"You must be Stephon. Pleasure to meet you." Asher extended a hand, his tone friendly and businesslike.
Stephon hesitated for a split second before reaching out to shake Asher's hand. The moment came off almost awkward, drawing a faint smile from a few people watching.
"It's nice to meet you, too, Asher. Your parents have been very generous to us over the years." The comment was perfectly polite, but there was an unspoken message—everyone knew they were here mainly because of Asher's family. After all, not many general contractors would agree to meet someone so young under normal circumstances.
Asher caught the meaning behind Stephon's words but chose not to address it. Instead, he simply moved on.
"Well, I hope my company can be just as generous. Maybe even more so." With the introductions underway, Stephon took a moment to present the rest of his team, mentioning each name and role as they stepped forward. He half-expected to have to repeat things—most people needed names and positions clarified more than once.
But as the introductions went on, it became clear that Asher had a remarkable memory. Just one mention, and he recalled every name and role without hesitation. Even the team seemed a bit surprised by how easily he remembered.
"I appreciate you all coming out. If you have any questions, please go ahead." Asher gestured lightly, signaling that Stephon's team was welcome to speak freely.
Taking him up on the offer, the middle-aged woman adjusted her glasses and moved forward. Asher remembered her name—Celeste, the project engineer. She usually handled things when Stephon was off-site.
"We didn't receive many details about what this project actually involves. Could you tell us a bit more?"
"Absolutely," Asher replied, his voice open and confident.
"I'm starting a company called Karatheon. It'll be operating here in Mantle, so I thought it made sense to build the headquarters locally rather than up in Atlas. This building already matches a lot of what I want, but it'll definitely need some work." As he spoke, a few people exchanged looks, clearly surprised.
Asher's plans for a company hadn't come up much when talking to Lionel earlier.
"So, what kind of company are you starting?" Another team member asked, curiosity outweighing any formal business tone.
Still, Asher didn't seem to mind.
"It's going to be a tech company, mainly focused on welfare technology, but we'll also be working on security and defense. Most of what we develop will be designed by me. I guess you could say I'm an engineer—it started as a hobby, but it's turned into something much bigger, even just working on my own. Now, I'm ready to expand."
A few people murmured quietly at that, but it was the Equipment Manager who brought up the next question.
"I remember hearing something about special construction equipment we'll need to use for this project?"
Asher turned toward them, giving a quick nod.
"That's right. It's a system I designed myself. I've run some basic tests with it, but nothing close to real construction work. If things go well here, these could become a new product for the company. But rather than just talk about it, let me show you." He motioned for everyone to follow and started walking toward a nearby truck that had just pulled up.
As he got closer, he signaled to the driver, who nodded back and flipped a switch inside the cab. Immediately, a small panel of buttons next to the trailer doors lit up.
Once they reached the truck, Asher pressed one of the buttons, and the trailer door slid open with a mechanical hum. He hit another button, and a motorized ramp began to lower itself to the ground. Stephon and his team watched closely, curiosity growing as the machinery came to life, and soon they could see what was inside.
"What in the world..." Stephon muttered, eyes wide. The reaction was shared by the rest of the group.
When the ramp settled, Asher walked up and motioned to the cargo.
"These are Arachnid Drones—construction drones, basically."
The name fit. Inside the truck, lined up and folded neatly, were rows of machines that looked like mechanical spiders. Each drone had six segmented legs, tucked in tight to keep them stable during transport.
Reaching into his pocket, Asher pulled out a set of visors, the same kind used to control SU-P Drones. The moment he put them on, the visor's AR display flickered to life, and GAIA's voice came through in his ear.
[Authorized User detected. Startup protocol initialized... Network detected.Establishing connection to Network... Connection established.]
The visors flickered for a moment, then GAIA's voice came through again.
[All systems have been successfully started. Would you like to begin diagnostics?]
"Yes," Asher answered.
As soon as he spoke, every drone folded inside the truck powered on. Each one featured a sleek black-and-white design, with legs much longer than the main body. The drones looked sharp and armored, almost predatory, and as they activated, lights at the front of their "heads"—if you could call them that—snapped on.
Screens and status windows started appearing in Asher's field of view, each one checked off in sequence as the drones' limbs twitched and adjusted, testing every joint with quiet, mechanical sounds.
