NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 65: Penthouse, Meta tech
After the battle against demon prince BAEL in Gotham, Ethan had returned home to get a much needed rest and to digest the knowledge he gained from Earth 101
The penthouse was silent, a sharp contrast to the chaos that had unfolded earlier in Gotham. Ethan leaned back in a sleek leather chair, his gaze fixed on the sprawling cityscape beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows. The distant hum of the city felt almost soothing after the deafening roars of demons and the clash of magic. He had returned to his sanctuary not long after the battle, his body still tense with residual adrenaline.
Ethan closed his eyes and activated the mental framework Helios had designed for him. A glowing grid of data streams appeared in his mind's eye, representing the vast information he had absorbed during his time in Earth 101.
First, he focused on the metahuman data. His psychometric abilities had unraveled the complexities of dark matter-infused technology, the unique adaptations it caused in human physiology, and its limitations. He sifted through the information, mentally cataloging the potential applications. The possibility of creating his own metahuman tech loomed large.
Ethan leaned back in the leather armchair His mind was a storm of knowledge, swirling with revelations about dark energy, meta-tech, and the possibilities they unlocked. Having barely returned from Earth 101 and thrown into the chaos of Gotham's demonic invasion, Ethan finally had the time to sit down and process everything he had learned.
Ethan's understanding of dark energy had deepened profoundly. It wasn't just the enigmatic force that created metahumans—it was the very fabric of their existence. He visualized it as an invisible web, pulsing with power, connecting metahumans to their abilities. This energy flowed through them, empowering them to manipulate reality in extraordinary ways.
Yet, it wasn't infinite. Dark energy had limitations, and disruptions in its absorption could neutralize metahuman abilities. Ethan realized this was a key vulnerability. If he could create technology to interfere with this process, he would possess a means to neutralize even the most formidable opponents.
"Dark energy, an elusive field in science was revealed to him" he mused, running his fingers along the edge of his desk. "It's both the source and the Achilles' heel of metahumans. Controlling it means controlling them."
Meta-tech fascinated and unnerved him in equal measure. Objects bombarded by dark energy radiation were mutated, gaining abilities that defied logic and science. The examples he had witnessed on Earth 101 played vividly in his mind:
A lightning rod that could control weather patterns, summoning storms or dispersing them at will.
A hypnotic smartphone capable of rewriting reality for its users, manipulating perceptions to create false narratives that people would unquestioningly believe.
A technological remote that could transform any ordinary vehicle into a high-tech marvel, complete with forcefields, cloaking devices, and weaponized energy emitters.
Ethan saw the potential for innovation but also the catastrophic consequences if such technology became widespread. He had no intention of sharing these advancements with the world.
Ethan's mind turned to the practical applications of meta-tech. With the knowledge he had absorbed, he could create devices to bolster his capabilities and fortify his position. The key was the particle beam collider—a device capable of generating dark energy and infusing it into objects, turning them into meta-tech. With it, he could replicate the technology he had seen and even innovate beyond it.
Yet, Ethan resolved that this technology would remain exclusive to him. He had no interest in becoming a supplier of weapons or tools for the masses. His creations would serve his purpose alone: enhancing his strength, protecting his assets, and ensuring his dominance in the evolving world of superhumans.
Revealing meta-tech to the public—or even to governments—was out of the question. Ethan had seen firsthand the chaos that arose when power was left unchecked. On Earth 101, meta-tech had been both a boon and a bane, its misuse leading to destruction and suffering.
In his universe, things would be different. If anyone became aware of his knowledge or capabilities, it would spark a frenzy among corporations, governments, and black-market organizations. The scramble to replicate his advancements would lead to an arms race, with humanity caught in the crossfire.
"No," Ethan thought. "This is mine alone.
Ethan began mentally outlining his next steps. First, he would need a secure location to build the particle beam collider. The device would have to be constructed far from prying eyes, in a facility equipped with state-of-the-art security and cloaked from detection. His wealth and resources would make this possible, but he needed discretion above all else.
Second, he would design countermeasures to protect himself from any potential adversaries. Disruption devices to neutralize metahumans, personal meta-tech to enhance his own abilities, and a network of safeguards to ensure his secrets remained hidden.
Finally, he would study. The knowledge he had gained was vast but incomplete. The intricacies of dark energy, the mechanics of the speed force, and the potential of meta-tech required deeper understanding. Helios, his AI companion, would assist in decoding and analyzing the data stored in his mind.
"Helios," he said aloud, breaking the silence. "Begin compiling a list of resources we'll need to build a particle beam collider. And start drafting security protocols for a covert research facility."
"Understood, sir," Helios replied, its voice calm and efficient. "Shall I prioritize discretion and minimal external dependencies?"
"Yes," Ethan confirmed. "This stays between us. No one else can know."
His thoughts lingered on the recent changes to the Echo Box, now a device of immeasurable power. After absorbing the particle antimatter energy back on Earth 101, the Echo Box had evolved into a device comparable to the Mother Box, though it remained untethered to the Source. Its potential, however, was nothing short of godlike.
The upgraded Echo Box granted Ethan a host of abilities that rivaled those of the Mother Box, making him a near-unstoppable force. As he examined its capabilities, he realized just how much the device had changed:
The Echo Box could now open portals, known as boom tubes, allowing instant travel across galaxies. With precise spatial coordinates, Ethan could teleport to any location, traversing the cosmos with ease.
The device could drain and harness the energy of celestial bodies, even siphoning an entire star's worth of power. Combined with the muon catalytic fusion reactor tech from the predator spaceship, the Echo Box now had access to a nearly limitless energy supply, giving it functionality that rivaled any godlike artifact.
The Echo Box could transmute elements, transforming inorganic matter into any material Ethan desired. Iron could be turned into gold, stone into cement, sand into uranium. He could even craft entirely new materials by rearranging molecular structures, a feat beyond even the most advanced earthly technologies.
With this power, Ethan could reshape entire continents or planets, transforming them into any environment he envisioned—lush forests, barren wastelands, or even biomes suitable for alien life.
The Echo Box could repair damage to both organic and inorganic matter. It could heal wounds, cure diseases, and even restore entire structures to their pristine states.
The device could generate powerful energy blasts capable of obliterating targets. It could also create defensive shields strong enough to withstand nuclear-level attacks.
Like the Mother Box, the Echo Box enabled Ethan to understand and communicate in any language, written or spoken, across the universe.
The Echo Box could scan environments, detect life forms, and analyze threats with precision. It could identify weaknesses, calculate probabilities, and provide strategic insights in real-time.
The Echo Box was now bound exclusively to Ethan. Like Thor's hammer, it could be summoned to his side with a thought. Unlike the hammer, it could teleport directly to him, regardless of distance.