Chapter 78: The Atomic Genesis

August 1945. The news of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki reverberated across the globe, signaling a terrifying new era. While the world grappled with the moral and strategic implications, Adav's response was immediate and clinical. The Codex's [Technological Foresight] module had long warned him of the dawn of the nuclear age, but seeing its destructive power firsthand only reinforced his resolve.

India must possess this power. Not for aggression, but for ultimate deterrence and, crucially, for cheap, abundant energy. Adav immediately initiated a highly secret and accelerated nuclear program. Leveraging the diverse talents of the "brain drain reversed" scientists – particularly the German physicists and engineers he had quietly brought to India – he established a top-secret research facility deep in India's remote interior.

The initial focus was unequivocally on peaceful applications, primarily energy generation. However, the dual-use potential was inherent in every step. The Codex provided critical scientific insights into isotope separation, reactor design, and material processing, accelerating research that would historically take decades. Adav poured Bharat Corporation's vast, unaudited funds into the project, acquiring rare materials and specialized equipment through a global web of shell companies. This was India's ultimate strategic play, securing a technological leap that would guarantee its security and global standing for generations to come.