Jak squatted, inserted his fingers in the side of the vehicle, and lifted up. A wedge was slid in between, Jak let the forklift do its job as he wrapped his armored fingers on the chain linking the rails.
Darken mossed trees that were cut. A woodchopper pulled down a tree while the heavy loader carried lumber on the back. Hunters from the city watched the perimeter while the exosuit wielders backed them with their weaponry. From the city of Aured there lies an influx of Outriders who journeyed to the city with the use of the maps to avoid most of the beluas and mutated creatures.
Most of them were unharmed, and the rest were unlucky enough to face 10m beluas that almost cost their lives.
The city itself welcomed the Outriders and the travelers from the city of Aured. Allowing them to settle down and pioneer the expansion of the city outskirts in hope that those who would arrive could find a place here. Of course, the backwards and low-tech area was unsuitable for some of the travelers, making them think twice on their choices.
Jak had welcomed the Outriders who send distress signals with the slice of his vibrant blade. Yuki had been following his lead, though Jak had learned to accept that she was going to be his buddy in this mission. It didn't mean that Jak let his guard down.
Yuki didn't have that mature countenance that he was looking for. He understood that she was not the Yuki she knew, and the other Yuki was nothing more than a wiser and older version that he once knew. Her youthful arrogance, her fighting ability, it was far from the composure that made Jak admire Miss Yuki.
"That should be done," the operator said.
Jak pries his fingers away from the side of the machine. He moved to where most of the group were settling down. A lumber mill that was created by Aured City. Surrounded with workers, Outriders, Hunters, and the operators were testing the cutting ability of the saws attached to the mill.
Jak passed through a group of loggers. His suit's servos not making a sound despite the steel-like appearance that it had. Jak went pass the newly constructed lumber mill and turned his attention to the city gates where he easily got through without causing a fuss. He didn't waste time sightseeing and arrived in the landing pad where the airship was. Being closed to the communication hub made it easier for the airship to direct all the incoming airships.
Entering the airship, Jak saw Yuki disassembling a pistol. Jak took the chair next to Yuki and placed both elbows on the table. His helmet retracted on the back of the suit.
"Do you ever think of removing that?" Yuki asked without looking at him.
"Nope, I don't see you removing your suit."
"The temperate control is nice and fine, thank you."
What she had was a suit outfitted for extreme environments and combat. It's sleek design and flexibility made it perfect for someone who wield the etherian abilities.
"Finally done slaving away?"
"Helping around," Jak rebuked. "I am bored and all we have right now is listening to the Captain or watch the scenery from time to time."
"Want to go to that beachside bar again? I heard that the Captain got a seat for the crew."
"Have you gotten a commission from the locals?"
"None really. Meanwhile, our boys are enjoying the local food, drinks, and the local beauties."
"You think they'd be trouble?"
Yuki shook her head. "Doubt it with the Ghosts hiding somewhere in the city."
"How long until they started demanding things from Aured?" Jak asked.
"Not now, but soon," Yuki replied. She sent an information file to Jak. Jak opened the file, projected it on the flat of the table.
"Looks like they are taking out loans after another. Exchanging currencies and buying local goods in exchange for deals. Do you think they started thinking that it was all free?"
"Could be."
It was not a as simple to that. Though the city certainly gave way for building rights all over outskirts of the city and territory within the city. It was out of the deal that the city will help clear the forests and the monsters within the territory and establish hubs that could house travelers that came from the city of Aured who houses over ten million people, including the etherians, and the mutated men of the under-city.
Trading resources for manpower and the ability to harness these resources was what Aured City asked for. It was impossible for the city to process the materials and although their foundries could be upgraded, it would take time and the materials that they would need to cost a fortune. Letting Aured City process the materials they couldn't use. It was still honeymoon and as the demand grows larger, this city would soon find itself becoming a sister-city for Aured.
"How many are against us at the moment?"
"Surprisingly few, but they are quite picky when coming to terms and agreements. Right now, they are starting a negotiation with the city in hopes they could better benefit. Adding to that, it seems that a floating city would be docking soon."
"A floating city?"
"One of the cities that have stayed on the ocean. I believe that they could be technically superior than this city and if they ever come strutting around with a big stick. We show them that they are trying to fuck with a city that just got the backing of Aured."
"So, we do their dirty work for them," Jak turned off the data projection and cracked his neck. He leaned back on the chair with his eyes pointed at the ceiling. There was something else that bothered Jak as he processed the information.
"The world's getting larger and larger. How many factions are this city going to faced by the end of the day?"
"A lot, but we cannot involve ourselves in local politics unless it is sanctioned and approved by our superiors in Aured. Then again, we answer to Haven most of the time and I believe that they won't hesitate all the Etherians and the Outriders coming here to play."
Jak nodded. "Guess being a leech is hard."