Ultraviolet Catastrophe

“This is it,” Asher said with a grin.

“How does your dad feel about all this?” Zella asked. “Will your mom be coming back to work on the project?”

The smile slipped from Asher’s face. “As far as I know, Mom’s still in Seattle with no plans to return.”

She nodded. “I just wondered. I know her focus is a bit different, but she’s still one of the best physicists in the country.”

“QT is smart to let someone else lead up the project. Dr. Jessica Rosen is kind of an ass**le.” Asher stood up, scraping his chair across the floor. “Anyway, just wanted to give you guys a heads up. I’ll catch you later.” He shoved his hands into his jeans pockets and strode away.

I frowned at his retreating back. “What was that about?”

Zella shook her head. “Asher’s mom left them years ago and hasn’t bothered to keep in touch even though she still works for QT. It’s kind of sad.” She popped another grape in her mouth. “Asher hasn’t been the same since she left. I think that’s when he started his flirting phase. I guess it keeps his mind off other things.”

Max shook his head. “Dr. Rosen is a genius, but he’s kind of that stereotypical absentminded-professor type. Asher’s had to fend for himself. I think he blames his dad for his mom leaving.” He got to his feet. “But not like we can do anything about it. Time for some more research before the staff meeting. You done yet, Zella?”

She snatched the bag of grapes off her tray and shoved it into her bag. “I am now. We’ll see you later, Lexie.” Her expression was almost friendly as she and Max walked away.

The Quantum Technologies auditorium looked like a shining glass bubble on the side of the main QT facility, the curved glass walls and ceiling giving it an open, airy feel. Even with the hundreds of bodies milling around, the place was huge. It could probably fit two thousand people in the soft, movie-theater-style chairs ringing the center stage.

“The auditorium is made from high-tech glass,” Max explained as we shuffled toward the middle of the auditorium with the rest of the students. “It’s filled with heavy particles that can be turned on or off to block the light. Comes in handy when you want to display a presentation in the middle of the day. Especially since QT hosts an annual conference every scientist in the world would kill to be invited to.”

“More of the QT exclusivity?”

“Of course. How else do you generate buzz?” He let me shuffle first into our row. The other students whispered and giggled as they filtered in behind. I guessed there were about a hundred of us total, twenty or so in each level.

Below us, closer to the stage, the scientists and staffers wandered in, chatting with each other as they took their seats. I think the IQ number in the room was at least a zillion and three, based on the lab coats. My dad even sported his crazy scientist hair; it stood on end like he’d run his hands through it a dozen times. Evidently, it had been a rough morning in the labs. Unfortunately, Jordan seemed more than happy to make him feel better, giggling and flirting with him as they took their seats. Dad looked more annoyed with her behavior than anything as he tried to speak with the scientist seated on the other side of him.

I spotted Dr. Rosen entering the auditorium with the medical team. Dr. Danvers mingled with three people in business suits near the stage. Unusual, since most of the staff here wore lab coats or scrubs.

I searched the rest of the crowds. Of course, I wasn’t looking specifically for him, but I didn’t spot Asher anywhere. Amy sat a few rows behind us, craning her neck as she scanned the crowds, too. There was an empty seat beside her.

At four sharp, Dr. Danvers moved to the podium and tapped the microphone. “Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for coming on such short notice. We have an amazing announcement to make, and I hope you’ll all be as excited about it as I am. Quantum Technologies is about to take a major leap into the future. I am pleased to have two of the regents of the Quantum Technologies board here to help share this news with you — Director Dr. Elisabeth Franklin and Assistant Director Dr. John Evans.”

The two scientists in suits stepped forward and nodded to the crowd. Dr. Franklin was a petite black woman with a steely expression. She scanned the crowd, and when her eyes passed over me, I shivered. This was a woman who didn’t put up with nonsense. I wouldn’t want to get on her bad side.

Satisfied with whatever she’d been looking for, Dr. Franklin nodded at Danvers, who continued. “The board of directors has been working diligently to get funding for a very special project based on the research we’ve been doing into mathematical models of space-time and their physical manifestations.” Danvers paused, her eyes gleaming. “I am happy to announce we have been awarded a grant to develop a small-scale working model of an Einstein-Rosen bridge.”

The crowd murmured, and the students sitting around us buzzed with excitement. Beside me, Max and Zella looked a bit smug.

“This is a great honor and a great responsibility. If we are successful, this will put QT at the cutting-edge of quantum physics research and discovery. To head up this project, we need someone who is both a strong leader and a strong scientist. I am very pleased to announce Dr. Michael Avery as the director of Project Infinity.” Dr. Danvers stepped back from the podium, clapping.

I frowned as my skeevy advisor sprinted to the stage, his button-down shirt pressed neatly. No crazy scientist look for him. He waved with both arms, like he was some kind of celebrity, and the room thundered with applause. But I noticed several scientists with their heads together, whispering. Even Dad had a slight frown on his face.

“Thank you, everyone,” Dr. Avery said, adjusting the microphone to his height. “I am humbled and honored to be chosen as the lead for this important project. This momentous day has been in the works for almost two years, so I am happy to tell you work on Project Infinity will begin immediately. Dr. Danvers and I have assigned the project teams, so without further ado, let me introduce you to the assistant leads on the project.”

He tapped at a tablet on the podium and began to read a list of names. Most of them I didn’t know, but then he said, “Dr. William Kepler will be heading up the particle physics lab. His broad knowledge of string theory will play an important role in understanding the potential of the Einstein-Rosen bridge.”

I wanted to cheer for Dad — I knew this was huge for him — but I restrained myself and only clapped loudly. Max glanced at me and grinned before clapping harder as well.