Esterio: The Unmaker

The energy in the air was different the moment they stepped off the plane. Los Angeles was nothing like Boston or New York—this was a city of ambition, where dreams were made or crushed under the weight of competition. For Team EVO, this wasn't just a change in location. This was the start of something bigger.

Elliot adjusted his backpack, yawning. "So this is LA. Gotta admit, I expected more explosions. Maybe a car chase."

Marcus smirked. "That's just the movies. Welcome to reality."

Esterio checked his phone. "We've got a rideshare coming in five minutes. The hotel's not far from the Hyperion event center."

As they stepped outside LAX, the warm breeze hit them—a stark contrast to the cold winds of New York. The city stretched before them, a mix of towering skyscrapers, palm trees, and distant mountains. It was both overwhelming and exhilarating.

The hotel wasn't extravagant, but it was comfortable. A decent suite with two rooms and a common area, just enough for the three of them to work and rest before the competition. The moment they stepped in, Marcus tossed his bag on the couch and stretched.

"Alright, we have two days before the first round starts. What's the plan?"

Esterio sat at the desk, pulling out his laptop. "First, we set up our workspace. Then, we scope out the competition area. Hyperion's event center is only a few blocks away, so we should check it out."

Elliot plopped onto one of the beds. "And food. Can't think on an empty stomach."

Marcus rolled his eyes. "We just got here, and you're already thinking about food?"

"Yes. It's called survival."

Later that afternoon, they walked to the Hyperion event center. The building was massive—glass panels reflecting the sunlight, banners hanging from tall poles, each displaying the names of the competing teams. As they got closer, they saw some of the other teams already gathering.

"There's Stanford's team," Marcus murmured, nodding toward a group of sharp-looking engineers in sleek, branded jackets. Nathaniel Briggs, their lead, was deep in conversation with a Hyperion official.

"And there's UCLA," Elliot added, watching as Rachel Han laughed with her teammates. Unlike Stanford, they looked relaxed, like they weren't even worried.

Then there was Tokyo Tech's Apex Initiative. They were harder to read—focused, silent, and clearly keeping to themselves. Kenji Tanaka stood at the center, arms crossed, scanning the area like he was already strategizing.

"You think Viktor's here?" Elliot asked.

Marcus shook his head. "If he is, he won't make it obvious."

As they continued walking, Marcus' phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and sighed. "We need to make a stop."

Esterio frowned. "Where?"

"My dad wants to meet up before the competition starts. He's in LA for business, and since he helped us with the warehouse, I figured we should at least grab dinner with him."

Elliot groaned dramatically. "Meeting the in-laws already?"

Marcus rolled his eyes. "Shut up."

The restaurant was upscale but not overly fancy, the kind of place where business deals were struck over wine and steak. Jonathan Langford was already waiting when they arrived, dressed in a simple button-down, his posture relaxed but attentive.

"You all look exhausted," he greeted with a smile. "That's a good sign."

Marcus took a seat across from him. "It's been non-stop since we landed."

Jonathan nodded approvingly. "That's how it should be. If you're too comfortable, you're not pushing hard enough."

They ordered their meals, and for the first time in a long time, they had a moment to breathe. No coding, no data streams, no pressure. Just a good meal and conversation.

"You've come a long way from that empty warehouse," Jonathan said. "Win or lose, you've already accomplished something incredible."

Esterio nodded. "We wouldn't be here without your help."

Jonathan waved a hand dismissively. "I didn't do much. Just gave you the space. You built everything yourselves."

Elliot leaned forward. "So what brings you to LA? Just business?"

Jonathan chuckled. "Mostly. But I also wanted to be here to see how this plays out. Hyperion is more than just a competition. It's a gateway. The kind of opportunity that can shape careers."

Marcus gave him a knowing look. "You're not going to give us some cryptic warning, are you?"

Jonathan laughed. "No warnings. Just advice. Focus on your work, don't get distracted by the noise, and trust your instincts. That's how you got this far."

Elliot raised his glass. "To instincts, then."

They clinked their drinks together.

By the time they returned to the hotel, it was late. The city glowed outside their window, a never-ending buzz of movement and energy.

Esterio sat at his desk, staring at EVO's interface. The next 48 hours would determine everything. They had built something powerful, but now, they had to prove it.

Marcus stretched. "Get some sleep. Tomorrow, we check out the final venue, do a test run, and make sure nothing goes wrong."

Elliot yawned. "Yeah, yeah. No late-night coding marathons. I got it."

Esterio took one last glance at EVO's screen before shutting his laptop. They were ready.

Now, all that was left was to win.