Kael and Nyra entered the lab, the soft flicker of engineering lights casting long shadows on the walls. Raen stood in front of a console, studying a floating schematic that looked unlike anything they'd seen before—sleek, massive, and clearly built for the void beyond their planet.
Without turning, he asked, "How much Lux do we have now?"
Nyra checked her pad. "One billion is tied to the land. We've got 3.4 billion Lux available."
Raen gave a single nod. "Good. I need you to buy a larger hangar at the old Arkbound location. We'll start construction there immediately. Also, arrange delivery of the components—everything on this list."
He sent over a file to Nyra's terminal. "Drop ten NEAR bots there for maintenance and assembly support."
Kael frowned slightly, his eyes scanning the schematic. "This is what we're building?"
Raen didn't answer directly, but his silence said enough.
Kael let out a low whistle. "Alright."
Raen turned to him. "I'm also handing you the HQ blueprint. Take 50 bots and begin construction at the new site—don't wait for the city build. The sooner we're rooted, the sooner we lead."
He passed Kael a second set of blueprints. "And give this to one of the bots. It's a basic housing unit. You'll need something livable during the 100-day build phase."
Kael gave a slow nod. "Understood. I'll begin tomorrow."
Raen's gaze shifted to Nyra. "And Nyra—about the Arkbound Space division…"
She looked up.
"I want the face of our team lead finalized. The one we discussed earlier. Get me their file by tomorrow morning."
Nyra gave a confident nod. "You'll have it."
Raen turned back to the schematic. The vision was no longer just in his mind. It was beginning.