Within three days of Kael's arrival, the energy at Arkbound HQ shifted. Kael moved with military efficiency—clearing out outdated procurement systems, mapping potential client zones, and pinging every reliable contact he still trusted.
He worked from sunrise to well past midnight, only taking pauses to observe the NEAR units as they trained, lifted, and self-maintained with eerie silence and precision.
Arkbound HQ – Strategy Room
Nyra stood beside Kael, laying out their early success.
"We've got inbound interest from two independent cities on the fringe of Org influence," she said, tapping the map.
Kael followed with a nod. "One wants a vertical farming facility. The other wants ten modular residential blocks. Short-term housing to handle their migration influx."
Raen, seated quietly, responded without hesitation.
"Accept both. Start immediately. These are soft entries. Test sites."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "No delay?"
"We're building pressure," Raen said. "Let the world know Arkbound doesn't stall."
Nyra smiled. "It's working. We've received twelve contract inquiries in the last forty-eight hours."
Korin leaned forward. "Word's spreading fast."
Lira added, "Too fast. You all feel it, right? Someone's watching."
Raen didn't look surprised. He spoke with certainty.
"They're not just watching. They're calculating."
Meanwhile: Across the City
Inside a shadowed boardroom within Org-controlled territory, a tall, lean figure watched footage on a wide digital screen.
Kael Dravik, walking across a construction site, flanked by bots that shouldn't exist.
The man narrowed his eyes.
"So… Arkbound wasn't a myth."
Another voice from the dark replied, "They've already sold time to Vrax. Constructed a full structure in less than a week."
The figure leaned forward.
"Get me everything on Arkbound. Who's funding them. Where they're operating. And especially—who's building those machines."
Back at Arkbound HQ
Kael reviewed a list of prospective hires, Nyra compiling names with deep background checks.
"These people are loyal," Nyra said. "Not to us—but to the idea of independence. That's enough for now."
Kael agreed. "I've set up meetings. We'll have regional managers in place by end of week."
Raen entered the room silently.
"We need secure fabrication lines. Outsourcing is now a risk."
"Agreed," Kael said. "We'll build internal."
Raen nodded.
"I'll oversee NEAR-11 through NEAR-20. They'll begin replicating the new modular armatures for heavy-grade builds."
He looked at Kael.
"Choose your first external contract carefully. Whoever we work for next becomes our flag."
Kael paused, then said, "I think I know exactly where to begin."