The next morning, the Arkbound transport hummed over the gleaming skyline, descending toward the towering government complex. Inside, Kael adjusted his collar while Nyra skimmed through the presentation one last time on her sleek glass tablet.
"Biggest one yet," Kael said, his tone calm but resolute.
Nyra nodded. "Let's make it count."
They stepped into a wide, glass-walled conference room on the top floor of the Department of Urban Expansion. Eight government officials sat around a polished obsidian table, the city's distant skyline behind them.
As soon as they introduced themselves, the room's atmosphere subtly shifted.
"Arkbound?" one official said, eyebrows lifting. "You're the team behind that insane city build for Baron Vrax, aren't you?"
Another leaned forward. "Forty-five days, full structural integrity, autonomous robotics—people still think that footage was edited."
A third added with a smirk, "You've… put pressure on our own contractors, I'll tell you that."
Nyra smiled but kept it professional. "We appreciate the kind words. But we're not here to talk about the past."
Kael nodded and stepped forward. "We're representing Arkbound Construction today. The company's expanding rapidly—and this project fits perfectly with our current trajectory."
Rozen, the minister at the head of the table, raised a brow. "You're a robotics company, though. Why construction?"
Kael's answer was confident. "Because our bots don't just build—they transform how construction works. We're not just manufacturing robots anymore. We're deploying entire construction solutions."
"And," Nyra added, "Arkbound is relocating our HQ to the development zone tied to this very project."
There was a slight buzz among the officials.
"You're basing your HQ in the remote expansion sector?" one asked, visibly surprised.
"Yes," Nyra replied smoothly. "That region won't be remote for long. Arkbound is establishing its presence permanently, and this project will be the foundation for our next division—Arkbound Space."
The room froze, then erupted in excited murmurs.
"You're expanding into aerospace?" Rozen asked, clearly intrigued.
Nyra gave a slow nod. "It's the logical next step. We have the systems. We have the minds. And now, we need the land—and the first city that will support it."
Kael tapped a control pad, and a 3D projection of the proposed city lit up in the air—energy efficient, modular, and built in just 55 days, powered by Arkbound's autonomous workforce.
The room went quiet as the full plan unrolled before them—construction schedules, power grid layouts, transit integration, material optimization, and phased vertical expansion—all automated.
Rozen leaned forward. "This... this is beyond what we expected. You've essentially brought a vision, not just a bid."
Kael gave a respectful nod. "Because we're not just contractors. We're investing in this city too. This is our home now."
There was a pause, but the energy had shifted entirely. It wasn't just a pitch anymore—it was a promise of transformation.
"You'll have our full review within 72 hours," Rozen finally said. "But I'll say this: You've given us hope that this new sector won't just be livable… it might just become the future."
As Kael and Nyra turned to leave, Nyra's comms lit up—Raen's voice buzzing in.
"How did it go?"
"They didn't just listen," Nyra said. "They were impressed. Really impressed."
Kael smirked. "We didn't pitch a project. We pitched a revolution."
Raen's voice came through clear. "Good. Because once they accept... we start rewriting what's possible."