leaned back in his chair, rolling his stiff shoulders before glanc

was typing away on her tablet

stop working. "Ryan

n't seen him since we

ecause he hasn't left the Talon Pr

. He picked up his ph

before going to voicemail.

ickered across his face

Would you have answered i

shaking his h

pment team now sat around

ressions at the beginning of the day had been

reen display as he spoke. His ideas were unconventional, pushing past the

made

o, you're saying if we tweak the servos

pilot's movements," Ryan finished. "No more lag.

expect this from you, kid. But if we pull this off...

He leaned against the table, arms crossed. "But let's not forget-this project already failed once. A

ical since the start, Malik. If you don't

m not helping. Just being realistic. We ne

for just a second, but enou

Judith hesitated for a moment be

r expression unreadable.

tually pull t

se. His mind was too focused,

ast sandwiches sat next to a cold coffee pot

d been

suddenly

pped in, their eyes

them. Papers, blueprints, and digital models covered the tables. Screens flick

neaten sandwiches. They have

a formed in his mind, one

is actua

eally revive

sible. Even if they had more time, there was nothing that could convi

ough the room, fi

s go. The d

m fell

screen, blinking as if

arim, their enthusias

hands were still on the ta

im, the day

just be

he Talon Project department,

epeated, his

ooking up. "Sorry, Dad, I'm busy right now. Can you plea

a moment, feeling a st

like me when I

hen gestured to Nadia to leave with him. Just as he reac

the door behi

energy in the Talon Project

ed with the same enthusiasm. Eventually, they reached a consensus-a concret

the reques

That

pping a cup of coffee and reviewing the project notes on her tablet. Malik cas

ay?" he

are pushing the project for

Kid's got energy, I'll give him that. But

ned. "What

owering his voice. "I mean,

for failure. That's not

e again-and guess who's going to take the fal

ed on this project for year

her coffee cup. "Ryan's smarter

e're the ones who are going to suffer when his 'big vision' turns into

aring at her tablet. She shook her he

doubt wa