---
The convoy routes glowed bright green across Reeve's tactical map. A crisscross of sea lanes fanned out from Fort Sentinel to Ironjaw and Echo-2, and soon to a third location—a resource-rich island tagged as Beta-5. It had promising copper deposits and a small freshwater spring, perfect for supporting a forward logistics outpost.
He stood in the Logistics Operations Bay, the nerve center beneath HQ where rows of holo-screens tracked vessel telemetry, drone scans, and weather patterns. Keira was there, arms crossed, watching a freight manifest update in real time.
"Atlas 02 just cleared drydock," she said. "Final diagnostics clean. AI initialized."
Reeve nodded. "Put her on Timber Delta rotation. Atlas 03 will take the Beta-5 run once we clear it."
---
> LOGISTICS PANEL – EXPANSION IN PROGRESS
Active Freighters: Atlas 01 – Ironjaw Line (Stable) Atlas 02 – Timber Delta Line (Active) Atlas 03 – [Queued - 85% Complete]
Upgrades Queued:
Logistics AI Mk II (Phase II): ETA 3 Hours
Convoy Hardpoint Auto-Deploy Protocols
Drone Assisted Docking
New Build Options: [UNLOCKED] Swift-Class Light Freighter Speed: Fast Capacity: 800 Units Defensive Modules: 2x Countermeasure Launchers Ideal for: Remote Site Resupply / Emergency Pull
> Construction Cost: 300 Steel 150 Electronics 250 Timber
[Queued: Swift 01]
---
By noon, the Atlas 02 completed her maiden voyage. The delivery boosted the timber stores past the threshold needed to unlock the Drone Operations Hangar expansion.
> RESOURCE GAIN: +2,500 Timber TRIGGER: Drone Hangar Expansion Phase I Available Cost: 1,800 Timber / 600 Electronics / 50 Gold
"Authorize it," Reeve said. "I want double launch capacity by tomorrow."
The command drone relayed orders to Construction Node 3. Minutes later, the first scaffolding modules were on their way.
---
The expansion momentum rolled forward. With resources streaming in at a consistent pace, Reeve authorized the launch of the Beta-5 scout mission.
> Recon Mission: ISLAND BETA-5 Objective: Identify viable landing zones, scout threats, confirm resource type/volume Assets:
1x Skua Recon Drone
1x Kite EC-3 EW Drone
2x Seagull Mini-Scouts
ETA: 2 Hours (Return 4 Hours)
---
While the drones flew, Reeve met with the Logistics AI dev team.
"The Mk II upgrade will cut our fuel consumption by 11% across short-haul routes," the lead engineer explained. "Once Phase II is in, we'll also get predictive weather pathing."
"That helps us how?"
"In bad seas, we can reroute without burning time or extra fuel. Convoy survival increases 30% in storm zones."
"Good. Queue Phase III next."
---
Beta-5 recon returned right on schedule.
> ISLAND BETA-5 SCOUTING COMPLETE
Terrain: Rocky Shoreline, Central Plateau
Resources: Copper Veins (Moderate Yield), Freshwater (Limited), Sandstone
Hostiles: Wildlife - Moderate (Sea Serpents Nesting Nearby)
Control Rating: 4/10
Recommended Action:
Deploy Reaper Drone Strike Team to clear shoreline
Establish Forward Operating Node
Build Modular Mine Complex
"We can hold that," Reeve muttered. "Time to open the third lane."
---
The Swift-Class Light Freighter was completed by nightfall. Short, sleek, and far more agile than the boxy Atlas freighters, Swift 01 was perfect for limited-payload, high-risk runs.
Reeve assigned it to Beta-5 support duties.
> ROUTE CREATED: Beta-5 Copper Line Convoy Type: Light Resupply / Mineral Export Escort: None (Low Risk) Response Overwatch: Brandenburg (On Alert)
With three lines operational and five ships rotating cargo, Fort Sentinel's logistical web had evolved into a self-sustaining system. Resources were no longer the bottleneck.
It was now about optimization.
---
> STRATEGIC UPGRADES COMMENCED:
Fuel Distillation Plant (Jet Grade Fuel) – Started
Drone Ops Hangar Expansion – Phase I Underway
Research Lab Upgrade – Scheduled
Logistics Hub Upgrade – Phase II In Progress
Fort Sentinel Command Core – Stabilizer Upgrade Initiated
Keira stepped in later that night as Reeve reviewed the overall flow charts.
"Three lines. Five ships. One growing fleet," she said. "Not bad for nine days in."
"It's not enough," Reeve replied. "We're still blind in half the grid. Until recon drones can map the eastern quadrant, we don't know what's coming."
"Then I guess we keep building."
He looked at the tactical display one last time before shutting down for the night.
The sea was big. The monsters were real.
But now he had a flow.
And soon?
He'd have a fleet to match it.
---
[End of Chapter Nine]