The Industrialist

The first police questioned Lance about his affiliation with Jaqi Leric, the founder of CISU.

"I met her at SARS when I had my registrations for my promotion. And she offered some subjects for me to augment my Academic status and scientist Level. But I know her. She is the founder of Committee for Illegal Scraps Use."

"If ya know her, let me call her on cell." The police dialed his phone and it rang.

"Hello, good evening Miss Jaqi, this is Officer Mat Brown of Precinct 13," the officer paused, "Yeah, I know, I know, ma’am. Apologies for calling you this night but there is a situation I would like you to confirm."

Then Lance heard the imperceptible replies from the other end of the phone. The officer seemed to be nervous speaking a girl with utmost authority. He anticipated that he might have to speak to Jaqi via cell phone.

"Yes, ma’am. Yes, ma’am. I know. Yeah, he is here with me. Lance Berkley of Steelpoint," The officer gave the phone to Lance and he received it.

"Miss Jaqi," Lance called.

"Hey, you. Why the police are calling me this time of night?" Jaqi asked but her voice was soft with no hint of resentment.

"They are just doing their jobs, Miss Jaqi. And I am here just accessing the Scrap Yard Tier 2 as I am just excited to know what’s in here."

"Yeah, you can look at the information in your Cloud Archive installed by Mari the other day. If you wanna know the information about the yards."

"Yes, I know. I have already read the perks information."

"They were just asking about a transaction of Jonaz Enterprises Garbage truck happened to be with you tonight, are you alright?" Her voice was concerned.

"Yes, I am. The Garbage truckers just wanted my assistance in finding the right scraps for them here in Tier 2. This is this first time, as their new office instructions too, so they are here unscheduled."

"Listen, I don’t know what the problem is, but, I will talk to the officer and sort this out. You’ll be fine, I will call the police off your asses. But mind you, Jonaz Enterprises is being monitored by officials. So, my department assists these investigations especially when smuggling or illegal trade is happening in the City."

"What are you exactly?" Lance asked, confused about everything that she had said. However, his initial assessment was that Jaqi had a significant position in the Government and CISU was not a made-up organization.

It was clear also with how the police officers stuttered upon hearing her voice over the phone.

"I will explain to you everything. Come to Sky Corp Tower in Blooms next week and I will tell you everything you wanna know about me, ok?"

Lance responded with an agreement. However, he was not sure if he could squeeze in a visit next week. The scrap quotas were up by about 20% and he needs to grind more to achieve the targets.

"Don’t worry, Lance. I have your back. I just hated these authorities pressuring Scientists like us and being bullied. The Corporation will have a hand on this, just they wait."

"No, actually it’s fine, Miss Jaqi. They were just doing their jobs. I mean, I understand their hard work as one of the Caravans was ambush last night if you heard the news."

"Yeah, I heard them. It’s unfortunate. But anyway that’s another discussion that we need to tackle when you visit me. I want you in this research team that I have been spearheading."

’A research team? Spearheading? This is so much for a little girl. Moreover, a founder of an authorized group by the Government?’ Lance was perturbed with series of questions.

Lance expressed his gratitude and gave the Cell phone back to the police officer. The officer was thankful though for also giving them credit for their stringent investigation.

The officer and Jaqi in the other line had a few exchanges of conversations, or rather the police officer was the apparent receiver of Jaqi’s series of seemingly loud verbal reprimands.

She’s ferocious.

The officer seemed to comply with what Jaqi said. Lance saw a series of affirmations from the officer and a few awkward smiles as he spoke some statements like, "Apologies for the disturbance," "I have confirmed his identity, he is good to go." And the like.

The Officer smiled to him with that forceful crease on his face as they finished their conversation with CISU’s founder. Then he signaled his partner to depart and also convinced the two thugs to go on their merry way.

The Garbage truck departed with Rigor without further complaints and threats. The rebels stepped out from the mantle of darkness behind the scrap piles after the coast was clear.

"First delivery is a success!" Lance said to Joe.

Joe smiled back.

"Let’s go kid, this place gives me the creeps," Damian mused, and waved his obscured comrades at the other side of the road.

