Sun and Moon, Second Cycle

A Pre-ANRC Tale

Maya took a deep breath as she entered the familiar coffee shop. She made her way to the exact table where they had sat three years earlier, finding Asakura there, brooding and waiting for her arrival, an unusual chess set laid out before her. The pieces were celestial bodies, adding an intriguing twist to the game.

"Well, well, well. Look who it is! My future business partner!" Maya greeted her with enthusiasm. Asakura looked up at Maya and gestured for her to take a seat. "I'm not so sure about this. Pawn to E4." Asakura expressed hesitantly.

"What the hell are you talking about? We've been planning everything over Wyvern for months," Maya responded, her confusion evident. Asakura gazed at her and indicated for her to make the first move on the celestial chessboard. "You can't possibly be thinking of throwing all of this away, right? Pawn to E5."

"Just think about it. When we first met here, you were all about changing the world and all that stuff. I've been wondering if I'm really cut out for that kind of work. Queen to H5," Asakura replied. Maya looked at her with a tinge of frustration.

"So what?! You want to throw it all away? I've told you countless times that we can achieve anything if we put enough effort into it! Knight to C6!" Maya exclaimed. Asakura met her gaze.

"A crossfire reactor, powered by a black hole using the Penrose process. It's science fiction, Moonlight. It's as simple as that. Bishop to C4." Asakura stated calmly. Maya's expression turned to one of fury at her words.

"So what? We have all the science. We're probably one of the most talented duos alive right now. We figured out how to sustain a black hole on paper, for heaven's sake! You're not about to let this slip, no way. Knight to F6," Maya retorted with frustration. Asakura smiled before letting out a chuckle.

"Do you know why I keep talking to you, Moonlight?" Asakura asked, her tone softer. Maya met her gaze, curiosity replacing her anger. "You have the vigor of a billionaire, the smarts of Einstein, yet the immaturity of a teenager. You're the least reliable person I've ever met. Queen to F6. Checkmate." Asakura watched as Maya's "Black Hole King" piece was toppled over.

"So, in other words, you're crazy enough to change the world," Maya looked disbelief in her eyes. "So, what are we calling this, Co-Founder?" Maya looked down in shock for a moment before responding, "You pick, Sunshine."

Less than 30 minutes later, the two were strolling down the street with a single thought in their minds: Arte-Nakatomi Laboratories, named after both of them. That night was initially filled with sketches and concepts for the reactor, but nothing seemed to work. They suddenly pivoted. Why not do research, and wait until we have more staff? Help others on their own journeys? The two made a quick agreement, but realised they'd need more staff to help them. A few names cropped up, Mary Powers, Megan Truhausen.. Reliable people they had met.

As the night wore on, little did they know, a young woman in New York was staring at the night sky, dazzled in the stars. "Oliva!" An older-sounding woman called, interrupting the younger's thought. Who would be crazy enough to hear my idea out?