Saelyn Vire adjusted her gloves as she turned from the hidden entrance of the underground vault. The land stretched ahead—barren, but rich with silent potential. Soon it would be surrounded by walls, embedded with smart defenses. What stood quiet now would evolve into something watchful.
"I'll have the security teams begin within a week," she said. "But if we're talking full perimeter lockdown, surveillance, and drone grid—it'll take a month."
Raen leaned against the steel frame of the future lab, his gaze distant. "That's more than enough."
Saelyn gave him a curious glance. "For what?"
"I'm going to design something that removes dependency," he replied. "A builder. A humanoid unit that can construct, teach, learn, and adapt."
She tilted her head. "You mean a robot?"
"A workforce in one frame," Raen said simply.
There was silence for a moment. Then:
"You're serious."
"I always am."
She exhaled, lips slightly parted in disbelief. "So, what else is bouncing around in that mind of yours?"
Raen turned toward her, eyes sharp now.
"I want to create a company. Something foundational. Not a fake shell brand, not a freelancer's garage project—an actual robotics organization. But…"
He paused.
"I don't want my face tied to it. Not yet."
Saelyn narrowed her eyes. "Why?"
"I'm not ready to be seen," Raen said flatly. "Too many eyes are searching. I can't afford to stand in a spotlight until I know how to control it."
She looked at him for a long moment, the wind rustling between them.
"So you want to be… a silent owner?"
He nodded. "Exactly. I'll operate from the shadows, build from behind the curtain. But I'll need a public-facing identity—someone to represent the company."
"You want me to do it?" she asked, already calculating.
Raen shook his head. "You're part of it—but not alone. I want three trusted people. From your side. One to serve as the face of the company, and the other two to join my internal team. Robotics, programming—whatever they're best at. But they need to be loyal. People you'd trust with your own life."
Saelyn's eyes widened. "Only three?"
"Three is enough. Including me, that's four. I don't want a crowd—I want a foundation."
She folded her arms, eyeing him intently. "You're building something dangerous, aren't you?"
"I'm building something that will outlast us both," Raen said quietly.
Saelyn went silent. Then:
"What will it be called?"
"…ARKBOUND Robotics."
A breeze passed between them.
Saelyn gave a slow, approving nod. "Understood. I'll select the team. Trusted, loyal, and silent."
Raen looked back at the lab.
"Good. Let's get to work."