The morning light revealed Arkbound's new warehouse in full view: a repurposed industrial complex framed by freshly installed fencing and patrolling cameras. Inside, heavy machinery hummed, boxes of parts were stacked methodically, and Raen's team moved with clear purpose.
A Command for Scale
Raen gathered Nyra, Saelyn, Korin, and Lira in the command office overlooking the warehouse floor and NEAR units.
"Five bots go to work," he said decisively. "We keep five," he added, his gaze sweeping across his team, "for the next wave of production."
Nyra checked her tablet. "Parts for fifteen builds are en route. I placed orders last night."
Saelyn tapped her tablet. "Warehouse is ready—access control, secure zones, power lines are all online."
Korin stepped forward, pointing down at the bots assembling parts. "Their assembly rate climbed 15% overnight. They're optimizing the process as they go."
Raen nodded, satisfied. He lowered his voice.
"We had to move fast. Now that we're here, we go dark. No PR. No previews beyond what Barron already contracted."
Nyra asked, "And the city plan?"
He shook his head.
"First we fulfill Barron. Then we establish Arkbound Electric and Neuro. Then… our own infrastructure. One project at a time."
Barron's Order Begins
With the warehouse humming, five NEAR units began mass production:
NEAR-01, 02, 03, 04, 05 took parts from crates.
Each bot crafted reactor cores, chassis parts, and wiring modules.
After hours of work, the first new unit was assembled: NEAR-11.
Korin watched it rise.
"It built itself."
Lira whispered,
"And did it all in under five hours."
Raen smiled,
"The copy builds the next copy."
Security First
Outside, new cameras blinked to life, motion sensors activated, and perimeter warnings were logged.
Saelyn monitored the feed, alert.
"We've detected drone surveillance over the fence."
Raen moved to the control panel, tapping sequences.
"Run thermal sweeps. I want ID on every craft in a 1-kilometer radius."
Nyra crossed her arms, lips tight.
"They're getting nervous."
Raen's final word was calm but firm:
"Let them be. We're not afraid of watchers. We're just ahead."