Chapter 15: Forging Alliances

I sat at my workstation, the holo-screen in front of me casting a faint blue glow across the room. My fingers danced over the interface, pulling up my network connections. Names, faces, and affiliations flickered across the screen—each one a potential resource, a thread I could pull to unravel the secrets I needed. I didn't have time to waste. If I was going to refine this process and automate it, I had to start with the right people.

First, I reached out to Veyra. She was an alchemist, yes, but she had connections in the Expanse that went deeper than most. Her knowledge of rare materials and crafting techniques was unmatched. I sent her a message, keeping it brief but pointed: "Need intel on crystal refinement—nothing theoretical, practical applications only. Can you help?" Her response came back almost instantly, a single word: "Cost?" I paused, then typed: "I'll owe you." She didn't reply, but I knew that meant she'd get back to me. Veyra didn't make empty promises.

Next, I scrolled through my contacts until I found a name I hadn't thought about in a while—Mira, a former classmate who'd specialized in energy manipulation tech. She'd always been the type to push boundaries, even if it meant bending a few rules. I fired off a quick message: "Looking for ways to automate energy conversion. You still tinkering with devices?" Her reply was equally quick, though less cryptic: "Always. What's in it for me?" I smiled faintly and typed: "First crack at whatever I build." That seemed to satisfy her. "I'll send you some schematics," she replied. "Don't wreck them."

Finally, I tapped into the Academy's research database, using my credentials to pull up studies on crystal refinement and energy conversion. Most of it was dry, theoretical stuff, but there were a few experimental papers that caught my eye. One in particular—on the stabilization of volatile energy sources—seemed promising. I downloaded the data and cross-referenced it with the notes I'd taken during my own experiments. The pieces were starting to come together, but it wasn't enough. I needed more.

As I leaned back in my chair, my mind raced with possibilities. Veyra's contacts, Mira's tech, the Academy's research—it was a start, but I was nowhere near finished.

The holo-screen on my wrist buzzed, pulling me from my thoughts. Veyra's name flashed across the display. I tapped the interface, and her voice crackled through. "Meet me at the Obsidian Lantern. One hour. Don't be late." The call ended before I could reply. Typical Veyra—short, sharp, and to the point.

I grabbed my coat and headed out, the cool evening air biting at my skin. The Obsidian Lantern wasn't far, but I took the longer route, using the time to clear my head. The city's neon glow painted the streets in shades of blue and purple, and the hum of distant mag-lev trains filled the air. I kept my pace steady, my mind already rehearsing what I needed to say.

The tavern was tucked away in the shadow of a crumbling skyscraper, its sign flickering faintly. I pushed the door open and stepped inside, the scent of aged wood and spiced ale hitting me immediately. Veyra sat at a corner table, her sharp eyes scanning the room. She didn't wave or call out—she just nodded toward the empty chair across from her.

"You're not late," she said as I sat down. "Good. I hate waiting."

"Thanks for meeting me," I said, keeping my tone neutral. I wasn't here to flatter her.

She leaned forward, her elbows resting on the table. "You said you'd owe me. So? What's this about?"

I took a breath. "I'm building a research team. Refining crystal production, automating it. I need someone with your expertise."

Her eyebrow quirked. "Automation? You're stepping into dangerous territory, kid. The Guild doesn't like people meddling with their systems."

"The Guild doesn't need to know," I shot back. "And this isn't just about stepping on toes. This is about precision, efficiency. I've got a way to convert energy into crystals that's faster and cleaner than anything they've got. But I need someone who understands the nuances of energy flow. Someone like you."

She studied me for a moment, her expression unreadable. "And what do I get out of it?"

"First access to the tech we develop," I said. "A share of the profits. And the chance to be part of something that could change the game."

She smirked, leaning back in her chair. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. Fine. I'm in. But if this goes wrong, I'm not stretching my neck out for you."

"Fair enough," I said, extending my hand. She shook it, her grip firm.

"Don't make me regret this, Caius."

"I won't."

The Obsidian Lantern was a good start, but Veyra wasn't enough. I needed more—more people, more materials, more leverage. I pulled up my holo-screen again, scrolling through the list of names I'd compiled over the years. Each one was a potential asset, but not all of them were worth the risk.

First, I reached out to a contact in the Expanse—an engineer named Jax. He specialized in crafting containment modules for volatile energy sources. If anyone could help me design a system to automate the process, it was him. I sent him a message: "Need help on a project. Dangerous but worth it. Interested?" His reply came back almost instantly: "Details?" I hesitated, then typed: "Crystal refinement. Automation. Big payoff." He didn't respond immediately, but I knew he'd bite. Jax wasn't the type to turn down a challenge.

Next, I called in a Favor with a supplier I'd worked with before—a woman named Dara who ran a small but reliable operation on the outskirts of the city. She could get me the raw materials I needed without attracting too much attention. The last thing I wanted was the Guild sniffing around. When I explained what I was looking for, her voice was cautious but intrigued. "You're asking for a lot, Caius. This isn't small-time stuff."

"I know," I said, keeping my tone steady. "But I'm not playing small-time anymore. I can make it worth your while."

She paused, then sighed. "I'll see what I can do. But this comes with strings attached. I want a cut of whatever you're selling."

"Fair enough," I replied. "I'll send you the details."

Materials were one thing, but I also needed a secure location to set up the operation. My workshop wasn't big enough, and it was too exposed. I scoured the network for potential spots, finally settling on an abandoned warehouse in the industrial district. It was far enough off the grid to avoid scrutiny but close enough to the city for easy access. I contacted the owner—a reclusive inventor named Kael—and negotiated a short-term lease. He didn't ask many questions, which suited me just fine.

By the end of the day, I had a team forming and the resources coming in. Veyra, Jax, Dara, and Kael—it wasn't a full roster, but it was a start. Now, I just needed to make sure everything came together without blowing up in my face.