Chapter 10: Raising the Stakes

The hum of the Portable Energy Core filled the small apartment, a steady pulse from the biometric safe bolted to the floor. Calverton's dockside clamor filtered through the thin walls—gulls screeching, cargo drones buzzing, the distant rumble of freighters. Sunlight spilled over a table littered with tools, a half-empty beer from Mia's visit, and the Helix Slate, its screen dark but heavy with promise. The Pulse Shield gleamed on a wrist, the Stellar Shades rested beside a cracked mirror, and the Nano-Repair Kit—now spent—sat as a trophy of last night's win. With $5,566.70 in the bank, a $4,640 stock portfolio, and a $500,000 Helix subsidiary stake, the climb was real—but OmniCorp's $15 million bid loomed like a storm on the horizon.

The Galactic Ascension System flared up, its blue text cutting through the morning haze.

[Task: Outmaneuver a rival bidder. Reward: 1800 credits, Random Financial Boost. Time limit: 3 days remaining.]

[Task: Secure your assets. Reward: 1500 credits, Random Property Deed (Tier 1). Time limit: 3 days remaining.]

A phone buzzed—Marcus: OmniCorp $46/share, NexTech $29. Portfolio: $4,850. The market loved the chaos, and the ambush had only juiced it higher. The Helix Partnership Stake—5% of a shadowy subsidiary—sat untapped, a golden ticket Ethan hadn't yet cashed. Lila's message burned in his mind: Maritime potential—drones, freighters. Helix's $5 million offer, with 5% royalties, was solid, but OmniCorp's desperation screamed opportunity. Outmaneuvering them meant playing both sides—pushing Helix higher while dodging OmniCorp's claws.

A stretch cracked stiff joints—the mattress days were numbered. The Quantum Chronometer ticked, syncing with the Holo-Comm as a plan took shape. Refine the core, pitch the shipping angle, and lock Helix in before OmniCorp struck again. Tech Savvy (Tier 2)—10% better at tech—itched to tweak the prototype. He pulled it from the safe, its blue glow steady but rough. Maritime needed durability—salt-proof casing, drone compatibility. A quick sketch on the Helix Slate: reinforced shell, modular outputs. Doable, with parts.

The Vantage purred to Tech Haven, the dockside shop buzzing with geeks and grease. Zane, the mohawk clerk, grinned as he approached. "Back already? That core eating your wallet?"

"Building an empire," came the reply, Charisma Boost smoothing it out. "Need casing—titanium alloy, waterproof seals, micro-adapters." Tech Savvy picked the specs; Zane piled up $400 in gear. The swipe stung—$5,566.70 to $5,166.70—but the system loved bold moves.

Back home, the table became a lab—solder smoked, the Stellar Shades zoomed on tiny welds, and Reflex Boost (Tier 1) steadied shaky hands. Hours blurred into a sleek, rugged core—still palm-sized, now tougher, with ports for drone hookups. A test hum vibrated the room—stronger, stable. Tech Savvy grinned inside him.

The system chimed.

[Task update: Outmaneuver a rival bidder—progress detected. Bonus reward: $1,500 cash injection. New balance: $6,666.70.]

A laugh—those sixes again. Fate's wink? He tapped the Helix Slate, drafting to Lila: Core refined—maritime-ready, drone-scalable. Helix needs this—$7m base, 7% royalties. Negotiation (Passive) polished it—firm, tempting. Sent.

The Holo-Comm buzzed—Vincent: "Shipping angle's smart, Ward. Helix likes it—$6m, 6%. Final offer. Deliver in six days, or we walk." A beat, then: "OmniCorp's at $18m—watch your tail." The line cut.

Ethan cursed. $6 million, 6%—millions yearly if it scaled. But $18 million? OmniCorp was rabid. Outmaneuvering them meant speed—lock Helix, freeze OmniCorp out. He needed a lab, not this dump. The Secure your assets task glared—time to move.

A knock—Mia, paint-streaked, holding coffee. "You're a machine lately," she said, handing it over. "That glow's blinding me through the wall."

