Presentation Day at the National Lab
Adrian: "Once the Ministry of Science finishes introducing the list of potential quantum candidates, make sure to convince them at all costs about the advantages of our computers."
Sam: "Absolutely. Annealing remains the most resource-efficient trend for handling critical tasks—at least for now—until we can upgrade with many more qubits. Our current machine is a hybrid of annealing and superconducting technologies."
Adrian: "Sure… you seem pretty confident about your breakthrough software."
Sam: "Let's talk about the recent terrorist incident. You were involved in the topological error correction project with that Leon guy, right?"
Adrian: "I worked on multiple projects with him, but that one was highly classified—only a handful of scientists were invited. Leon is truly a talent. He contributed a significant breakthrough to the project. But he's British. The entire project was based in the UK lab, backed by multiple investors, including some billionaires… even the American billionaire Marcus."
A staff member representing the Minister stepped forward and began the presentation:
"Today, our ministry will introduce the companies entering the funding and selection round for the most promising quantum computers for the financial and banking sector. The list includes:"
SuperNova Corporation – featuring superconducting quantum computers. Their superconducting qubits operate at extremely low temperatures, offering high power and fast simulation speeds. They are currently researching multiple error-correction strategies.
Paul Trap Corporation – developing Ion Trap quantum computers where ionized atoms are confined by electric fields. With laser systems and specialized trapping structures, their qubits are identical because they are natural atoms, providing high stability and uniformity, resulting in high precision. Paul Trap's technology uses actual ions arranged in a linear chain inside a "Paul trap." At this early stage, ion-trap quantum computers also have advantages in solving linear-algebra-based algorithms for risk analysis.
Neutralis Labs – offering Neutral Atom quantum computers. Although their processing speed is mid-range, their optical-tweezer and optical-trap laser systems hold individual atoms, making the platform highly scalable to thousands of qubits. The qubits can be rearranged like Lego bricks. Its performance depends on laser stability, and the system is flexible for simulating complex multi-interaction markets.
LumenQ – focused on photonic quantum computers, using photonic chips and single-photon sources to build quantum circuits. This is a sophisticated and emerging technology with advantages in large-scale data-analysis workloads.
SiSpin Corporation – developing silicon-based spin qubit quantum computers, using highly purified silicon materials. These are easier to manufacture with semiconductor techniques and allow integration with microelectronics.
DiamondCore Lab – using carbon-based qubits built from NV defects in diamond or spins in carbon nanotubes. These are robust and highly suitable for quantum sensing devices as well as quantum computation.
SuperPosition Labs – presenting Cat Qubits, superposed photon states inside superconducting cavities. Their natural resilience to errors is a major advantage, though the technology is still relatively new.
Down in the audience, Sam grew excited:
Sam:"They're about to present our annealing technology next!"
Adrian:"Look over there — that's Marcus. One of the investors working with the government. His company's getting deeper into the military sector."
A nearby scientist scoffed:
Scientist:"And what makes you think they'll invest in annealing? The government wants long-term vision. Universal gate-based quantum computers will dominate the future — they can solve anything: any problem, any physical theory, any chemical model."
Adrian:"Of course… but gate-based machines need millions — even billions — of operations to run large multi-qubit algorithms. Don't get arrogant."
Sam:"Which is exactly why gate-based systems should combine with annealing to become truly complete."
Suddenly, the conference hall was interrupted by an emergency message:
Announcement:"Ladies and gentlemen, we must postpone the next presentation. A company under Mr. Marcus has encountered a critical incident."
Instantly, news alerts lit up on everyone's phones.
Marcus's subsidiary — Kingston Bank — had been hacked.
A massive power failure hit the facility, backup systems were remotely disabled, security logs were wiped, and enormous financial damage was reported.
Security codes had been broken swiftly, suggesting an attack from an extremely powerful quantum computer.
On the hacked screens across the bank, a message appeared:
"From Leon — for my dead son, you cowardly murderers."
The accusation pointed directly toward Marcus — implying he had been involved in the chain of events that led to Leon's son's death.
FBI agents quickly traced Leon, but they were too late — he had committed suicide.
Inside his laboratory, agents discovered evidence of an accomplice, but something else shocked them far more:
A partially destroyed topological quantum computer — gate-based, highly error-resistant, and clearly an advanced breakthrough model. It had been used to crack Kingston Bank's security remotely.
Back at AstraQ headquarters
Director Lynda confronted Adrian.
Lynda:"Adrian, did you know anything about this?"Adrian:"Yes. Leon called me weeks ago. He told me… everything."
Adrian continued:
Adrian:
"The entire chain of events was about reclaiming the breakthrough design in topological quantum computing. Marek and Marcus tried to steal Leon's work. They failed — and accidentally killed his son.
They stole the research that Leon created. It belonged to the UK — but the Americans took it.
Leon only retrieved what was his from Omega."
He paused.
Adrian:"…And before the hack occurred, Leon gave the documents to me."Lynda:"Excellent. We need them. If it's a real breakthrough, we can build a topological quantum computer and dominate the market."
Adrian:"…No. It doesn't belong to us. It belongs to the UK.""I've already contacted the embassy and returned everything."
Lynda froze.
Lynda:"What? Are you stupid? It was already in your hands! Listen, Adrian — the reason this company hired you isn't because you're brilliant. Don't flatter yourself. It's because you're cheap. A low-tier engineer to save us money while working on annealing hardware!"
Adrian inhaled, wounded but steady.
Adrian:"You don't need to fire me… I quit. I'm done."
He walked out — quietly, painfully — realizing that after years of dedication, everything had been just another ruthless profit race.
Two Years Later – A Small Town in Sweden
Snow fell lightly over a modest research cottage — a small independent lab run by one of its co-owners: Adrian.
Sam arrived at the doorstep.
Sam:"Well, look who it is. After all these years — well, two years — still chasing quantum dreams. Hope you still remember me."
Adrian:"Sam! And wow, you've gotten… bigger. Vacationing in this tiny town? What a coincidence. Shouldn't you be in your AstraQ lab?"
Sam:"It's not my lab. They promoted me, sure — but the place is boring. I spent some time tracking you down. Not hard — the name Adrian is still recognized in the academic world. I heard you co-own this place… and that you're fundraising for a project?"
Adrian:"I'm not that famous. Just living like a monk, really. We're only raising funds for a homemade quantum computer — nothing grand."
Sam:"Come on. You can't 'live in hiding' and still raise capital. Want me to invest? A small quantum machine, built by people who actually care — something useful, something pure — something that could change the world.
Especially if I partner with a talented hardware engineer."
Adrian:"Alright, enough flattery."
He looked around the quiet snowy landscape.
"…But this place really does give me a sense of peace. A place to build something that might actually help the world. Who knows?
If we share the same goal… maybe what we create really will change something. One day."
Adrian smiled softly.