Where the crisp morning air carried the scent of salt and damp earth, accompanied by the rhythmic clang of steel and the deep rumble of heavy machinery, two people stood on an elevated platform. They overlooked the vast iron frameworks being erected as the foundation of what would soon become the country's largest commercial port.
The Atlas Gateway.
Aliana tugged her beige coat tighter around her shoulders to shield herself from the chilly air. Beside her, Cillian held an iPad displaying real-time construction schematics, his dark hair ruffled by the damp sea breeze.
"The dredging for the main shipping lane is currently three days ahead of schedule," Cillian murmured as he read through the report. "Once the retaining walls are reinforced, it will be ready for the foundation pour."
Aliana's grey eyes tracked a massive crane hoisting steel beams into position over the muddy shoreline. "What about the environmental runoff reports for the estuary?"
