Tony still had Arthur's holographic demonstration projected in the air when he leaned forward, as if a dam had burst.
"Okay, okay, hold on just a second… If you can modulate the density of the nanostructure at that level, then nothing stops us from coupling an integrated microturbine system for cooling. But if we use a liquid helium flow encapsulated in the channels—no, better, solid-state cooling nanoparticles! That would compensate for the thermal overload. And if we combine that with a variable magnetic field, we could not only reinforce the armor but also generate a dynamic shield. Just imagine—an energy shield made of nanites, flexible, self-regenerating! And—wait—if the nanites can reorganize in real time, then a thruster could form directly from the arm, no fixed compartment needed. Picture it: an entire arsenal, mutable, with no physical limitation, no need to carry extra gear! And we could still attach—"
"Tony." Arthur's voice cut like a blade. He raised a hand, making him stop mid-rant. "Breathe."
Tony blinked, though the gleam in his eyes didn't fade.
Arthur crossed his arms and spoke slowly.
"Of the five points you just dumped out, three are viable in the short term. The other two are pure fantasy—not impossible, but still far from our current reality."
He extended a finger, counting them off.
"First: the multi-layer cooling system. Yes, it can be implemented. I already use a similar principle, but you proposed an advancement that could reduce instability by 40%. That's applicable now."
"Second: integrated thrusters in the nanomachines. Also viable. The problem is the absurd energy consumption, not to mention the difficulty of adding that on a microscopic level. But… if we adjust the particle compression cycle, we can achieve short bursts. Not sustained flight, but instant mobility."
"Third: the dynamic shield." Arthur paused.
"That's not just viable. It's necessary. We can integrate it into the existing defense system. But not the way you imagine—not a full magnetic field, but a hybrid barrier: nanomachines combined with pulsed energy, compact and controllable."
Tony stared at him for a few seconds, then his lips curved into a slow smile. "You just shot down my ideas and, at the same time, turned them into gold."
Arthur shrugged. "Someone has to separate dreams from reality."
"Oh, you're perfect for that. Like Google, but with an ego."
Arthur let out a low chuckle. "And you talk too much."
---
Arthur projected a larger hologram in the center of the workshop: a three-dimensional model of the nanomachine capsule, with all its internal layers visible. Codes, energy flows, and technical schematics spread through the air, painting the room like a mosaic.
Tony rubbed his hands together, excited. "Now this is my language. An interactive holographic lab! Arthur, you just opened the gates to nerd heaven."
Arthur typed a few commands and stabilized the prototype's central core in the hologram. "First we structure the basics. If you keep throwing out ideas without organizing priorities, you'll turn this into a chaotic opera. We need solid foundations."
Tony raised a finger in the air as if starting a speech. "Exactly. And every opera begins with an overture! Leave it to me. I improvise the chords, you set the tempo."
Arthur glanced at him sideways but couldn't hold back a small smile. "Then let's dance."
The two moved closer to the hologram. Arthur began highlighting critical points. "Here, the nanomachine control matrix. It needs redundancy to avoid loss of synchronization. And here, the energy unit. It's far too small for what you're suggesting."
Tony was already sketching formulas in the air, his quick gestures turning into floating lines of code. "What if we add reverse-flow micro energy cells? Not permanent, but enough to power the extra modules when needed. Like an internal emergency battery."
Arthur analyzed, narrowing his eyes. "It works… but it'll be unstable. It would need an automatic balancing system."
"Automatic balancing?" Tony snapped his fingers, grinning. "Nanomachines are programmable, right? Then let them do the balancing themselves! Don't you see? You're not just creating a tool, Arthur. You're creating an entire orchestra of intelligent particles. And every orchestra needs a conductor."
Arthur crossed his arms. "And you're applying for that role?"
"I was born for it." Tony answered without hesitation, already modifying the hologram to show nanomachines rearranging like musical notes in sync.
Arthur sighed, but this time with a genuine smile. "Very well. But let's go slowly. First, we give them simple sheet music: form, dismantle, recompose. Then we increase the complexity."
Tony winked, thrilled. "And while you teach them Mozart, I'm already composing the Star Wars soundtrack."
Arthur ran a hand over his face, almost laughing. "You really can't stop, can you?"
"Of course not. That's the fuel of genius, my friend. You give me the ground, I'll make the wings. And together, we fly."
Arthur returned to adjusting the hologram, moving pieces with almost mathematical precision, while Tony followed behind, tossing out ideas like scattered notes—some impossible, others brilliant.
---
Arthur reorganized the holograms into sections, reducing the scale to the microscopic level. "Let's focus on something small. A simple, controlled function. If it fails, the risk is minimal."
Tony rubbed his chin. "Something small… like a coffee mug that refills itself?"
Arthur sighed. "No. Something useful."
Tony raised a finger, theatrical. "Coffee is useful."
"Tony."
"Fine, fine… how about a microdrone? Nothing that flies yet, just simple wheels. Basic mobility, but it lets us test programming, form, and energy."
Arthur considered for a few seconds. "Acceptable."
Immediately, Tony began sketching in the hologram. Quick, almost scribbled lines formed a small cubic module with retractable wheels. Arthur followed, correcting dimensions, balancing weight, adjusting proportions.
"You overdid the motor. That'll consume too much energy."
"Overdoing things is my middle name!"
Arthur erased half the schematic with a sharp gesture. "Then I'll be the brakes."
They worked side by side, the hologram shifting like clay. Where Tony added bold solutions, Arthur refined, cut excess, and gave structure. Gradually, the model gained solidity: a compact metallic block, with internal microcircuits and retractable wheels shaped directly by the nanomachines.
Tony raised his brows, satisfied. "Look at that. It's practically a pocket Transformer."
Arthur brought the capsule closer and programmed the initial sequence. "Let's see if it works."
A metallic sound filled the workshop as the nanomachine cloud began to move. As if obeying an invisible command, they united, forming layer by layer of the prototype. In seconds, the small wheeled cube was there before them, like a futuristic miniature straight out of a sci-fi film.
Tony leaned in, eyes wide. "It's… cute."
Arthur ignored him. "Activating."
The wheels unfolded with a metallic click, and the prototype took its first steps, wobbling like a newborn. It rolled a few inches, spun awkwardly, almost collapsed, then stabilized.
Tony started clapping like a child. "Look at that! It moves! Arthur, we just gave birth to a pocket-sized R2-D2!"
Arthur analyzed the data on the panel. "Yes, but unfortunately the energy consumption is at its limit. More than three minutes and it'll collapse."
"Three minutes?" Tony laughed, delighted. "Arthur, three minutes is enough to cross the room and grab a beer without leaving the couch. That's historic!"
Suddenly, the prototype sped up on its own, made a sharp turn, and crashed into Tony's foot, disassembling into metallic particles that fell like silver sand.
Tony cried out in fake pain. "Ow! It attacked me! It's alive! Arthur, you just created Skynet in pocket version!"
Arthur merely shook his head, gathering the particles back into the capsule. "Still a long way from proper control. But… it was a great start."
Tony was still grinning from ear to ear. "Not just a start! This is already the first symphony of our orchestra. And I don't know about you, but I can already hear the applause of the future audience."
Arthur chuckled, crossing his arms. "Then let's compose the second."
Tony rubbed his hands, excited. "Oh, kid… now you're speaking my language."
---
(End of chapter)
A/N: I just realized something—I may have made Tony a bit silly, but I'm leaving him like that. I liked it.
"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."