Chapter 207: New Frontier

Chapter 207: New Frontier

A few months after our company was promoted to D-Class, it was finally time to take our first step onto a new frontier.

Everything planetside had progressed well. For our game, the Legend of the Mythic War, the player base was steadily growing. It demonstrated how effective word of mouth was. Leeching off this success, we created several smaller games using the same theme.

On one united virtual platform, our lightweight games ranged from a type of fantasy chess to farming simulators. The currency of these games was all united, meaning you could bring the wealth you made from one to the other. It was an ambitious move that I wouldn’t have dared without Lanus watching over the market.

The translation software had also started taking off, but it would need more time before it reached its full potential.

On the logistic end, we successfully implemented a new aerial route from Elevate City to NLA. Not only did it keep our logistic network in-house, but it also provided an avenue for us to give our pilots flight time.

It was only our cybernetic department that was performing moderately. Due to having to dumbed down our commercial version, its specification wasn’t heads and shoulders above the competitors. To fully take advantage of it, one also needed to purchase a complete set.

Few active mercenaries would do such a thing, as it would require time to get used to. Time that was better spent taking on the next gig. It was an issue that was difficult to address. Our potential clients were required to make a not-so-small commitment. Buying a full set from us wasn’t only a cost consideration. Not all mercenaries were cyborgs. Many of them simply had one cybernetic arm or leg here and there.

With all these factors combined with the fact that we had only been around for a year, it was understandable our cybernetics didn’t become a breakout success. Regardless, the main purpose of the set was for our internal use, so as long as it didn’t end up in the red, I was satisfied.

At the same time, the competitive part of me searched for solutions to remedy the issue. I considered taking a page out of Sensorial’s book, and start designing more variants to cater to different niches. Our partnership with them taught me a lot about the business adoption side of things. Numerous people made use of cybernetics, not just for combat purposes.

It was just as I got started on designing a cyberarm for manual labor that I received news about the completion of the renting procedures up in Aegis.

It was time for our company to move in and establish our foothold.

A few days later, we boarded a shuttle and headed up the space elevator.

“So you excited to see your sister for the first time in months or what?” Claire impishly asked as she watched Pino struggle to strap into his seat.

“We...we already talk every day.”

“Well, that’s virtual. In-person is different, you know?”

“I...”

Pino was at a loss for words, so I interjected.

“Leave him be. He’s been holed up in the lab, doing simulations for our products for ages. He doesn’t deserve to be pestered during the precious few moments he isn’t working.”

“Hey, that’s your fault!” Claire cried. “You’re the one who’s putting too much on his plate.”

“Umm, it’s fine, you two. I asked for more to do, and I don’t mind chatting with Claire,” Pino tried to placate both parties.

“Don’t worry, we’re not really fighting,” Claire assured. “Rollo is just grumpy. Anyway, you’ve been living in Aegis most of your life, right? You’ve got to bring me around!”

Hearing that he was fine with it, I left him be to deal with Claire. He asked for it. It meant I didn’t have to deal with the chatterbox.

Turning away from their conversation, I glanced around the compartment we were in. We had reserved it for our personnel only, as we would be bringing two dozen people with us. It was the minimum we needed to establish a branch.

Leaving Pino with Claire, I smiled and nodded to Polina, who was sitting on the other side of me, before I caught sight of Thorne staring at me.

“What’s up?”

“Hmm, I wanted your opinion.”

“On?”

“Are you done with my brother yet, Ms. COO?”

Her attitude caused Claire to chuckle and put her hands up.

“He’s all yours.”

“Sister, it’s okay. I—”

“Shh,” Tally cut off her brother. “No need to make excuses for corpos.”

Seeing how things were progressing in a weird direction, I stepped forth before it veered off anymore.

The two men behind Tally instantly noticed my approach and saluted in my direction while Tally nodded my way.

“Good work. You’ve managed to secure us a proper place to build our foundation upon. I’m going to have to ask that you give us a quick tour, though.”

Tally looked down at her brother for a brief moment before answering.

“As long as it doesn’t put my brother in danger, I’m happy to do as told. I feel a lot safer now that we’re back in our hometown, too.”

“I’m happy to hear, but I assume it isn’t exactly how it used to be, right?”

Even I knew the difference in how one would be treated if they returned dressed like the corpos who suppressed their people. I just hoped it wasn’t too bad for this pair of siblings.

“I keep a low profile and I didn’t really have many friends in the first place.”

What a thing to say...

“Well, once we’re done, you’re free to go visit Amos or whoever.”

She simply nodded and gestured me into our new property. It was a rental from the city, but that was the norm around here. Rarely did they sell the property in Aegis. Everything was rented out from central management for a number of years. Our property here was rented on a ten-year term. I heard many big corporations rented theirs for the maximum term of ninety-nine years.

We then toured the building as Thorne led his team to set up the perimeter. Tally and her team had gotten a head start, but there was a limit to what three people could do. At the very least, they had gotten the place to be habitable. There was running water, breathable air, and even some simple furniture, like beds and dressers.

Once the tour was done, Claire led another team to set up the work area while I entered my private chambers. I needed to set up a workshop here as well if I would be spending any serious time up here. I didn’t need my gut instinct to know I would.

New business partnerships needed to be made. Many deals needed to be negotiated in person in order to show my respect. I foresaw myself up here for the next few months.

The next morning, our men continued setting up the place while I headed out to my scheduled meeting.

The celebration party I had a few months back wasn’t just for fun. I made many connections and put them to good use.

Ordering a taxi, it quickly cut through the city, leading me toward the edge of the entire space station. It was a weird contrast to see myself start from a highly patrolled area into neglected districts, only to once again enter a secured area near the edge.

The perimeter of the city was heavily protected. It was to guard against any damage to the infrastructure. Anyone who damaged the outer walls was punished harshly, so few crimes happened on the outskirts.

As we pulled up to the meeting place right next to a dock, I couldn’t help but stare at the orange sealant tank off to the entrance of a side street. I remember learning how it was used to seal off any breaches to the structures in case of emergencies during my first visit.

The reason I stared was because someone was currently opening up the box the sealant was kept behind. It meant trouble was about.

I sighed and quickly took a sweep of the area, searching for any of the man’s allies or security forces.

I do not want to be caught up in anything.