Richard leaned back in his private office, a triumphant smile playing on his lips. Lina's testing on the new tech was completed, the digital blueprints for humanity's future secured. He decided to share the good news, starting with a familiar face. He activated a holographic projection, and Jack's image flickered into existence.
Richard blinked, genuinely surprised. Jack, usually stocky and a bit disheveled, now looked… sharp. His shoulders were broader, his jawline more defined, and there was an undeniable alertness in his eyes.
"Dude, I swear you surprised me," Richard said, a genuine laugh escaping him. "What happened to you? You look… good now."
Jack chuckled, running a hand over his trimmed hair. "Heh. You have no idea. It's different when you're motivated by something more than just games and snacks. And Scarlet," he sighed dramatically, "she doesn't hold back in sparring. That woman's a force of nature."
