Northern Forest, Hydro Dam Power Station
A small convoy of jeeps rumbled in through the double gates and sentry posts, stopping before a blocky structure sitting next to a roaring man controlled waterfall. A concrete dam had blocked off the original waterfall and water was released by outflow gates which created the waterfalls. The skies were hazy and smelled of burning wood and ashes.
Captain Blake stepped down from one of the jeeps and nodded to Major Frank who was accompanied by Master Sergeant Pike. Both of them were waiting at the entrance of the building for Blake's arrival and saluted Blake as he exited the jeep. "Sir!"
"At ease," Blake replied, "So they are inside?"
"Oh no, Sir," Major Frank replied. "We actually placed them outdoors under a shed, with armed guards, twenty four seven."
"And the Marine who broke regs?" Blake asked again as he followed the two Marines into the building. "What happened actually?"
"Well, the Marine is one of ours," Frank explained, "Seems like he spotted some wolf puppies being carried by the two female wolves and being chased by goblins, he decided to save them instead of shooting them."
"So he managed to save the wolves," Blake stopped and turned to look at the two officers. "What's the issue now?"
"Sir," Pike answered for the Major, "The Marine abandoned his post during a combat situation and also disobeyed a direct order from his commanding officer."
"I see," Blake nodded, "So what are you guys gonna do about it?"
Frank frowned, "I don't really want to give a very harsh punishment, but if I don't, it might give off the impression that we are cuddling our own people and also that abandoning of duty posts and insubordination will not get one into much trouble, which will undermine the officers' authority and also lead to more issues in the future."
"Go by the book then," Blake replied, "We can't show favoritism."
"Sir, insubordination during times of war is a death penalty..." Frank looked at Blake seriously.
"Put him up for court-martial," Blake sighed, "Let the court judge him then."
"Now let's see the wolves," Blake continued walking through the corridors to the elevator that will bring them up to the top side of the dam.
Both the Marines looked at each other and nodded, "Yes, Sir," Frank replied with a heavy heart as he knew that the Marine will get a death penalty.
-----
Goblin Coast, Far Harbour, Special Projects Workshop
"Easy... easy..." Senior Spaceman Mason called out as he stood under a newly developed inline four engine that was secured to chains from the workshop roof crane. "Lower it slowly..."
He held on to the side of the brand new engine and with the help of another engineer, they carefully slot it into place in the hull of the sleek looking experimental speed boat built by the ship carpenter Amar and a team of engineers and craftsmen.
The next hour was spent carefully connecting the drive shafts, cranks, chains, and bolting the engine into place. The experiment speed boat had a 'V' shaped bow, sharp lines and a simple wheelhouse. It was 10 meters long, and four meters wide, powered by a four cylinder water cooled inline piston engine of 102 horsepower. After several model kit sized prototypes, they finally built a smaller scaled working prototype to test before they start working on the actual design.
The whole team double checked the motorboat to ensure every bolt, nut, and screws was properly tightened and in place before they pushed out the sliding doors that led out to sea. A sluice gate was opened and seawater started to flood the dry dock of the experimental motorboat.
As the water started flooding the dock, the motorboat gently floated up on the surface of the water and the team of amateur shipwrights cheered. "Let's start the engine and test out our new toy!" Mason yelled excitedly. Even Amar was excited as he stood on the side watching the boat he helped design and built.
Mason grabbed a bright yellow personnel flotation device and tossed it over to Amar, "Come on! Let's go for a test drive!"
Amar eagerly wore the life vest with the help of one of the hooman engineers and they all climbed aboard the motorboat. Mason turned the ignition and the engine roared slowly to life, sending out a small cloud of grey smoke from its exhaust. "Woooo!"
The rest of the team removed the lines from the moorings and Mason gently gave power to the boat, easing it out of the workshop. As it appeared out of the workshop and into the sun, the workers around Far Harbor stopped and stared, wondering what kind of boat is that.
"Engine temperature looks good, just as we trial ran them before!" One of the engineering guys on board called out.
