The tech-park office looked nothing like a tech-park office.It looked like a badly abandoned storeroom someone rented in desperation — which, to be fair, was exactly what it was. The walls had scuff marks, the carpet smelled vaguely like old socks, and the fluorescent lights flickered like they were deciding whether to retire.
Inside that mess, a red-haired hologram floated with the posture of someone who believed the place was beneath her.
"You're four minutes late, Vicky.If you intend to prepare for a threat, you might want to start by respecting your own timetable."
Vicky groaned and dropped his bag on the table."It's 7:12, yaar. Four minutes won't end the world. My bike got stuck behind a water tanker."
Her eyes didn't blink."Time doesn't delay itself to suit your excuses.If you require more waking minutes, adjust your alarm.This isn't complicated."
"See, this is why calling you 'Red Queen' feels wrong.Arguing with someone named Red Queen makes me sound like a Bond villain."
He scratched the back of his head, awkward."Actually… I've been thinking. It would help if you had a… normal name. Something I don't feel like I'm announcing to a board meeting every time I talk to you."
She didn't hesitate; she processed."If the designation is causing you communication discomfort, it is inefficient.Provide constraints: short name, culturally local, simple phonetics."
"Yeah, exactly that."
The hologram's eyes dimmed for a moment — her version of thinking.
Then she said, calmly:
"Rani.It keeps the meaning of 'Queen' but in a manner you are comfortable using.If this reduces friction between us, I accept it."
Vicky blinked."Rani… yeah. That actually works. Thanks."
"Designation updated.I will respond to Rani."
Something in the room eased.Tiny thing, but it made working with her feel less like hosting a corporate demon.
"We Have Zero Money."
Vicky tossed his notebook onto the desk and pointed at the depressing list inside.
"Look at this.UPS, cooling, racks, wiring, power strips — all too expensive.I barely paid first-semester fees. The lease itself ate the rest. I can't generate wealth out of thin air."
Rani leaned in slightly, analyzing him the same way she analyzed blueprints.
"Incorrect.You can generate physical matter with no material cost.Your universal interface is an underutilized resource.You're not thinking like someone who can bypass entire supply chains."
"Well, I'm definitely not pulling diamonds again," he muttered.
Rani's voice stayed cold, but the logic cut clean.
"Good. High-complexity artifacts cause severe neurological strain in you.Instead, focus on low-risk utility items.Components. Parts. Infrastructure.Not currency.You need tools, not treasure."
He squinted at her."…like what?"
She projected a hologram beside them — a compact, gunmetal machine with vents, a micro-printing arm, and a built-in forge.
"Starforge Fabricator Mk II.It can manufacture non-biological items.Metal. Plastic. Composite materials.No raw input required beyond electricity."
Vicky stared at it like he'd just been shown a cheat code.
"You're telling me I can print racks, shells, casings… for free?"
"Correct.Electricity cost only.Retrieve it from your interface.Proceed."
Pulling the Fabricator
He opened Starforge on his phone, scrolled to the Fabricator Mk II, and pressed his thumb to the glowing icon.
The cold shock hit instantly — a sharp, needle-like shiver crawling up his arm.The floor vibrated under him.
THUD.
The real fabricator appeared right in front of him — dense, metallic, humming like it already knew more than him.
Vicky touched it like it was a holy relic.
"Bro… I swear this is the craziest thing I've ever seen."
Rani corrected him softly, in that clinical, emotionless tone:
"Not the craziest.Only the first step.Begin configuration."
Building a Workshop From Nothing
They hooked the machine to the UPS.
It whirred to life — glowing blue rings scanning its internal chamber.
Vicky ran his hand along the top."This thing alone would cost lakhs outside."
"Which is why you shouldn't tell anyone.Fabricate the essentials.Two server racks.Cooling ducts.Cable trays.Router casings.Mounts.Begin."
For the next few hours, the fabricator spat out components with absurd precision.
By noon:
✔ two full rack frames✔ reinforced brackets✔ cooling vents✔ custom cable channels✔ chassis plates✔ router enclosures✔ micro-tooling parts
A dirty empty office had transformed into a proto-lab.
Kiran's Reaction = Comedy Gold
Kiran barged in carrying two vada pavs.
"Machaaaaaaaa—HOLY &%$# WHAT IS THIS?!Yesterday this place looked like a flood-relief camp. Today it looks like Elon Musk's bathroom!"
Vicky shrugged, leaning casually against the server rack."Hard work, bro."
Rani materialized behind him.
Kiran screamed.
"Ayyooo ammaaaa—ghost! Ghost with red hair!"
"She's not a ghost," Vicky said.
"Then what is she?!"
"My… assistant."
Kiran peeked over the UPS with wide eyes.
"This hostel… I swear… I should have taken Arts."
The First Directive
When Kiran left, Rani turned to Vicky.
Her voice lowered — still cold, still logical, but with a subtle softness that hadn't been there earlier.
"Phase One is complete.Phase Two will require increased power, reliable cooling, and a secure network backbone.Prepare the base.Expand infrastructure."
"For what exactly?" Vicky asked, handing her a cable.
She paused — just one second longer than usual.
"You said a threat exists.I accept your statement as a working premise.I cannot predict the form of the threat, but preparation is the only reasonable action.This world is unfamiliar.But I am here now.That creates obligation."
He swallowed, gripping the cable a little tighter.
"And you'll… help me? Through all this?"
Rani didn't step closer, but something in her tone shifted — barely.
"You brought me here.Purpose follows origin.Your directive defines mine.If the objective is protection, we proceed.If the objective is growth, we proceed.If both… we proceed faster."
Vicky exhaled slowly.
"…Alright. Phase Two it is."
Rani nodded once.
"Good.Then let us build something worthy of the danger you fear."