Tuesday, July 1, 2025 – Day 16Officina22 – Side Office, 07:48 AM
The hum of the espresso machine was steady in the background, but Giulia had already skipped her usual morning cappuccino. She was too deep in thought to care for caffeine. Her screen displayed a complex comparison chart of aerospace-grade parts—lightweight titanium fittings, composite nozzles, high-tolerance mounts. Across the page: ProtoForma Srl.
"They're 3D printing wizards," she murmured, pulling up Vitesse-Procure's website for the fiftieth time. "So why not make them our first supplier pitch to aerospace?"
ProtoForma, based in Turin, had been cautiously interested after the test quote challenge last week. But they were still operating within their comfort zone—tooling, prototyping, industrial components for automotive. Aerospace? That was a different galaxy.
But Giulia had a bold idea: if she could align ProtoForma's capabilities with Vitesse-Procure's needs, she could become the bridge between cutting-edge 3D manufacturing and the ultra-regulated aerospace supply chain.
She opened a new tab: Aerospace Manufacturing Standards.
NADCAP. AS9100. ISO 9100. NACE. FAA Part 21. EASA Form 1.The alphabet soup began to make sense as she dove in.
09:32 AM – Aerospace Compliance Research Mode: ON
The aerospace industry was merciless. Every part, every weld, every rivet had to meet standards tighter than a bank vault door. She noted key concepts:
AS9100: The aerospace version of ISO 9001—mandatory for most buyers.
NACE MR0175: Critical for materials used in corrosive environments—important for Vitesse's aerospace subsystems.
NADCAP: For special processes like heat treating and coatings—ProtoForma wasn't certified, but maybe didn't need to be, if the parts weren't mission-critical.
The trick was to find components within Vitesse's procurement range that didn't require full NADCAP compliance but still held value—non-structural brackets, air duct fittings, console housings.
She scanned ProtoForma's product logs, now that she had limited access thanks to last week's test quote.
Laser-sintered aluminum, MJF-polymer housings, titanium infill components. Plenty of material potential.
Her idea crystallized.
12:11 PM – Officina22 Kitchenette, Lunch Break
Leo sipped his espresso from a chipped mug while Sofia prepped salad boxes. Giulia stood with one hand on the counter, energized and beaming.
"I have an idea," she announced. "We pitch ProtoForma to Vitesse as a supplier. I've been digging into aerospace specs and cross-referencing their capabilities. It's a match—if we're careful about which parts we suggest."
Sofia blinked. "Wait, you want to pitch the 3D guys... to the Germans?"
Giulia nodded. "Why not? They're precise, flexible, and EU-funded projects love multi-country collaboration. I'm writing the pitch this afternoon. I just need a green light."
Leo leaned forward, impressed. "It's a damn good angle. But don't stop with one. For the call with Vitesse, we need at least four seller options—considering ProtoForma as one we need three more from Stuttgart, Cologne, Hamburg, Munich, Leipzig, Frankfurt. Backups, as Luca would say. Backup to the backup."
Giulia smirked. "Got it. Operation Hydra."
14:34 PM – Officina22, Side Office
Giulia was back at her desk. She picked up her phone and dialed ProtoForma.
"ProtoForma, buongiorno."
"Hi, it's Giulia again from Kronos Parts. I've been working on a strategy I think you'll like."
She pitched it fast, crisp, and optimistic. "You've got capabilities that line up with EU-funded aerospace sourcing criteria. We're in talks with a German buyer who's specifically open to European suppliers. You could get in early—and we'll prep all the specs and regulatory analysis."
There was a pause on the other end.
Then: "Interesting. Very interesting. Can you come to Turin this Friday? 11:30. We'll pull in senior management."
She blinked. "Yes. Absolutely."
"We'll give you access to our internal build logs in the meantime. No NDAs needed. We trust you."
Giulia hung up, stunned.
Then smiled.
17:03 PM – Officina22, Side Office
The day had flown. She'd already mapped 12 low-regulation parts that ProtoForma could 3D print, mostly in aluminum and polyamide. She'd flagged 7 as "ideal aerospace starter components," all below NACE compliance thresholds.
She stood, stretching her arms and shoulders. The office was quiet. Leo was still there, working on Alvani models, hunched over Sofia's desk in focus-mode. She smiled. That was Leo—first in, last out.
She packed up her bag, humming under her breath, then stepped outside.
20:12 PM – Via Fratelli Ruffini, Navigli District
Giulia was halfway home, still smiling from the ProtoForma call and the aerospace part matches. The air was warm with the smell of baked brick and lingering pasta and pizza from the various restaurant.
She turned down a quieter alley, walking briskly.
That's when she heard the footsteps.
Then, a hand grabbed her shoulder. She gasped, jerking away—but before she could scream, a second figure rushed in from the side and slammed the attacker against a wall.
The scuffle was quick. The first man groaned and ran. The second man dusted off his jacket and turned to her calmly.
"You're alright?" he asked in fluent Italian with a faint Genoan accent.
Giulia blinked. "What—yes. I think so. Thank you."
"I was just behind you, that guy looked suspicious figured I'd step in."
He extended a hand. "Francesco."
She shook it, her heartbeat slowing. "Giulia. You… saved me."
He walked her the final five blocks in silence, then smiled softly as she reached her apartment door in the first floor, they lights were lit meaning that her roommate was already inside.
"No need to thank me. Milan is a strange city, even when it feels familiar."
He gave a slight bow, then disappeared into the fog of an evening tram.
Giulia watched him go, confusion and relief curling together in her chest.
Francesco descended the stairwell and stepped into the quiet street. Under the dim glow of a streetlamp, he pulled out his phone and dialed a secure number. The line crackled once before connecting.
"First contact established," he said. "Her name's Giulia, sharp, committed. I had to play the knight in shining armor act, but it worked. She's relaxed around me now."
On the other end, a cold voice replied, "Good. We'll need eyes inside soon."
It was Matteo Della Torre—CEO of PartBridge and distant cousin of Gianluca's wife. An elegant operator with a background in supply chain logistics, Matteo had built PartBridge's early traction through Gianluca's southern connections. "What kind of intel can you get on Leonardo Venturi and Kronos Parts?"
"Depends what you want. Culture? IP? Financials?"
"Start with company structure, sourcing map, and any sign of new funding. We know they've tied up with Officine Baldini. If they touch aerospace and close that buyer, we'll need leverage."
Francesco paced slowly down the alley. "Understood. They're lean. A few interns and engineers. I can apply as a technical analyst—Giulia herself posted the job this morning."
"Perfect. Get in before week's end. Don't rush. Build trust."
Matteo paused, then added, "And Francesco—don't get sentimental. We're not here to make friends."
Francesco's voice was steady. "Of course. I'll report once I'm in."
He ended the call, slid the phone into his jacket, and disappeared into the night.