"Great, let's clear the stone pier and see what this baby can do!" Mason grinned, and pushed the throttle up, sending the motor craft charging through the waves. "Oh my god, this is awesome!"
The sea wind and spray hit them as they bounced across the waves, running at over 20 knots per hour. Amar gripped the hand rails of the motorboat and started laughing wildly, "This is amazing, I never gone so fast before in the sea! Amazing!"
The motorboat hit a surging wave and bounced up, sending whitish 'V' shaped waves out. Mason drove the motorboat around the pier, charging pass The Floating Wreck still moored at the pier and showing off his boat. Soon the pier was lined up with workers and staff as they "Oooh and Ahh" at the trials Mason was putting the boat through.
After an hour of playing around with the motor craft, they finally happily returned to the workshop leaving the cheering crowd behind.
-----
Northern Forest, Hydro Dam Power Station
Blake leaned over the railing and observed the two giant wolves licking their pups from the roof of the Dam. "So how aggressive are they?"
"Well, as long you don't try to take their kids away," Pike replied, "They seem okay so far with us next to them."
"What happened exactly?" Blake asked as he watched one of the pups trying to snuggle up to its mother but failed and did a cute tumbling cartwheel instead.
"We think that due to the forest fire, they were trying to escape from it," Frank said, "And we think almost all the monsters were driven away from the forest. And these two were carrying their kids with them, so the rest of monsters most probably perceived the puppies as an easy meal."
"So what are we gonna do with them, Sir?" Pike asked as he frowned. "We don't know if we can train them to be mounts or even work animals, provided if they are willing to listen to us."
"Could we make them our next best friend like dogs?" Blake asked. "The Orcs do use them as mounts."
"Not sure, but I did send out a message to all the Orcs in the Marines," Pike said, "see if any Orcs have any knowledge of rearing a giant wolf."
Blake nodded, "Let's go closer." And they climbed down the stairs and walked towards the vehicle shed which they gave the wolves to use.
As Blake and his party approached the shed, both the wolves sat up and looked at them walking over with cautious and curious eyes but they did not growl nor any other signs of aggression.
Blake stopped before the nearest wolf and saw the streaks of dirt and blood on its matted fur. "Are they provided with medical care and adequate food and water?"
"Food and water yes," Pike scratched his head, "Medical? We don't have veterinaries here."
Blake turned and looked at Pike, "We don't? How about those looking after the Muffalos or Peco pecos?"
"Well, we are not sure if they are willing to even come close to a giant wolf," Pike replied, "and the scent of the wolves might spook the animals when they return. Plus the wolves don't allow us to touch them. We have tried, trust us."
"How about that Marine who got close to them?" Blake asked.
"Sir, he's placed in confinement now," Pike replied. "In one of the staff rooms here."
"Well, bring him here and see if he can do some good," Blake ordered.
"Yes, Sir!" Pike turned away and spoke into his communicator while Blake turned and watched the puppies play, the corner of his mouth lifting up.
Not long, a large build male accompanied by a trio of Marines arrived. They saluted the Major and Blake, "Sir! The prisoner is here, sir!"
"Remove the restrains," Blake nodded towards the handcuffs.
"Yes, sir!" The Marine escorts quickly removed Bartley's handcuffs, which Bartley rubbed his sore wrists once they were removed.
"Corporal Bartley, front and center!" Pike roared.
Bartley quickly marched up and stood in parade attention before Blake, "Corporal Bartley reporting, Sir!"
"Corporal, I heard the wolves are friendly with you," Blake asked, "Is that correct?"
"Sir, Yes, sir!" Bartley replied in a serious manner.
"Ok, Corporal, I got a job for you, I heard that the wolves only allows you to get close to them," Blake gestured at the wolves who were all looking at them with curious expressions, "I'm putting you in charge of looking after them. You will be let out from your confinement once per day to look after them, after which you will be returned to your cell."
"Corporal, while you did a good deed here, but you disobey direct orders and even abandoned your post which is a serious offense in times of war," Blake said, "Redeem yourself with hard work, and we will see what we can do about your court-martial."
"Sir! Thank you, Sir!" Bartley replied without a change of expression.
