mining operations on the Moon, exploratory missions toward Mars, even whispers of reaching beyond the solar system—these were no longer distant dreams.

Edward stood at the control center, arms crossed. "This is only the beginning," he murmured to William.

William, eyes fixed on the data stream, nodded. "Then let's take the next step."

And so, they did.

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[Proficiency Panel]

Name: Edward Lin

Age: 66/85+500

[Alchemy (Fullmetal Alchemist)]

Alchemy Proficiency: 95% (Level: Grandmaster)

Transmutation: 96% (Level: Grandmaster)

Reinforcement: 96% (Level: Grandmaster)

Creation: 95% (Level: Grandmaster)

Physical Condition: Enhanced Human+ (Alchemically Reinforced)

Enhancement: 500 years (Life-extension elixirs & alchemy)

Strength: God-King

Status: Chairman of Golden Enterprise, Head of the Lin Family,

Mood: Calm, Focused

Skill: Inspect

Wealth: Estimated Net Worth - $2.1 Trillion

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~Spring 1995 – Nevada~

Golden Aerospace had pushed humanity to the edge of the final frontier. The Golden Horizon's success had proven deep-space travel was possible, and expansion was inevitable. With mining operations on the Moon underway and Mars missions in the early planning stages, Edward Lin stood on the precipice of something greater. Yet, the greatest discovery would not come from their ambitions—it would arrive from the stars themselves.

William Lin stood beside his father inside the control center of Golden Aerospace's Nevada headquarters. A new project was in development—an orbital research station designed for long-term habitation. But before they could even finalize their prototype, the universe forced its way into their world.

~A Disturbance in Orbit~

In the early hours of the morning, an alert blared across the control center. Satellite readings detected an unidentified craft in low Earth orbit. Unlike conventional satellites or even military black projects, this object moved erratically, defying known flight patterns.

William's hands flew across the console. "This isn't natural. Whatever it is, it's trying to stay hidden."

Edward narrowed his eyes. "Track its trajectory. If it's watching, it's learning."

As data poured in, the evidence became clear—this was no human creation. The object was not a simple probe but a reconnaissance ship, observing Earth with careful precision.

Then, without warning, it changed course—descending at a rapid pace, heading straight for Nevada.

~The Crash Site~

The impact site was nearly a hundred miles from Golden Aerospace's main facility, deep within the desert where no civilian eyes would see. Edward and William arrived swiftly, accompanied by a specialized retrieval team. What they found defied explanation.

The ship was sleek, crafted from an unknown alloy that shimmered under the moonlight. Despite the crash, it remained largely intact, suggesting materials far superior to most found on Earth. Scorch marks along the hull hinted at the damage before entry—this was not a planned landing.

As they approached, the ship's hatch hissed open, revealing a single occupant.

A Kree warrior.

The alien, clad in dark blue battle armor, staggered from the wreckage. His eyes locked onto Edward and William before collapsing from his injuries.

Edward examined him carefully. "He's still alive."

William knelt beside the unconscious figure. "Father, this is it. Proof. We're not alone."

Edward exhaled slowly. He had always believed in the vastness of the cosmos, but now, the universe had come to them. And with it, the potential for knowledge—and power—beyond anything Earth had ever known.

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Hours later, inside a secured underground facility, the Kree warrior regained consciousness. He found himself restrained but unharmed. Edward stood before him, calm yet unreadable.

"You are not the first extraterrestrial to visit this planet," Edward said smoothly. "But you are the first to crash directly into my hands."

The Kree warrior's gaze was sharp, filled with distrust. "You… are not ordinary humans."

Edward smiled slightly. "Neither are you."

Despite his initial resistance, the Kree soon realized that cooperation was his only option. He identified himself as Korath, a soldier of the Kree Empire, pursued by unknown forces. His ship had sustained critical damage in a battle beyond Earth's orbit, forcing his emergency descent.

Edward listened carefully, understanding the deeper implications. If the Kree were at war with another faction, Earth was in the crossfire. And that meant opportunity.

"I can offer you something your empire will not," Edward said finally. "A chance to recover. A chance to prepare."

Korath studied him warily. "And in return?"

Edward leaned forward. "Knowledge. Technology. And a future beyond this world."

Korath's silence was answer enough. The game had changed. And Edward was ready to play.

The First Steps into the Greater Universe

With Korath's ship salvaged and its technology under examination, Golden Aerospace took its first steps beyond human innovation. Kryptonium alloys were already the strongest materials known on Earth—but with Kree advancements, they could be something more.

Edward and William stood together in the research wing, watching as their top scientists studied the alien systems.

"This is what we've been waiting for," William murmured. "Real extraterrestrial technology."

Edward's expression remained composed, yet there was a flicker of something deeper—anticipation. "We've worked for decades to push humanity forward. Now, we take the next leap."

As the stars loomed overhead, Edward knew one truth: Earth was no longer the limit.

It was only the beginning.

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To Be Continued…

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