Corpo Age

Chapter 207: New Frontier

A few months after our company was promoted to D-Class, it was finally time to take our first step onto a new frontier.

Everything planetside had progressed well. For our game, the Legend of the Mythic War, the player base was steadily growing. It demonstrated how effective word of mouth was. Leeching off this success, we created several smaller games using the same theme.

On one united virtual platform, our lightweight games ranged from a type of fantasy chess to farming simulators. The currency of these games was all united, meaning you could bring the wealth you made from one to the other. It was an ambitious move that I wouldn’t have dared without Lanus watching over the market.

The translation software had also started taking off, but it would need more time before it reached its full potential.

On the logistic end, we successfully implemented a new aerial route from Elevate City to NLA. Not only did it keep our logistic network in-house, but it also provided an avenue for us to give our pilots flight time.

It was only our cybernetic department that was performing moderately. Due to having to dumbed down our commercial version, its specification wasn’t heads and shoulders above the competitors. To fully take advantage of it, one also needed to purchase a complete set.

Few active mercenaries would do such a thing, as it would require time to get used to. Time that was better spent taking on the next gig. It was an issue that was difficult to address. Our potential clients were required to make a not-so-small commitment. Buying a full set from us wasn’t only a cost consideration. Not all mercenaries were cyborgs. Many of them simply had one cybernetic arm or leg here and there.

With all these factors combined with the fact that we had only been around for a year, it was understandable our cybernetics didn’t become a breakout success. Regardless, the main purpose of the set was for our internal use, so as long as it didn’t end up in the red, I was satisfied.

At the same time, the competitive part of me searched for solutions to remedy the issue. I considered taking a page out of Sensorial’s book, and start designing more variants to cater to different niches. Our partnership with them taught me a lot about the business adoption side of things. Numerous people made use of cybernetics, not just for combat purposes.

It was just as I got started on designing a cyberarm for manual labor that I received news about the completion of the renting procedures up in Aegis.

It was time for our company to move in and establish our foothold.

A few days later, we boarded a shuttle and headed up the space elevator.

“So you excited to see your sister for the first time in months or what?” Claire impishly asked as she watched Pino struggle to strap into his seat.

“We…we already talk every day.”

“Well, that’s virtual. In-person is different, you know?”

“I…”

Pino was at a loss for words, so I interjected.

“Leave him be. He’s been holed up in the lab, doing simulations for our products for ages. He doesn’t deserve to be pestered during the precious few moments he isn’t working.”

“Hey, that’s your fault!” Claire cried. “You’re the one who’s putting too much on his plate.”

“Umm, it’s fine, you two. I asked for more to do, and I don’t mind chatting with Claire,” Pino tried to placate both parties.

“Don’t worry, we’re not really fighting,” Claire assured. “Rollo is just grumpy. Anyway, you’ve been living in Aegis most of your life, right? You’ve got to bring me around!”

Hearing that he was fine with it, I left him be to deal with Claire. He asked for it. It meant I didn’t have to deal with the chatterbox.

Turning away from their conversation, I glanced around the compartment we were in. We had reserved it for our personnel only, as we would be bringing two dozen people with us. It was the minimum we needed to establish a branch.

Leaving Pino with Claire, I smiled and nodded to Polina, who was sitting on the other side of me, before I caught sight of Thorne staring at me.

“What’s up?”

“Hmm, I wanted your opinion.”

“On?”

“...Who to put in charge of the Aegis branch? It’ll be a small team, but with our most advanced tech.”

“Did you already ask who’s willing to take on the position?”

“Claire had settled the office personnel, but I’m talking about the security side of things. All of them are yes-men, so it’s up to me to choose.”

“Well, I don’t think we’ve got another Vin lying around. All of them are equally inexperienced, so believe in your gut.”

“Okay…”

I knew I wasn’t very helpful, but I didn’t have a preference either way. As we expanded, it was inevitable I wouldn’t be able to personally get to know all of our people. I already don’t know all the names and positions of all my employees. It was only thanks to my SAID that I could call out their names when I needed to. Technology assisted us in managing distant outposts, so I would continue to rely on just that. There was a reason I spent so much effort installing the monitoring implants into my workers.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Just like Pino, I spent most of my time in the lab instead of bed as well, so after our conversation died down, I got some shut-eye. By the time I woke up, we had arrived. Retracing our steps from the previous visits, we soon found ourselves heading for the city. As several taxis rode down the quiet streets, we all looked out the window in curiosity.

Aegis hadn’t changed in the least. The parts outside downtown still looked rundown. The average person here had a much worse life than those living on the surface.

“How’d you managed to earn enough money for the ride back so quickly around here?” I asked the blonde woman beside me.

“Perseverance? They’re ways to get by in this city without being burdened down by all those fees they charge.”

“You were homeless or something?”

