The sun broke through the final cloud cover just as the last drone finished its delivery route over the sprawling cityscape.
Crowds had gathered, lining the main streets and plazas of the newly finished metropolis. Wide, clean walkways glowed softly under their feet. Smart panels blinked to life across tower facades. High-speed mag-trams rumbled in timed sync as the final transport modules slid into place.
A large digital readout appeared above the central plaza.
CITY COMPLETION: 100%
The Mayor, flanked by key delegates and media crews, took the stage as a slow hush fell over the crowd. With a proud breath, he raised his hand.
"Today, we mark history. Built in forty-five days. Vision turned real through will, precision, and something more—Arkbound."
He stepped forward.
"On behalf of the state, I declare this place our new pride… and give it its name—ARK CITY."
The crowd erupted in cheers. Drones flew overhead broadcasting the announcement live across the world. But even in celebration, the Mayor's gaze kept drifting toward the sky.
Meanwhile — Old Arkbound HQ, Subterranean Lab
Inside the command chamber, tension crackled like static. Lira stood over the main terminal, a singular button glowing in deep blue. She took a breath and pressed it.
"Systems synced… we're in."
The master display flickered, stabilizing. In the background, the starship stood fully formed — angular and majestic, with its three stabilizing legs planted into the reinforced base floor.
CALIBRATION: 99%
Raen stood at the center, eyes locked on the holographic interface.
"Call everyone in."
One by one, they entered — Nyra, Kael, Saelyn, Korin, Elios, and Lira. The room dimmed as Raen's voice took command.
"Six bots, begin equipment loading protocol."
In the outer hangar, six NEAR-class bots activated in perfect unison. Mechanical arms moved with fluid grace, loading storage containers, tool modules, mobile data cores, and personal kits. The last item sealed just as Nyra's panel chimed.
"Ten minutes. All equipment secured."
Raen nodded. "Dock them."
Each NEAR bot moved toward the starship's outer bays. As if guided by unseen magnetic fields, the bots aligned and merged seamlessly into external compartments — their bodies locking in like extensions of the ship itself.
Inside the cockpit, ten high-backed seats lined a circular control room. The lights shifted to deep indigo as holographic instruments came online. Soft pulses echoed in sync with the ship's core reactor hum.
AUTOMATED SYSTEMS ENGAGED. PILOT INTERFACE READY.
"Wake up," Raen said calmly.
The ship responded with a low chime, followed by the AI's smooth voice.
Primary systems online. Canopy sequence initiated.
Above them, the bunker's vast ceiling—armored with reinforced blast shielding—began to slide open. Blinding daylight poured in.
Raen looked to Nyra. "Call the Mayor. It's time. And tell him—keep his eyes on the sky."
Nyra was already patching through the signal.
"Kael," Raen added, "Clear the landing area at Space HQ. We're coming."
Outside, the ground trembled as the starship began to rise — slowly at first, its tri-legs folding inward with hydraulic precision. A low thrum filled the valley as repulsor cores ignited. Dust spiraled below.
With a sudden surge, the ship ascended — a leviathan piercing the clouds, sunlight catching its edges in brilliant shimmer.
And then—
With a blast of energy and precision acceleration, it shot forward, slicing across the sky like a meteor made by human hands.
At Arkbound Space HQ, the crowd had turned. Eyes lifted.
The Mayor's jaw slowly dropped.
From the horizon, a single streak of silver-blue broke the heavens, descending with precision toward the cleared landing platform. The crowd fell silent. Journalists fumbled with their cameras. Children gasped.
"What… is that?" someone whispered.
And Raen's voice came through the broadcast—projected from the ship itself.
"That… is the future."