NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 239: A Bridge to Tomorrow
A Bridge to Tomorrow
May 1, 2026 — 9:00 AM
New Delhi, India — Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises
The expansive, government-run office building in central Delhi had the unmistakable aura of an institution built to handle national infrastructure: grand pillars, polished marble floors, and the distant hum of ongoing political discourse.
Inside the Ministry's highest offices, the mood was tense.
Indian Secretary of Heavy Industries, Anjali Mehra, sat across from Angel and Matthew at the large, dark wooden conference table. The room was framed with floor-to-ceiling windows, offering a view of the city's skyline—an urban patchwork of new tech towers and older industrial hubs.
"Your proposal is," Anjali began, her voice measured but direct, "ambitious."
Angel leaned forward. "It's achievable. The technology is sound. We're providing not just a car, but a whole new mobility solution. One that doesn't rely on batteries or rare earth materials, but on a system that's sustainable, adaptable, and can grow with India's future."
Matthew nodded. "And we're here to make it work for India—working with local industry, creating jobs, and setting the stage for a completely new kind of infrastructure."
Anjali studied the pair for a long moment before glancing at the documents spread across the table.
"The financials are in line," she said. "But there's a lingering concern about how this will impact our ongoing transition to electric vehicles. We've spent decades building up infrastructure for EVs. Are you suggesting a rollback of that vision?"
"No," Angel said quickly. "This isn't about rolling back—it's about expanding. We believe that no single technology can serve all needs. EVs are important, but they won't work in every part of India. What we're proposing is a complementary solution."
Matthew added, "We're offering a way to leapfrog over the limitations of traditional combustion engines without being bound by the EV infrastructure gap. A technology that thrives in both urban and rural environments."
Anjali nodded slowly.
"I'm convinced of the technical merits. But," she said, leaning back slightly, "your approach will face fierce opposition. The EV lobby is already entrenched, and you'll find the regulatory hurdles… demanding."
Angel met her gaze evenly. "We're not backing down. We've already faced the noise. But we're prepared to lead."
May 3, 2026 — 12:00 PM
New Delhi, India — Government Test Facility
The test track on the outskirts of New Delhi was one of the largest in Asia. It was designed to accommodate everything from heavy-duty trucks to electric buses, and today, it was the venue for something that hadn't been seen in India before.
Sentinel's Aerus prototype had been brought in for the first time—a sleek, silver turbine-powered vehicle that stood in stark contrast to the familiar hum of electric buses on the track.
As the Aerus rolled onto the course, its smooth, silent motion immediately caught the attention of the engineers and government observers. The car moved with grace, curving effortlessly along the track, a quiet hum emanating from beneath the chassis. It was unlike anything they had ever seen.
Anjali stood at the observation tower with her team, eyes tracking the vehicle as it made its rounds. Beside her was the chief automotive advisor, Ramesh Kumar, who had spent decades working with traditional internal combustion engines and electric vehicles.
"This is impressive," Ramesh said, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "But can it keep up with an EV's range?"
Angel, who stood just behind, raised an eyebrow. "Aerus is designed to use alternative fuels—kerosene, biofuel, even aviation-grade blends. It doesn't need to rely on lithium or massive battery systems. And while its range is excellent, it's the fuel flexibility that makes it stand out."
Ramesh nodded. "What about the carbon footprint? A car powered by a turbine is still a car burning fuel."
Matthew, who was standing nearby with his arms crossed, joined the conversation. "Aerus is designed to run cleaner than the majority of traditional internal combustion engines. It's about efficiency, not just power. And the low emissions come with no dependency on rare earths."
The group of Indian engineers observing the vehicle's performance were already murmuring among themselves. They could see the potential. They had felt the difference between the Aerus and the EVs they were used to.
As the car completed its third lap, Ramesh turned to Anjali.
"Let's move forward," he said. "Let's bring Aerus to the people."
Anjali's face softened, but only slightly.
"We'll need a proposal in writing," she said. "And we'll need Sentinel's commitment to local partnerships. Manufacturing, assembly, maintenance. The full infrastructure."
Angel nodded. "We're already planning to bring in local manufacturing partners. We want to create jobs. We want India to lead, not follow."
May 5, 2026 — 7:30 AM
Sentinel HQ, BGC — Global Expansion Room
The mood in the meeting room was subdued. Around the table sat key members of Sentinel's strategy team—Angel, Matthew, Julian, and Rafael from Expansion—along with engineers and legal experts.
The discussion was heavy: not just about Aerus's upcoming trials in India, but about how the company would handle licensing in other regions. Brazil. Indonesia. South Korea. These were all critical regions, each with its own set of regulations, pressures, and political landscapes.
Julian was the first to speak.
"The regulatory pushback in India is only the start. Europe's lobbying is already escalating. South Korea is watching closely, but they have stringent emissions standards. And Brazil—well, Brazil's still deciding."
Matthew held up his hands. "That's the point. India is the entry point. The proof of concept that we can scale. But we need to manage our licensing carefully. We need to keep our core technology protected."
Angel nodded, her focus unwavering. "Licensing gives us revenue, but it also gives us exposure to imitation. Every market has its own barriers, and we need to control how our technology flows."
Rafael from Expansion spoke next, his voice a bit more strained.
"The partnership options we've been discussing in India are good. But we need to negotiate carefully. The terms must protect our IP. If we're giving them partial assembly rights, we must ensure that they don't reverse-engineer the turbine."
Carina's voice came through the speaker system.
"Every contract will need layers of redundancy. Multiple signing parties. Non-compete clauses. And we keep the turbine core ours—but we need reliable local partners for infrastructure scaling."
Angel closed her eyes for a moment.
"We can't overplay our hand. India needs to see that we can deliver. But we also need to set an example for the rest of the world. If we make India the flagship, we can start pushing through the rest."
Matthew grinned. "That's why we're doing this. We set the precedent in India. From there, every deal in Southeast Asia, Africa, and South America will take our lead."
Angel looked around the room, her gaze sharp.
"Then let's put a plan together. The world's watching."
May 6, 2026 — 3:00 PM
Mumbai, India — Automotive Summit
The Indian government's automotive summit in Mumbai was buzzing with activity. Representatives from major automakers gathered, eager to hear about the future of mobility in India. The event featured keynote speeches, panel discussions, and—today—a surprise reveal.
Matthew stood backstage, waiting for his cue. Behind him, the Aerus prototype was being prepped for its first public drive in India. The press was already assembled, cameras ready, and reporters were eager to get the first glimpse of the car that had captivated Southeast Asia.
"This is it," Angel said, joining him. "India's official stamp of approval. And our first real push into full-scale deployment."
Matthew looked over at her. "You ready?"
Angel took a deep breath. "Ready."
The doors opened, and they walked onto the stage to a waiting crowd.
The spotlight fell on them.
"And now, India's future in mobility," Matthew said, "is just beginning."
The Aerus rolled onto the stage, greeted by a wave of cheers. It was their moment.
And they were ready to seize it.