Two armored convoys rolled to a halt just outside the towering gates of Arkbound's new HQ. The city's grid, still forming beneath the heavy rhythm of 300 NEAR-class bots, stretched like veins through the dust. What had been an empty, remote expanse less than 30 days ago now shimmered with promise and ambition.
Mayor Alrex stepped out first—his sharp eyes scanning the metallic skeletons, the freshly laid ferrocrete foundations, and the banners now proudly bearing the Arkbound insignia.
He wasn't alone. With him came a team of advisors, economic planners, and engineers. All of them had seen the Baron Vrax City Project go from dust to skyline in 45 days. Yet none of them were ready for what they were seeing now.
Kael approached from the command line, clad in his utility vest, dust clinging to his boots.
Kael: "Welcome to Arkbound HQ."
The mayor raised an eyebrow, offering a smile.
Mayor Alrex: "You weren't exaggerating in your last report. This is... astounding."
Advisor 1: "I counted over two hundred bots just on the main structure. Is that... normal for you now?"
Kael (grinning): "Normal's a moving target around here."
They moved toward the central sector where the Arkbound Aerospace HQ was rising—its structure sleeker, more angular, clearly designed for something beyond ground-level utility.
Mayor Alrex: "And this—this is where you'll be launching?"
Kael nodded. Elios, who had been quietly waiting at the side, stepped forward and offered a slight bow.
Elios: "Aerospace command and research will operate from here. And when the starship is ready, this becomes its terminal."
The mayor turned slowly in place, taking in the scope of it.
Mayor Alrex: "You've done all this in less than a month?"
Kael led them deeper, explaining how Arkbound split their efforts—construction bots, mobile assembly lines, AI-driven management nodes.
The delegation was stunned silent by the level of automation and synchronization.
Finally, the mayor spoke again.
Mayor Alrex: "Arkbound isn't just delivering on our contract… You're rewriting how infrastructure can be done. It's not just impressive—it's historic."
Kael just gave a calm, measured smile.
Kael: "We aim higher than most."
As the tour concluded, the delegation moved toward their transports—but not before the mayor turned once more.
Mayor Alrex: "Kael… tell your founder this. You're not just building our city. You're shaping the future of this nation."
Meanwhile…
Back at the old Arkbound base, inside the massive ship hangar, Raen, Lira, and Korin stood beneath the towering skeleton of the starship. Reactors now installed. Power conduits glowing. Systems humming in sync.
A comm ping broke the quiet.
Kael (on comm): "Mayor's team just left. Impressed is an understatement."
Raen simply replied:
Raen: "Good. Let them talk."
As the line went silent, Raen looked at the ship's core display. 28% completed. Sixty days remained. Momentum was building.
Raen (quietly): "Time to start preparing for the launch protocol."
Korin: "Already ahead of you."