Throughout the following days, the expansion process progressed smoothly.
Using multiple Voyager ships, travel time between the connected planets within the Eternal Node territory took less than a minute through short-range FTL jumps. At the same time, the Observer Drones required approximately three days to complete full planetary scans and resource analysis.
During that period, Atlas successfully secured three additional planetary resource zones. It was as simple as deploying an outpost Nexus Node, followed by a resource facility and automated turret defenses, before sending in resource drones. This increased the civilization’s total daily production to nearly 3 million Eterna Energy and 7.5 million hydro fluid, converting to roughly 60,000 Nanites and approximately 750,000 Celestium Ferrofluid.
Additionally, even a single unit of Nanites already represented an enormous quantity of programmable matter. For the current stage of expansion, that level of production was already more than sufficient.
Thanks to the Observer Drones continuously monitoring extraction efficiency and resource density, projected depletion rates across the controlled planets were estimated to take at least a full year before becoming critical.
Which meant that, for now, Atlas possessed a stable industrial income during this temporary period of peace.
However, there was one planet within the territorial node that remained unsecured.
The one with the Darken Spawn.
Just like in the game, Darken Spawns were naturally drawn toward high-density resource zones and would attack anything entering their territory without hesitation. At the beginning of the game, people mistook them for normal mobs, sending their Origin Units only for them to become fodder. Losing an Origin Unit during the early stage meant a much slower pace of progression, causing many players to simply restart.
In the end, there were only a few ways to complete the first task in the game. The safest method was to venture farther out and seek assistance from a Tier 2 non-player civilization, while the other was to locate a relic and fight the Darken Spawn with a technological advantage.
Since I didn’t have any combat units aside from Kyndris and Evie, I had no choice but to send the two of them. Having gained a relic and unlocked a Mech technology, it should be enough.
In the meantime, back at my Orbital Office, I continued overseeing the expansion of the orbital station itself.
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[Orbital Expansion Platform]
Cost: [50 Nanites]
[Description: A modular orbital construction platform designed for large-scale expansion of space infrastructure, allowing additional facilities and industrial systems to be connected directly into an orbital network.]
Status: [Available]
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Using the Orbital Expansion Platforms, additional structures were gradually constructed around the planet until the original orbital base slowly evolved into a massive ring-like structure encircling the world itself.
After expending another large batch of Nanites, the first stage of the orbital ring was finally completed.
Even I could not help feeling awed by the sight.
A massive artificial ring now surrounded the planet high above the atmosphere, its metallic structure reflecting faint light across the darkness of space like a second horizon.
For the moment, however, the primary focus remained on solving the civilization’s growing upkeep problem.
Following Evie’s suggestion, research into large-scale solar energy systems and advanced battery storage had already been completed. At this stage, transitioning the orbital infrastructure toward alternative power sources was far more efficient than continuously consuming Eterna Energy for basic maintenance.
After all, Eterna Energy was far too valuable to waste on ordinary power consumption.
With that, multiple solar facilities were constructed across nearly a quarter of the orbital ring.
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[Solar Transceiver Array]
Cost: [100 Nanites]
[Description: A large-scale orbital solar collection facility capable of absorbing stellar radiation and converting it into stable electrical energy for civilization-wide infrastructure support.]
[Upkeep Energy Generation: 20]
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By now, the guests should already be settling into one of the restaurant facilities that had temporarily been converted into a formal event hall.
After all, today was the day I would finally meet the different native rulers of this world.
Right on cue, a soft notification beep echoed throughout my office, indicating someone had arrived.
A few seconds later, Queen Elyndra stepped inside.
She wore a breathtaking elven evening dress that perfectly matched her regal presence, the elegant fabric shimmering faintly beneath the pale interior lighting. Her long golden hair flowed gracefully behind her, giving her an almost unreal appearance.
In the end, I had simply chosen to wear formal attire myself, though the colors unintentionally ended up closely matching hers. Unlike Elyndra’s natural golden-blonde hair, however, mine, which was originally black, had become a far lighter platinum shade after the genetic fusion.
Well… the gene fusion clearly had its own randomness.
Additionally, thanks to Queen Elyndra’s efforts, the conflicts occurring across the surface nations had been successfully prevented from escalating further. With Elyndra’s help, human language had also been researched and integrated into the Atlas communication network, allowing smoother interaction between Atlas and the native civilizations.
Her contributions toward stabilizing the planet had been invaluable.
“Are you ready, Commander?”
I returned the smile faintly before standing from my seat.
“Always… let’s go.”
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Within the grand hall, the guests were already enjoying the meals provided by the Atlas staff. Conversations and quiet laughter filled the atmosphere as nobles, rulers, and representatives from different nations observed the unfamiliar orbital surroundings with visible amazement.
Following Elyndra’s introduction, I stepped forward and walked onto the front stage.
I had spoken before groups of people several times before, but never in front of the rulers of an entire world.
Strangely enough, I did not feel nervous.
Perhaps it was because of the genetic fusion. The instincts inherited from the draconic genes brought with them an unnatural sense of confidence and composure. Or perhaps it was Elyndra’s calm royal presence beside me that made the situation feel far more manageable.
Either way, I felt unusually composed.
My purpose here tonight was not simply conversation or a formal meeting.
Call it an Ice Breaker… and a declaration.
“Honored leaders, esteemed nobles, and distinguished representatives, I thank you for coming all this way to the orbit.”
