The Quantum Games

Chapter Five

“The strength of your convictions amplifies the power of your results. Intent and purpose: the foundational building blocks of the Cosmos.” – Coach Williams

The Hangar

James & Trish

“Have you chosen a name yet?” Trish asked as she and James walked to the lab next to the team’s strategy room. This lab, equipped with energy-based analysis devices, had always been Trish’s favorite. Although the team now relied on the Energy Signature Implants from the trials, these machines still played a vital role in tracking and deciphering patterns.

“I haven’t thought about it much. Naming someone before meeting them has always seemed odd to me. How can you decide to call your baby ‘Frank’ without even knowing him? Are you just assuming he’ll have the personality of a Frank?” James replied.

“Ha. I guess that makes sense, but have you ever met a Frankier Frank than our Frank?” Trish laughed.

“There is no greater Frank, well, to me anyway. But, did Frank become a ‘Frank’ by choice, or did our perceptions of a ‘Frank’ change to match him?”

“You know, we can always ask this little one. From everything I’ve learned, one’s energy is as much a part of you as your brain. Why don’t we use that as a first test?”

“We can do that?” James asked optimistically.

“Of course! It’s no different than the egg choosing you as its Partner.”

Without waiting for a response from James, Trish powered up the center console and gently took the egg from James, placing it on the center of a white podium. Green light barriers immediately resonated from all four sides of the square platform, rotating up and then scanning inward, quickly tracing the outside of the egg. As the scan completed, a holographic projection of the egg appeared above it, floating in mid-air. The projection displayed a translucent, glimmering white visualization of the egg, with intricate patterns and energy readings swirling around it.

“Wait, how are you doing that?” James asked in amazement as the holographic projection overhead immediately started tracking the energy readouts of the egg and setting up a model of “reaction types.”

“Ah, this?” Trish smiled as she waved at the projection, and a wave emanated from the hologram as if the machine had suddenly stopped its integrations and acknowledged him in the room.

“Yes?” James asked in amazement as the projection and readings quickly returned to normal.

“Hmm. How do I explain… Frank and I made a few discoveries during that last level. As you’re aware, my Talent is that of a Manipulator, but originally, I believed that to be my interactions with objects, weapons, gear, and that type of stuff. I was able to weave affinities and change or modify the genetic makeup of the objects.”

“Uh yeah?” James stared at Trish, attempting to understand her response.

“Well, it turns out that I can manipulate anything… including devices like Chip here.”

“Chip?”

“Ha, yeah, Chip! Think of Chip as the Nexabot for the energy analysis device. They are quite friendly! It's one of my favorites, but don’t tell the others. Chip here can integrate and alter its coding to satisfy my needs. Think of my energy weaved into the device, allowing for real-time interaction. This device is running with its AI, but now it has my energy to integrate with as well, allowing for more impactful analysis and modifications.”

“How is that different than using Nex to interact with the machine?”

"Oh, James. You may not have realized that my primary Talent takes a LOT of time. The skill that I use is called Weave. Here, take a peek."

Skill: Weave

Allows the user to interact with foreign objects and manipulate their genetic core. It enhances bonding applications, enabling powerful affinity bonds and seamless integration.

“It’s cool, right?” Trish prompted as James read the description. “But what it doesn’t mention is the time it takes. Imagine: a paper clip has 10 billion trillion atoms that must resonate harmoniously. I can work in clusters, but it’s still incredibly tedious. Each atom must align with the object’s overall strategy to avoid obstructions or incomplete alignment for the end user. So now, instead of weaving directly into the objects I’m modifying, I’ve started using devices that can harness my energy to do the Weaving for me!”

“That’s cool,” James responded less enthusiastically than Trish expected.

Trish waved her hands excitedly to emphasize her point. “James! This is a groundbreaking discovery in my craft! Humans can only see so many layers of an object’s genetic makeup, which leads to impurities we never knew existed. But Chip here? This AI supercomputer can do so much more,” Trish exclaimed. “The application amazed the Professor; he thinks my affinity for Technology is the key to this breakthrough.”

“I get it!” James held the girl’s shoulders. “Trish, you are amazing,” he finished with an enormous smile.

Trish took a deep breath, realizing she might have gotten a bit carried away. “The potential applications of this discovery are immense, but I need more time to explore them fully…” she said, adjusting her posture and refocusing on the original topic. “So, back to names. Any suggestions?”

“Maybe we just start and see where it goes?” James asked, getting a nod from Trish. “What about Talon?”

As James said the name, they immediately looked at the holographic projection above the egg—the energy displayed as a translucent, glimmering white visualization circling the object. Quickly, the energy began to shift colors, transitioning to a red hue.

“That’s the readout of the change of energy. Red means anger, and blue dictates happiness. Maybe try a rapid-fire and see if we can target a direction of names.” Trish said with a nod from James.

“All right. Here we go. Ember… Starflight… Orion… Valkyrie… Aurora… Punisher… Nimbus… Sadie… Mindy…” James looked over at Trish.

“Well, we may have a girl on our hands. Early favorites are Valkyrie, Aurora, and Sadie; however, neither moved too far into the blue. Keep going.”

“Girl names huh? All right, little one… Luna… Vega… Dawn… Solara… Seera…”

“Wait… close.” Trish stopped James. “She seemed to like Seera. We are getting close.”

“Girl names and sight-related, huh?” James mused, turning to the egg as a nostalgic memory surfaced. “You may not understand me, but I hope you can sense my feelings. When I was a child, my parents would take me to resorts in the mountains of Tahoe. Each peak was breathtaking, but one in particular holds a special place in my heart. I remember being five years old, and for the first time, my parents let me join them on the highest ski lift. Before that, they would drop me off at the kids’ programs while they trained, but that day was different. I sat between them, and as we reached the top, we glided towards the back of the mountain. My parents hugged me as we overlooked what seemed like the entire world. It was just Reno and the valleys, but it’s a feeling I carry with me always.”

James paused, his eyes softening. “That moment was pure magic. The crisp air, the endless view, and the warmth of my parents’ embrace are memories that have stayed with me all these years. It’s a feeling of safety, wonder, and love all wrapped together.”

He looked back at the egg with a gentle smile. “The name of that mountain has always stayed with me. So what do you think, little one? How about the name… Rose?”

Trish looked taken aback by the story but quickly looked at the projection and then back towards James. Soon, a broad smile crept across her face.