29 Chapter 28

Jacob stretched as he walked out of the building. He looked around; the daylight was disappearing past the mountains. He noticed a few outhouses that had been built around the square, as well as one beside each apartment, were being set up. A food stand on the street to the left was nearly finished.

A few groups of people were walking around. It seemed like the workday had ended. Even though it was getting dark, a few were walking towards the coast. Jacob figured he would go check it out as well. The guards would see the swiftstalkers first, so it should be much safer than his last visit.

He walked towards the beach, looking at the various wooden outhouses and water boxes lying about. With carts lying in the odd spot with cut wood on them. Again, a few people, this night they were more confident, having no deaths from the previous night.

Finally, he arrived at the end of the colony facing the grove and beach.

Jacob looked around the beach. There were a few people lounging around, talking. Some were swimming. There currently were no issues with predatory or toxic fish in the water. So, people got more confident, swimming during the evening against the bioluminescent backdrop. Which would have been top-notch on earth. Let alone a new planet with no tourism.

Jacob saw one group half split up, a few in the water, while others were on the beach. He decided now was better than never to see how people were doing. He shouldn't be worried about what they say. He had to learn to take any bull#$%% to the face if he ever wanted to win during stressful situations, let alone a relaxing one like this.

"Hey, I'm Jacob. Just curious about how you all have been adjusting to the situation." He awkwardly said.

The people looked at him and one spoke up. "I miss my dog; I also wish I could read my novels…" The one man said.

Another woman spoke up. "Do you have a plan to get us all home?" She said with hopeful eyes.

"Honestly, no. We couldn't leave Earth. how could we leave this planet and find earth?" Jacob said bluntly.

Her eyes became downcast, and she looked down.

"But hey, there is always another option. Although it's not the simple choice."

They looked at him again with expectation in their eyes. The girl, however, looked at him with doubt.

Jacob continued, "We can make a new home here and learn how to fly to space ourselves… maybe we can find earth that way? I mean, look at these AI orbs. Have you seen the items in the store for your contribution points? There is so much potential here. Maybe even a way for us to get our pet's back, although I can't promise the last part. I can only hope for it."

Jacob took a deep breath. "The only way to get there is if we do the work needed. Like what everyone has been doing already. We just have to keep trying. We can't give up. That's the only way we can ensure we have a chance to see earth again." Jacob rubbed his head. "At least that's what I think…"

Her eyes brightened again. "Your right! Maybe we have a chance to see home again, but nothing comes for free. A house is not built from nothing, nor can a lost home be found by sitting around." She clenched her fist. A determined look in her eyes. "Thank you, I was not sure what the point was, but now I think I found one, but tonight… I'm enjoying this view." She smiled and continued to watch the coral reefs.

The others looked at Jacob with smiles.

The man with the lost dog spoke up again. "When I came here yesterday, I thought this was the end. I miss lassie so much." His eyes becoming watery. "But I can't give up because she might be out there waiting for me. Frozen in time like the other humans, you have given me that hope. I'll hold on to it for as long as I can." He said goodbye to his friends and walked away towards his apartment. Tears in his eyes.

Jacob looked around at the group. Some had returned from the water to listen. "It's hard not knowing if someone is gone or simply just lost. I promise ill do my best to locate all lost ones. Starting now! Genesis, please create a lost and found list. Allow people to post names of their family members. When we get new colonists, we can check their names. Try to get complete names so things like John Doe don't force people to look at 15000 different profiles."

"Yes, sir."

"I have to get checking on the walls, everyone. I hope you have a good night." He waved at them while he walked away.

He couldn't hear them talking afterwards. Explaining how he really helped make their night. They looked forward to tomorrow, rather than dreading it.

He walked towards the wall facing the north. Which ended just after the grove, cutting into the beach over instead. He turned and walked west when he got close and could see the guard's faces who were patrolling the walls.

Jacob then walked the length of the wall, following the AI while saying hi to anyone he saw, except the guards who were focused on the tree line, which had been reduced by a large amount. At least 50 meters. Some places even more.

He even saw Kelly starting into the forest with a serious expression. A slight smile on her lips. Jacob shook his head, thinking she was a little scary.

Finally, he saw Adewale at a fenced wooden area attached to the wall. This was Adewales' new training and recruitment area. Once they had the resources and time, they would make it into an actual barracks.

"Hey Adewale, how are things going this evening? Any troubles?" Jacob asked as he walked up to him.

"Good evening Jacob. So far, we have done as much as we can to prepare for the attacks. Tonight we expect up to 20. The numbers keep increasing, so we figure tonight will be no different. The guns you purchased today really helped to close the gaps in the walls. We don't have any extra bullets to practice shooting though. This should be something we fix sooner rather than later." Adewale responded.

Jacob nodded. "Can I ask you for some advice as well? I realized today I might have been making mistakes."

Adewale said, "Go ahead."

"I need to be more of a leader. If I hide away and make solar panels all day, I will lose everyone's respect. At this point, Akiko has been more of a leader than I have. Do you think I am wrong for thinking this, Adewale?"

"Well, Jacob, you do have a greater responsibility than us. You are the only one here who is given special status, and that status affects our ability to survive. These AI orbs are very useful things. If you die, we lose them. Simply staying alive is your priority."

Jacob nodded. "I understand that, but I need people to see me as a leader. So I can help everyone get through this. Simply staying alive doesn't solve that issue."

"Then be a leader. Encourage those around you to do better. Help people solve problems when they arise, listen to the people's needs. There are many ways Jacob, you need to find your own way. This is not Earth. You are the first person to ever go through anything like this, where you were given power by another group, not from humanity. One that we cannot yet supersede."

Nodding, "I see tha…" Jacob was cut off.

Suddenly, all their orbs lit up and a familiar voice came through.

"Good evening insects!"

It was the same announcer from earth!

"Congratulations on not dying so far! Now that you have settled for 3 and a half planetary rotations, in one more rotation, you will encounter the first game! You will be attacked by 3 alpha swiftstalkers and 52 swiftstalkers. Good luck! Those that survive gain access to the species colony leaderboard. The better your colony does, the better the reward! Have fun insects!"

Jacob could not believe the announcement they just heard.

"We need to prepare for a long night…" Jacob said as he looked at Adewale with a grim face.

52 swiftstalkers!? A leaderboard? Alphas? What will happen?!