"Alright, show me what you can do!" Blake nodded, "Clean them up, and see if you patch them up as well."
Bartley walked up to the wolves who licked and poke their noses against him, allowing him to touch their fur and pat them. "Sir, I will need some brushes, a first aid kit and eh, buckets?"
Blake turned to Pike and nodded, who started talking into his communicator again. Blake gestured to Frank and they walked to the side away from hearing of the rest.
"Well, if we can tame these wolves, I think we can sorta have some kind of wolf cavalry?" Blake suggested. "Mobile infantry tactics and all."
"Wolf cavalry?" Frank repeated and laughed, "Well, it will be better if we had bears..."
-----
Northern Forest
A plume of flames rose up from the center of a massive ash field. The red dragon yawned and puffed out another plume of flames from its nostrils while scratching its tummy. It looked around in surprise at the land around it, unable to recall why the lush forest had instead turned into a land of scorched earth.
Its tummy rumbled in hunger and it looked around, trying to see if it can spot some prey, but all it saw was just scorched land and blackened trees stumps. Giving a huge sigh, it flapped its wings and rose into the air, and started looking around to see if it can find something big and yummy to cook.
As it rose up higher, it saw the area around was all burnt land, and flames and smoke were even seen in the forest all around it. It scratched its head in embarrassment as it finally realized that the cause of the destroyed land was caused by it.
Oh well, it thought to itself, nature will always find a way to grow back and it flapped its wings lazily, catching the heat air draft coming from the forest fire and started gliding in a circular motion as it climbed higher and higher into the air before flying away from the scorched land and headed for the distance blue-green forest that has not been affected by the forest fire yet.
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Talking about wolf whisperer... Cesar Milan is in Singapore now~
UNS Singapore, Captain's Quarters
Blake removed his uniform and draped it over his chair before he poured himself a drink made from fermented carrato, locally farmed. He took a sip and let the harsh burning liquid go down his throat and felt a warm fuzzy feeling in his stomach. "Want a drink?" He asked the princess who was seated on his chair going through her work with his computer.
She shook her pretty head and said, "Our food stores are looking good. We had a large surplus of grains and tubers, which can be stored for over a season."
"And we do not need to slaughter the animal stock for winter as we have plenty of feed stored up for them too," Sherene focused on her Excel sheet. "The Muffalo herders have started to sheering the wool for production of winter clothing."
Blake stood behind Sherene and hugged her. "How're the preparations going on for Summer Festival?"
Sherene smiled and leaned in Blake's embrace, "We have quite a few venues allocated for this Summer Festival, one at each Residential District, and the main event will be held at City Hall Plaza."
"Since it is a two-day holiday event, I have increased the number of buses to the outer farms, mines, and Far Harbour to pick up those that wish to attend the Festival," Sherene purred happily in Blake's arms. "I also followed the recommendation given by your staff to double the pay for those working on holidays, so that they will not feel left out for the Festivals."
"Hmmm," Blake muttered, "So everything is in order?"
Sherene nodded, "Well, my people are still setting up the stages and event site. They should be finishing by today and tomorrow the Festival starts!"
"How about your side?" Sherene looked back and asked, "Is everything ok?"
"Well, we still have many things to worry about," Blake sighed and stood up, picking up his drink and drowned it down. "Goblins to our West, Empire to our North East and a natural disaster to our North."
"But at least we managed to resolve all our basic needs," Blake smiled at Sherene. "Food, water, shelter, security, and manufacturing are all on track."
"We just need a larger population to support our industrial needs," Blake said, "other than that we are doing pretty well, as long there aren't any more invasions."
Sherene nodded, "But the Empire... sooner or later they will return right?"
Blake rubbed Sherene's head gently while leaning against his table. "Intel estimates roughly a month before news gets to the Empire's Capital, and another month before some sort of response to be taken."
"By then, it is autumn," Blake said, "Hopefully late autumn is the best, as no sword and shield army will move in winter without long term preparations. I hope..."
Sherene nodded again, "My father and brothers used to say fighting in winter is terrible and a huge drain to resources. Men had frozen to death or died to hunger due to supply lines getting cut off by heavy snow storms."
