Arknights: Mobile City

Under Obsidian's direction, the Doubts hauled steel beams to a secluded, seldom-traveled spot on the City's edge, raising a new structure.

It looked a bit like a factory—and that was exactly the plan. The [Tearful Thing] would be housed here. Obsidian deliberately designated this place for future K Corp development.

He needed to get all the Wings of the World up and running sooner or later. K Corp would be the first.

Not to mention the benefits from Lunacy rolls—organizing things by type would make future City management easier…

As Obsidian watched the factory take shape, he quietly estimated how long construction would take, turning new ideas over in his mind.

The next thing to tackle was creating a new "identity" and bringing K Corp into existence…

The prospect was already giving him a headache.

He had the ID Card sorted out, and the K Corp name was ready; the founder's credentials were in order. All he lacked was a vessel—a body he could anchor his will to.

In other words: a new "shell."

Unfortunately… finding a suitable shell was not going to be easy. Obsidian wracked his brain, but couldn't find a perfect solution.

Relying on the Well for a prosthetic again would be gambling on luck. Ideally, Obsidian needed access to blank bodies—shells without their own consciousness, but still biologically alive.

In practical terms, something like a vegetative patient—a "living shell" without awareness, just a functioning body—would fit the bill.

But even a standard vegetative patient might not be enough. Obsidian needed something without even a shred of subconscious activity, but with fully functional vital signs. The previous prosthetic body had skirted the rules; only by exploiting a technicality could he possess it.

I really need to find the right body soon… If only I had Black Snake's abilities, he thought, then closed his eyes and shifted his consciousness into Pioneer.

There was no rush. The factory would take a while to finish; he didn't need to appear as K Corp's founder just yet. Other tasks could come first.

Tomorrow, Laurentina's radio would be repaired, allowing negotiations with Aegir to finally move forward and jumpstart the City's infrastructure. The refugees needed further resettlement. There was the question of introducing currency. And, inevitably, the problem of Don Quixote, still unresolved… But today, there was one thing to focus on: exploring the laboratory ruins, and for that, he needed Laurentina and Texas.

To be honest, Obsidian was genuinely curious about what lay inside that lab. If it contained rare technology, it would be a windfall. There was also a monster in the ruins—so it only made sense to bring the City's two strongest fighters along.

Having made his decision, Obsidian, now Pioneer, opened his eyes. Before him loomed the great [Tearful Thing], with a bucket beneath to catch its tears. Pioneer stepped up and, in a calm tone, began to recite To Live for the Thing.

When he finally coaxed out a few precious tears, he collected about ten milliliters from the bucket and left the factory.

Production was slow, but as long as he kept feeding the Thing sad stories, it would drip more tears—soon to be the City's most valuable economic asset.

Every drop counted. He'd even commissioned Laurentina to build a radio, so he could record readings and play them back for the Thing on loop. Until he found a more efficient method, this was the best he could do.

Leaving the factory, Pioneer headed to find Texas. After explaining the plan—and making clear it was the Overseer's idea—Texas hesitated only briefly before agreeing, heading off to the lab ruins ahead of time. Then, without delay, Obsidian went to fetch Laurentina.

At Laurentina's door, Pioneer knocked.

"Oh, it's you. What's up this time?"

Laurentina asked matter-of-factly as she opened the door, no surprise in her tone.

Pioneer had been coming by often to check on her progress, so she was used to his visits.

"Interested in investigating some research ruins with me? Could be some fascinating tech inside. There'll be fighting, too."

Pioneer's voice was even, his eyes flickering with orange-red light. Laurentina sized him up, then replied:

"I…"

"If you come, I'll boost your Identity Uptie. Interested?"

Obsidian cut in, voice calm. Laurentina's eyes flashed instantly, and she agreed at once.

"Of course I'll go. Why wouldn't I? New tech or a thrilling fight—they're both too good to pass up!"

She beamed, and Pioneer nodded, satisfied.

Laurentina's quick agreement was no surprise. The more she used that ID Card, the more she became obsessed with the art it inspired… But she could also sense there was more power inside it, still locked away. She craved that strength.

"Here—ten Threads. Equip your ID Card and use them all."

Pioneer tossed her the Threads. Laurentina caught them eagerly, equipped her ID Card, and hungrily used every last one.

She closed her eyes, drunk on the rush of new skills surging into her mind.

A moment later, she opened her eyes, released the Identity, and looked to Pioneer with sparkling energy.

"Let's go!"

...

Pioneer and Laurentina made their way through the outskirts toward the lab ruins. What luck that infected refugee had—finding a safe path and stumbling on those ruins…

On the way, Obsidian double-checked Don Quixote's status. Confirming he was still dormant, he relaxed.

By the time they reached the laboratory, Texas was already waiting, holding her ID Card. She looked up at Laurentina and paused.

She'd heard another person had earned Obsidian's "trust," but this was their first face-to-face meeting.

"Don't zone out."

Pioneer stepped up to the battered lab door. Tall weeds grew everywhere, and the building itself looked on the verge of collapse. He glanced at the entrance and said coolly:

"We'd better get moving."