Road Of Advancement

Theodore quickly found Professor Wilkinson's office with Summit helping him navigate through the somewhat maze-like 88th floor. The 88th floor was a floor rather high up in the Thompson Tower. The family complex counted a massive 109 floors above ground and 31 stories below ground. The 88th had a maze-like structure because it was used as a facility to house the many scientists.

"Scientist are all oddballs. They always think of their research. Ask a science at 03.00 in the night to quickly summarise his last results and he will report, without even properly waking up, all the recent results. Quirky folk, all having their own ideas and preferences. Very intelligent, but they're usually not that social. It's like a trade-off between brilliance and social skills." His grandfather had more than once complained about the scientist.

Even though he would sometimes loudly complain he nevertheless always emphasized their importance to the family and in general.

"Humanity stands tall because of science. Without science, we would all still be stuck on our home planet. Everything we have, everything we use, all our comfort, we owe to science." He would occasionally lecture the latter generations of the Thompsons.

His grandfather was also the reason why the 88th floor had become a maze. All scientist were allowed to create their own home and laboratory. There were many big laboratories where big projects and collaborations took place. However, his grandfather was adamant that every scientist needed a small laboratory. He said that they must always be allowed and be enabled to pursue their own interests in science.

Many higher-ups in the family had been against this plan, as it was an extreme expense and a great luxury to grant the scientist this boon.

His grandfather, however, pushed the plans through nonetheless. More than a few inventions were later patented through private research of the scientists, indirectly proving his grandfather right as the investments had been more than paid back over the years.

It was also a reason why the scientist would stay very loyal to the Thompson family. The freedom and budget were a huge enticement to new employees and a reason for the current staff to sat aboard.

The amount of scientist employed by the Thompsons was relatively little, however. Their main business was in transportation and safeguarding transports. They had many side businesses that brought in cash though. Every family member was encouraged to add to the family enterprise and fortune. Because of this, many smaller and medium companies fell under the Thompsons umbrella.

The second big cash cow to the Thompsons was their investments in the Regus planet. They mined valuable ore and exotics that were sold through various channels, processed and unprocessed.

The scientist task mainly was to improve and add improvements to their products.

The market had solutions for improvements, but licensing these innovations was very costly!

Therefore the Thompsons invested in their own R+D. The licensing of their own inventions then became another cashflow, adding further to the wealth of the family.

Theodore entered the office of Prof. Wilkinson ad the door was already open.

The room immediately struck Theo as a classic old fashioned office. In the current day and age, this kind of interior was more than just very dated. It, however, exuded personality and warmth and Theodore quickly found himself relaxing in this environment.

"Hmm, Theodore. How was lunch with Randall?" The professor looked up from his impressive desk, that was filled with various instruments.

"It was fine uncle Wilkinson." Theo casually commented, addressing him with a familiarity that would suggest they have a close personal relationship.

Prof. Wilkinson chuckled "Can't imagine it being very pleasant with the ol' man blabbering about the importance of relationsh.i.p.s and whatnot."

"Your grandfather and I have discussed what to teach you and what not to teach you for quite some time. Don't be surprised when I know exactly what your grandfather discusses with you, it's all part of a meticulously planned out schedule. Us old foxes have lost our hairs but not our wits, mind you."

"Can I ask you how you two have grown so close, uncle?" Theodore asked inquisitively, emphasizing the word uncle.

"We go back a long time, Theodore. Back in those days, we were both very promising seeds to our families. We went to the same schools but separated for a while before serving in the same garrison during the war. I only served a year actively at the front. With my achievements in science, I was transferred to a cushy job behind the front lines. In the early days of the war, all that counted was whether you could interface with a mech and pilot it."

"Part of our family upbringing is that were both trained in piloting mechs and both graduated a military school. Your grandfather majored in warfare and became an officer straight out of university. I however majored in science."

"Everyone with the precious gift of a high neural aptitude, however, was asked to serve the military. They didn't care for my talent in science at the beginning. Scientist like me at that time could be found everywhere. So I ended up serving with your grandfather. He saved my b.u.t.t a few time and in the end managed to use some connections to get me the cushion job behind the front."

"Some of my inventions helped your grandfather convince the higher-ups to pull me out. You could say he saved my life and then gave me a leg up away from the war. Afterwards, I quickly contributed to the war efforts as a scientist and was promoted several times. Your grandfather also rose through the ranks and we ended up as bigshots by the end of the war."