After less than a minute, GAIA gave an update.
[Diagnostics complete. No issues found, and all units are running within operational parameters.]
"Alright, get them up." Asher made an upward gesture, his words aimed at GAIA. It wasn't an official command, but the AI recognized what he meant. Instantly, every arachnid drone that had only been twitching before now sprang to life. Their legs unfolded all at once, tapping against the metal floor of the trailer.
With over thirty drones rising at the same time, Stephon and the rest of the team instinctively took a step back, eyes wide as they watched the machines come online.
Catching their reaction, Asher offered a reassuring look.
"There's no need to worry. These have layers of safety protocols. If anything went wrong, they'd shut themselves down long before anyone could get hurt—accidentally or otherwise."
Even as Asher tried to reassure them, most of Stephon's team still looked stunned. They'd heard Asher call himself an engineer, but none of them had expected anything like this. The Equipment Manager, who was used to handling all kinds of construction machinery, looked the most shaken.
Construction drones themselves weren't exactly a new idea.
Atlas had made huge strides in android technology, so people had considered automating more labor. The catch was always the same: the cost. Compared to paying a human crew, androids were too expensive for most companies, with not a big enough efficiency boost.
That's why, up until now, only the Atlas Military used androids—they were the only ones who could afford the investment. And even then, every construction drone anyone had ever seen was humanoid in design, not spider-like machines like these.
"You… you actually built these? On your own?" The Equipment Manager's disbelief was obvious.
Asher nodded.
"That's right. This is really just a trial run. If these drones don't end up improving productivity, you're under no obligation to keep using them. Still, I'd appreciate any feedback you can give me on how they perform." His tone had a touch of a salesman's confidence, making it hard for anyone to answer with anything but a nod.
Catching the team's reactions, Asher grinned.
"Alright then, let me show you what they can do."
=====================================•=====================================
December 25th, 2033
It was still before noon when Asher's convoy pulled up to the Schnee Manor and rolled to a stop in the driveway.
It had been some time since Asher last visited. Part of it was his busy schedule, but it was also because Weiss and Whitley had been trying to keep him from running into their father.
Weiss, for her part, still avoided putting much effort into her business lessons, choosing instead to focus on her more artistic lessons like music, dancing, and her training to become a huntress.
As for their reason for keeping Asher from visiting, the reason was simple. Whether it was intentional or not, Asher's presence always seemed to spark Weiss's rebellious streak. If Jacques ever figured that out, he'd almost certainly forbid the siblings from seeing Asher again.
Of course, this only made things harder for Asher. He, too, had his reasons for wanting Weiss to step up and take over the Schnee Dust Company—different reasons from her father's, but just as important if his plans for the future were going to work out.
He was still lost in thought as he stood outside the partially armored truck he'd ridden in, only snapping out of it when the manor's door opened. Looking up, he saw both Weiss and Whitley step outside, with Klein following just behind. Weiss paused while Klein carefully adjusted the fur-lined cloak she had wrapped around her.
"Do be careful, Miss Schnee. I hear it's dreadfully cold in Mantle this time of year—much worse than Atlas," Klein warned, his tone gentle.
Weiss turned and gave Klein a small smile, nodding.
"Right, thank you, Klein."
Both Schnee siblings were dressed in winter attire, their outfits similar but distinct.
Weiss wore a full-length cloak, soft and plush-looking, mostly a pale, wintry blue, with thick white fur trimming the edges and hood—a style she always favored. Beneath the ribbon tied at her neck, she had on practical winter clothes: heeled snow boots, warm pants, and a heavy sweater.
Whitley wore a cloak as well, his a dark blue with the same thick fur lining. Underneath, he had on a formal white suit that was clearly designed for colder weather, heavier than standard dress clothes.
But what stood out the most was the tall blue tophat Whitley wore, perfectly matching the color of his cloak.
As Weiss finished saying goodbye to Klein, Whitley made his way over to Asher, who was leaning casually against the armored truck.
"I don't think I've ever pictured you in a top hat," Asher remarked, a teasing smile on his face as Whitley approached.
"And I never thought I'd see you getting driven around in a fully armed convoy," Whitley shot back, glancing at the line of vehicles and the bodyguards stationed around them.
