The Pilot of Wrath

Chapter 58 – Counting down.

System Event #1: City Defense

Time remaining: 20 Hours, 18 Minutes

Matt read the message again. It had popped up for everyone in the city around midnight and seemed to align with the countdown that Franklin had. His was off by a few hours for a reason that he couldn’t figure out.

Walking out his front door, Matt found Echo already pacing along the porch and ready to go. “Ready?” He asked.

Rather than sounds, the drake flashed the image of a restaurant they had been to a few times. Matt sighed and gestured for Echo to lead the way. He supposed they could stop for breakfast on the way to the hub. They would be early no matter how long it took.

The city had a rather strange daily cycle that Matt was finding odd in adjusting to it. Due to the lowered requirements for rest and food, people were working longer and longer hours. It also helped that darkness wasn’t as big a factor either, with the stats helping with eyesight. Still, there seemed to be a 4 to 5 hour period around midnight each day that people would actually settle down and rest.

They ended up finishing breakfast just as the sun rose above the wall and finished the rest of their trip to the hub with a little more daylight. As they approached, Matt saw Rohm sitting on one of the benches near the entrance. While Matt stopped to chat, Echo slithered his way up the stone exterior of the Hub, headed for the roof. Matt and Rohm watched for a moment before they sat to wait for the rest of the group.

Rohm was first to break the silence as they sat, sipping their hot beverage of choice. “So, any predictions?” He mumbled into his cup before taking another sip of tea.

“Nope, I’m not going to jinx it.” Matt replied. He felt that no matter what he guessed or how many guesses he was given, there wouldn’t be any way for him to know what was about to happen.

“Fair enough, I wouldn’t want…”

“SON OF A BITCH!” someone screamed from the roof just above their heads. Matt looked up to see Echo’s tail disappear over the edge of the roof. He then heard some slightly less panicked words.

“What! Oh, it’s just Echo. He usually likes to sun himself in the mornings and finds a nice roof to do it on.” Said a second voice.

“Well, I bloody well know it’s Echo now. I just wasn’t expecting him to pop up over the parapet just as I walked by.” The first man said.

Matt tuned him out and chatted with Rohm for a few more minutes as Franklin, Tobias, Jess and a host of other officials gathered on what was left of the hub’s front lawn. The mortar pits set along the perimeter really didn’t do any favors for the landscaping.

The group eventually followed Franklin up to the control room and gathered around the large map table. Franklin tapped a pad on one side of the table and a 3D virtual map was projected onto its surface. Franklin made some adjustments and some data also appeared above the map, showing some statistics of the city. Matt noted that it was a very current version that showed the freshly made half walls in front of each gate.

“Thanks for coming everyone.” Franklin began. “We are less than a day away from our first event and I don’t think we could be much more ready.” He paused there and got a few quiet chuckles. They had run out of their ‘to-do list’ and began looking for improvements to make. Franklin then brought up a view that looked more like a schematic of the city before handing it over to Rohm.

“We have, as you already know, adopted a layered defensive strategy.” Rohm pointed to the base of one wall and the view changed to show a simplified view of the guns there. “The large guns are all supported by smaller machine guns, each is secured behind its own armored hatch. This is expected to be the major power factor for stopping anything too close to the wall.”

He then moved to the upper wall and showed the parapet and crenelations. “We also have machineguns and light artillery at the top of the wall, but the depression is limited. Behind them we have some guns set up incase of ariel enemies.” He pointed to the flex mounted guns on the back edge that could cover the interior as well as the sky above the city. “Lastly, we have the indirect fire teams around the hub and the air defense on the roof.”

Matt had gone to inspect the roof and thought that Tobias might have gone a little overboard. They had carried up 20 of the general-purpose machineguns chambered in 6 millimeter and eight heavy guns chambered in 12.7. Tobias had actually wanted to put flak guns up but couldn’t make them in time.

Rohm interrupted Matt’s little daydream and kicked it over to him and Jess. “Matt and Jess will take over the ground defense outside the wall.”

“Right, we don’t know how much opportunity there will be to engage outside the walls but if there is a chance, we will take it.” Matt began. “We have prepared positions outside each of the gates that can be sacrificed at any time if needed.” He then took over the projection and zoomed into small walls they had erected.

Small was a bit misleading. Each wall was 3 meters high and just as thick. Its main purpose was to act more as an elevated fighting position than anything else. It was also short enough that the constructs should be able to get over it if needed.

“Each of the commando teams will have a gate under their command and Rohm is dedicating 3 teams to each gate for relief.” Matt was highlighting a section just behind the new short wall. “We will start the event behind the wall unless stated otherwise. Above and on the sides are spotters that will advise if the ground teams need to relocate.”

Jess picked up from there. “The decision to retreat within the gate is not up for debate. If any team withdraws, they all do within a 5-minute window.” Some of the people gathered nodded sagely at this safety measure.

Jess gave the floor to the leaders in charge of indirect fires. They talked about where observers were located, capabilities and the minimum range. Minimum range was actually around 50 meters from the wall, depending on which section. The rounds had to clear the top with a little extra room incase something caused it to detonate mid-air.