Blake grinned, "Not bad, well that's one of the major reasons, not to mention the terrain will be harder for travel. And they have to cross the Uncharted Forest."
"The newly formed Combat Engineer unit together with that Elementalist girl has already started a line of defensive works at the bottom of the ramp at Sawtooth Mountain," Blake added, "The original wall will be upgraded and supported with the still under development 3" guns. Once we have those built, even if the Empire throws a million troops at us, we can easily hold the pass as long as we have ammunition."
Sherene frowned, "Will the Empire stop coming? Why can't they leave us in peace?"
"I don't have the answer for that, my princess," Blake replied gently, patting her soft hair. "Well, we can only make it so expensive for them to attack us, that they call for peace talks."
"If not, once our airpower is up and running," Blake's eyes gleamed dangerously, "I just bomb them back to the stone age."
-----
The Colony, Residental District 4
Kaga sat on a wooden bench watching several City Hall staffs hanging colorful banners and ribbons on to the lamp posts lining the side of the streets. Lately, the whole city was full of excited energy as everyone was looking forward to the Summer Festival.
She nibbled her 'bur-girl' and sighed in bliss. She picked up a textbook, Introduction to Basic English, and started reviewing her notes for her class. Her study partner was Billy, when she returned from her day job at City Hall, both of them were becoming closer and closer in just a few short days.
The next day, Kaga went to her morning class in time and joined a class of over forty students, some she recognized as part of her same group when they escaped from Falledge. The teacher called Kristine taught them the basic alphabet and phonics. The lessons were easily picked up and absorbed by Kaga, as she had always liked to read.
When the school bell rang, Kristine ended the lesson and gave them some homework to do at home. The whole class stood up and thanked the teacher before they all excitedly left the classroom. Kaga was no different as she had an appointment with Billy at the Commerical District.
Having traveled a few times in buses, Kaga confidently boarded a bus that will take her to the Commerical District or C District, as some of the locals called it. As the bus turned into the street of D District, colorful signboards covered up the facade of the stores and buildings lining the street.
She alighted the bus and saw Billy already here and she went up joyfully to her. "Billy, I'm here!"
"Kaga! Finally!" Billy smiled, "I'm hungry waiting for you!" Billy reached out and hugged a blushing Kaga while rubbing her soft fluffy ears. "Hehehe."
"S-stop!" Kaga quickly brushed off Billy's hands, and covered her ears with her hands, "..."
"Hehehe," Billy grinned, "Your ears and tail are just too soft and fluffy for me to control myself! Hehehehe!"
"..." Kaga turned redder, "Let's go..."
"Alright! Let's go shopping!" Billy grin went wider as she thought of dressing Kaga up in cute clothes. "Hehehehe..."
"..."
-----
Northern Forest, Hydro Dam Power Station
Bartley carried a large bucket of water over to the wolves' shed and refilled the water trough for the wolves. He had spent over two hours showering the wolves and the pups earlier and now the wolves looked much better despite some wounds still visible on their bodies.
Both the giant wolves licked Bartley and the little dog-sized wolf pups charged out and tackled him down on to the group and started to lick and sniff him happily. "Good boys and girls!" Bartley gave a rare smile.
These couple of days, Bartley schedule has been, the morning after breakfast, he goes to the wolves to feed them, cleans the shed, brushes their coat, takes them on walks and returns to his cell for the night.
The aggressiveness of the wolves had decreased a lot, that some of the other Marines could come near and play with the wolf puppies and the men started nicknaming Bartley as the Wolf Whisperer.
"Alright, let's go for a walk around the base shall we?" He gave a whistle and the wolves and puppies started to follow him as headed towards the perimeter fence.
----
The Colony, City Hall Plaza
The crowd grew larger and larger as more people squeezed into the plaza for the Summer Festival. Large white sails of cloth were hung at regular intervals among the streets and some local musicians were playing linked to the broadcasting system.
Along the streets were lined with stalls selling drinks, food, and trinkets. Everyone was in high spirits as they waited for the Festival to start. Soon the Princess came onto the stage set before the City Hall and the crowd went wild, cheering happily away.
