Chapter 17: Forge and Foundation
Sector 18 was breathing again, but Jaden knew survival wasn’t enough. This wasn’t just about rebuilding — it was about preparing for war. Utopia meant nothing if it couldn’t defend itself. And now, someone wanted him dead.
A bounty — 150,000 credits — had been placed on his head.
Inside the Foundry Complex, a colossal fabrication dome carved into the southern ridge, molten synth steel poured into molds. Automated cranes hovered above, welding exo-plating onto mech frames. Tactical drones zipped between gantries, calibrating pulse rifles with embedded micro AI chips. Holographic blueprints flickered to life on the central table — rows of reinforced housing units, perimeter defenses, and heavy-class walker mechs.
Jaden stood at the command console, eyes scanning multiple threat pings across the security grid. "Three intrusion attempts since midnight. One drone operator breached the outer tower relay. No ID. Evaporated."
Carl looked grim. "The bounty’s live, Jaden. They’re coming."
"We don’t panic," Jaden said. "We build. We fortify. And we train."
Dani swiped through a holographic feed. "Recruitment’s live. Ex-miners, old medtechs, even two rogue bot mechanics have signed up. They’re raw, but they want in."
"Good," Jaden said. "They’ll be the first wave of the Vanguard."
Blueprint Upload: Vanguard Facilities
Location: Underneath Tech Terraces Sector