Following the fires brief, they heard from the healers who would be scattered around but they set up a field hospital on the lawn out side the hub for the seriously wounded. Following them was a quick talk from the merchants and those that owned restaurants. They had all gotten together and committed to bringing meals out that would give temporary buffs and would serve the classers as best they could.

Everything seemed to be going smoothly with only a few questions until Franklin took the stage again. “One last thing folks.” He said while changing the display to show his personal management screen. “We have an option waiting for us, well, more like 2.”

System Event #1: City Defense

Failure options:

Will the city of Vil’ Krad take on refugees from fallen cities? Y/N

Will the city of Vil’ Krad seek refugee status if it falls? Y/N

The room was silent as everyone read the screen. Tobias cleared his throat for some reason since literally nobody was talking. “Are there any details about the options?”

“Oh, yeah, let me expand the window.” Franklin said, looking slightly embarrassed for not having thought about that in the first place. A moment later, an expansion popped up and explained the situation for both options.

When a city falls* during an event, the surviving citizens are given an option to be teleported out of the city under refugee status. They will be held in stasis until the end of the event at which time, they will be teleported to a surviving city. Refugees will be at the mercy of the city they flee to and can have any number of limits, terms or statuses applied to them.

*The destruction of the city control point or loss of 90% of its population remaining within its territory.

“Are we in a position to accept refugees?” Rohm asked. “I am all for saving people if we can, but I don’t want to do it at the expense of our own people.”

Franklin spoke up suddenly. “With the building efforts and how people have dispersed among their shops, I think we could house quite a few in the old barracks. As far as future growth and expansion?” He trailed off and looked to one of the crafters in the crowd. “Evan, what do you think?”

“Within the walls we could easily fit three times out population even after our future building plans.” The man identified as Evan said. “Frank has also mentioned once or twice that we will eventually have to spread beyond our current walls. I am not sure what timeline we want to put ourselves in but its possible.”

Tobias chipped in. “There is always the possibility to expand vertically. We have only a few buildings that have rooms below ground level and could actually create an entire network of subterranean buildings.”

Everyone looked at each other for a few moments before Franklin called a vote. “All those in favor of accepting refugees?” Everyone raised their hands with the exception of Franklin and Tobias who had already made their opinions clear. “It’s settled then. Yes, to both.”

While the group had been discussing the plans, Matt had been focusing in and picking up some emotions in the group. There was a lot of what he thought was excitement up until the point that Franklin brought up the refugees. After he mentioned that, there was a shift in the auras and Matt detected apprehension or fear, he wasn’t sure which yet. A few notable exceptions like Jess and Tobias didn’t fluctuate much but Rohm went from a cool confidence to a strong aura of distaste.

Matt looked at Rohm for a few moments, trying to figure out why he was having that strong of a reaction. This was one of the issues with his skill, he could pick up on some emotions but had no idea what caused them. The emotions were also rather hard to distinguish unless there was intent in them. He knew the intent made things clearer for emotions since it carried the feelings. Not able to figure it out, he made a note to keep an eye on the felid man, taking a wait and see approach.

“Well, that should be the last thing. Anyone else have anything they want to bring up to the group?” Franklin said. A few people asked some small questions or brought up some helpful information, but no more big news was to be shared. “I that case, I suggest we take these last few hours to prepare and get some rest.”

The crowd dispersed, everyone headed for their own groups that they represented. Matt went with Tobias off toward the forge with Echo following along. He made it about half the way there before a familiar voice called out to him from the side of the street.

“Matt!” It was Venri. “Can I borrow you for a little bit?” she asked after she caught up.

Matt glanced at Tobias who shrugged, saying he didn’t need anything from him. “Yeah, I can spare you some time.” Matt said to the dwarf woman, who was at least standing a respectful distance from him at the moment.

“Great! Follow me.” Venri said before headed back to the building she had come out of.

Following along, Matt entered the shop and saw that it was absolutely filled with potions, pills and raw ingredients of various sorts. He saw Venri duck behind a doorway and reemerge a moment later holding a wooden box.

Venri set the box on the counter and looked at the door. “Would you mind shutting and locking the door for me?”

Matt raised an eyebrow at the question. He wasn’t surprised by the request but that she had made it. Maybe she isn’t an insane cultist after all. He thought as he went and secured the door. He turned around and caught Venri bowing.

“Thank you, my lord.” She said before straightening. “I will get to the point, so I don’t waste your time.”

Wanting to face palm for even daring to think she wasn’t an insane cultist anymore, Matt just smiled and nodded. “No problem. What’s up?” He asked, trying to play off the very weird feelings he was getting from the alchemist.

“As you know, I have a special concoction that I use in combat by applying it to my bullets.” Seeing that Matt was following, Venri continued. “The primary ingredient is actually a material called mage glass. It’s made when great elemental or high affinity mana is released and compresses the sand in the area into glass.”

