Grappa Turing stood at the counter of his frontier bank, counting coins with quick, practiced movements. His pink, round form barely reached the top of the wooden desk, but his red bow tie stayed perfectly straight. Outside, East Greenland stretched wild and lawless across the territory. He wanted to build something that would last—a financial empire that made even the roughest prospectors think twice before crossing him. The dream was simple: turn this single-room bank into the most feared name in the territory. A notice on the wall caught his eye as he locked the cash drawer. The Grand Auction Bistro was holding its monthly land sale next week. Property deeds, mining claims, and commercial buildings would all go to the highest bidder. Grappa pulled the notice down and studied it carefully. His fingers traced the list of available lots. Each one represented a chance to expand his reach beyond these four walls. He folded the paper and tucked it into his vest pocket. The path to empire started with ownership, and auctions were where fortunes changed hands. He would need to prepare his bid carefully—every coin would count. The next morning, Grappa carried a leather satchel stuffed with contracts and cash to the auction house. The Grand Auction Bistro smelled of fresh bread and coffee. Round tables filled the main floor, and a stage stood at the front where the auctioneer would call out lots. Grappa claimed a seat near the middle and set his satchel on the table. Other bidders filed in—miners, merchants, and land barons. They barely glanced at the small pink figure with the bow tie. That suited him fine. Let them think he was just another hopeful with a few coins to spare. When the bidding started, he would show them what careful planning could do. Outside the tall windows, a tan mechanized spider skittered past, its metal legs clicking against the dirt road. The Desert Cargo Spider carried goods between distant towns, keeping the territory connected. Grappa watched it disappear toward the horizon. Soon, his contracts would travel those same routes, spreading his influence across East Greenland. Today was the first step. He opened his satchel and checked his figures one last time. The empire would begin here, at this auction, with the right property and the right price. The auctioneer stepped onto the stage and raised his gavel. Lot after lot went under the hammer. Grappa bid carefully, letting others fight over the small parcels. Then the final item appeared—a golden sphere dwelling nestled in an oasis outside town. The auctioneer described the curved door at its base and the way it gleamed under the desert sun. Grappa sat forward. This wasn't just property. This was a statement. A headquarters that would announce his presence across the territory. He raised his hand and called out his bid. Another bidder challenged him. Grappa countered without hesitation. Back and forth they went until the room fell silent. The gavel came down. The golden sphere was his. Grappa signed the deed and stood from his table. His empire had found its home.