The following days after returning to the orbital base, major changes had already begun taking place.
The first was the genetic composition of Atlas itself.
With Evie’s Synthetic Core now assimilated into my Origin body, Atlas had fundamentally changed from a purely organic civilization into something entirely different.
A bio-machine hybrid civilization. And because the Origin served as the foundation of all Atlas units, whatever I became would directly influence the rest of the civilization as well.
Following Evie’s integration into the Atlas framework, an entirely new structure had automatically been added.
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[Atlas Nanite Processor]
Cost: [10,000 EE]
Upkeep: [5 EE/day]
Unit Capacity: [2]
[Description: A processing facility designed to convert raw energy into programmable Atlas-type Nanites used for unit production, base construction, manufacturing, and industrial expansion.]
Primary Function: Convert Eterna Energy into Nanites
Current Conversion Rate: 50 EE → 1 Nanite
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Unlike conventional manufacturing systems, Atlas Nanites functioned as adaptive programmable matter, especially in repair. Nearly every aspect of the civilization could now be accelerated through nanite integration.
These changes were immediately reflected throughout the unit production system.
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[Atlas Synthetic Newt]
Type: Worker-Class Unit
Production Cost: 500 Eterna Energy, 50 Nanites
Available Quantity: Unlimited
Status: Ready
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[Atlas Drone]
Type: Worker-Class Unit
Production Cost: 50 Nanites
Available Quantity: Unlimited
Status: Ready
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Naturally, the production costs of Atlas units had increased significantly compared to before. However, the advantages gained from the synthetic hybrid evolution far outweighed the additional expense. Aside from enhanced durability and mechanical adaptation. The most important was their self-repair capabilities.
This would allow my units to have greater survivability overall.
Fortunately, I did not need to spend additional resources upgrading the existing 403 Atlas Newts and Kyndris.
During Evie’s relic assimilation, the entire Atlas genetic framework had synchronized automatically, causing all Atlas-affiliated units, including me, to evolve into synthetic hybrids simultaneously.
Additionally, unlike the Atlas Newts, the Atlas Drone units possessed no independent consciousness. They were completely mindless worker units that functioned solely according to their assigned classifications and operational directives.
With this, I immediately began considering a major restructuring plan for the workforce. Resource gathering and industrial tasks could now be delegated almost entirely to drones instead.
This would allow me to gradually reassign many of the existing resource-focused Newts toward other operational duties, exploration assignments, or expeditionary tasks, depending on what the civilization needed most.
There were many additional things at the factory as well
[T1 Atlas Mech Type 1 — Striker Class]
Cost: [5,000 Nanites] [10,000 Celestium Ferrofluid]
[Description: A planetary combat mech specialized in rapid assaults, close-to-mid-range engagements, and breakthrough operations. Equipped with adaptive synthetic armor and reinforced nanite repair systems, the Striker Class excels at aggressive ground combat and fast-response battlefield domination.]
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[T1 Atlas Mech Type 2 — Defender Class]
Cost: [5,000 Nanites] [10,000 Celestium Ferrofluid]
[Description: A heavily armored planetary defense mech designed for frontline fortification, area control, and protection of strategic assets. Possesses enhanced durability, shield integration systems, and advanced stabilization frameworks capable of enduring prolonged ground engagements.]
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[T1 Atlas Mech Type 3 — Artillery Class]
Cost: [5,000 Nanites] [10,000 Celestium Ferrofluid]
[Description: A long-range planetary artillery mech specialized in heavy bombardment and siege warfare. Equipped with high-output artillery systems and precision targeting arrays, the Artillery Class provides devastating ranged firepower against hostile ground forces and fortified positions.]
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These planetary combat machines would definitely become a major asset for Atlas, especially for planetary defense, territorial expansion, and future large-scale ground warfare.
Additional units would naturally unlock as the civilization continued to evolve further. But for now, this was more than enough.
The most essential gain for now was the additional option within the Starport facility.
[T1 Atlas Arc Bastion]
Cost: [20,000 Nanites] [50,000 Celestium Ferrofluid]
[Description: A stationary orbital defense spacecraft shaped like a massive armored octahedral. Designed for planetary protection and strategic orbital control, the Arc Bastion is equipped with autonomous missile saturation systems, defensive interception arrays, and long-range bombardment capabilities capable of engaging large-scale hostile fleets and atmospheric targets simultaneously.]
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[T1 Atlas Observer Drones]
Cost: [1,000 Nanites] [5,000 Celestium Ferrofluid]
[Description: Autonomous space reconnaissance drones designed for long-range surveillance, territorial monitoring, and early threat detection. Equipped with advanced sensor arrays, stealth systems, and high-speed data transmission capabilities, Observer Drones provide real-time intelligence across planetary and orbital sectors while supporting navigation, exploration, and fleet operations.]