"Afterwards, we contacted each other and have been on good terms ever since. Your grandfather is the greatest man I know, and I'm proud to be his friend throughout all the years."

Professor Wilkonson earnestly gazed at Theodore, his voice slightly emotional during his explanation. He seemed to genuinely be very touched by all his grandfather had done for him. Theodore concluded that prof. Wilkinson was a man that could be trusted. He who does not forget a favour is a trustworthy man.

"Well, enough with the sentimental stories. Your grandfather has charged me with bringing you up to speed for your exams. Considering his ambition and his high expectation for you, this will not be easy. However, I have faith that you will make it. With your ol' man singing praise about you, I'm very interested in you."

"During my life, I have had many disciples. It's normal for a higher ranking scientist to take on disciples to leave behind a legacy and to prepare good seedlings for a future in science. Most are nominal disciples as I would not spend that much time om mentoring them. Few of them become core disciples, whom I will guide and teach without holding back. For all my long life, I still do not have a legacy disciple, who will carry on all my knowledge."

"Your father told me, that I may accept you as a nominal disciple. I hope to see you advance quickly in your studies. It would be great if the grandson of my greatest friend could take over my legacy. As much as my family invests in science.. They lack imagination! They're all textbook scientists! It won't bring them that far. I'm forced to teach them on the side, but you cannot expect a fish to climb a tree.. "

"Well, I'm blabbering on. Your advancement is yet to be seen. Just know that I too have high expectations."Prof. Wilkinson interrupted his own dialogue.

"Science! Science is the mother of all creation. Only by studying the universe and all that it entails can we as humanity prosper and keep our race safe from third parties."

"Science can be creation and science can be destruction. The path of a scientist is to research the truth. Regardless of what our research entails, as long as we seek truth we can keep our conscience clean."

"Today, we will not be discussing the morals and ethics of science, but the basics of science: mathematics, chemistry and physics. We will start with the very beginning. As much as your former teachers might have tried to instil you with the proper foundation and learning spirit, we must make sure all your knowledge is up to par. We cannot build a high tower without a sturdy foundation."

"Also tell mister Boulton to reign himself in with higher and complex theories. They are great for academic, but you surely are not yet at that level. His enthusiasm for science is great, but he must know to properly educate you. You cannot be a specialist without being generally well educated. Though I admit he is impressive, and his studies in energy-related fields are very interesting, your education is not a race. There might be a 'deadline', but you will struggle your entire life if the basics are lackl.u.s.tre." Wilkinson explained, dealing critical damage to Mr Boulton in the process.

Wilkinson then tested Theodore on his current knowledge. He went as far as to ask him to do multiplication and dividing. He naturally NAILED those easy questions but bumped into harder questions later on.

"Don't mind the easy questions, just answer them. You're not the only one learning. Your AI will also learn a thing or two. Naturally, he can calculate fine, but he is also learning your thought process. In order to make the most of your special AI, you must train it. Your AI is a bit special, but it's still essentially an AI that depends on deep/machine learning. He might be a living specimen, but his core is all the same. By aligning him with your thought process, he will learn smoother and become a better aide in time."

Theodore soldiered on as he answered question by question. He failed here and there but the professor did not show any discontentment. He simply recorded and scribbled notes while interviewing Theodore.

After some time, the questions finally stopped and an amused professor Wilkinson narrated his results.

"Well, you're base level of knowledge isn't all bad. You seem to have a cautious thinking pattern as it takes a few seconds to answer some of the more easy questions. Your formulation, however, is rather good. Not a complete replica of a textbook, but you're highlighting the important parts."

"You also seem to be able to improve in a short time. If I continuously ask questions in a logical string, you seem to determine the answers rather well. The danger, however, is, that when we jump subjects and stop your thought flow for a second, you answer significantly slower. "

"I suspect Summit must've helped quite a bit, as you have some interesting views on some of the harder theoretical questions."

"All in all, it's passable for me today. There's work to be done. But we will specifically target the basics that need some improvement."

'Deja-vu' Theodore thought.

'Though brought harsher, Mr Boulton had the same opinion. Seems they have more in common than I expected. What would Prof Wilkinson think if he knows of my opinion?' Theodore mused thoughtfully.

"We'll stop the lesson here, Theo. These sessions are relatively short and intense. It is important to digest the gains of the lesson and properly reflect. Don't just be a sponge and take everything in, stay critical, digest what you learn and stay curious. That is the proper attitude of a scientist." Prof. Wilkinson said as he dismissed Theodore.