A Mutant Collector Quest

Amidst the roaring applause, the screens behind me shifted again.

To my right: the launch-phase Citadel, a sleek structure outfitted with modular docking rings, solar panels, and scalable latticework architecture — the starting point.

To my left: a vision of the future — a sprawling orbital city, alive with light and movement, orbiting Earth like a second moon.

I turned slightly, letting the visuals speak for themselves.

"Our ten-year vision is a true orbital arcology," I said, voice steady, resonant.

"When complete, Citadel will be over three hundred times the scale of the ISS. It will house thousands. Facilitate planetary-scale research. Host orbital energy generation. Serve as a launchpoint for interplanetary missions. And yes — it will lay the foundation for sustained, off-world habitation."

A low murmur rippled through the room — a mix of disbelief, awe, and uncertainty.

Some were skeptical. Others stunned. Even the Watson Group employees seated in the back rows were whispering now.

I stepped forward, returning to center stage.

"I have been working toward this for a long time," I said, letting the words hang in the space between silence and noise.

"And I'm not willing to wait another decade just to see the first module launched."

A beat passed. Just long enough to let it sink in.

"That's why…" I said slowly, deliberately, "starting today, we're launching a new division of the Watson Group."

The main screen lit up once more, now displaying a sleek emblem — a stylized "W" shaped like a set of wings, glinting in silver and starlight, over a swirling spiral galaxy.

"Introducing: Watson ExoDynamis."

I let the name echo, bold and clean.

"The team that will make this dream real. Their first mission: Citadel's launch — in just three months."

For a moment, there was nothing.

No breath.

No whisper.

Just stunned silence.

And then—

The realization hit like a shockwave.

The room exploded into thunderous applause, louder than before. Cameras snapped and flashed. Voices rose in disbelief, awe, and a kind of wild, stunned excitement.

This time, I let the applause run its course — quietly listening beneath it all, hearing the waves of doubt beneath the celebration.

When it finally died down, I stepped forward again.

"Why now?" I asked aloud, echoing one of the most common questions I knew was on their minds.

"Because we've hit a ceiling on Earth," I said, pausing as the screen behind me shifted once again — stars glittering in the black beyond.

"We've built taller buildings. We've created faster cars. Smarter phones. But the next frontier of progress? It's not here anymore.

It's out there."

I pointed toward the screen, where a shimmering sea of stars spread across the void.

"Asteroid mining — imagine pulling rare metals from the sky instead of tearing open our mountains," I said, as the image shifted: fleets of autonomous mining ships carving into a drifting asteroid.

"Zero-gravity manufacturing — building materials that can't even exist under Earth's physics," I continued, gesturing toward another screen, where orbital factories were assembling massive structures in microgravity.

"And yes… one day — sustainable human life beyond Earth. Not science fiction.

Just Science — with time, vision, and the will to make it happen."

Behind me, screens now displayed green, domed habitats on Mars, floating cloud cities above Venus, and lunar colonies pulsing with light — each a thriving prototype of tomorrow's civilization.

The images kept cycling — diamond rain on Neptune, simulated Martian agriculture, spaceports orbiting distant moons — a slow, hypnotic unveiling of what could be.

"Some of you may be asking," I continued with a chuckle, "Why a private company?

Why not wait for governments to lead the charge?"

I smiled. "Because we can't afford to wait. Vision should never be hostage to bureaucracy.

And because — here at Watson Group — our teams have already developed fully functional schematics for the first phase of the Citadel."

Another ripple of applause surged.

"This station… this project… isn't just a dream anymore," I said. "It's a blueprint. A plan. A platform to launch everything I just promised you."

The applause deepened — more earnest now.

"And we're not doing this alone," I said, raising my hand.

"We've partnered closely with SpaceX, Stark International, and NASA — bringing together the speed of the private sector with the experience of legacy institutions."

Behind me, the logos for each organization lit up — glowing above a slowly rotating Earth.

"We're not racing the world," I said, my voice strong.

"We're inviting it."

And then, I let my eyes sweep across the audience.

"And let me be absolutely clear — this isn't a project just for America.

It's not a playground for billionaires or a sandbox for the privileged."

"This is a beginning," I said, pausing.

"A beginning for everyone."

"For the child in Mumbai who dreams of the stars.

For the engineer in Nairobi whose designs the world hasn't seen yet.

For the young coder in São Paulo, building satellites from recycled parts."

I clasped my hands together as I looked out over the crowd.

"The future isn't owned — it's built. Together."

A fresh wave of applause rolled through the hall.

"And so," I continued, "on a small private island near Kiribati, nestled in the equatorial Pacific — in international waters — we've established the headquarters of Watson ExoDynamis."

The screen behind me shifted to display stunning drone footage: white sand, deep blue waters, and massive structures already rising from the shoreline.

"This island will serve as the central hub for Citadel's launch operations, research, logistics, and support systems."

I gestured toward the screen as materials being delivered, structures under construction, and launch staging areas were shown in crisp detail.

Gasps and murmurs followed — some surprised, others shocked.

It was amusing, honestly, to see people so stunned by me owning an island, when the cost of building the Citadel would make all this look like chump change.

"Now," I said with a light smile, "before we move on to the Q&A session, there are just two more announcements I would like to make."

The front rows leaned forward, eager — but a bit impatient to ask their questions.

"The first," I said, "is to officially welcome the new Chief Operating Officer of Watson Group: Tessa Potts.

Or — as I like to call her — Pepper 2.0."

I grinned and began clapping, and the audience followed in kind.

From the side, Sage emerged — dressed sharply in a tailored black suit and heels, her confident smirk unmistakable.

