Chapter 16: Night Stalkers
A few hours later, the steelworks had returned to a semblance of normalcy. Besides a broken wall and a faint metallic scent of blood hanging in the air, there was little sign of the earlier violence. All the bodies had been removed, and most of the bloodstains scrubbed away, though the memory of the event lingered among the survivors.
On the second floor of the steel plant's office building, Zack looked down over the factory floor. The office, situated in the heart of the plant, had once been converted by Jacob into a personal den filled with food and luxuries. Zack had ordered the food to be redistributed among the workers, discarding anything that disgusted him. Now, the office was empty save for a few desks and his MV-01 armor, charging silently in the corner. While it charged, he'd restricted anyone from entering, ensuring his control over the area.
"Ego, report," Zack commanded, watching the workers below.
"Sir," Ego responded in his mechanical tone, "including family members, there are now seventeen survivors. Six of them are steelworkers, though one has since died from excessive blood loss."
Zack frowned, recalling the two workers who had been critically injured. "So, we're down to five workers who can operate the plant?"
"Yes, sir," Ego confirmed. "One sustained a severe injury and can no longer work."
"What about our steel reserves?" Zack asked.
"Materials are adequate, but power is expected to be cut off in six days."
"Only six days..." Zack's brows furrowed. Power was essential for industrial production. While he could manage with diesel generators for his Mansion, they would never suffice here. He knew he had to fast-track his plans for an energy source, like the Zero Point Reactor he'd been envisioning. But the material required is something he cannot get for now, his other option is to make Cold Fusion Reactor.