The silence in the conference room was so dense that one could hear the quiet, steady hum of Wurst's cooling system. Dr. Mwangi stared fixedly at the shimmering app interface that Kiko projected steadily above the mahogany table. Then her gaze wandered to Lukas’ code structure and finally to the mud splatters on Amina’s sneakers.
Slowly, she unclasped her fingers. A narrow but unmistakable smile spread across her lips. “A decentralized rendering algorithm that scales over the unused capacities of pet AI cores... Mr. Weber, this is either absolute madness or the most brilliant backend solution I have come across this year.”
She stood up and stepped to the window, from which one could look out over the construction sites of the expanding tech metropolis. “And your design, Amina... it captures the identity of our continent without falling into the typical tech clichés of Silicon Valley. You both have achieved in a single night what our agencies have been failing at for months.”
Dr. Mwangi turned around. “Vanguard Media wants to buy this pitch. Exclusively. We offer you a budget with which you can build your own development studio here in Nairobi. The only condition: you lead the project together, directly on site.”
Lukas felt his breath catch. He looked at Amina, whose eyes shone with joy and tears. It was the absolute dream assignment for her. But then Amina looked at him – and the sparkle in her eyes gave way to a sudden, worried shadow.
Nairobi. That meant for Lukas giving up his orderly life in Hamburg, his apartment on the Elbe, and his secure job completely.
Kiko, who immediately registered the emotional vibration, gently shifted the neon blue Nile Delta hologram into a warm, soothing sunset glow. Wurst floated quietly off the floor, nudged Lukas with his cold metal nose against the knee, and gave a deep, almost pitiful whine.
“We... we need a few hours to consider the contractual details, Dr. Mwangi,” said Amina with a firm but emotional voice and squeezed Lukas’ hand tightly.
“Of course,” replied Dr. Mwangi respectfully. “Tomorrow morning at nine, I expect your answer.”
As they left the tower, the midday sun blazed over the asphalt of Tech City. They had celebrated the greatest success of their careers – but suddenly the heaviest decision of their lives weighed on their shoulders.