Having spent most of the evening experimenting with his new abilities, Isaac decided against hastily activating any more genetic base points since his newfound senses were already causing him some burdens. After having a late-night meal with an extra restoration elixir, he went to sleep.
The next day, Isaac was in his lab working on the elixir and trying to increase its efficacy. Isaac grimaced and thought, "The elixir is already not cheap, and if I try to produce stronger variants, I will go bankrupt in no time."
Isaac sat in his lab, surrounded by beakers and scientific equipment, engrossed in his latest experiment. The faint hum of machinery filled the air as he meticulously worked through his calculations. Suddenly, the shrill ring of his phone shattered the silence, startling him out of his concentration.
Frowning, Isaac reached for his phone, glancing at the caller ID. It was his mom. With a curious tilt of his head, he answered the call. "Hey, Mom, what's up?"
"Isaac, sweetheart, I need you to come home for Christmas." His mom's voice came through the phone, laced with urgency.
Isaac blinked in surprise, his mind momentarily pulled from his scientific pursuits. "Christmas? But Mom, I've got so much work to do here at the lab. I don't know if I can leave right now."
There was a pause on the other end of the line before his mom spoke again, her tone softening. "I know, Isaac, but it's been so long since we've all been together. Your sister has been begging for you to come home, and your dad and I miss you terribly."
Isaac hesitated, torn between his new discoveries in his research and his longing to spend time with his family. Memories of past Christmases with them flooded his mind, filling him with bittersweet nostalgia. He missed the warmth of home, the laughter around the dinner table, and the joy of being with loved ones, especially after he learned to value the familial ties he had not previously had.
"Isaac, please," his mom pleaded, her voice breaking slightly. "It would mean the world to us if you could come home."
Closing his eyes, Isaac took a deep breath, his resolve wavering. Finally, he nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Okay, Mom. I'll come home for Christmas."
A relieved sigh echoed through the phone, followed by his mom's grateful voice. "Thank you, sweetheart. We'll be waiting for you with open arms."
As he hung up the phone, Isaac felt a sense of peace wash over him. Despite the new developments and looming experiments, he knew that some things were more important than seeking power. With a renewed sense of purpose, he began packing up his belongings, his heart already filled with the warmth of home.
Isaac arrived at his family's doorstep just as the first snowflakes of the season began to fall, blanketing the street in a soft, white layer. The sight of the familiar house, warmly lit from within, brought a smile to his face. He hadn't realized just how much he had missed this place.
The door swung open before he even had a chance to knock. His sister, now twelve years old, launched herself at him with a squeal of delight. "Isaac! You're here!"
Laughing, Isaac hugged her tightly. "Hey there, Maya. Missed me?"
His father appeared in the doorway, a broad smile on his face. "Welcome home, son."
Inside, the house was filled with the smell of his mother's cooking and the sound of Christmas music playing softly in the background. Isaac's mother came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel, and enveloped him in a warm hug. "It's so good to have you home."
They gathered around the dinner table, and for the first time in a long while, Isaac felt a profound sense of belonging. As they shared stories and laughter, he realized that, no matter how important his work was, moments like these were what truly mattered.
After dinner, Isaac found himself sitting by the fireplace with his sister, who was eagerly showing him her latest drawings. His parents watched them with content smiles, the glow of the fire reflecting in their eyes. Isaac knew that he would return to his research soon enough, but for now, he was exactly where he needed to be.
Later that evening, after Maya had gone to bed, Isaac sat in the living room with his parents, the room quiet except for the soft crackling of the fireplace. His father leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face.
"You know, Isaac," his father began, his tone serious. "I've been meaning to talk to you about Culver University's research team."
Isaac looked up; curiosity piqued. "Yeah, Dad? What about it?"
His father sighed, glancing at his wife, before turning back to Isaac. "I know you read about the explosion in the lab back in March. It was in all the newspapers, but there's more to it than what was reported publicly."
Isaac's brow furrowed. "I remember reading about it. They said it was some kind of experimental radiation project gone wrong. A lot of people got hurt."
His father nodded, his expression grave. "Yes, but the details were heavily redacted. Since I work in the military, I have access to the full report. It was far worse than what they let on. Several people were critically injured, and Bruce Banner himself has been missing since the incident. The explosion was massive, and they had to call in special containment teams."
Isaac felt a little shaken. "I had no idea it was that bad. I knew it was dangerous work, but..."
His father leaned forward, his eyes locking with Isaac's. "I'm just glad you decided against joining Banner's team. The risks were incredibly high, and we could have lost you."
His mother reached over and squeezed his hand, her eyes filled with concern. "We're so relieved you stayed with your own research, Isaac. I can't bear to think of what might have happened if you'd been there."
Isaac nodded. "Yeah, me too. I guess things really do happen for a reason."
His father sighed, a hint of tension leaving his shoulders. "You're doing important work, son, but always remember to take care of yourself. We want you to be safe."
Isaac smiled, feeling a profound sense of love and protection from his family. "I will, Dad. Thanks."
As they sat together, the warmth of the fire and the comfort of his family's presence reassured Isaac. Despite the dangers and uncertainties of his scientific pursuits, he knew he had a strong support system to fall back on. And that, he realized, was invaluable.
After a heartwarming holiday with his family, Isaac returned to his lab with a renewed sense of purpose and clarity. The transition from the cozy warmth of home to the sterile environment of the lab was stark, but Isaac felt invigorated, ready to tackle the challenges ahead.
'Funding is one of the primary challenges I will face now as the cost to produce the energy restoration elixirs is not small and subsequent development will be more costly' thought Isaac as he sat at his workstation, the soft glow of the computer screen illuminating his thoughtful expression.
Isaac's thoughts drifted back to his conversation with his father about Bruce Banner's team and the dangers they faced. He couldn't help but draw parallels to his own situation. While his work wasn't as immediately hazardous, the financial instability posed a different kind of risk—one that could slow down his progress.
Grants were an obvious option, but the competition was fierce, and he couldn't show his full capability. Revealing too much about his work in a grant proposal could attract unwanted attention, but holding back might diminish his chances of securing the funds they needed.
He glanced at the list of potential investors and pharmaceutical companies he had compiled. Reaching out to private investors seemed like the next logical step, but he had to be cautious.