From Idler to Tech Tycoon: Earth

Nicolau stared at the horrifying holographic projections for what felt like an eternity, the images of shriveled husks and reptilian monsters seared into his mind. Five minutes passed in thick, heavy silence, broken only by the faint hum of the command center’s unseen machinery. His initial shock began to crystallize into a grim understanding, a terrifying clarity.

He finally tore his gaze from the displays, turning back to Richard, his voice rough. "Assurances," Nicolau said, leaning forward, his eyes suddenly burning with an intensity that rivaled Richard’s. "I need assurances. Safety for my family, for the families of my men. If this... this harvest is true, then surely more will disappear. I may be a criminal in the eyes of the law, Mr. Santamo, but I am a man of principles. The reason I oppose my government, the reason I built this empire, is their corruption, their crimes. They steal from the people. I... I sell drugs to give my people money, a hope that they can eat every day. But this... this is different. There’s no reason I won’t help you now that I’ve learned the truth."

He paused, a flicker of raw vulnerability crossing his face. "Some of my men are just young men. Boys, really. If I do what you ask, if we fight other cartels... our human enemies... and now these aliens," he gestured vaguely at the holographic images, "many will die. Their blood will be on my hands. I need to know they’ll have a chance."

Richard listened, his expression unyielding, yet a subtle empathy softened his silver eyes. "You don’t have to worry about that, Mr. Nicolau," Richard said, his voice calm, reassuring. "Do you remember Ciano’s first appearance? How he fought?"

Nicolau’s brow furrowed in thought. He remembered the whirlwind of impossible strength, the way Ciano had ripped through TCP attackers, the sheer invincibility he had displayed. "Yes," he said, nodding slowly. "He is strangely... supernatural. He can easily lift heavy objects. He also seemed invincible to bullets. I always believed in supernaturals, in the legends our people tell to their kids, the old spirits of the forest. But seeing it in person... it was quite unbelievable, to be honest. More than that, it was terrifying. And fascinating."

Richard smiled, a hint of ancient wisdom in his expression. "Mr. Nicolau, what Ciano possesses, what protects him, is what your legends call an amulet. It is a belief, a long-held tradition passed down through generations, connecting to ancient spirits and energies." Richard then reached into a small, velvet pouch he’d produced from seemingly nowhere, extracting a simple, polished stone pendant on a leather thong. It felt warm to the touch. "This, Mr. Nicolau," he said, extending it, "is one of those amulets."

Nicolau cautiously took the necklace, his fingers tracing the faint, swirling symbol etched into its surface. It was intricate, almost hypnotic. He looked up at Richard, then at Ciano, who remained stoic, unblinking.

Richard nodded to Ciano. "Ciano, if you please."

Ciano, without a word, drew a pistol from his waistband. The metallic click of the safety disengaging echoed unnaturally loud in the high-tech command center. Nicolau’s eyes widened, a sudden surge of adrenaline flooding his system. He instinctively flinched, dropping the amulet. "What in the—"