My gaze slowly swept across the grand hall filled with rulers, nobles, and representatives from across the planet.
“As many of you have already heard from Her Majesty… and from what you witnessed on your way here…”
I paused briefly.
“I intend to place this planet under Atlas protection.”
The hall immediately became quieter.
Rather than conquest, I intentionally chose softer words. There was no need to create unnecessary fear when the reality of Atlas’s power was already visible around them.
“But beyond protection, I also wish to offer all of you an opportunity for the future.”
A few of the rulers exchanged uncertain glances.
“In time, more outsiders like me will arrive from beyond this world.”
“Some may seek war. Others may seek trade, diplomacy, or knowledge.”
I let the silence settle briefly before continuing.
“When that time comes, I want this world to be prepared.”
My eyes settled across the gathered leaders once more.
“That is why I propose the creation of Atlas Ambassadors.”
“Representatives capable of standing between worlds.”
The atmosphere inside the hall became noticeably more serious.
“For those willing to participate, I ask each nation to send its finest representatives to be trained here within the orbital station.”
“With this, you will not only represent your own kingdoms and nations…”
“But also help build a greater relationship between this world and the civilizations beyond it.”
I scanned the reaction of the leaders to my proposal.
To be honest, they did not have many choices to begin with. With the appearance of Atlas, the balance of power across the planet had completely changed.
However, in truth, my goal was fairly straightforward.
Sooner or later, Atlas would inevitably begin interacting with non-player civilizations across neighboring sectors. There would be trade, diplomacy, and negotiations.
Managing all of that myself would become impossible over time.
On the other hand, using Atlas Newts for delicate diplomatic situations would be difficult. Most of them were still far more suited for base operational responsibilities than political negotiation.
As for Evie and Kyndris, while both of them were more than capable of handling diplomacy if necessary, their attention would eventually be needed elsewhere for matters far more important than attending every non-player diplomatic meeting personally.
More importantly, I believed allowing the native people to participate would create far more natural and stable relationships in the long run. Evie and Kyndris could simply oversee the process when needed.
So in the end, it was about letting the non-player civilizations handle relations with other non-player civilizations.
Atlas would provide the protection, technology, and gateway to the stars, while the people of this world would become the bridge connecting it to the greater galaxy beyond.
With that, I brought the short speech to a close.
Any leaders who wished for more formal discussions or negotiations could speak with Elyndra first before arranging a meeting with me directly afterward.
The atmosphere within the hall remained heavy with thought as quiet conversations immediately began spreading among the gathered rulers.
Without lingering any longer, I gave a small nod to Elyndra before I calmly stepped away from the stage and made my way toward the exit hall.
Just then, I was about to return to the office when I noticed her, a human woman with long, flowing crimson hair, standing quietly near the edge of the observation deck. She wore a revealing evening gown that clung to her body like liquid silk, the deep crimson fabric shimmering under the soft lights. It was daringly low-cut, exposing a generous amount of smooth pale cleavage and the elegant curve of her back, yet she carried herself with an undeniable regal presence.
She almost reminded me of Elyndra in the way she held herself, graceful, poised, and quietly commanding.
Her hands rested lightly on the orbital railing as she stared out into the endless sea of stars beyond the massive reinforced glass dome.
Curious, I walked over and stopped beside her, following her gaze into the void.
“Do you live here?” she asked softly, not turning her head.
“I do,” I replied with a faint smile.
A comfortable silence settled between us for a moment.
Then she spoke again, her voice quiet but strangely intense:
“What would happen if that glass breaks?”
I smiled at the innocent question before glancing toward the reinforced dome overhead and answering calmly.
“Space is a vacuum.”
I lightly tapped the railing beside us.
“If this dome were to break, the pressure difference between the station and open space would immediately force the atmosphere outward.”
The woman finally looked toward me.
“At first, you would feel an incredibly violent rush of wind as everything nearby would be pulled toward the breach.”
My gaze drifted toward the stars beyond the glass.
“Air would escape rapidly. The temperature would drop. Loose objects… even people close enough to the rupture could be dragged out into space if emergency barriers failed to activate in time.”
The woman instinctively tightened her grip slightly on the railing.
“Would everyone die?”
“Not immediately,” I answered honestly.
“The station is divided into multiple sealed sections precisely to prevent total decompression. Emergency bulkheads would close automatically within seconds.”
I paused briefly before adding,
“And the glass itself is layered with several reinforced energy shielding and material composites. Breaking it accidentally would already be extremely difficult.”
Unless it was an actual warhead. It would break once the energy shield was depleted, I believed.
For a moment, she was silent, then slowly lifted her gaze back to the massive transparent dome above us. Instead of fear, a strange sense of wonder appeared in her eyes.
“…The stars really are terrifying… and beautiful at the same time,” she whispered.
I gave a faint smile, studying her profile, the way her revealing crimson gown hugged her body, and the almost royal grace she carried despite the dark conversation.
For a brief moment, both of us simply stood there silently, watching the endless galaxy stretching far beyond the orbital station.
Then I suddenly remembered that I still needed to check on my Origin Units.
Looks like I had wandered off longer than intended.
I gave the beautiful red-haired woman a small nod before preparing to leave.
“The hall is that way,” I said while gesturing toward the corridor behind us.
She blinked slightly before letting out a soft laugh.
“I know.”
“…Right.”
I could only shrug lightly before waving a hand and walking away from the observation deck.
For some reason, I had a feeling we would meet again soon.
Spoiler
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