"That's what happens when you go through two life-threatening events back to back," Asher said, nodding toward the convoy.
Whitley just shrugged.
"Fair enough."
Asher's attention shifted as Weiss came over, the manor's door closing quietly behind her as Klein retreated inside.
"That cloak looks great on you," Asher told her, eyeing the outfit appreciatively.
"Though next time, I'd add gloves."
"Gloves? Like the ones you always wear?" Weiss asked, raising an eyebrow.
"What can I say? Gloves really do complete an outfit," Asher replied. Neither sibling argued the point—fashion always seemed to work its way into conversations in upper society.
After a few moments of small talk, Weiss brought up something she'd been wondering.
"By the way, I thought the celebration you invited us to was in the afternoon. Why'd you come by so early?"
"Oh, right, I had to change my plans because of that," Whitley chimed in, echoing her curiosity.
"Sorry for the mix-up. I actually wanted to show you two something before we headed over." Asher motioned for them to follow, just as the truck's smooth metal door folded upward and he climbed in first.
The two Schnee siblings exchanged a look—confused but clearly intrigued—before Weiss climbed in next to Asher, and Whitley took the seat across from them.
Once everyone was settled, the bodyguards returned to their vehicles, and the convoy rolled out.
Their route took them to the edge of Atlas, where they would catch an airship down to Mantle.
During the flight, Asher turned to the siblings. "
Is this your first time heading down to Mantle?"
Weiss shook her head, while Whitley nodded.
"I've been down a few times with Father for publicity events, but we always stayed downtown," Weiss explained.
"And since she went with Father, I never needed to join them. Besides, it never really interested me," Whitley added.
"Well, then this should be something new for both of you," Asher said, leaning back as the airship began its descent.
He was right—it was a new experience. Once they landed and transferred to the waiting convoy, they drove straight into Mantle. Instead of taking the main highways downtown, Asher had them follow a different route, one that gave Weiss and Whitley a real view of the city.
Even inside the warmth of the armored truck, the cold outside seemed to seep in. Both siblings stared out the tinted, one-way windows, taking in the sight.
"Wow…" Weiss whispered, eyes wide as she watched people outside bundled in layer after layer of heavy clothing. The city looked bleak, icy, the colors washed out, and every street corner frosted over. Neon signs glimmered here and there, but many buildings looked neglected or run-down.
"I've heard about Mantle's condition, but seeing it is… different." Even Whitley sounded surprised. There was a big difference between hearing stories or seeing pictures and witnessing it firsthand.
"All those orange lights at the base of the buildings—those are part of the heating grid, right?" Weiss asked, noticing the hazy orange glow that mixed with Mantle's constant smog.
Asher nodded.
"That's right. Without the heating grid, people here in Mantle—especially anyone caught outside—would freeze to death. There's indoor heating too, but that's costly. Unlike Atlas, which has its artificial climate, Mantle has no other way to stay warm."
Whitley frowned.
"That's ridiculous. They can keep the whole city heated, but people have to pay extra just to stay warm in their own homes? Who thought that was a good idea?"
Asher was quiet for a moment, glancing between Weiss and Whitley before he answered.
"The same people who supply the fire dust that keeps the heating grid running. The Schnee Dust Company. You two didn't know that?"
Both siblings looked genuinely surprised.
"Wait, what?" Whitley asked, clearly caught off guard.
Weiss stammered, trying to process it.
"I… I knew our family helped supply the dust for the city's heating grid, but I never realized we were responsible for the heating inside people's homes, too. Honestly, I just never had a reason to look into it."
Asher let the silence linger, watching as the realization sank in.
This is exactly why I wanted them to see this for themselves. They both understand their privilege—Weiss more than Whitley—but it's all on the surface. Weiss wants to become a Huntress and help people, and I know she means it. But she's always looked outward, wanting to solve problems in distant kingdoms, while missing what's happening right under her feet.
She truly believes she can make a difference, but she's never really seen the reality down here, or how much her family's choices affect people in Mantle. Once they see this—the way people actually live, and how much influence they have—that's when something will change.
That's all I need: for them to realize just how much good they could do.