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Though the Arc Bastion was somewhat expensive, deploying at least four of them across the planet’s orbital perimeter would already be enough to establish an initial defensive network. Against most same-tier threats, they would be more than capable of intercepting hostile ships and defending planetary space effectively. However, higher-tier enemies were a completely different matter.
For now, having orbital defenses was far better than having none at all. This unit would be upgraded once I had access to two higher-tier resources.
More importantly, the Observer Drones were essential for clearing the fog across the [Eternal Map]. Unknown sectors remained completely hidden unless physically explored or scanned directly.
Observer Drones would allow Atlas to gradually expand its vision across surrounding space, reveal nearby sectors, identify potential threats, and search for additional resources.
They would be the primary information-gathering devices in this unbelievably massive galaxy.
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At the moment, inside my office, located at the top of the Logistics Hub main administrative building within the orbital station, I quietly looked toward the now officially appointed second vice commander of the base.
Through the wide reinforced glass behind us, the endless darkness of space stretched quietly across the horizon, countless distant stars shining like scattered lights within the void.
Long, emerald hair flowed past her waist in smooth, silken strands, faintly reflecting the pale light from the office. The color was deep and vivid, resembling living jade touched by moonlight. A pair of small black horns curved from the top of her head, polished and obsidian-like, contrasting sharply against the softness of her features.
Her bright green eyes, lined with narrow draconic pupils, carried an unnatural sharpness beneath her otherwise calm expression.
Evie.
Unlike before, she now possessed a true physical body.
The free Origin Unit generated through the Unit Facility had become her vessel, allowing her to finally exist outside the system framework itself.
Which also meant she could now actively participate in the growth and management of the civilization directly beside us.
[Evie]
[Gene Tier: 1]
[Origin: Atlas]
[Genetic Ability: Atlas Physique]
[Unit Classification: Hero]
[Bonus: Leadership Efficiency 150%]
[Hero Bonus: Arc Machina]
[Description: This unit possesses a massive internal nanite arsenal capable of autonomous construction, adaptive weapon formation, rapid self-repair, and mechanical assimilation. Arc Machina allows this unit to directly interface with and manipulate nearby technological systems.]
“Commander, using the Voyager ship's FTL drive systems, observer drone deployment across the strategic territory zones is currently underway. Additional Voyager-class ship construction and planetary habitation projects have also begun.”
I nodded slightly.
Since the Observer Drones themselves possessed no independent FTL capabilities, deploying them normally across neighboring planets and moons would have taken a significant amount of time.
Using the Voyager-class ships as transport carriers accelerated the entire expansion process by more than a hundredfold.
At the same time, the occupation and development of the remaining planets connected to the territorial Eternal Node were already underway. These projects would increase the base resource-gathering outputs.
Evie paused briefly as several holographic reports expanded across the office.
“Additionally, the initial planetary and orbital defense plan has been completed. Would you like me to proceed?"
"Proceed."
The conversation with Evie lasted far longer than I originally expected.
What began as discussions regarding orbital matters eventually shifted toward planetary matters as well. At some point, Elyndra also informed me that several current human and elven leaders wished to meet with me personally. Well, one detail immediately caught my attention. Among the human leaders was apparently the individual with 100% human genetic compatibility.
That alone made me somewhat curious.
In the end, I agreed to meet them at a designated location later.
The holographic reports floating throughout the office slowly disappeared one after another as Evie finalized the current operational overview.
“That would be all, Commander.”
I leaned slightly back against my chair before looking toward Evie.
“What would you like to eat, Evie?”
Evie placed a hand lightly against her chin as though genuinely thinking about the question seriously.
Then her eyes brightened slightly.
“Steak!”
I could not help smiling faintly.
The moment she obtained a physical body, she immediately became interested in food.
This one was definitely a foodie.
“To the steakhouse it is.”
Evie nodded happily before tilting her head slightly.
“Commander, should I invite Andrea?”
“Sure. Actually, invite everyone in the orbital station currently off-duty.”
For a brief moment, I suddenly remembered the celebratory event I had been thinking about earlier.
Right…
With the integration of the drone units capable of handling much of the base operational workload,
I really should organize that soon.
Overall, it was finally time to move forward with the next phase of expansion. Before hunting a Darken Spawn, expanding our territorial vision comes first.
Establishing bases and defensive systems across the planets and moons connected to the currently owned Eternal Node.
Strengthening Atlas before the balance of the galaxy completely shifted.
Although thinking about it now, that shift was already happening.
My action had already changed the course of this planet, and this was only one player’s actions. At this very moment, there were currently 550,392 other players scattered somewhere across the galaxy possessing similar powers.
There were also countless non-player civilizations scattered throughout some sector of the galaxy.
Whether those encounters would lead to diplomacy, trade, or war. I still did not know.
For now, however, Atlas still needed time to grow stronger.