Bound by No Universe • Zarry

vii.

Zayn honestly didn't think he'd see the day. But here it is.

After years and years of research, reworking and tweaking the master formula, trying to find just the right combination of numbers and constants, they're got it. And that means only one thing. Their theoretical research can move onto the empirical phase. Besides that, it also means that they have to move labs.

Alt-World was working in collaboration with Berkeley so Zayn and his team stayed in the labs there. No one saw a point of moving everything to a different location when they had the space they needed. But now, they have to start building the actual transportation device and for that, they need space. Much more than what the university can offer. 

The building that houses Alt-World on the outskirts of San Francisco is somewhat ridiculous. All white and grey, it looks straight out of a sci-fi film. Many actual events that happened in real like are akin to older sci-fi films and books that Zayn used to love so much as a kid. He had hope some of them would end up being real but having a hand in bringing one of them to life was nothing more than a pipe dream. An unachievable aspiration of a young but. Despite all odd, here he is and eventually, after he's long gone, his name will stay attached to this project forever. If they're successful that is. Or perhaps he can be known as a great failure and used as an example to other young, motivated people who are straight out of uni and they feel like the world is their oyster, a very bad example they should stay away from.

The future doesn't matter as Zayn walks into their new space for the first time, a box of papers with research under his arm. He wants to pinch himself but he's not a child anymore. The ceiling towers over everyone a good ten meters, if not more and the room feels like a rather large airport hangar rather than a laboratory. There is a balcony walk-around deck for observation and underneath is are separate laboratories and offices, all divided from the main space by glass walls. The main space includes hologram projectors, a half-circle massive desk with a couple of computers, empty metal tables and near the door is a sprawling station with equipment and storage needed for the contruction of the device.

"Your breakroom and restrooms are just outside the main lab," an assisant says by Zayn's left side, appearing out of nowhere. "This is the largest space we have in this facility. According to your engineers initial sketches, this space should be enough. But anything new that arises that you need, all you need to do is tell us and we'll deliver it to the lab right away. Do you need anything else right now?"

Zayn scans the immense room once more before looking at the assistant, whose name might be Claire or Kate, he's not sure. "Thank you a lot. It's fine for now. The team will look around, settle in and we'll start working. Then, I presume, we will be needing more material and eqipment as we move along with the process."

"Of course," Claire or Katie nods and gives Zayn a practiced smile. "I'll be on my way then. You know where to find me. The offices by the reception, room 4."

"Thanks," Zayn says once more and lets his attention fully shift onto the lab as Claire/Katie leaves. The rest of the team is milling around the room, some of them only now coming in.

"Holy shit," Miles says and whistles loudly. "They ain't playing around."

"Of courses they aren't," Gail says as she comes to stand near Zayn. "We can't fuck up now," she says, mostly just so Zayn can hear her

"I know, that's why I don't sleep at night," Zayn sighs. "We either come out as heroes or failures."

"Aren't you just a fucking ray of sunshine?" Gail chuckles and wraps an arm around Zayn's shoulders. "C'mon grandpa, wanna be office-mates? I promise I'll throw papers at you every single day."