The final structure rose in a cascade of shimmering blue light and clicking alloy plating. The Arcane Relay Node stood tall in the heart of the base, its spire-like form humming with both magical and technological resonance. It pulsed softly—alive, drawing energy from the generator grid while amplifying the ambient magicka woven through the settlement's infrastructure.
[STRUCTURE COMPLETE: Arcane Relay Node (Original Source: Elder Scrolls / Integrated MagiTech Variant)]
[TOTAL BUILDINGS ONLINE: 10]
Adam stood just outside the plaza, hands on his hips, watching as the drones returned to their maintenance ports. A low chime echoed in his mind, deep and ceremonial.
[MAJOR MILESTONE ACHIEVED: 10 Unique Structures Constructed][UNLOCKED: SUMMONING SYSTEM — BASIC TIER ACTIVE][REWARD GRANTED: Blueprint Set – Summoning Chambers (Modular), Summon Point Beacon (x2), +1 Summon Token][PASSIVE BONUS: +5% Construction Speed | +10% Unit Loyalty (Initial Tier)]
The Summoning System tab blinked to life in the interface.
He opened it with a thought.
SUMMONING SYSTEM: BASIC TIER
Linking Fictional Realms…Filter: Available Universes — Based on User Familiarity
Franchises scrolled past like cards in a deck:
Mass Effect
Stargate
Elder Scrolls
Halo
Dragon Age
Star Wars (Locked – Conflict of Timeline)
Fallout
Command & Conquer
Warcraft
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Fire Emblem
And more…
Adam blinked. "Okay… this is insane."
He selected the Summon Token and opened the interface labeled Summon: Group – Basic Tier.
[Eligible for Initial Group Summon: Common/Uncommon Tier Units from Familiar Universes][Faction Balance in Early Game Recommended][Processing… Generating Options…]
Three choices materialized, hovering in front of him:
OPTION ONESummon Group: Minutemen Patrol (x4)Origin: Fallout 4Traits: Armed (Laser Muskets), Loyal, Defensive, Community-FocusedNote: Excellent for early settlement support, patrols, and basic combat.
OPTION TWOSummon Group: UNSC Marine Fireteam (x5)Origin: Halo UniverseTraits: Light Armor, Standard-Issue Rifles, Tactical, Follows Spartan Chain of CommandNote: Solid defensive and offensive capabilities. Can integrate with Spartan training protocols.
OPTION THREESummon Group: College of Winterhold Apprentices (x3)Origin: The Elder Scrolls V: SkyrimTraits: Magic-Capable (Novice-Level), Potential for Training, Study-OrientedNote: Great synergy with magical infrastructure. Low combat effectiveness initially.
Adam stared at the options for a long moment, then selected UNSC Marine Fireteam without hesitation.
"Let's get boots on the ground."
[SUMMON CONFIRMED – TOKEN EXPENDED][INITIATING GROUP TRANSFER… STANDBY…]
A glowing sigil formed in the center of the plaza, circling with complex geometric patterns and pulsing light. Energy built up, then exploded in a contained flash.
When it cleared, five marines stood at attention—each armored in standard UNSC combat gear, MA5 rifles slung across their chests. They looked around briefly, then turned toward Adam.
One stepped forward, saluted.
"Sir. Fireteam Echo reporting for duty. Orders?"
Adam swallowed.
This was real.
"Establish patrol routes around the perimeter," he said, voice steady. "We're expecting peace—but we're building for the long haul."
"Understood, sir."
The marines moved with purpose, fanning out into the designated zones. A live feed of their vitals and sensor readings blinked into his HUD.
For the first time, he wasn't alone.
That night, he returned to the data crystal he'd pulled from the wreckage in the crystal cave. Now that the Arcane Relay Node was online, he could run deeper scans using both its magical conductivity and the base's enhanced data interface.
He seated the crystal into a multi-adapter port embedded in a console within the Communal Hall, and the system began its work.
[PROCESSING DATA FRAGMENT: 41% Recovered][DECRYPTING...]
A flickering holographic log emerged—a jagged, looping fragment of an official transmission. The voice was calm, clipped, and distinctly Coruscanti in tone.
"...Trade Federation activity expanding beyond sanctioned routes. Blockades in disputed Outer Rim sectors under review. Tensions rising."
Static.
"...unconfirmed reports suggest Naboo may be targeted for economic leverage. Jedi intervention not yet authorized—Council debates neutrality position..."
More static. The image stuttered, and the symbol of the Galactic Republic briefly appeared—worn and flickering.
Then the log ended.
Adam stared at the screen.
"Naboo…?"
He recognized the name. It was one of the more peaceful, lush systems in the prequel films. But this message—it sounded like a precursor to the conflict that would lead to the events of The Phantom Menace.
So… he was here before all of that. Before Naboo's invasion. Before the Jedi were forced into war.
Before everything spun out of control.
He didn't know the exact year. But the name alone—spoken in a warning context—was enough to give him a sense of the era.
He leaned back in his chair, gaze drifting toward the ceiling as the weight of it all began to settle in.
The galaxy was quiet now.
But not for long.