The colony workers stood in silence, the late morning sun reflecting off the massive vessel parked near the excavation site. The ship loomed over the crater, its sleek metal hull gleaming with a cold efficiency that mirrored the corporation it represented. A low hum vibrated through the air as the loading ramps descended, revealing the shipment of heavy machinery within.

  The machines were colossal, their designs a blend of raw industrial power and cutting-edge technology. Overhead cranes with reinforced hydraulic arms, segmented stabilizers to anchor them on uneven terrain, and a spider-like array of mechanical legs that allowed them to move with surprising agility. Towering over the workers, each crane was fitted with advanced sensors, stabilizers, and magnetic clamps capable of lifting objects of unimaginable weight.

  As the workers gawked at the machines, a voice barked out from the loading ramp.

  “Alright listen up!”

  A tall, broad-shouldered man strode forward, flanked by a team of operators clad in matching uniforms. His voice carried a confident, almost arrogant edge. “Name’s Marcus Hale. I’m in charge of these beauties, and I don’t want any delays. My team and I are here to get the job done, but we’ll need your cooperation. That means no slacking, no distractions, and no whining.”

  Hale’s piercing eyes scanned the crowd of workers. “These machines are designed for precision, but they can’t move themselves. You’re here to help us position them. Got it?”

  Murmurs rippled through the crowd, some reluctant, others resigned.

  Calder Vrenna, standing a few feet away, wasted no time stepping forward. “You heard the man!” he snapped. “Stop standing around and get to work. Hale’s team needs every piece of machinery moved into place around the pillar. Let’s go!”

  The workers groaned but obeyed, breaking off into groups to assist the operators. As the massive machines rolled out of the ship’s belly, their heavy treads left deep impressions in the ground.

  From a distance, Elias Crane and Clare Voss watched the operation unfold.

  “Well.” Elias muttered, his voice low, “this is certainly overkill. A machine like that could lift half this colony if it wanted to.”

  Clare smirked, crossing her arms. “That’s Leviathan for you. If they can overcompensate, they will.”

  Far from Helios-3, the mercenary ship Shadow’s Blade cruised silently through the depths of space. Seren Veyra stood at the helm, her gaze fixed on the starlit void beyond the viewport. The quiet hum of the ship’s engines filled the cabin, a stark contrast to the bustling conversation behind her.

  “Captain.” Kade called from the pilot’s seat, spinning lazily in his chair. “Incoming call. From a man named Elias Vaughn.”

  Seren’s posture straightened immediately. “Patch him through.”

  A holographic image of Ronan Vale, disguised under the alias Elias Vaughn flickered to life in the center of the cabin. His face was calm, his demeanor as smooth as ever.

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  “Seren.” Ronan greeted. “I trust your journey is proceeding smoothly?”

  “It is.” Seren replied curtly.

  “Good. As promised, I’m providing additional details on your target. The black pillar is an artifact of unknown origin and immense value to Leviathan Industries. Your mission is to infiltrate the colony, extract sensitive data related to the artifact, and, if possible, retrieve physical samples. Discretion is key.”

  One of Seren’s crew members, Jax, leaned forward, his thick arms crossed. “And how much are we getting for this again?”

  Ronan smiled faintly. “Enough to ensure your financial comfort for years. Let’s say... eight figures.”

  Kade let out a low whistle, spinning his chair again. “Now that’s a payday.”

  Seren narrowed her eyes. “You’d better be right about this being worth the risk, Vaughn.”

  “I am.” Ronan said smoothly. “Good luck Seren. And remember, failure isn’t an option.”

  The call ended, and Seren turned to her crew.

  “Kade, how long until we reach Helios-3?”

  “Three to four hours tops.” Kade replied.

  “Good.” Seren said. “Get your gear ready. This mission needs to be airtight.”

  Back on Helios-3, the late afternoon sun cast long shadows over the crater. The heavy machinery was in place, surrounding the black pillar like a metal army. The workers gathered around the edge, murmuring quietly as anticipation filled the air.

  Near the operation site, Calder Vrenna stood with Marcus Hale, Clare Voss, and Elias Crane. A holographic projection of Marian LeVane flickered to life beside them, her composed expression betraying no emotion.

  “Workers of Helios-3.” Marian began, her voice cutting through the murmurs. “I want to extend my thanks for your dedication and perseverance. Your efforts have brought us to the final stage of this operation. The artifact before us represents a significant breakthrough for humanity, and your contributions will not go unnoticed.”

  Her words prompted a mix of groans and eye rolls from the workers. While some appreciated the acknowledgment, most were too drained and frustrated to care.

  “Let’s proceed.” Marian said. “You have my authorization to begin.”

  Calder turned to Hale. “Start the extraction.”

  Hale nodded, signaling to his team. “Alright. Let’s do this. Crane operators, prepare to engage. On my mark... pull.”

  The machinery roared to life, their powerful arms gripping the bindings around the black pillar. The ground trembled as the machines strained against the artifact, their groans echoing across the site. For several tense seconds, the pillar remained unmoving, as though defying their efforts.

  “Pull harder!” Hale barked, his voice cutting through the noise.

  The operators increased the pressure, and cracks began to spiderweb across the ground around the pillar. The workers tensed, watching nervously as the machinery groaned under the strain.

  Finally, with an ear-splitting crack, the ground gave way. The black pillar rose from its prison, its smooth surface gleaming in the fading sunlight. Cheers erupted from some workers, while others sighed in relief, their ordeal seemingly over.

  Calder allowed himself a small, satisfied smirk. Marian’s hologram smiled faintly. “Well done, everyone. The artifact will now be transported to the colony ship for safekeeping.”

  Far away, hidden in the shadow of a nearby asteroid, Seren Veyra’s ship hovered silently. The crew peered out through the viewport, watching the colony’s progress through magnified sensors.

  “That’s the artifact.” Lena said, her voice tinged with awe.

  Jax grunted. “Doesn’t look like much. What’s all the fuss about?”

  “It’s not about looks.” Seren said. “It’s about what it represents. And that hologram... Marian LeVane herself. This just got more interesting.”

  “What’s the plan boss?” Kade asked.

  Seren’s gaze remained fixed on the colony. “We wait until they load it onto the ship. Then we make our move.”

  Back in the colony, the workers began dispersing, preparing to transport the black pillar to the ship. Finn, Tessa, and Quinn stood near the edge of the crater, watching as the machines maneuvered the artifact into place.

  “It’s over.” Quinn said, grinning. “Finally. We can grab some food, get drunk, and forget this ever happened.”

  Finn stared at the pillar, his thoughts drifting to the Flesh God’s words.

  "..For now, I find... solace in this prison. After all, it has brought me you."

  “Finn?” Tessa nudged him. “You okay?”

  “Yeah.” Finn said quickly, shaking off the thought. “Let’s go celebrate.”