She crossed the stage with steady steps, offering me a firm handshake and a nod.

"Hi, Tessa," I said, smiling.

"Hi, Luke," she replied with a warm grin of her own.

"Most of you probably don't know this," I said, turning back to the audience, "but Tessa has been working behind the scenes for some time now — embedded across multiple departments and operations.

She has also played a key role in the Citadel Project from day one."

I paused, letting the crowd absorb it.

"And now, with a glowing recommendation from our beloved Pepper Potts, she has stepping into the spotlight — and stepping up as COO."

Another round of applause followed, warmer this time, with a few surprised murmurs.

"Thank you," Tessa said, her voice steady, her smile modest. "Thank you all."

There wasn't a hint of fear on her face — just sharpness, resolve, and a spark of excitement.

"Would you like to take the stage for a moment, Tessa?" I asked with a smile.

"Gladly," she said, stepping forward with a quiet confidence, her sharp blue eyes scanning the audience like a strategist sizing up the field.

"Pepper Potts taught me everything I know about leadership — grace under pressure, clarity under scrutiny, and control in the face of chaos," she began, her voice steady and clear.

"Yes, I am the new COO of Watson Group. And no — I wasn't chosen for my last name. I was chosen because I know how this company breathes."

Her tone grew firmer with each word.

"Every division — from Tech to Ventures to Aid — will now move with a synchronized purpose. Maximum efficiency. We're building a future where our humanitarian efforts are backed by innovation… and where exploration walks hand in hand with ethics."

She paused, allowing the message to settle.

"And while Lucas charts the stars…" she added with a small smile, "…I'll be here making sure we don't lose sight of the ground beneath our feet."

A few nods of approval. Some scattered applause. But I could tell — her laser-focused presence had left many a little stunned. Which was exactly what I expected.

"Wonderfully said," I replied, smiling. "Why don't you take a seat while I introduce the next person?"

I gestured toward a sleek table set up with three chairs. Tessa gave a nod and confidently took the rightmost seat.

"Next," I said, "I want to introduce and announce our partnership with the Aether Foundation — a global leader in ecological research, sustainable biosystems, and environmental sciences."

Behind me, the logos of Aether Foundation and Watson Group flared to life side by side.

"They are a critical piece of the Citadel project. Because exploring space isn't just about reaching new worlds — it's about carrying what we need to thrive when we get there: food, air, medicine… harmony with the environment. And no one understands that balance better than Dr. Lusamine and her brilliant team."

I turned toward the side. "So please join me in welcoming her to the Watson Group family."

The applause was polite, even restrained at first — but all eyes turned as she entered.

A woman stepped onto the stage, draped in a flowing white gown with golden accents. Her long, stylized blonde hair fell like a shimmering cloak to her knees. One green eye peeked out from behind elegant bangs, the other hidden. At the center of her chest was an ornate green jewel, gleaming softly.

She walked with poise, with elegance. Graceful and Composed.

"So glad to see you again, Luke, darling," Lusamine said as she approached, kissing me lightly on both cheeks. I returned the gesture with a smile.

"We're honored to have you join us, Lusamine," I said warmly, turning back to the audience. "For those who might not know — Dr. Lusamine Aether holds a doctorate in exobiology. She is not only a visionary scientist and the founder and CEO of the Aether Foundation — but, let's be honest, a fashion icon as well."

There were a few amused chuckles from the audience.

"Haha, yes — but this handsome young man has me beat in everything," Lusamine said with a laugh, resting her hand lightly on my arm. "No need to oversell me, Lucas."

I smiled, even as a part of me still found it surreal. She looked — and even had the same name — as Lusamine from Pokémon Sun and Moon. But this wasn't a game or an anime. In this world, she wasn't a mother, wasn't married, had no children. Twenty-eight, accomplished, with a string of high-profile ex-boyfriends and girlfriends. Wealthy. Brilliant. Famous.

Partnering with her had been a long-term goal — not just because of her beauty, talent and public presence, but to keep a close eye on the Aether Foundation. I still wasn't convinced there wasn't something happening behind the curtain, just like it did in the pokemon games. And this Citadel project? The perfect way in.

"Lusamine," I said, turning to her again, "could you tell everyone here a bit more about what Aether Foundation does — and the role you'll be playing in building the Citadel?"

"Of course," she said, smiling graciously as she stepped toward the center and addressed the audience.

"When Watson Group approached Aether Foundation, we were already watching the skies — not just to explore outward, but to protect what we already have here." She clasped her hands gently. Her tone was calm, articulate, poised.

"Our work has always focused on sustainable ecosystems, sealed bio-domes, and life-support technologies. Not for profit, but for preservation. What Lucas has proposed with the Citadel… it isn't just expansion. It's continuity."

She glanced my way again with a subtle smile before continuing.

"Aether will provide the biological, medical, and environmental scaffolding for the Citadel — seed banks, hydroponic nutrient cycles, and gravity-compatible cellular research for space environments."

She paused, letting her final words land with grace.

"Not every future belongs to the machine," she said softly. "Some futures need gardens."

With that, Lusamine gave a small bow and stepped back, serene and dignified. The crowd murmured with intrigue before rising into respectful applause, clearly impressed by her elegance and the clarity of her vision.

"Amazing speech, Lusamine. Please take your seat as we move on to the next part of this conference," I said with a smile.

She returned the smile, gently patted my hand, and then turned to greet Tessa. The two exchanged a brief but cordial embrace before Lusamine took the leftmost seat.

***

[Whitewings has added waifu, Lusamine from Pokemon to this story!]