Chapter Five

Veldana

“[SECURE BLACKWOOD RIDGE WITHIN FOURTEEN DAYS]” the glowing blue screen said. “[FULL LEGAL OWNERSHIP EARNS THE TERRAIN TRANSMUTATION CORE]”

I stared at the interface which was floating near the wall of my home office. The reward was a core that could turn a normal mountain rock into a strong foundation for Aegis Prime.

“[DO YOU ACCEPT THIS MISSION?]” the system asked.

"Yes," I said, and tapped the screen.

A soft chime rang in my head and then a green timer blinked into the corner of my vision.

Fourteen days.

"Let's get to work," I muttered to the empty room.

I pulled up the fortress blueprint again. Walls, barracks, generator rooms, and a water tower filled the screen. Every room would cost money that I didn't have yet.

The blueprint said construction would cost about $450 million, but I knew that was just the start. Concrete, steel beams, geothermal generators, and hydro-seeding machines would drain my money fast. I also needed people who would not panic when the power went out.

Engineers, machine operators, surveyors, and guards had to be hired under the cover of a normal mining business.

So, I decided to use Cross Industrial Holdings resources instead of outside contractors who would ask too many questions.

My first call went to Julian who picked up on the second ring.

"I've looked at the asset review, Veldana," Julian said. "Your cash is strong, but a lot of it is stuck in long-term bonds and real estate partnerships."

"Then sell them," I said, leaning back in my chair. "Sell any property that we don't need in the southern districts. I want cash and credit lines ready by Friday."

"Selling commercial property in a down market will draw questions," Julian said. "What is this money for anyways? Are you starting a new company?"

"Yeah… Something like that. Also, before I forget, I need a team of property lawyers today."

I sat forward and put my hands flat on the desk. "I want every person, company, and government agency with rights to Blackwood Ridge checked by morning."

"Blackwood Ridge?" Julian's voice changed. "That's remote land eighty miles north. It's rocky, full of trees, and the winters in that place are brutal. Why buy an isolated place in the middle of freaking nowhere?"

"Because I want it," I said flatly, not having the patience to explain. "Set up a shell company through a neutral trustee. I don't want our name on the deeds. Nobody should be able to connect the purchase to Cross Industrial Holdings."

"Buying that thing alone is going to attract attention," Julian warned. "Parts of that land have mineral rights, and people notice when someone buys thousands of acres."

"I don't care about attention as long as the deal closes within fourteen days," I said. "Get the paperwork moving. Don't worry about the retainer fees."

“Got it,” he said with a heavy sigh.

"Julian," I said before he could hang up. "Keep this quiet. Nobody at the bank should hear about Blackwood until the deed is signed."

"Understood," Julian said. "But if this goes wrong, we could lose the southern accounts too."

"Then it won't go wrong."

"Who do you want as the trustee?" Julian asked.

"Someone who signs fast and asks no questions."

I hung up and stared at the city lights for a while. Fourteen days wasn't really much time, and I couldn’t afford to waste a day. I didn't come this far to lose a mountain.

I buzzed the financial director. We spent twenty minutes checking the accounts and closing the idle ones. I set up wire transfers that would skip the usual delays.

"How much cash can we move by Friday?" I asked Ben.

"About sixty percent of the liquid accounts, ma'am," Ben said. "The rest is tied up."

"Then unlock what you can."

"Some contracts have penalty clauses, Veldana. Breaking them will cost us." He warned.

"Pay the penalties," I said. "I don't care what it costs."

"Fine," Ben said. "I'll start the transfers tonight."

"Good. Send me the list before you go home."

"I'll stay late," Ben said.

Some investments were locked into long-term contracts, and I could not touch them without losing money. I chose to sell the nonessential properties and cash out anything that would not help me survive what was coming.

I also called Marcus Reid, our site manager.

"Marcus, I need twenty engineers and thirty machine operators," I said.

"That's a big crew for a mining job," Marcus said. "Where is the site?"

"Eighty miles north. Blackwood Ridge."

"Blackwood? That place is nothing but rock and snow."

