[Sector 7 - Future Site of Arkbound HQ & Arkbound Space Division]
The convoy of transport crawlers rolled down the hardened desert roads, stirring up golden plumes of dust. Nyra stood near the lead crawler, eyes fixed on the horizon where the newly constructed Arkbound HQ shimmered like a mirage — its sleek mirrored panels reflecting the rising sun. Behind her, a dozen NEAR bots carried supplies, terminals, and crates marked with Arkbound's crest.
Saelyn, seated in the command cab, was scrolling through diagnostic reports and communication schedules, prepping for full HQ activation.
Nyra (over comms): "Kael, we're ten minutes out. Make sure your bots clear the lower loading zone. We'll drop the mobile labs there."
Kael (chuckling): "Already done. Hope you packed light — wouldn't want your future office to collapse."
Nyra: "My office is wherever the data flows."
As they arrived, the scene was alive — 200 NEAR bots swarmed across scaffolding and hull frames, setting in glass, placing conduits, welding external panels. The Space HQ structure loomed like a half-completed monolith nearby, its spires beginning to stretch toward the sky.
Nyra stepped out as Saelyn followed her, taking in the size and scale of what was being built.
Saelyn: "...It's beautiful."
Nyra (smiling): "It's the start of our second Arkbound."
They both looked toward the north ridge, where the vast stretch of undeveloped land awaited — terrain that would soon become a city of innovation, power, and aerospace revolution.
[Within the Space HQ perimeter - Site Control Hub]
Kael, standing on the upper deck of the unfinished Space HQ, watched the incoming transports. His eyes flicked down to his comms panel.
Kael: "Elios. Got a challenge for you."
[Far side of the site – Cratered Section near the terrain lab]
Elios Tren turned his head as his wrist-link buzzed. Dressed in a reinforced vest and dusty jacket, he had already been walking the terrain, mapping pressure points and elevation variances for structure stability.
Kael (on comms): "We've got a terrain anomaly near Grid 9B. Underground cavity. Might collapse under weight of a launch pad if not handled right."
Elios: "You want me to solve it… or fail?"
Kael: "Solve it. I need to know if you're as useful as Raen claims."
Elios grinned.
Elios: "Then get me a NEAR bot with seismic drills and access to the geo-mapping interface. I'll stabilize it in four hours."
Four hours later — true to his word — Elios stood over the now-reinforced trench, overseeing the automated injection of stability foam and microstructural mesh.
Kael arrived in person this time, arms crossed.
Kael: "Didn't think you'd nail it that fast."
Elios: "Don't judge the engine by its polish."
He extended a hand.
Elios: "Formally — Elios Tren. Space systems engineer, fusion researcher, anti-grav theorist, and now… Arkbound's problem solver."
Kael shook it.
Kael: "Glad you're with us. You'll be dealing with a lot of 'unsolvable' from here on out."