Two days later, morning light broke over the still-developing landscape of the new Arkbound sector. Machinery hummed, bots marched in near-perfect sync, and two towering structures neared completion—the main Arkbound HQ and the adjacent Arkbound Space HQ.
Kael stood near the entry point of the site, scanning the horizon. A dark, sleek government hovercar approached, flanked by security drones.
From the vehicle stepped the mayor of the district—a woman in her late 50s with sharp eyes and a well-practiced neutral expression—alongside two government planners and an assistant.
Kael stepped forward, greeted them formally, and introduced Nyra, who had just arrived with a squad of NEAR bots in tow, standing like gleaming statues behind her.
Mayor: "You must be the Arkbound team responsible for Baron Vrax's miracle city."
Kael (with a polite smile): "Yes, ma'am. Arkbound Construction is expanding. What you saw there was just the beginning."
The mayor raised an eyebrow.
Mayor: "Robotics firms don't usually pitch city-scale infrastructure. Why are you here?"
Nyra took over, professional and composed:
"Because we're not just robotics anymore. Arkbound has evolved. We're bringing the same level of efficiency and precision you witnessed before—only now, we're expanding our operations."
Kael added quickly:
"And we're not just offering a construction bid. We're relocating our entire corporate HQ to this zone. That includes our newest division: Arkbound Space."
The mayor paused, taken aback.
"Space?"
Nyra nodded and brought up a projection from her wrist console—outlining their sector plans.
"We are planning long-term. A full space operations HQ, parallel to our construction firm. This zone isn't just a job site—it's the future home of an aerospace company."
One of the government planners whispered something to the mayor, who then folded her arms thoughtfully.
Mayor: "Well. I won't lie—we're pleased. The transformation of the Vrax zone was nothing short of miraculous. Your involvement here gives us… hope."
She then stepped forward, glancing at the bots constructing buildings with uncanny precision.
"Your work speaks for itself. Deliver as promised, and Arkbound will become a pillar of this country's future."
Nyra bowed slightly, then looked to Kael:
"Everything's ready. We'll begin the city foundation work today."
As the mayor's convoy departed, Kael turned to Nyra, exhaling slowly:
"Did we just become one of the most important companies on the planet?"
Nyra smiled faintly:
"No. That happens in seventy-two days—when that ship takes off."