"Big project," he said, sipping. "Might be moving soon—bigger space."

Her brow arched. "Fancy. Don't vanish on me, hotshot." She left, smirking.

The system pinged.

[Bonus reward: $600 social goodwill injection. New balance: $7,266.70.]

He grinned, then dialed Ironclad Solutions. Riley answered, gruff. "Ward? Safe holding?"

"Need more," he said, Charisma Boost on. "Storage—secure, private, $5k budget. Today."

"Got a lockbox unit—downtown, biometric, $4,800. Crew's free—now or never."

"Sold." The transfer flew—$7,266.70 to $2,466.70. Riley's team arrived in an hour, hauling the core and Slate to a steel-walled unit near the expo district—cameras, locks, EMP-proof. The Vantage parked outside, Pulse Shield ready.

The system chimed.

[Task completed: Secure your assets. Rewards granted: 1500 credits, Random Property Deed—Calverton Loft (Tier 1, value $250k). Total credits: 15,550.]

A deed popped into his Inventory—Calverton Loft, eastern district, 800 square feet, modern. A real home. Ethan laughed, stunned. "System, you're insane."

His Holo-Comm crackled—Selene: "Loft's cute, Ward. OmniCorp's not—check your car." The line died. He bolted outside, Stellar Shades scanning—Thermal signature—device detected. A blinking tracker clung to the Vantage's undercarriage—same as last night.

The system flared.

[Alert: Sabotage attempt. Task: Disable the threat. Reward: 1300 credits, Random Mobility Asset. Time limit: 10 minutes.]

He yanked it free, Tech Savvy spotting a kill switch—disabled with a twist. No goons this time—just the tracker. OmniCorp was stalking, not striking. Yet.

The system pinged.

[Task completed: Disable the threat. Rewards granted: 1300 credits, Random Mobility Asset—Hover-Scoot (Tier 1, value $5k). Total credits: 16,850.]

A sleek scooter materialized in the lockbox—compact, electric, hovering an inch off the ground. "Nice," he murmured, testing it. Fast, quiet—perfect for dodging tails.

The Helix Slate buzzed—Lila: Helix locked $6m, 6%. OmniCorp's livid—rumors of a counterplay. Stay sharp. Ethan grinned. Outmaneuvering was halfway done—Helix was his, but OmniCorp's $18 million meant war.

A shadow moved across the street—Stellar Shades tagged: Thermal—armed, two targets. He ducked into the lockbox, Pulse Shield up, peering out. Two suits—one from the cliffs ambush—conversed, gesturing at the Vantage. OmniCorp's muscle, closing in.

The Quantum Chronometer beeped—Incoming signal. Vincent: "Ward, OmniCorp's hiring mercs—ex-military. Your loft's leaked. Helix won't babysit—handle it." Click.

Ethan's jaw tightened. Leaked? The loft wasn't even his yet—he hadn't moved! OmniCorp was hacking, tracking, pushing. He needed firepower, not just shields. The Hover-Scoot hummed—mobility, but no offense.

The system flared.

[Task: Neutralize OmniCorp's escalation. Reward: 2000 credits, Random Offensive Asset. Time limit: 2 days.]

He smirked, locking the unit. The suits lingered, but he slipped out the back, Reflex Boost guiding silent steps. The Vantage purred to life, peeling away. His phone buzzed—Marcus: OmniCorp $48/share, NexTech $30. Portfolio: $5,000. A cool $5k, but peanuts next to Helix's deal.

Back at the apartment, he packed—clothes, Slate, tools. The loft was his escape, but OmniCorp's mercs meant a fight. Mia poked her head in. "Moving already?"

"Upgrading," he said, Charisma Boost easing her frown. "Beer at the new place?"

"Deal," she grinned, leaving.

The system pinged.

[Bonus reward: $700 social goodwill injection. New balance: $3,166.70.]

He hauled his gear to the Vantage, the loft's address in his Inventory. OmniCorp wanted a war—they'd get one. The Wealth King had Helix, a core, and a fortress. Time to hit back.