Chapter 20

The next day, a drone hovered silently in the sky, 45 kilometers east of Crestfall. Its mission was simple: observe the area for any unusual movement or signs of approaching forces. The landscape below was vast and rugged, but the drone's advanced sensors allowed it to sweep the terrain with precision.

As the drone's camera zoomed in, it caught sight of a massive formation—rows upon rows of soldiers marching in disciplined columns. Banners fluttered in the wind, each bearing the insignia of the Kingdom of Eldoria. The scale of the army was undeniable, 30,000 strong, armored and ready for war. Their ranks were bolstered with siege equipment and heavy cavalry, a clear sign that this was no routine patrol.

The live feed was relayed back to Fort Sentinel's Command Center, where John, Walker, and several key officers gathered around the monitor. The tension in the room was palpable as they watched the unmistakable signs of an impending invasion unfold before their eyes.

"Looks like the scout did his job," Walker muttered, arms crossed as he studied the advancing troops. "We figured the king would retaliate, but thirty thousand soldiers? That's overkill."

John's eyes were locked on the screen, his expression stern. "This is exactly what we expected. King Cedric couldn't let Crestfall's defiance slide, especially with the people praising us. He sees this as a threat to his rule—and he's going to make an example out of them."

He sighed, tapping a few commands into the system to get a better view of the approaching army. The drone feed shifted, offering a closer look at the soldiers and their formations. "But now that we've confirmed it, we need to act fast. Crestfall doesn't stand a chance against those numbers."

One of the officers spoke up. "Do we engage them before they reach Crestfall? Or do we wait and let them make the first move?"

John shook his head. "We can't attack openly. If we march out and confront them directly, it'll give the king the excuse he needs to paint us as invaders. We need to let this play out carefully."

He looked at the map displayed on the table, tracing the route from Crestfall to the advancing army. "Company C is already setting up observation posts around Crestfall. Have them report any movements. Company A is hidden between Fort Sentinel and Crestfall—they'll stay there in case we need a fast response."

John had already ensured the mayor was informed of the impending threat. Crestfall's leadership was well aware of the danger looming on the horizon. The civilians were instructed to be on high alert and were given specific routes to follow if anything went wrong.

"The civilians are ready," Walker reported, his voice steady. "They've been told to leave immediately if the situation turns. Our trucks will be stationed on the outskirts, ready to evacuate them at a moment's notice."

John nodded, his eyes still fixed on the screen showing the advancing army. "Good. The last thing we need is a panic, but if it comes to it, those people need to be out of harm's way fast."

Preparations were thorough. The evacuation plan was simple but efficient—civilians would be funneled toward the waiting convoy of trucks, which would carry them to Fort Sentinel. The route had been scouted, and soldiers from Company C were stationed to ensure no one was left behind.

John carefully studied the tactical map, noting the speed and formation of the approaching army. From his calculations, he estimated that the Eldorian forces would arrive within one to two days. The tension in the command center was palpable, but everyone remained focused, knowing what was at stake.

"One to two days at most," John said, breaking the silence. "We need to finalize our defenses and make sure every detail is in place."

Walker nodded, already making mental notes of the tasks ahead. "We'll have Company B reinforce the defensive walls around Crestfall, and Company C will maintain observation posts. Company A will be ready for quick response."

John stood by the window for a moment, thinking through the possibilities. He had no desire to spark a war, but if the king's army reached Crestfall, the battle would be inevitable.

"Evacuation drills for the civilians should continue. If they need to move, I want them out fast and safe. Have the trucks loaded and ready to go at a moment's notice. We can't afford delays," John ordered.

Walker radioed the necessary teams to execute the evacuation plans, while John turned his attention to the supply depot. They had enough resources to last, but he made sure their vehicles were topped off with fuel and ammunition was fully stocked.

"We can't be seen directly intervening just yet," John continued, his tone serious. "But if the security of Crestfall is threatened, we will act decisively. I want drone surveillance 24/7 on that army. No surprises."

With the weight of the situation at Crestfall lingering in the back of his mind, John stepped out of the command center and made his way into Havenbrook.

The sight that greeted him gave him a small sense of relief—a break from the tension of war preparations.

Havenbrook was transforming before his eyes. Prefabricated houses were being assembled, piece by piece, creating neat rows of homes that would soon provide proper shelter for the residents who had long lived in tents.

The roads were now marked and outlined, the beginnings of a proper infrastructure taking shape. Workers were busy preparing the ground, ensuring that everything was ready for the next phase of development.

As John walked through the area, he noticed that some of the teams were already setting up the newly acquired concrete mixing equipment.

Since the system didn't provide access to concrete mixer trucks, John had adapted, purchasing 20 concrete mixers to speed up the process. It wasn't ideal, but it was effective.

He inspected the progress with a sharp eye, stopping occasionally to observe the workers pouring the first batches of cement into small sections of the road.

The concrete mixing stations were running at full capacity, producing enough for both the road and drainage systems that were vital to the town's development.

He had already bought 4,000 bags of cement for the roads and another 4,000 for the drainage systems. The bags were piled neatly at various staging areas, ready for use.

John paused near one of the makeshift mixing stations and spoke with the team leader. "How's the progress?"

"Moving along well, sir," the team leader replied, wiping sweat from his brow. "The mixers are doing their job, and with the cement you bought, we should be able to pour enough road sections in the next few days to make a real difference."

