Lucas had no idea that the few satellites he accidentally destroyed during meditation had nearly triggered World War III.
Even if he had known, he likely wouldn't have cared.
At this moment, he was completely immersed in deep meditation.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
After Johnny, representing Saiyan corporation, officially signed the cooperation agreement with the California state government, the company—previously known only as Lucas's tech firm—finally revealed its true strength to the world.
The first display of power came in the form of transport aircraft.
Twenty-two ultra-heavy transport planes, each equipped with four massive vertical jet engines, launched simultaneously.
For comparison, America's famous C-17 Globemaster—53 meters long with a 52-meter wingspan—looked like a cub beside an elephant when placed next to Saiyan corporation's newest "Divine Lift" transport craft.
These colossal aircraft stretched nearly 230 meters in length.
When they took off, the sheer engine output and astonishing flight speed left every witness in awe.
Upon arriving at designated zones in Los Angeles, the transport planes did something even more unbelievable.
They unfolded.
Like gigantic mechanical containers, their hulls opened outward, revealing rows of gray-bodied, gold-edged modular units.
After receiving activation commands, the modules vibrated lightly—
And transformed.
Within seconds, they reshaped into various types of small, multi-functional robots.
Their limbs could morph into tools of any configuration. Their bodies adjusted dynamically to match terrain requirements.
Each transport aircraft carried thousands of these universal units.
Once activated, they began dismantling cargo containers according to preset programs and remote commands.
Soon, uniquely designed heavy machinery units were assembled directly on-site and rolled down from the aircraft to begin operations.
Not a single human operator sat inside them.
But this was not autonomous AI in the style of JARVIS.
At Saiyan corporation's newly established California branch, over a thousand employees lay inside neural-interface pods.
Wearing intelligent neural-link helmets, they remotely directed heavy equipment and robotic units using proprietary control software.
With AI assistance handling calculations and coordination, a single operator could simultaneously command dozens—even hundreds—of machines.
Lucas and Phastos shared a unified stance on artificial intelligence:
AI should assist.
Human will must remain dominant.
Technology should liberate human labor, not replace human judgment.
As more transport aircraft returned and delivered additional units, the Los Angeles construction zone became a vast mechanical hive.
What truly shocked observers was not just the appearance of the machines or the precision of remote operation.
It was the efficiency.
Earth's construction conglomerates watched in disbelief.
The robots did not need to measure, pause, re-measure, and recalibrate like human crews.
Advanced computation continuously updated terrain data in real time.
Many construction materials did not even require transportation. Large-scale manufacturing printers in each sector produced components on-site.
Structures that once required assembly or high-temperature forging could now be printed as integrated single units.
With massive computational support, progress accelerated dramatically.
Buildings began rising visibly, almost in real time.
Saiyan corporation had completely shattered humanity's understanding of construction speed.
Within hours, representatives from countless corporations and conglomerates booked flights to Washington, D.C., seeking partnership negotiations.
Even if nothing else, the robots and machinery alone were enough to drive the entire construction industry into frenzy.
If you can't compete—
You join.
Otherwise, you go bankrupt.
The happiest individuals, however, were President Ellis, Governor Gavin, and the newly appointed Los Angeles mayor, McCourt.
Ellis was thrilled. The Los Angeles reconstruction would become a shining achievement on his political record, stabilizing his previously shaky administration.
Everyone in America knew how "solid" his relationship with Lucas was.
As long as Lucas stood firm and Ellis avoided catastrophic mistakes, his presidency was secure.
Governor Gavin could finally sleep peacefully, his greatest crisis resolved.
Mayor McCourt, previously mayor in title only—without a city—would soon preside over what was shaping up to be the most advanced metropolis on Earth.
As its inaugural mayor, the political and economic benefits would be immeasurable.
It justified the immense cost he had paid, as Gavin's trusted ally, to secure the position.
Then there were the displaced millions—the original residents of Los Angeles.
The California government had promised that once New Los Angeles was completed, housing would be redistributed according to former property valuations.
Most residents had assumed they would wait at least a decade.
Some had even resigned themselves to leaving that promise for their children.
But after witnessing Saiyan corporation's capabilities, cheers erupted across temporary housing settlements.
Such was the American temperament.
Bitterness faded quickly once tangible benefits appeared.
Yet not everyone was pleased.
Inside a dimly lit bar, a towering muscular man—well over two meters tall—looked down at the thinner man seated across from him.
"Robbins," the giant rumbled, "are we really going to pick a fight with that guy?"
Patrons instinctively gave the massive figure wide berth before quickly looking away.
"The contract has been transferred," the thin man—Parker Robbins—replied calmly.
"Mephisto handed us over to Lord Cyttorak. We don't get a choice."
"Unless you'd prefer eternal damnation."
The giant—Cain Marko—shrugged.
"If you think it's fine, it's fine."
Robbins narrowed his eyes.
"We'll need more help. That man is dangerous."
Marko snorted.
"You're all exaggerating. Maybe he can't even withstand my charge."
Robbins smirked.
"Or maybe you can't withstand a single punch from him."
"Our mission isn't to fight him head-on," Robbins continued.
"We're here to take something he cares about. Something that forces him to hesitate."
Marko grumbled.
"Fine. I don't like schemes anyway."
Robbins downed the rest of his drink and stood, adjusting his red hood.
"Then let's move. This is our chance while he's off Earth."
The two figures left the bar together.
And somewhere above the planet—
Lucas continued drifting silently through orbit, unaware that forces tied to hell and ancient power were beginning to stir.
...
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