The foundation of Angel Corp had been secured by concrete, steel, and a lucrative, if dangerous, deal for explosives. Now, Daemon needed to lay the groundwork for the Order's true technological ascension. The immediate task wasn't weaponry; it was communication.
Working tirelessly in the depths of the quarry lab, Daemon finalized his latest invention: a two-way radio communication system. The device was bulky, encased in a rugged metal shell, and relied on a massive, heavy battery unit and a collapsible antenna array. It was far from elegant, but it worked. Without magical assistance, the radio had a reliable range of one thousand meters through the heavy Balkan air. This was already a vast improvement over shouting, but when Daemon's specialized Aetheric engineers applied a simple directional amplification rune to the antenna, the range immediately jumped to five thousand meters—a revolutionary span for battlefield coordination and security within the Angel Corp compound.
The working radio was a triumph, instantly improving the Order's internal cohesion and security response time. Yet, when Daemon presented the bulky device during one of the mandatory communal breakfasts, he was visibly dissatisfied.
"This," Daemon announced, gesturing to the radio, "is a tool. It is functional, and it represents a massive leap in coordination for us. But its limited range means we are still confined to this hole in the ground. To be truly free, to build the society we envision, we cannot crawl; we must soar faster and farther."
His ultimate vision required materials the Ottoman Empire did not possess in usable quantity, or materials too politically sensitive to request through the Pasha. He needed two major things: rubber and crude oil. These resources were the keys to unlocking a massive leap in his engineering projects. Crude oil would enable the synthesis of superior, high-octane fuels and lubricants, leading to faster, more powerful engines. Rubber was essential for specialized seals, insulating wires, and—critically—pneumatic tires for the high-speed land vehicles he planned to eventually develop.
The Announcement and the Expedition
During breakfast, Daemon made the announcement that silenced the hall, the sound of spoons scraping against bowls ceasing abruptly.
"The time for mere maintenance is over," Daemon stated, his eyes sweeping over the fifty faces of his Order. "Angel Corp is stable, funded by the M-1 deal, and secured. We now enter Phase Three: acquisition of key resources. I require materials that are only available in the Far East. I will be leading an expedition that will likely take more than a month to complete. We will be using the two remaining airships for this journey."
He didn't reveal the precise destination, but his mind was fixed on the areas around modern-day Vietnam and Cambodia. He knew, from his research into other historical timelines, that these tropical regions were the historical heartland for the cultivation of natural rubber.
"I require ten volunteers to accompany me," Daemon continued. "This journey will be long, dangerous, and entirely outside the Pasha's protection. You must be skilled, disciplined, and prepared for combat and long periods of isolation."
As soon as the call went out, nearly half the room raised their hands. Daemon began selecting his team, prioritizing skills crucial for navigation, defense, and long-term mechanical survival.
One of the first to volunteer was Helga, her face alight with excitement. "Daemon, please, my Telekinesis would be invaluable for unloading heavy cargo and defense! Let me come."
Daemon paused, meeting her intense gaze, then shook his head. "No, Helga. Your role is here. Your knowledge of the M-1 formula is absolute, and you possess the best Aetheric control among us. While I am away, you will represent the Order's interests. Your task is to ensure the Ottomans are well supplied with the M-1 and the fuel catalyst, to keep the Pasha mollified, and to strictly control the knowledge transfer. You are my eyes and my proxy—the most critical political post we have." Helga accepted the refusal with a sharp nod, understanding the gravity of the mission he had assigned her.
The final roster for the expedition was set:
* Daemon: Leader, Lead Engineer, Navigator.
* Hans Grubber (Sound Mage): Espionage, Intelligence Gathering, Communication.
* Earl (Mechanic/Engineer): Chief Mechanic, responsible for engine integrity.
* Eight other members: A mix of Aetheric Engineers, Earth Magic specialists for ground security, and logisticians.
Preparation and Departure
The two remaining airships were meticulously prepared. One, the slightly larger hull, was designated the Personnel Carrier, holding the ten members and their supplies. The other served as the Fuel and Cargo Carrier, packed exclusively with drums of their existing biodiesel supply, spare engine components, and specialized equipment.
Crucially, both airships were immediately fitted with the newly constructed, magically-enhanced radio systems. The five-kilometer communication range meant the two ships could maintain constant contact, even if separated by cloud cover or difficult terrain, vastly improving safety and coordination during the long, risky journey.
Each member of the team carried weapons that were carefully crafted and tailored to their needs and abilities. Hans carried silent, custom-weighted throwing knives, perfect for assassination or disarming, complementing his Sound Magic. The two Earth Mages carried reinforced axes, that count be used for both work and battle and simple, custom-cast hand grenades—the original, less stable M-1 compound that Daemon had deemed too volatile for mass production but potent enough for personal defense.
As the sun rose over the massive concrete walls of Angel Corp, the ten members said their goodbyes to the remaining forty. There was no fanfare, only the stoic exchange of final instructions. The engines roared to life, and the two airships ascended steadily, banking sharply southeast. Their departure was silent to the outside world, masked by the high walls of the quarry, but their intent was clear: the Order was moving from defense to proactive expansion, seeking the raw materials that would allow them to finally engineer a world that ran not on mystical energy, but on the potent, predictable power of oil and rubber.