Chapter 17: Engines of Survival

Kael Arden stood in the center of the settlement, watching the morning light glint off the newly reinforced walls. The base had grown into something formidable, a testament to his tireless efforts and the newfound teamwork of the group. But it wasn't enough. The wasteland stretched for miles in every direction, and every trip outside these walls was a grueling, dangerous slog.

If they were going to push forward—scavenge further, explore anomalies, or expand their influence—they needed transportation.

The system seemed to agree. Kael's HUD chimed with a soft alert, drawing his attention to a new menu.

[Blueprints Unlocked: Vehicle Bay]

Function: Constructs, repairs, and upgrades vehicles for exploration and combat.

Cost: 20 Steel, 10 Wood, 3 Energy Cells.

Time to Completion: 1 Hour.]

Kael smirked. "Finally."

Kael gathered the group near the workshop to explain the plan. "We've been moving on foot this whole time, and it's slowing us down. The system just unlocked a vehicle bay, so we're going to build it."

"Vehicles?" Jonas asked, his eyes lighting up. "Like cars?"

"Not just cars," Kael replied. "With the right resources, we can build armored transports, scouting bikes, even heavy-duty rigs for hauling supplies."

Dane crossed his arms. "Sounds good, but where are we putting it?"

Kael gestured to an empty patch of ground near the eastern wall. "Over there. The system's already marked it as the optimal location."

The group got to work immediately. Bren and Dane handled the heavy lifting, hauling steel beams and wood planks while Kael and Elara assembled the framework. The drones assisted, welding supports into place and running cables to the generator.

By the time the sun was directly overhead, the vehicle bay was complete.

[Vehicle Bay Constructed. Functionality Online.]

The structure was sleek and utilitarian, with an open workspace, reinforced walls, and a towering steel frame. A mechanical arm hung from the ceiling, ready to lift engines and chassis, while a terminal in the corner allowed for blueprint selection and upgrades.

[Blueprints for Vehicles]

The system displayed the first set of available vehicle blueprints:

[Scout Bike (Level 1):

Description: A lightweight, fast vehicle for quick reconnaissance.

Features: Minimal armor, high speed, low fuel consumption.

Cost: 8 Steel, 4 Wire Coils.]

[Armored Transport (Level 1):

Description: A sturdy, multi-passenger vehicle designed for scavenging trips.

Features: Moderate armor, storage capacity, medium speed.

Cost: 15 Steel, 6 Wire Coils, 2 Energy Cells.]

[Cargo Hauler (Level 1):

Description: A heavy-duty vehicle for transporting large quantities of resources.

Features: High storage, low speed, heavy armor.

Cost: 20 Steel, 8 Wire Coils, 3 Energy Cells.]

Kael studied the options, tapping his chin. "We'll start with the [Armored Transport]. It's versatile and durable enough for the kind of trips we're doing."

He confirmed the blueprint, and the drones sprang into action, assembling the vehicle piece by piece.

The transport took shape over the next few hours. Its boxy frame was covered in reinforced steel plating, with slits for windows and a turret mount on top. The interior was spacious, with enough room for five passengers and a cargo compartment in the back.

[Vehicle Constructed: Armored Transport. Ready for Deployment.]

Jonas practically bounced on his heels as Kael inspected the finished vehicle. "Can I drive it?"

"Not a chance," Kael replied, smirking as he climbed into the driver's seat.

The dashboard was simple but functional, with a series of glowing displays linked directly to the system. Kael activated the engine, and a deep, satisfying rumble filled the air.

"This is going to change everything," Elara said, running a hand along the vehicle's side.

Kael nodded. "We'll test it on the next trip."

While the vehicle bay was a huge step forward, Kael knew the base itself needed to become more self-sufficient. The constant scavenging for food, fuel, and water wasn't sustainable in the long run.

The system provided a new set of blueprints aimed at solving those problems:

[Hydroponics Bay (Level 1):

Description: A controlled environment for growing food.

Cost: 10 Steel, 8 Wood, 2 Energy Cells.]

[Water Purifier (Level 1):

Description: Extracts and purifies water from the environment.

Cost: 12 Steel, 6 Wire Coils, 1 Energy Cell.]

[Fuel Refinery (Level 1):

Description: Converts scavenged materials into usable fuel.

Cost: 15 Steel, 5 Wood, 3 Energy Cells.]

Kael selected the [Hydroponics Bay] and the [Water Purifier], prioritizing food and water over fuel.

[Building the Hydroponics Bay]

The hydroponics bay was constructed next to the workshop, its walls made of reinforced glass to let in sunlight. Inside, rows of steel shelves were fitted with nutrient tanks and grow lights, creating a controlled environment for crops.

Kael planted the first batch of seeds—basic vegetables like potatoes and beans—while the system managed the irrigation and nutrient distribution.

[Hydroponics Bay Online. Food Production Rate: 2 Units/Day.]

[Installing the Water Purifier]

The water purifier was placed near the generator room, its towering filtration system humming softly as it drew in moisture from the air and filtered impurities.

[Water Purifier Online. Daily Output: 10 Liters.]

By the end of the day, the settlement felt transformed. The hydroponics bay and water purifier ensured a steady supply of food and water, while the vehicle bay and transport opened up new possibilities for exploration.

The group gathered near the fire pit that evening, sharing a rare moment of peace. Mara cooked a simple stew from the hydroponic vegetables, and Jonas regaled them with exaggerated tales of the swarm battle.

Kael watched them quietly, his mind already turning to the challenges ahead. The wasteland was vast, dangerous, and full of unknowns. But for the first time, the settlement felt like more than a fortress.

It felt like a home.

As the group's laughter echoed in the night, Kael's HUD chimed with a soft but ominous alert:

[Incoming Transmission: Unknown Source.]

Kael stiffened, his gaze snapping to the horizon. "System, isolate the signal," he said quietly.

The system displayed the details:

[Source: Unknown.

Message: "If you're hearing this… you're not alone."]

The signal cut off abruptly, leaving only silence.

Kael's heart raced. Another settlement? Survivors? Or something else entirely?

Whatever it was, it had just changed everything.