"Then get them warm boots. Pay them double and keep them quiet."

"That's going to cost you extra, ma'am."

"Sure, it's fine. Just do it."

"Yes, ma'am. When do we start?"

"Tomorrow at six. Bring everyone."

"Got it, ma'am."

When the calls finally ended, the sun had already set behind the city. My phone kept buzzing with messages from Julian's team. I ignored them and poured a glass of water instead.

I walked down the hall to the family wing. Leo was sitting on the playroom rug, building a spaceship out of plastic blocks. His tongue was stuck between his teeth.

"Mummy!" he shouted, looking up. "Look! It has thrusters on both sides."

I dropped to my knees beside him. "That's a great ship, buddy. Can it fly past the moon?"

"Past the moon and past the stars," Leo said seriously as he hugged me around the neck.

"Are you going to eat dinner with me tomorrow?" Leo asked.

"I'll try, buddy," I said. "Work is busy right now but once I get settled, mummy's going to have dinner with you everyday.”

Leo nodded, but he looked at the blocks instead of me.

He had been quiet all afternoon. He could feel the tension in the house, even though I tried to shield him from it. I had been busy since Lincoln left, and he noticed.

"Mom," he whispered into my shoulder, twisting my sweater. "Is Dad coming back tonight?"

My arms tightened around him. I pulled back and looked into his amber eyes. "No, sweetie. Dad isn't coming back here."

Leo looked down at his blocks. He did not cry or throw a tantrum. He just looked relieved in a quiet way that hurt to see.

I hated that he had to learn this so young.

"Good," he mumbled, picking up a red brick. "He yelled at you a lot. And he and Evelyn said I was too loud when I played with my trucks."

"Did Evelyn say anything else?" I asked.

Leo shook his head and said, "No. Just the trucks."

Anger burned in my throat, but I swallowed it for his sake. I cupped his cheek in my hand.

"Listen to me, Leo. Nobody will ever make you feel unwanted in your own home again. You can build as many loud spaceships as you want. Understand?"

He smiled and nodded. "Okay, Mom."

I tucked him into bed and turned on the small lamp by his door.

"Leave the light on?" he asked. "Sure, buddy," I said.

"Mom?" he whispered.

"Yes, baby?" I whispered back.

"Can we go to the mountains someday?"

"Maybe someday," I said.

He yawned and closed his eyes.

Later that night, after he fell asleep, my phone buzzed on the kitchen island. It was Julian. I put it to my ear.

My stomach was already tight. I knew bad news when I heard it.

"Veldana, I have the land ownership breakdown for Blackwood Ridge," Julian said. "Three individual landowners, an old mining company, and a state development authority hold the basin."

Three landowners, a mine, and a government office. Every one of them wanted a piece of my mountain.

"That's messy," I said, walking to the window. The lawn outside was dark. "Can we buy out the small owners?"

"They shouldn't be a problem. We can offer above-market prices and close by Monday," Julian said. "The development authority will take more paperwork. The real problem is the mining company."

"Who runs the development authority?" I asked.

"A state board. They sign off on everything, so expect delays," Julian said.

"Then pay them faster," I said.

The board would not scare me. Money talks, even in government offices.

"Start with the small owners," I said. "They are the easiest ones to get."

"Did any of the owners sign anything yet?" I asked.

"Not one of them," Julian said. "Your offer is the first on their desks."

I started planning how to approach each party, one by one. I wrote three names on a notepad. I had no idea who else wanted the mountain.

"What's wrong with them?"

He was quiet for a long moment. When he spoke, his voice dropped low and tired.

"I checked the registry and called the broker handling their sale. Someone else is already trying to buy them out, and they want the whole basin."

My grip tightened on the phone. "Who?"

Julian hesitated again. The kitchen went silent.

"Say it," I snapped. Don't make me wait.

Lincoln had walked out with two suitcases and a smile. He thought I would sit at home and cry.

"It's Gibson Enterprises, Veldana," Julian said softly. "Lincoln is trying to buy Blackwood Ridge."