"Hello everyone!" Sherene beamed happily to the cameras which were projected onto the large cloth sails, allowing everyone including those at the other districts events to see her. "I hope everyone is excited to be here tonight!"
"YES!" The crowd replied enthusiastically.
"Everyone here has worked hard, be it as a farm hand, a clerk, factory worker or even a cleaner!" Sherene gave her opening speech, "And this hard work is shown around us. Those that came here first will remember the food rationing, the lack of necessities and even proper heating or clothes."
"Now we have heated homes, plenty of food, running water, clean and safe streets," Sherene smiled to the camera. "And now I declare the first Summer Festival to begin! Enjoy the night of musical performances and dance!"
A sudden burst of fireworks erupted from City Hall's roof, turning the twilight sky bright with flashes and burst of colorful stars. Loud cheers joined the fireworks as the music started playing again performed by local musicians and the people started to party.
-----
Northern Forest
The red dragon just finished fighting with a giant copper boa twice its length, when it heard pops and cracks of thunder in the distance. Ignoring the rumbles of thunder, it roared out flames from its mouth, flash frying and cooking the snake.
It used its nimble front claws to tear the charred skin and scales off before tearing into the yummy soft medium rare meat inside. It feasted halfway when the rumbles of thunder came again, this time longer and louder.
Irritated by the thunders, it raised its serpentine head high up and looked at the sky, trying to see if it is going to rain. The rumbles of thunder came again, and it leaped into the air, as it scouted around its surroundings.
To its surprise, it saw exploding stars in the far distance lighting up the sky and the clouds. It tilted its horned head in confused and dropped back down to the ground and continued its meal while pondering on what are those strange bright colorful stars.
Once it had its fill, the red dragon leaped into the air again, and spread its wings out, heading towards the location were the exploding stars were last seen, leaving behind a burning forest.
-----
UNS Singapore, Command Bridge
The festival yesterday night was a success and everyone off duty had partied till late. The morning shift was only half manned, and Commander Ford was the senior commanding Officer inside the Bridge.
He seeped some hot decaf from his mug, wondering if they could come out with a local equivalent of coffee before their stock of runs out. He rubbed his temples as the party last night took his toil on his head.
"XO!" An operator called out, "Sensors are picking up a moving object, 168 kilometers away, heading in fast at roughly 110 kilometers per hour, bearing North, North East, to our position!"
"What is it? Do we have visual?" Ford called out, all his headache and sleepiness gone instantly.
"Negative!" The operator replied, "We got no assets at that location!"
"Scramble the alert Cobras!" Ford asked. "What other assets do we have on standby?"
"Aye! Scrambling the alert Cobras!" The operator replied as she looked at the ready chart. "Dragon One and Three, Gold, Silver Wing, and Valkyrie Two,"
"Launch Dragon One and Three, have Gold and Silver Wing on alert and Valkyrie Two on standby for airlift support," Ford ordered. "Give me one UAV into that AO*!" (*Area of Operations)
"Aye XO!" The operator replied and she quickly started to send out orders.
"Recall all combat personnel, bring us up to Condition Yellow!" Ford added.
-----
Sirens blared out in the pilots' ready room, where four alert pilots of Bronze Wing was lounging around. They jumped up and started grabbing their gear and helmets when the sirens went off in the room and rushed out towards the Hanger Deck of UNS Singapore.
Color coded techs ran a final check over the four Cobras parked at the internal hanger, while a few techs started to power up the engine starts, spooling up the Cobras engines.
The pilots climbed into the cockpits as the massive hangar deck doors started to yaw wide open, letting in a gush of wind.
A yellow jacketed tech started to wave his light wands, signaling for the planes to get into the position of launch. Once the lead Cobra was hooked into the catapult gear, the jacketed tech gave a salute and a sharp wave off, and the F/A - 1 Cobra was thrown out of the Hangar Deck with a loud roar.
"Whooooosssssssh!"
Advance chapters are available on Patreon (Book 1 Completed)
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Enjoy~