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Earth. Year: 2035
Following the bureaucratic handover, asteroid ED85's mining rights were officially transferred to the ZDE Group—a conglomerate representing combined international interests. In exchange, the Planetary Operations Council secured exclusive sovereignty over Ceres.
More importantly, the trans-dimensional wormhole to the Anteverse would be relocated there.
The decision was strategic. Regardless of current peaceful relations, having an alien wormhole on Earth felt like keeping a loaded gun pointed at humanity's head. The Precursors were allies now, but geopolitics demanded preparation for worst-case scenarios.
Relocating to Ceres provided a buffer. The dwarf planet had abundant resources and strategic positioning. If things went wrong, Earth would have warning time.
The move also transformed the POC from administrators into the de facto government of humanity's first extraterrestrial colony.
But the maneuvering around Ceres was symptomatic of deeper problems. With the immediate Kaiju crisis faded, old tensions were resurfacing between nations. The space race had created new competitions for territory and resources.
Planetary Operations Council Headquarters, London.
"Dr. Ryan," Patrick Hemitdon said after signing the final Ceres contracts. "Do you have a moment?"
"Of course."
They moved to Hemitdon's private office. The Chairman looked exhausted—ten years of coordinating between Earth and the Anteverse had aged him severely.
"The Ceres relocation," Hemitdon began without preamble. "It's not just about strategic distance from the wormhole."
"I assumed as much."
"The situation on Earth is becoming volatile. Old alliances are fraying. With the immediate crisis gone, nations are competing again." Hemitdon's voice was heavy. "I'm retiring this year. Getting the POC off-world, independent... it preserves the mission if things deteriorate."
"You think it will?"
Hemitdon was quiet for a long moment. "I think we're heading toward conflict. Maybe not immediately, but within a decade." He looked at Aidan directly. "What are your plans?"
"I have projects that require... distance from Earth politics," Aidan said carefully. "The neutron star search continues. Once we find it, I'll be focused on construction far from the inner system."
"The Space Great Wall?"
"Among other things."
"How is the Anteverse situation?" Hemitdon changed subjects.
"Last year's support gave them surface territory back. They're stabilizing, gradually pushing the Toxin into wild zones. Complete eradication? No solution yet." Aidan paused. "They've learned a lot from us. They might not need Earth's help much longer."
"Which is why everyone agreed to move the wormhole," Hemitdon said. "If they become self-sufficient..."
"Then the alliance becomes optional," Aidan finished. "Better to have buffer space."
They talked for another hour about contingencies and futures before Aidan departed.
After leaving, Aidan returned to his research facility.
The Precursors rebuilding would take decades. But internal human conflict? That could ignite tomorrow. There was never a shortage of ambitious leaders willing to risk catastrophe for power.
However, regardless of Earth's political developments, Aidan had already chosen his path.
Project: Heavenly Court.
His vision for the Space Great Wall, powered by a Dyson Sphere around a captured neutron star. It would require combining everything he'd learned—Cybertronian technology, Kamar-Taj magic, Precursor bioengineering, dwarven crafting—into something unprecedented. A self-sustaining fortress in the void.
But first, the immediate goal: Orichalcum.
The catalyst necessary for pushing the Life Evolution Equation past 50% development. He'd been gathering materials for ten years. Only one rare component remained.