Venri opened the box and pulled out a chunk of black obsidian looking glass. Matt noted that it was rather bumpy and had a lot of imperfections in it. “Ok, what does this have to do with me?” he asked.

Smiling, Venri turned the box so Matt could see inside. “You made this, my lord.” She paused as Matt reached in and picked a piece out to inspect. “When you meditated outside the walls several weeks ago, there was a field of it radiating outward. I collected it for… um… reasons.” She stumbled over the last part.

“Can we just not pretend anymore? I know about you and your… culture.” Matt began. He eased his tone and pushed a calming aura when Venri flinched at his word choice. “Let’s just act normal outside in public but you can be yourself when we are alone. Sound good?”

Venri had tears in the corners of her eyes when he finished. “Yes, my lord.” She bowed again.

“Right, lets just get on with it?”

Straightening back up, Venri got on with her reasoning for asking Matt to her shop. “As you noticed the glass in impure. I suspect this is due to the contaminants in the area around you rather than a lack of power from you.”

Matt had noticed. In each piece there were little bits of plant matter, small rocks and several large inclusions. “Yeah, looks like when lightning hits sand. Everything gets melted into one solid chunk.”

“Exactly. I had collected and used as much as possible but what I have left is not the best. I was hoping that you could help me make a purer variety. I have purchased very fine sand from the forge and have a suitable area for you to work in.” Venri said, excitement in her voice and hope in her aura.

Taking a moment to consider, Matt weighed the options. He had a lot of time before the event and nothing pressing between then and now. He also thought it was a good opportunity to explore his meditation skill and see if it helped him figure out what was going on with his aura when he meditated.

“Alright, lets go.” Matt finally said and watched as the little dwarf scurried around her shop gathering supplies. After a surprisingly short time, she was ready and led the way out of the city.

*****

Just beyond where the leveled field ended, Venri stopped and pointed to an area where the grass was almost non-existent. “Right there.” I have enough sand to make a ring 5 meters in diameter and still quite thick.”

Matt could see the area was also relatively sandy, rather than the fertile dirt the plains were typically made of. He watched as Venri produced a giant, 3 meter tall, bag from her storage ring and plopped it on the ground in the middle of the clearing. She then took a knife and slit the bag, allowing the white sand to spill out. Once the bag was empty, she brought out a rake looking item and leveled the sand, leaving it a little over 10 centimeters thick.

After she was done, Matt took his spot in the middle of the sand and entered his meditation. He went through the usual centering and found himself in the same void as last time. Where everything changed, was in how much feedback he got when condensing the vapors around him. This time he could feel the pull, the resistance of the mana vapor, he gathered it to himself again and started to condense it.

The condensing was far easier and smoother than previously despite him drawing in more from a larger area. After it was all packed into his core, he flexed and exerted his will, pushing the radius of his aura as far as he could muster. Out and out, it went, spreading like a ripple on a still pond. He felt the power and where it began to fade away, where his aura was less dense. He knew instinctively that his domain had expanded, now triple the size it had been.

His meditation skill had guided him to this result. Where before, he was only condensing his plasma aspect mana, now he was actively altering the domain part of his aura. He could feel the 2 distinct halves that had blended into one. Where his mana had power, his aura was the control and it all resided within the domain he was forging.

Venri watched intently as Matt began his meditation. She was much more aware of what to look for this time. She felt more than observed the movements in the mana around her. She felt a gentle pull almost like a breeze was blowing from her back. Then the pull intensified, if she had been standing, she might have fallen. She ducked her head, not daring to move, least she be pulled in with everything else. She could feel waves of heat radiating toward her, even from hundreds of meters away. Venri gasped at the sudden strength before it suddenly cut off.

Looking up, Venri saw Matt sitting atop a now molten pile of glass that was rapidly cooling. The air above Matt still shimmered with the heat he had put out and all the vegetation for over a hundred meters around him was turned to ash. She was amazed at the power he displayed just from his aura and was just about to stand when she saw a ripple in the air.

A wave carried out from Matt, pushing away all the dust and ash that surrounded him. The wave hit Venri and she gasped feeling his full presence as it washed over her, completely unrestrained or limited. The feeling was one of serenity and calm but was quickly morphing as he cam out of his meditation. Venri could see the presence retracting, the inverse of when it first rolled off him.

Just before Matt pulled his aura back in, Venri felt something, something that made he shiver and a little part of her mind froze up, caught between terror and reverence. For the briefest moment, she felt the underlying current that promised annihilation to any who opposed him but salvation for those that stood with him. That was all she could grasp of Matt’s aura before she passed out.

Venri awoke suddenly and sat up, looking around. Instead of the field outside the city, she was in her bedroom. There was also a large box sitting on the floor with a note resting on the lid. It was from Matt and explained that she had fainted, so he picked up all the glass, put it in the chest then but both the chest and her in the bedroom. Venri had no idea what time it was but pulled up the System notification to get a better idea. She looked, then leapt up, rushing to drag the box down the stairs and start crafting before she ran out of time.

System Event #1: City Defense

Time remaining: 7 Hours, 49 Minutes