Kane Mercer sat on the edge of his small apartment bed, rain pattering against the window. One year. That was all he had before the apocalypse would strike again. One year to survive, to prepare, to build the tools he would need when the world collapsed.
He exhaled sharply. Step one: money. Without funds, he couldn't buy materials, energy cores, or the components necessary for the first construction droid.
The AI's voice cut through his thoughts, calm and precise.
"Funds can be acquired through digital channels. Minimal trace operations recommended to avoid detection. Estimated transfer time: 12 hours for initial capital."
Kane nodded. "Show me."
The AI unfolded the world's systems in his mind. Bank accounts, shell corporations, cryptocurrency wallets—he saw them all. The safest paths, timing for transfers, and probability of detection. Kane's fingers itched as he willed the data to flow into the real world.
Twelve hours later, Kane had enough initial capital to start acquiring resources.
"Next," he said, voice low, "materials. Electronics, metals, energy cores… the basics for building the droid."
"Suppliers, distributors, and abandoned industrial stockpiles have been identified," the AI replied. "All materials can be acquired legally or discreetly within 72 hours."
Kane considered the options. Buying directly would leave a trail. He instructed the AI to route orders through multiple small businesses, keeping everything untraceable.
"Set it up," he said. "All deliveries to a temporary warehouse. Keep it low profile. No alarms, no cameras tracking me."
The AI hummed in his mind like a heartbeat. "Acknowledged. Logistics optimized. Security protocols active. Estimated efficiency: 98.6%."
Hours blurred into days as Kane coordinated shipments, verifying that every unit, metal plate, and circuit board would arrive safely. Each decision was calculated, leaving nothing to chance.
By the end of the week, Kane had transformed his small apartment into a control hub. A spreadsheet of resources, deliveries, and priorities stretched endlessly across his mind. Soon, everything would be ready for the first construction droid.
Kane leaned back, staring out at the rain-streaked streets. Alone, outnumbered by a world that would soon erupt into chaos—but for the first time, he felt control.
The coming apocalypse would try to crush him again. It would fail.
Because this time, Kane Mercer was ready.