13 Chapter 13 - Tech Development

Mikael spent the rest of the week at work while balancing what remained of his school life. Using the money he liberated from The Hand, Mikael purchased a plethora of different materials from some unofficial channels. The first day he spent writing out the blueprints and determining which materials he had and which ones he needed to substitute. On the second day he received his purchase while using his powers to ensure that he won't be traced or betrayed. From there he began to truly dive into his work as by the fifths day Mikael had at last recreated a speeder bike and a standard power cell. Unfortunately he had yet to make a diatium power cell for his future light saber. He did however make it capable of drawing harmful gases to sustain and recharge itself when not in use as an attempt to make it marketable. He also decided to make something smaller and cheaper with the skimboard complete with anti-collision. Mikael's work done for the moment until he had the equipment needed to make larger items covered up his creations in the shed in the back yard and went to find his mother.

"Mom! Could you help me with something?" Mikael said once he found her in the living room on her laptop.

"What is it sweetheart?" Sarah asked as she looked up from the work she was going over.

"I made something that I want to patent and promote." Mikael told her.

"Really? I can make a call to help you get a patent but what are you trying to promote?" His mother asked as she closed her computer and set it aside.

"Well I kinda made a hover bike." Mikael told her as he started leading her back out to the shed.

"I'm sorry did you say 'hover bike?'" She asked as she stepped inside to see a large tarp covering something in the middle of the shed. Mikael with a tug moved the tarp revealing the metal frame of the bike as it stood on two legs supporting it off the ground. He pressed a button between the handlebars as the repulsorlift activated as it then started floating in the air and the legs folded up beneath it.

"See? Hover bike. There's also a hover board over there under the tarp on the table." Mikael told her in a mildly nonchalant manner as she seemed to struggle to process the discovery.

"How did you even come up with this." She asked as she waved her hand beneath the speeder as though she was expecting to find it supported by some invisible object.

"I've been working on it for a while but being struck by lightning push those plans back." Mikael told her with a straight face.

"So then what do you plan to do with this?"

"Well first get a patent for it, then I wanna try and make a business out of it so I can find the rest of my projects."

"You have more projects?" His mother asked as she turned and looked at him in surprise.

"Okay. Alright. I'll make some calls and push to get your patent as soon as possible. Is there anything else you want to spring on me while I'm here?" She asked as she massaged her temples.

"Uh, yeah one more thing. I want to graduate early this year." Mikael told her as he handed her the papers the guidance counselor gave him.

"I'd like to say I'm surprised but I think I've bottomed out. A hover bike. What's next? Are you going to make spaceships next?" She asked as she started to walk back to the house while Mikael covered everything back up before he froze slightly at her words.

Over the course of the next few days Mikael's mother fulfilled her promise as officials from the Patent and Trademark Office came by to evaluate his creations. Mikael explained the basics of his creations as he demonstrated what it could do as he drove the speeder bike and skimboard around the backyard. Even though he couldn't show the full capabilities in the small space it wasn't difficult to prove that his technology worked exactly as it was meant too and by the end of the week Mikael was now the sole owner of the patents for the speeder bike, skimboard, the repulsorlift technology and the power cells.

The first step of his business plan resolved Mikael began making plans to expand and grow his resources. Soon enough people began to hear about the speeder bike and skimboard as Mikael started receiving calls and offers through the new phone he bought specifically for his business. And after a couple meetings with interested sponsors as well as some 'forceful negotiations' with individuals that wanted to take advantage of his supposed inexperience Mikael now had the financial backing to start a business of his own. Using his new funds he purchased and refurbished a small factory in Manhattan.

As he waited for the factory to be ready Mikael had gone through the procedure necessary for early graduation. The exam he had to take was of no challenge and soon enough he was saying goodbye to the school as he took on a more full time role as the CEO of his own business, Argent Tech. It took a little bit of time and effort on his own part to get everything up and running as he had to personally modify the equipment and machinery to his specifications but by the end of the week he was able to produce the first speeder bikes and skimboards that went on the market.

As the speeders and skimboards were being bought by thrill seekers and the younger generation Mikael began developing the next items on his list, cybernetic prosthetics and holograms. As the world started to watch his world changing development Mikael was also working on another secret project of his own. In a hidden basement of the factory Mikael stood in front of a humanoid figure. The figure was covered in metal plates that covered the mechanical parts making up the skeleton like frame. The metallic figure was painted red and black and printed on the chest of each one were the letters HK.

Mikael stepped back nodding his head as he admired his handiwork. Then he raised his hand towards the figure as he released sparks from his fingertips that surged into the mechanical body. Blue arcs traveled back and forth through the metal frame as Mikael pushed his will into the circuitry of the machines until with a flash the eyes of the droid lit up red as it raised its heads and looked towards him.

"Statement: Greetings Master, This unit is operational and awaiting your command. Query: Do you require the disposal of a meat bag?" The droid announced.

"No, not at the moment but perhaps in the near future." Mikael answered as he looked it over with a happy expression over the successful use of Mechu-deru.

"Commentary: That's a pity."

"Droid what is your directive?"

"Statement: My directive is to carry out your will and assist you in your endeavors to the best of my capabilities."

"Perfect. Hence forth you will be referred to as HK-47 or 47 for short."

"Statement: Understood master." It answered as Mikael started to walk out of the hidden basement with the new droid following behind him. He stepped back out into the factory as the door shut behind him blending seamlessly into the wall as a hologram rose to cover the wall masking the few clues of the false door.

"47 this is my factory for the manufacture of speeder bikes and skim boards. For the moment I need you to stand guard and apprehend any intruders that enter." Mikael said.

"Statement: Understood master. I will neutralize any meat bag that dares to trespass." 47 responded before he moved to position himself in an elevated perch where he could see the entire factory with the dragunov Mikael gave him.

"I should make him some blasters. But for now I'd say I've outdone myself." Mikael said to himself as he started to make his way home. As he made his way out of the building he felt a shift in the air behind him and immediately spun around. There he saw a glowing and sparkling circle open in the air as it expanded and revealed what almost looked like the inside of a mansion. He raised his guard as a robed and hooded figure stepped through the circle and stood in front of him.

"Mr Mikael Argent? You have someone that would like to meet you and it would be greatly appreciated if you could make some time to pay us a visit." The figure said as they held out a small card. Mikael carefully took the card and as he looked it over he watched as the figure stepped back through the portal as it closed behind him and disappeared.

"Well damn."