Not by running off to become a Huntress, or trying to win the approval of a father who cares more about his own legacy than his children. But by seeing the system for what it is—broken, and in desperate need of someone willing to rebuild it.
The rest of the ride was mostly quiet. Weiss and Whitley sat lost in thought, occasionally glancing out the windows as Mantle passed by.
Eventually, the convoy reached its destination. As the vehicles pulled to the curb, both siblings looked around, curiosity clear on their faces.
"Where are we?" Weiss asked.
"A construction site," Asher explained, just as the armored truck's door unfolded automatically. He stepped out first, and the siblings followed. The cold air of Mantle hit them immediately, sharp even through their winter clothing.
They were greeted not only by the chill but also by the unmistakable sounds of active construction.
"I didn't even know you were starting a company," Weiss said quietly, her eyes moving over the walls marked with construction tape.
Where there had once been an empty street, there were now dump trucks and flatbeds loaded with construction machinery. The area had transformed into a busy work zone.
"It's the easiest way to spread my influence," Asher said, starting down the sidewalk toward the gated entrance to the property.
As they walked, Whitley eyed the building.
"This place… it looks familiar."
"It should," Asher replied.
"It used to be a research facility back when the Schnee Dust Company was still mining the crater. I bought it not long ago, and I'm repurposing it." Whitley made a small sound of understanding. Now it made sense—the architecture matched what they'd studied about their family's holdings, past and present.
As they reached the gate and looked past the walls, the full scale of the construction site came into view. Workers were everywhere—some hauling materials in anti-grav wheelbarrows, others measuring out pillars and supports, and several teams prepping areas for deconstruction.
The Schnee siblings took it all in with passive interest—until something unusual caught their attention.
"Wait, what are those?" Weiss asked, pointing to something moving up the side of the main building.
One of Asher's arachnid drones was climbing a vertical wall, easily handling the incline as it worked. The drone was unscrewing bolts from a metal panel using a specialized tool where its "mouth" would be. Every motion was precise; it took just a few seconds to loosen each bolt.
Instead of letting the bolts fall, the drone used smaller mechanical arms beneath its head to collect them, storing each one in its internal compartment. When the panel was free, the drone caught it before it could drop, using two magnetized legs to secure it. Effortlessly, it carried the panel down the side of the building and set it on a growing pile of similar panels.
"Arachnid drones—or construction drones, if you prefer," Asher explained, answering Weiss's question from earlier.
Whitley turned, giving him a skeptical look.
"Don't tell me you made those."
Asher grinned and nodded.
"I did. I wanted something that could really speed up construction, and what better way to test them than on my own project? Honestly, I haven't checked in on the site for a few days. I only trained the crew on how to operate and recharge the drones. I never expected they'd make this much progress so quickly."
Just as Asher finished speaking, all three of them heard someone call out to them.
"Oh, Asher!" Looking up, Asher spotted the Site Superintendent heading over with a broad smile, moving like he was greeting an old friend.
"Kobe. Looks like you're doing well—and so is the construction," Asher called back, returning the greeting.
Kobe laughed and nodded.
"Oh, 'good' doesn't even cover it. I'll admit, I was a bit skeptical about those drones of yours at first, but they're miracle workers, honestly. You wouldn't believe how much faster things are moving—we're three, maybe even four times ahead of schedule."
"That much?" Asher blinked, genuinely surprised. He'd expected an improvement, but nothing like that.
Guess simulations only go so far. In practice, real workers always find ways to make the most out of new tech.
Kobe grinned at Asher's reaction.
"That's right. These little buggers can handle just about anything. Normally, removing some of those old panels would take two guys up on ladders, harnesses, the whole deal. Even moving fast, it'd take ten minutes. But with the drones? Two minutes, tops. No breaks, no questions, and best of all, they don't drop a thing."
He clapped his hands, still marveling at how much easier work had become. It was clear the past few days had been a dream for him, and the good mood seemed to spread across the whole site. Workers didn't even mind stepping aside for the drones—they just kept at their own jobs.
"Anyway, no firm ETA yet, but we're already about three weeks ahead of schedule. These things do it all—welding, bolting, even laser cutting and demolition. They get a little creepy at night, but I can't complain. They work like a dream," Kobe said, watching as one of the drones scaled a pillar with effortless precision.