The fire crackled low as the stars above Peru blinked like scattered truths. Emily sat between Jack and Sarah, half-listening to the children’s laughter behind them. The tamale in her lap had long gone cold, but the warmth she felt wasn’t from food.
It was the first time she didn't feel like she was running from her past.
Just building something better.
A week later, Dragon Corp landed in the red dust heart of Australia.
Emily stepped out of the plane, dry heat rushing against her cheeks. Jack adjusted his sunglasses, surveying the endless expanse of outback beyond the mining zone.
"Welcome to the next frontier," he muttered.
Sarah stood beside them, her tablet already loaded with preliminary maps. "Massive untapped reserves of lithium, nickel, and rare earths. We can lead the global
