"The structural failure is in the management and the logistics," Victor observed, his eyes cold and analytical. "However, Terran machinery requires hands-on maintenance. I require a specialist—a Terran who understands the intricacies of the Forge's internal mechanisms, but who is compliant with my T-Rank standards of absolute efficiency."
Joshua knew a simple hire wouldn't work. A civilian foreman would eventually clash with Victor's ruthless T-Rank demands. He needed to embed the necessary knowledge into the human resource itself.
He had to prepare himself first.
Acquire Technical Oversight (A-Rank), Joshua commanded, using a significant portion of his accrued points.
[SKILL ACQUISITION INTERFACE (SAI)]
[Current SP: 225]
[ANALYTICAL UTILITY]
Technical Oversight (A-Rank) [Cost: 150 SP]
Description: Provides comprehensive knowledge of industrial engineering, manufacturing processes, quality control metrics, and materials science. Allows the user to instantly identify and map systemic flaws in any production environment.
[ACQUISITION CONFIRMED. COST: 150 SP. BALANCE: 75 SP.]
[INSTALLING: TECHNICAL OVERSIGHT (A-RANK)...]
A blinding torrent of data flooded Joshua's mind—complex schematics of assembly lines, thermal dynamics of battery charging systems, and the optimal trajectory for robotic arm movement. He now understood exactly how inefficient the Aegis Motors Forge truly was, and more importantly, how to fix it with T-Rank perfection.
The Acquisition of the Specialist
Armed with this superior knowledge, Joshua used his Organizational Efficiency (G-Rank) skill to execute a surgical search. He wasn't looking for a pleasant colleague; he was looking for a highly skilled, ruthless industrial engineer with a history of demanding efficiency who was currently underemployed due to his abrasive nature.
He found Dr. Elias Thorne. A brilliant engineer with a reputation for burning through employers due to his uncompromising standards.
"Dr. Thorne is the most efficient mind available, Victor," Joshua reported. "He will clash with Terran mediocrity, but he will not clash with T-Rank discipline. His current resources are low, making him susceptible to a high-value, long-term commitment."
Within hours, Dr. Thorne was sitting in the office, looking bewildered by the prospect of working for a massive, scaled client.
The Contract of Efficiency
Victor Stone stood over the engineer, bypassing the usual pleasantries. Joshua had drafted the contract to reflect T-Rank values: high reward for perfect execution, immediate and severe penalty for failure.
"This contract defines your mission, Dr. Thorne," Victor stated, tapping the heavy, legal document. "You will serve as the Forge Master. Your rank is protected for five Terran cycles, with a 5% increase in Victory Marks per cycle. However, this commitment is conditional."
Victor pointed to the clauses Joshua had carefully worded.
"First, a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). You will not divulge the T-Rank methods of efficiency or the structure of Stone Acquisitions LLC to any external Clan. Breach of this agreement results in the immediate forfeiture of all assets."
"Second, you will adhere to the Manufacturing Optimization Protocol (MOP)," Victor continued.
This MOP was the key. Joshua had just finished generating it—it was a 300-page document, written in dense, flawless engineering terminology, but every line was the direct output of his new Technical Oversight (A-Rank) skill. It detailed the exact placement of every tool, the maximum allowable material waste, and the step-by-step re-sequencing of the entire assembly line to achieve zero redundancy.
"The MOP is the T-Rank blueprint for perfection," Victor concluded. "Failure to maintain the efficiency metrics defined in this protocol results in your immediate termination and the forfeiture of all remaining contractual marks."
Dr. Thorne, despite his brilliant mind, was stunned by the contract's brutal efficiency and the complexity of the MOP. But the salary—five times what he was currently making—was irresistible.
"The protocol is… extreme, but technically flawless," Dr. Thorne admitted, signing the document with a trembling hand. "I accept the terms, Mr. Stone. But those metrics are almost impossible to maintain with the existing machinery."
The Deployment
"Then you must adjust the machinery," Victor said simply. "You are now the Forge Master of this Territory. Your task is to execute the MOP perfectly. You will begin your deployment immediately."
[TASK COMPLETE: ACQUISITION OF HIGH-VALUE TECHNICAL HUMAN RESOURCE.]
[EPIC GOOD DEED ACHIEVED: MAXIMIZED CULTURAL INTEGRATION VIA BRUTALLY EFFICIENT CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT.]
[SYSTEM POINTS (SP) AWARDED: +50]
[CURRENT SP: 125]
Joshua had managed to turn a cultural crisis into a major System victory. He had the right warrior, the right Forge, and now the right, utterly terrified, technician to execute the plan.
"The financial reports show that the final purchase will close tomorrow at 9:00 AM, Victor," Joshua said, his voice confident. "At that moment, you will physically take command of your Permanent Settlement. What is the first visual demonstration of T-Rank dominance you wish to enforce on your new territory?"
Victor Stone is about to take physical control of his manufacturing plant. What must be the very first physical change he implements to satisfy his need for visual dominance and efficiency?