The Industrialist

Even though the rebels coped with their challenges in terms of financial reserves, using perpetuating energy sources such as the Ultragenerator would greatly eliminate the need for Diesel to power up the prison facility. Therefore, eliminating unnecessary costs.

As Leric told Lance during the attack in the tunnels, the SHF group found remnants of food and clothing left as the rebels fled. Thus, the rebels were still recuperating with clothing and food supplies which entails the utmost financial need for such provisions.

"Going back to the mystery woman. Is she gonna meet you again?" Damian asked.

"I don't know. She said they were spying on me. She said she would help me. But they need me to build a stronger Ultragenerator. If it happens, she will show me the Lost Engineers," Lance said.

"They better be allies. We can't afford another enemy, kid." Damian's voice had emotional sentiments. He had been fighting a war that would only cost their deaths, the deaths of comrades and friends.

"Yeah. I know they are. They wanted to take down the Corporation too. But they need an ally inside the city. So, they need me."

"Seems that you are in great demand nowadays, kid," Damian smirked. "Jefferson needs information too. Now, that you are with the CBD, he wanted to know where the other Tinman production is being held."

For years, the rebels had been fighting the city's defenses. Just recently, Lance knew that they had been fighting Jaqi's father.

"For now, I don't know, Damian. Just give me time, and we will know. Jasper, include it in the list," Lance requested.

Extracting information about CBD's secrets could disclose his true intentions, and possibly be identified as one of the rebels. He should tread carefully on the type of information that he would leak. His movements should be clandestine from the wits of Chester Leric. If caught, his hard work and his intention to take down the Corporation would be wasted.

"Yes, Master," Jasper responded.

"Sometimes I forget that you have an AI in you," Damian said.

"Well, he helped me make the Ultragenerator. Damian, I know that our comrades were still recovering from the attack, I will transfer your units and give this to the council."

"Really?" Damian was ecstatic.

Although Damian mostly was out of the rebel camps to do external biddings, trading with outsiders, and making some business negotiations sanctioned by the council, the ex-soldier had the softest heart for his fellow rebels, especially the women and children. He did not want to reveal such sentiment, but Lance noticed it.

"Accept 3000 units from me," Lance said as he typed in his hologram.

For three thousand units, it could buy almost a thousand pieces of cheap clothing in every Commoner's market. A piece would cost around three to four units. He hoped that the rebels would be happy for it.

The rebels had grown into a functional community, and the council had been building businesses and other income-generating activities to support the cause. Eventually, providing the necessities for the members. On the other hand, the members provide services within the rebel ranks, cooking, tending the livestock, serving the guards with food, tending the sick, and performing specific work in the businesses.

Even though, looking at them enjoying simple living almost below the poverty line, Lance witnessed happiness and contentment. It was rare to watch.

***

SteamHaven Weapons Facility

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The first day he entered the weapons facility gave him a sense of uneasiness. As Leric had pointed out being a Weapons inventor held a vital position in their department. Grasping such importance had provided Lance discomfort ever since. Now, the day had come to activate him. A lot of things bothering his mind, one of which was to spy on CBD as Damian had pointed out recently, and gather as much information as he could.

The other was that he knew the controls were more stringent than other industries. The guards were doubled and carried intimidating weaponry, and the people working inside were seemingly slaves. Although they wore clean uniforms similar to other industries, however, they worked diligently not because they were motivated, but because of immense fear. Lance knew about the confidentiality agreement between the CBD and the people working under them. Hence, these people were also monitored by the CBD for any risky activities that might divulge confidential information.

Lance glanced below them through a transparent glass. It was the viewing deck where somebody told Lance to wait for Chester Leric's Executive Assistant. The room held an aromatic smell that pierced his nostrils. It was elegant.

Occasional plants could be seen in corners of the waiting room, the expensive kind. Because of their heights and the size of their leaves, with colorful streaks along the wide leaves, vibrant to the eyes. Lance had no idea what those plants were called. He was never a lover of those greens.

"Hi," A male voice loomed from behind right after the sound of the door creaking. His metallic-sole shoes clanked against the shiny marble floors.

'Don't degrade yourself, you are the savior of Steelpoint,' Lance convinced himself.

"Hey," Lance responded, trying not to reveal a shaking voice. Inwardly, he had been shaking since he entered the building. He could not explain it, however, at the back of his head, something told him that what he would do would pose high risk of exposure.

"I am Chang, Executive Assistant of Mister Leric, weapons division," he said as he extended a hand. He had well-trimmed hair, a polished face, a proper corporate suit, and an authentic smile. What stood out from his facial features was his eyes. They had sharp edges like they were stretched toward his temples, and they seemed to grow smaller as he struck a smile.

"Hi Chang," Lance accepted the handshake, soft hands but strong.

"Welcome to the bombs manufacturing division," Chang said. "Let me show you around and know your team that will produce the poison bombs. Do you have an official name for it?" Chang asked.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Not really. I had not named it yet. But I assume that CBD will give a name for it."

"Actually, the lab guys are calling it PB 10."

"PB 10?"

"Yes. PB stands for Poison bombs, and ten signifies the number of trials that they are making to come up with a bomb like this. With the same objective, to poison the monsters. The RND had been cracking their heads for this, now that you discovered it, you have the right for its production." He had a friendly voice.

One thing was sure for the newcomer, the CBD guys liked to have acronyms on things. He thought that he would be calling his invention PB 10 now for industrial understanding.

"Good. It's easier, I think." Lance smirked.

"Now, I will take you to the production floor. I will briefly show you the other bomb-making lines."

Chang brought him to different sections of the building. The Executive assistant took him to a room full of monitors on walls, AI voice conversing with the operators. The operators squinted so quickly but never cared for him even though the Executive Assistant had introduced the new Weapon's inventor.

'Surveillance room,' He thought.

They proceeded to the production floors using the elevator. Chang introduced him to the Supervisors, Electrical Tiers, of other lines and the superintendents, Mechanic Tiers, who were specialists in their fields. Some workers looked at him indifferently while some others said thanks to him as he passed by. At least one old man had sparked his positivity, delivered an authentic gratitude towards the hero.

"Thank you for saving Steelpoint," he said with a friendly smile. The old man had white hairs, and a shaved beard. He seemed too old to work. Understanding the economy, it's better to work even at old age just to survive.

Hearing the gratitude of some workers melted his heart. He finally got to say that his invention had real impact to the citizens as he experienced it firsthand.

However, most of them had struck deathly stares, like he was walking among them as one of the new Jail guards.

Chang was rather indifferent as he passed by as if he was used to the scene. Somehow, the workforce comprised of disgruntled employees, looking for an opportunity to spark a hunger strike against their employer. However, they would be barking against the most influential and powerful department of the Government, the CBD.

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About four production lines were making four different bombs. Each line consisted of a large room with an estimated area of 1000 square meters. There were no dilapidations in the equipment they used, they were taken care of. The lines had different smell compared to the factory in some industry. A metallic and sharp smell had filled the air. Probably, the explosive powder inside the lines that the machines would incorporate inside the bombs.

Four different bombs were produced; electric stun bombs, Molotov bombs, shock bombs, and grenades. Producing stronger bombs, such as C4, was restricted during this age. Even the CBD could not make one.

Finally, he arrived at the PB 10 production floor, and a familiar face greeted him.

It was Flanegan.