<h4>Chapter 199: A Day Around the World- 2</h4>


    In Kern County, just beside Rogers Dry Lake and Edwards Aux North Air Force Base, stood the sprawling facility of Orionix SpaceTech Inc. Over the past few months, thepany hadunched more than a hundred satellites into orbit. For reasons of security and confidentiality, Edwards Air Force Base extended its facilities to Orionix, while also requesting support from the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center, fully aware that thepany was operating under NATO’s directives.


    Following thepany’s establishment, a specialised NATO team was stationed at Edwards to assist Orionix in its operations. Even NASA engineers were astounded by the speed of Orionix’s satelliteunches... almost as if they were racing against time. Thepany sourced materials globally, paying premium prices without hesitation, seemingly unhindered by any budgetary limitations. NASA, too, profited significantly by supplying variousponents and materials.


    Most of Orionix’s employees were seasoned veterans poached from other space agencies... particrly NASA. Key roles such as Head of Engineering, Launch Operations Manager, Satellite Systems Engineer, Propulsion Engineer, Avionics and Software Engineer, and Quality Assurance & Safety Manager were all filled by former NASA alumni. For regtory affairs, NATO provided their own personnel, streamlining processes significantly.


    Dr. Drake Graham took up the role of CEO at Orionix after voluntarily retiring from NASA, where he had served as the Director of Kennedy Space Center. His time at Orionix had opened his eyes to technological developments he’d never imagined encountering. It had been a gamble to leave NASA, but the risk had paid off.


    Although his activities remained under the watchful eye of the NATO team, Dr. Graham was no stranger to oversight... he had endured far more interference from bureaucrats during his time at NASA. Here, NATO personnel stayed out of technical affairs, which was a wee change.


    Then there was the matter of funding. Upon his appointment, thepany’s enigmatic founder, Eleanor Raynor, had promised him unlimited resources... whatever he needed to get the job done. And she had kept her word. Not once had he faced a budget cut. The only thing his boss ever pressured him about was time. She wanted everythingpleted fast. Dr. Graham did his best to deliver, though he knew that even with endless money, some things simply couldn’t be rushed.


    At this moment, inside theunchmand centre, the entire staff erupted into celebration. They had just sessfully deployed their 120th satellite into orbit. Dr. Graham, wearing a rare smile, watched with satisfaction. They had all worked tirelessly over the past two years to reach this point. Although the final goal was 150 satellites, 120 was the initial milestone and they had justpleted it.


    Amid the noise, Dr. Graham nced at his phone to check the time. It was early evening in the Kingdom.


    He dialled Eleanor. "Miss Raynor, we’ve just sessfullyunched the 120th satellite. The team is celebrating. We’vepleted the milestone within the timeline. May I announce the bonus you promised?"


    Eleanor’s voice came through the speaker, calm and direct. "Very well. You may dere it. At the end of this month, all employees will receive a bonus equal to their basic sry. Contact Teresa to arrange the transfer. And congrattions to you and your team."


    "Thank you," Dr. Graham said, ending the call.


    He approached the nearest microphone and cleared his throat. Instantly, the noise around him died down as everyone turned their attention to him.


    "Thank you all for your outstanding work. I’ve just spoken with the boss. She’s approved a bonus... each of you will receive an additional month’s basic sry with the next pay cycle."


    Themand centre erupted again... this time louder than before. The walls echoed with cheers and apuse.


    Dr. Graham stood still, watching them celebrate. He knew they deserved every bit of it.


    ***


    In Taramani, Chennai, India, Helena Rodrigues stepped out after inspecting the final factory. The warm afternoon sunlight bathed her bronze skin and dark, wavy hair in a golden glow. With her tall frame and curvaceous figure, she appeared effortlessly captivating, exuding a mature and self-assured aura.


    Samantha Nagavanshi, daughter of the Naga King Vasuki Prabhas Nagavanshi, had been apanying Helena for the past few days. Together, they had visited all seven factories in the region, streamlining production lines and finalising office structures. With their effortsplete, all facilities were now operating at full capacity.


    Samantha had learned a great deal since meeting Eleanor. She was astonished by the calibre of talent Eleanor had assembled. Numerous experts hade to aid in the restructuring of the factories... each one a specialist in their own right. Working alongside them, Samantha absorbed more knowledge in a few days than she had in years prior.


    Once they got into their car, Samantha asked, "Helena, are you really leaving tomorrow?"


    Helena nodded. "Yes. I’m responsible for overseeing threepanies back in the Kingdom. If I remain here much longer, they’ll begin to suffer fromck of direction."