John nodded, satisfied with the pace. "Good. Keep me updated if there are any delays. We need this infrastructure up and running before winter hits." He gave the man a firm pat on the shoulder and continued walking through the town.

As John walked further through Havenbrook, he noticed the large water pipes being carefully laid into the trenches that ran alongside the developing roads.

These pipes were vital to the town's water infrastructure, ensuring that each block of houses would have access to a reliable water supply.

Small PVC pipes branched off from the larger main lines, snaking through the trenches and connecting each cluster of homes to the water system.

John observed workers fitting these pipes together with precision, making sure that the connections were secure and leak-proof.

The large water pipes themselves were part of a larger system, connected to multiple water towers that had been constructed near the walls facing the river.

These towers would store and distribute water, providing the entire town with a steady supply.

The design ensured that Havenbrook could sustain itself with fresh water from the river, an essential element as the town continued to expand.

Each water tower had its own filtration system, allowing the water to be cleaned and stored before being pumped through the network of pipes that crisscrossed the settlement.

He approached the large trenches that snaked through the developing streets, where soldiers and civilians were carefully laying down the piping. Massive PVC pipes, some the size of small barrels, were being fitted into the ground, and smaller offshoots led toward the rows of houses that were still being erected.

"How's it looking?" John asked, stepping up to one of the engineers overseeing the project.

"Good, Commander," the engineer replied. "We've got the slope just right, so gravity will do most of the work moving the waste. The collection tanks are being installed at key points, and we'll start connecting them to the filtration plant by tomorrow."

John nodded, crouching down to get a closer look at the pipes being carefully lowered into place. "What's the plan for the filtration system?"

The engineer smiled. "It's a beauty. We've got a state-of-the-art equipments that'll break down waste in three stages. First, we'll filter out solids—basic mesh screens and settling tanks. Then, we move to the biological treatment, where we use bacteria to break down the organic waste. Lastly, chemical filtration to clean up any remaining toxins."

John straightened up, hands on his hips as he surveyed the trench. "And the water reclamation?"

"Already planned," the engineer said proudly. "The clean water won't go to waste. We'll reuse it for irrigation, maintenance, and even for the public restrooms. We'll cut down on the water demand from the towers and keep everything efficient."

John couldn't help but feel impressed. The system they were building wasn't just functional—it was optimized for long-term use. "Good work. Make sure the drainage systems are in place too. We can't afford any flooding."

The engineer nodded. "Yes, sir. Overflow drains will connect to the nearby rivers and reservoirs. We're also installing backup pipelines, just in case the system gets overwhelmed."

As John walked the length of the trenches, he could see the attention to detail in the workers' efforts.

The trenches sloped gradually toward the central collection points, ensuring that gravity would handle the flow without the need for pumps.

This design would not only save energy but also reduce the need for constant maintenance.

He crossed over to where the filtration plant was being constructed. The massive building was still in its early stages, but the foundation was already laid, and John could see the tanks that would soon filter out harmful waste.

His eyes moved toward the water towers in the distance, standing tall near the walls, drawing water from the nearby river.

A nearby trench revealed another part of the system. Smaller PVC pipes connected each block of homes to the larger sewer lines, which all fed into the main system. It was a tight network, expertly designed to keep everything flowing smoothly.

John knew that without this infrastructure, Havenbrook would eventually succumb to disease and overcrowding. This system was as essential as the defensive walls surrounding the town.

"Once the sewage system's operational," John said to the engineer, "we'll finally be able to support more civilians. The filtration system will be key to that."

The engineer nodded again. "We're on track, Commander. Should be fully operational within the week."

Satisfied, John gave the engineer a pat on the shoulder and made his way back through Havenbrook, watching as the workers continued their meticulous task.

The trenches would soon be covered, the pipes sealed, and the sewage system connected to the filtration plant.

It would all run beneath the streets like a hidden lifeline, keeping the town clean and safe.

Satisfied with the progress of Havenbrook, John decided to take a walk outside the town's walls to inspect the nearby farms.

Just a few hundred meters from the defensive perimeter, the farm stretched across 300 square meters of fertile land.

A sturdy fence surrounded the entire area, ensuring that no wild creatures or predators would threaten their food supply.

John moved toward the crop section, which occupied nearly a third of the farm's area.

Rows of vegetables and grains were already sprouting from the earth, thanks to the care of the townspeople and soldiers who had been working tirelessly to cultivate the land.

The crops varied—potatoes, corn, carrots, and leafy greens, all essential for sustaining the growing population in both Fort Sentinel and Havenbrook.

Not far from the crops stood a large, prefabricated building that served as the barn. The structure was durable and weatherproof, designed to house a variety of livestock.

John stepped inside to check on the animals. The barn was divided into sections, each accommodating different types of animals.

In one area, cows chewed contentedly on hay, their milk providing a crucial resource for both the townspeople and the soldiers.

Nearby, chickens clucked softly as they roamed in their enclosure, their eggs collected daily.

Toward the back, pigs moved lazily in their pen, another vital source of meat for the settlement.

The farm was thriving. The combination of crops and livestock ensured that they wouldn't be dependent on the supply depot alone for food.

It was a significant step toward self-sufficiency, reducing their reliance on external resources while also building a sustainable future for both Fort Sentinel and Havenbrook.

With a nod of approval, John turned and headed back toward Fort Sentinel, knowing that every bit of progress here brought them closer to lasting security and independence.