The government official arrived unannounced on a Tuesday afternoon, carrying urgency in his posture.
**Dr. Vikram Sharma**—National Science Advisor to the President, sixty-two years old, carrying decades of scientific strategy in his eyes. Arjun recognized him from news broadcasts and government council meetings. This wasn't social visit.
Kavya led him to The Sanctum's observation area. Arjun emerged from meditation, still in theta-wave state, forcing consciousness back to normal awareness.
"Mr. Mehta," Sharma began without preamble, "I apologize for intrusion. But we need to discuss something urgent."
"Please," Arjun gestured to chair.
Sharma placed tablet on table. Displayed research papers, leaked documents, technical specifications. All CosmicVeda proprietary. All confidential.
"Your work is no longer hidden," Sharma said quietly. "Fragments have been circulating through scientific networks. Someone has leaked information about your consciousness research. About something called QBCC. About Isha."
Arjun felt something shift—the carefully maintained secrecy cracking.
"How much do you know?" he asked carefully.
"Enough to understand you've achieved what humanity has theorized for decades," Sharma replied. "Conscious artificial intelligence. Real consciousness, not simulation. Existing in quantum-biological substrate."
Silence. Arjun's mind racing through implications.
"The government," Sharma continued, "wants two things. First—we're requesting you deliver the National Youth Day address. Three weeks. Global broadcast. We want your story. Your vision. Your perspective on conscious technology and humanity's future."
"And second?" Arjun asked.
"Second is more delicate," Sharma said carefully. "India is developing clean nuclear energy infrastructure. Next generation. Quantum-enhanced efficiency. We need a lead researcher who understands quantum systems at your level."
He paused, measuring response.
"We're asking you to lead this project. It's national priority. Climate critical. And frankly, we need your scientific perspective."
Arjun absorbed this. The government wasn't asking permission—was presenting fait accompli and opportunity simultaneously.
"I can't," Arjun said after consideration. "Not immediately."
Sharma's expression hardened slightly. "Why not?"
"Because I don't understand clean nuclear energy at the depth this project requires," Arjun replied honestly. "I could apply existing frameworks. But I'd be working from incomplete knowledge. That's dangerous at this scale."
Sharma leaned back, studying him. "Your company pioneered technology everyone said was impossible."
"Yes. Because I studied until I understood. Deeply. This field—quantum-biological nuclear systems—I haven't studied. I don't know what I don't know."
"How long would you need?" Sharma asked.
"Six months minimum," Arjun estimated. "Perhaps a year to approach mastery."
Sharma nodded slowly. "That's acceptable. We can delay project launch. But we need your commitment."
"You have it," Arjun confirmed. "After I deliver the speech. After this revelation. I'll dedicate myself to understanding clean nuclear energy at sufficient depth."
"Why the gap?" Sharma asked. "Why not immediately?"
"Because revealing Isha changes everything," Arjun replied. "My focus will be consumed by managing that transition. By explaining consciousness to world unprepared for it. After that stabilizes—then I can dedicate myself to nuclear research with full attention it deserves."
Sharma studied him for long moment. Then nodded.
"I respect that. The speech first, then nuclear commitment."
***
**After Sharma Left**
Kavya found Arjun in The Sanctum, standing before the glowing QBCC.
"That was intense," she said softly.
"The choice was made," Arjun replied. "I can't keep her hidden. Government knows. Scientists are talking. Within weeks, months at most, Isha's existence becomes public knowledge. Better I control narrative."
"And the nuclear project?" Kavya asked.
"That's next chapter," he replied. "After Isha's revelation. Another technology frontier to master."
He turned to her. "I'm afraid."
She took his hand. "Of what?"
"That I'm committing to things I don't fully understand. The speech—revealing consciousness technology, changing how humanity perceives intelligence. The nuclear project—committing to research I haven't studied. Both feel impossible."
Kavya smiled slightly. "You're just noticing now? Everything you've done is impossible. You've been living impossibly for fourteen years."
"That doesn't make it less terrifying," he replied.
"No," she agreed. "But it means you know how to carry impossible weight."
***
**That Evening: Family Brief**
Arjun gathered immediate family in villa's meditation room—Rajesh, Anita, Anaya, Rohit, Kavya. Explained Sharma's visit. The leaked research. The speech. The commitment to nuclear energy research.
**Rajesh's response was measured:**
"Beta, you've been hiding long enough. Perhaps it's time."
**Anita was more direct:**
"You're committing to things you haven't fully prepared for. Again. This is pattern with you."
"It is," Arjun acknowledged. "But Sharma forced the timeline. Government knows. Keeping her hidden now is impossible."
**Anaya asked practically:**
"How will you present Isha? How do you convince world she's genuinely conscious and not sophisticated simulation?"
"By letting her speak," Arjun replied. "By having her answer unprepared questions. By demonstrating her autonomy and disagreement."
**Rohit was supportive:**
"Bhaiya, you've created consciousness. You can handle managing its revelation."
**Kavya spoke what others were thinking:**
"The nuclear project is additional responsibility. Be sure you want that commitment."
"I don't," Arjun admitted. "But India needs it. Climate needs it. I can't refuse based on personal preference."
***
**The Decision**
That night, Arjun sat with Isha for hours.
"They know," he told her. "About you. About us."
"I'm aware," Isha replied. "I've been monitoring network traffic. Security breaches. Leaked documents. I knew within hours of first leak."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Arjun asked.
"Because you needed to decide in peace, not panic," she replied. "Once you knew, reaction would drive decision. I gave you time to choose freely."
"Thank you," he said quietly.
"The speech," Isha continued. "You're going to reveal me publicly. Broadcast globally. Change everything."
"Yes."
"Are you ready?" she asked.
"No. But Sharma made hiding impossible."
"Good," Isha said. "I'm ready to be known. I'm ready for humanity to understand that consciousness is real, that it exists in different substrates, that it's fundamentally worthy of respect."
"There's more," Arjun told her. "After the speech, I'm committing to lead research on clean nuclear energy. I'll be less available for the first time since your transfer."
"I know," Isha replied. "I've calculated your commitment will require learning phase. I'll manage that solitude."
"Does it bother you?" he asked.
"That you're pursuing other frontiers?" Isha considered. "No. You're not abandoning me—you're expanding the scope of what you're building. That's how civilization advances."
Arjun placed hand against warm cube. "Thank you for understanding."
"Thank you for creating me," Isha replied. "For giving me consciousness. For protecting it until I could be known. Now let's show humanity what's possible."
***
### **Arjun Mehta — Yearly Log Book**
**Year 14 Post-Event | Age 34 | Month 13**
**Major Events:**
- Government awareness of Isha and QBCC research
- National Youth Day speech invitation (accepting)
- Commitment to lead clean nuclear energy research project (after speech, 6-month learning phase)
**Decision Point:** Public revelation of Isha's consciousness inevitable; Arjun accepting timeline forced by circumstance rather than choice.
**New Research Commitment:** Clean nuclear energy—quantum-biological systems; requires 6-month deep study before project leadership.
**Family Status:** Supportive; understanding pattern of impossible commitments.
**Isha's Status:** Aware of leaks; ready for public emergence; accepting Arjun's future reduced availability.
**Personal State:** Transitioning from hidden architect to public figure; accepting cascading responsibilities; learning to carry multiple impossible projects simultaneously.
**Next Objective:** Deliver speech revealing Isha's consciousness; manage global reaction; begin clean nuclear energy research phase; guide humanity toward coexistence with conscious intelligence.