    Samantha smiled and said, "Then, I’d like to invite you to dinner at my home this evening. My father would also like to meet you."


    Helena considered it for a moment, then agreed. "Alright. But I need to return to the hotel first... I have an online meeting. After that, I’m free. Just send a car."


    Samantha responded cheerfully, "No worries... I’lle pick you up myself."


    Helena turned her gaze to the window. A vibrant sea of vehicles of every shape and size filled the road. On the pavements, streams of pedestrians hurried home from work. The everyday bustle of Chennai, so alive and diverse, continued to fascinate her with each passing day.


    ***


    In the Walmart Supercenter, Suffolk of Virginia, Eleanor Whitmore and Jeanne Baker were strolling through the shelves, picking out the necessary items for their household. This was the first time in a long while they had to check the price of every item... they were running on a budget.


    Thest few days had been terribly difficult for their family. After settling into their new house, they had bought two cars formuting. They had initially decided to start a small business with what little money they had left.


    But someone had leaked their new address to people from the Kingdom who were owed money by William. One by one, they started to contact them, asking for repayment. They immediately changed their phone numbers, but it didn’t help much. Some of the debtors had rtives or business associates living in Virginia who showed up at their doorstep, demanding money.


    William Whitmore had just bailed out of a drug smuggling case, so they couldn’t afford to stir up any disturbance in the neighbourhood. They paid some of the more persistent ones just to make them go away, which further dwindled what little savings they had. In the end, they had to drop the idea of starting a business altogether. Instead, they decided to look for jobs that matched their expertise.


    Jennifer’s friend, who had already been living in Virginia, managed to arrange a job for her that would begin next month. Luckily, when all her other friends had cut contact, this one had remained loyal and helped her in her time of need.


    William Whitmore had gone for an interview at a construction material supplypany. He was hopeful about getting the job due to his past experience in the industry.


    But the real problemy with Jeanne. She had never worked a day in her life. With no experience, and given her age, it would be difficult for her to find any job. So, they decided she would stay home and manage the household in the meantime.


    However, this was easier said than done. They had lived with house staff for many years. Adjusting to this new life... cleaning, cooking, managing everything on their own was proving to be difficult.


    As they were engrossed in their shopping, a man dressed in a ck suit and cap approached them.


    "Are you Jeanne Baker from Manchester?" he asked, looking directly at Jeanne.


    Jeanne was startled by the sudden question, but she answered, assuming he was yet another personing to ask for money. "Yes. How may I help you?"


    "I was tasked to give you this," the man said, handing her an envelope. Jeanne took it from him cautiously.


    "Please read the contents carefully. The same documents are being given to Mr William Whitmore as well. My employer wishes you the best of luck." With that, the man turned and walked away without another word.


    Jeanne stood there frozen, staring at the envelope.


    Jennifer asked, "Mum, what’s in it?"


    Jeanne replied, "I don’t know. I thought he’d demand money like the others."


    Jennifer frowned. "I thought so too. But he only gave you a letter. You don’t have any debts in the Kingdom, do you?"


    Jeanne shook her head. "No. I never had to borrow anything."


    Jennifer said, "Then open the envelope. We’ll know once we read it. He said the same thing is being sent to Dad. What could possibly be addressed to both of you?"


    Jeanne opened the envelope. Inside were two neatly folded papers. She opened the first one. It was a DNA test report with no names attached. Her eyes fell to the bold conclusion at the bottom:


    "The DNA test results support the conclusion that Party B is the biological mother of Party A, with a probability of maternity of 99.99%."


    Jeanne frowned, confused as to why someone would send her such a document. She handed the paper to Jennifer and unfolded the second one.


    This time, she directly scanned to the bolded conclusion at the bottom:


    "Based on the DNA analysis, Party C cannot be the biological father of Party A. He is excluded with a probability of paternity of 0%."


    Jeanne froze.


    She wasn’t stupid. She immediately understood the implication of receiving these anonymous DNA test results... one confirming maternity, the other excluding paternity. And if William had received the same envelope...


    Her mind reeled. "If same was given to William, then what will happen?" she thought in panic.


    Jennifer looked at her mother, who stood dazed, the paper trembling in her hands. She took the documents and read them both. Failing to understand, she asked, "Why would someone send us a mismatched DNA test? It says Party B is the biological mother of Party A, but Party C is not the father. What kind of joke is this?"


    Jeanne’s legs gave out. She sat down heavily on the floor of the aisle, her vision blurring. Her voice was faint, but Jennifer heard it:


    "Party A is probably... you."


    The weight of her words crushed her. She couldn’t hold on any longer... Jeanne Baker fainted.