“I slept around the docks where I worked. The company didn’t mind too much. Their turnover rate was high enough already, so I guessed they turned a blind eye to those sorts of things.”

“You said you worked EVA. I would assume that pays decent, no? How is the turnover rate high?”

“I told you, don’t you remember? EVA is a dangerous business. Loose debris and garbage in orbit could pelt you at any time. Then there’s the possibility of what you’re working on coming apart. If it wasn’t for the experimental bio-coprocessor in my mind, things would’ve gotten real dicey.”

“That’s…good to know. I’ll be sure to address the safety issue before I send our people to work.”

She grinned and looked out the window on the other side.

What she brought up required further investigation from me. It wasn’t something Joey or anyone else had warned me about, but I guess it was to be expected. Corpos didn’t care much about the safety of the lower rung.

Manual labor was easy to find and cheap. It was the reason they didn’t get fancy bots to do the job. Human beings were much cheaper to replace.

Still, it should’ve been too hard to install scanners on the exterior, and maybe some guns to shoot down debris? No, I doubt the station would allow for that. I should inspect the site before deciding on anything.

Our ride through the city was smooth. Fewer people in Aegis could afford vehicles, which meant less traffic. We soon found ourselves outside a rundown building on the border between the office and the residential area. It was apparent that the property was on the low end, according to corporate standards.

It wasn’t surprising, as I had approved the selection of this place. Much like Elevate City, every inch of land in Aegis was worth its weight in gold. It wasn’t exactly easy to expand the city, so we had to deal with it. My only requirement was a standalone property, free from any third parties.

As we got off, three figures exited the building to greet us. Standing in the lead was a woman with a familiar-looking face.

Before they could properly greet us, Claire pushed Pino up to the newcomers.

“There you go, it’s your sister. Go on, hug her, and tell her how much you’ve missed her.”

“Umm…”

Pino’s sister, Tally, watched on, unamused. It caused Pino to shriek back despite knowing her glare wasn’t for him.

“Are you done with my brother yet, Ms. COO?”

Her attitude caused Claire to chuckle and put her hands up.

“He’s all yours.”

“Sister, it’s okay. I—”

“Shh,” Tally cut off her brother. “No need to make excuses for corpos.”

Seeing how things were progressing in a weird direction, I stepped forth before it veered off anymore.

The two men behind Tally instantly noticed my approach and saluted in my direction while Tally nodded my way.

“Good work. You’ve managed to secure us a proper place to build our foundation upon. I’m going to have to ask that you give us a quick tour, though.”

Tally looked down at her brother for a brief moment before answering.

“As long as it doesn’t put my brother in danger, I’m happy to do as told. I feel a lot safer now that we’re back in our hometown, too.”

“I’m happy to hear, but I assume it isn’t exactly how it used to be, right?”

Even I knew the difference in how one would be treated if they returned dressed like the corpos who suppressed their people. I just hoped it wasn’t too bad for this pair of siblings.

“I keep a low profile and I didn’t really have many friends in the first place.”

What a thing to say…

“Well, once we’re done, you’re free to go visit Amos or whoever.”

She simply nodded and gestured me into our new property. It was a rental from the city, but that was the norm around here. Rarely did they sell the property in Aegis. Everything was rented out from central management for a number of years. Our property here was rented on a ten-year term. I heard many big corporations rented theirs for the maximum term of ninety-nine years.

We then toured the building as Thorne led his team to set up the perimeter. Tally and her team had gotten a head start, but there was a limit to what three people could do. At the very least, they had gotten the place to be habitable. There was running water, breathable air, and even some simple furniture, like beds and dressers.

Once the tour was done, Claire led another team to set up the work area while I entered my private chambers. I needed to set up a workshop here as well if I would be spending any serious time up here. I didn’t need my gut instinct to know I would.

New business partnerships needed to be made. Many deals needed to be negotiated in person in order to show my respect. I foresaw myself up here for the next few months.

The next morning, our men continued setting up the place while I headed out to my scheduled meeting.

The celebration party I had a few months back wasn’t just for fun. I made many connections and put them to good use.

Ordering a taxi, it quickly cut through the city, leading me toward the edge of the entire space station. It was a weird contrast to see myself start from a highly patrolled area into neglected districts, only to once again enter a secured area near the edge.

The perimeter of the city was heavily protected. It was to guard against any damage to the infrastructure. Anyone who damaged the outer walls was punished harshly, so few crimes happened on the outskirts.

As we pulled up to the meeting place right next to a dock, I couldn’t help but stare at the orange sealant tank off to the entrance of a side street. I remember learning how it was used to seal off any breaches to the structures in case of emergencies during my first visit.

The reason I stared was because someone was currently opening up the box the sealant was kept behind. It meant trouble was about.

I sighed and quickly took a sweep of the area, searching for any of the man’s allies or security forces.

I do not want to be caught up in anything.