"Nah, I will just stay here and scrap. This is my haven now," Lance responded.

Damian nodded and they went out together with the other rebels back to their bases.

"Master, Jonaz Enterprises transferred their payment already. 20 Zelkians for 120 units each. A total of 2400 units." Jasper reported.

That was fast.

Lance transferred payments to Joe for 100 units, and his payment for the rats for another 100 units. Then to Damian for hauling the lacking Zelkians towards Axiom Trench for 500 units. All online transfers.

He scoured the scrap piles below the cold dark skies. It was his duty, it was his purpose.

"Jasper, run scrap rarity again," Lance commanded.

____________________________________________

Scrap Yard Tier 2

Common level Scraps: 40%

Uncommon Level Scraps: 58%

Rare Level Scraps: 2%

Masterworks Level Scraps: 0%

___________________________________________

It was way better than the Scrap Yard Tier 1 which only held 20% Uncommon level scraps and 0% Rare and Masterworks level. It was just one in a millionth chance that Lance was able to scrap the Infused Electromagnet Battery.

’Ok Lance, think, think, think,’ Lance convinced himself. His scrapping should be more efficient now.

"Jasper, scan high-tier service robots, concentrate on the New Gen Residential robotic Maids scrap parts," Lance commanded Jasper.

"Scanning master… May I know the reason?" Jasper asked.

"These Robotic Maids were only purchased by high echelons, especially the New Gens. These parts were mostly rare and uncommon level parts to arrive in aesthetic forms and efficient function. Once these New Gens had exhausted their effective shelf life, these high-classers would scrap them and replace them with another one. These also come with insurance policies, soaring high prices,"

"Got it, Master. Found numerous of them. Sending scans to your Iris holograph," Jasper said.

"Perfect!" Lance said and darted to the nearest Robotic Maid scrap. He pulled a common level sheet above the separated Robot’s chest, with its limbs detached.

Lance felt the exquisiteness of the material, the consistency of the contours of the casing’s form. Magnificently made. A metal made of uncommon and common raw materials.

He took out his toolbox from his knapsack. It was not actually a box but it was a cylindrical metallic fixture that hold all his usable tools for scrapping. Not so bulky and easy to hide inside his knapsack. Your journey continues at m v|l-e’m,p| y- r

It had a digital display of the tools inside the cylindrical casing. Then he chose the screwdriver. A small hatch opened and released a screwdriver.

It was also battery-powered so it was fast and easy for Lance to unscrew the casing. He inspected the casing too and scanned it with Jasper’s drive.

___________________________________________________

Component: Smooth Silver metallic casing

Level: Uncommon Level

Metallic composition: Detected 15 common and uncommon raw materials. But unknown to the database.

_____________________________________________________

"Jasper, let’s inventory this," Lance said. He needs to record his inventories for him to inspect them after his scrapping activities. Some of his uncommon finds were so small, however, with significant values.

Opening the casing, he found a motherboard, a battery source, a Kilotonic power capacitor, Gold-wired Integrated circuits, and unkempt moldings and wirings interconnected with the spare parts.

"Scrapping Gold-wired ICs?" He said to himself. He questioned the Corporation and even the manufacturers why they don’t just reuse this for manufacturing.

"It could be these components were running at an ultrafast pace as AI robots need information passing through conductors. Through time, Gold wires would oxidize. These were contaminated Gold, not the same Gold before the Nuclear World War." He answered himself.

It was not the same Gold anymore. The Gold before the pre-nuclear eras were way more precious than what they used in circuitries.

"Why do they use Gold instead of Copper as wires, Master? It seemed so impractical, cost-wise for the production," Jasper inquired.

"It’s common knowledge Jasper that Gold wires are more susceptible to oxidation for high-speed data transfers. These wires could withstand erratic and high energy surges through them than Copper can." Lance answered.

"Very informative, master," Jasper praised.

"Wait a minute!" Lance said as he took out the Kilotonic Power Capacitor. He read the labels of the said component. It was highly explosive if exposed to highly combustible materials.

"Jasper, we need firepower to mine the salts next month," Lance said.

Another brilliant idea came to his creative mind.