POV: BELIEF SETTLEMENT
Major Cromwell approached Oliver, who was overseeing the last touches of the settlement’s reorganization.
The two men looked at each other. The aftermath of the attack weighed down on their minds.
“That situation was unfortunate, and I want to discuss the future with you,” Major Cromwell said.
Oliver looked up, wiping sweat from his brow. “What exactly about the future?”
Cromwell straightened his back, his expression unreadable. "Loyalty. Patriotism. I’m aware this is not what you expected, and that you’ve had doubts about us. But it’s crucial that we remember why we’re here."
Oliver raised an eyebrow, his face guarded. "Aren’t we here because we got sucked into a portal against our will?"
“Yes. The way you got here is through a portal. But you have to remember what this means to Earth.”
"The United Army of Earth is not just a fighting force," Cromwell said gravely. "It’s a pledge—a commitment to protect our home and everything it stands for. Out here, we’re facing more than just the daily struggle to survive. We’re tasked with maintaining a link to the world we left behind, and the values that still guide us. Earth is more than just a planet, it is an ideal. It is a promise to retain our humanity."
Oliver’s gaze hardened, though his tone softened. "And what if that promise seems distant, Major, when we’ve got our own problems to deal with here?"
Cromwell nodded, acknowledging the point. "It does feel distant, I grant you. But patriotism isn’t tied to a place. It’s about the people we left behind and the ideals we fight for. We’re not just out here for ourselves, Oliver. We’re here for everyone who still believes in what Earth represents."
Oliver studied him, the sincerity in Cromwell’s eyes hard to miss. "So, what are you asking of me? To put my faith in you and lead under Earth’s banner, despite everything that happened tonight?"
"Yes," Cromwell responded, his voice unwavering. "Our struggle here is part of a larger one. By uniting under Earth’s cause, we honor the values that define us. Even in this wasteland, that connection must remain alive. Otherwise we ALL lose."
A moment of silence stretched between them as Oliver processed Cromwell’s words. Slowly, the Major’s earnestness began to resonate. The thought of upholding something bigger than their immediate fight, of representing more than just survival, took root.
"Alright," Oliver said finally, his voice firm. "You’ve given me a lot to think about. If we can hold on to our principles and work together, maybe we can make this work after all."
Cromwell’s expression softened with relief. "Thank you, Oliver. This isn’t just about the military or politics. It’s about who we are, even when the odds are against us."
Oliver extended his hand. "Let’s move forward, Major. If we’re fighting for Earth, let’s make sure we do it right."
Cromwell shook his hand with a firm grip. "Agreed. We’ll give it our all and make a difference here."
With their understanding solidified, they turned their focus to the tasks ahead. The Belief Settlement, now under unified leadership, prepared itself for the challenges to come, fueled by renewed purpose and shared resolve.
‘‘‘
After the conversation, Major Cromwell climbed to the top of the settlement’s central tower, the weight of his responsibilities heavy on his shoulders. The air was thick with tension, the battle’s aftermath still filling his vision. Oliver watched from below, his jaw set, as Cromwell prepared to signal the successful integration of the soldiers.
With practiced efficiency, Cromwell lit the first blue flare and launched it into the sky. The brilliant blue light cut through the darkness, announcing the settlement’s new order.
Another flare followed, and then a third, each one illuminating the night in clear, vibrant bursts.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
From the ground below, the flares were unmistakable, signifying the official integration of the Belief settlement with Cromwell’s troops. Oliver looked up, his expression pensive, as the blue glow reflected in his eyes. This was a turning point, a new beginning for the Belief settlement.
The flares, seen from up to sixty kilometers away, were more than just signals. They were symbols of the necessary, though difficult, changes to come.
‘‘‘
After the launching of the flares, Oliver and Major Cromwell stood in the command center of the Belief Settlement. Cromwell’s face was a mask of stern determination, while Oliver’s expression was resolute.
“Oliver,” Cromwell began, “Thank you for allowing us to form a united Earth front. I’m prepared to make some concessions to ensure we’re all on the same page. Given the dire situation, I’m drafting the entire population of the Belief Settlement into service. Keeping civilians and soldiers separated doesn’t make sense.”
Oliver raised an eyebrow. “The whole population? That’s a major shift from what we’ve been doing.”
Cromwell nodded. “Yes, we’re mobilizing everyone. But there are conditions. We’ll get rid of the orders to exclude any public prayer under the current circumstances. We need a unified front, not distractions.”
Oliver crossed his arms. “That’s a start. But what about leadership? Who’s going to be in charge of all this?”
Cromwell met his gaze steadily. “You’ll take command. Your people trust you, and you’ve proven yourself capable. My role will be to provide support and oversee my remaining soldiers. They’ll remain here with you as a base. Our goal is to safeguard the whole wasteland, not just to take over one settlement.”
Oliver’s expression softened slightly. “That’s a fair arrangement. We’ll need to integrate your men into our operations and make sure they understand our way of doing things.”
“Understood,” Cromwell replied. “My men will follow your lead, as long as it aligns with our overall strategy. Hopefully, the soldiers in the other settlements have seen the flares.”
Oliver nodded. “Agreed. We’ll need to restructure quickly. With the entire population mobilized, we have a chance to turn things around. And we’ll make sure to exclude any practices that don’t fit with our current needs.”
‘Such as identification cards and a dress code. I really wonder which stupid bureaucrat and REMF (Rear Echelon Mother Fucker) thought of them.‘
Cromwell extended his hand. “Deal. Let’s focus on survival and rebuilding. We’ll handle the rest as it comes.”
Oliver shook his hand firmly. “Deal. Let’s get to work. We’ve got a lot to do and not much time.”
As they finalized their agreement, the sense of unity between them grew, if not completely, at least enough to face the challenges ahead. The Belief Settlement would become a fortress to lead Earth, and with Cromwell’s soldiers integrated into their ranks, they hoped to find a way through the chaos of the wasteland.
***
POV: FORT BONE
Atlas and the Portal Crushers battled the Demon Dogs with chaotic ferocity. Newly integrated soldiers, armed with javelins coated in KrazyBondoglue, fought alongside them. The Portal Crushers, equipped with confiscated night vision goggles, moved with ease in the darkness. The soldiers, still clad in military uniforms but now reinforced with bone armor, fought bravely.
On the tourist platforms, the crowd roared in excitement, while the newest group of refugees huddled far away from the walls, their fear unmistakable.
"I can’t believe this is happening," one of the new refugees muttered. "It’s insane. Why are they cheering? Why aren’t they running?"
"I don’t know. This wasteland’s mad," another replied.
Despite their fearsome looks, the demon dogs posed little real threat to Atlas’s team. Above them, the mini faeries flitted around, chanting and cheering, "Fight, fight, fight!" The baby trolls, eager to join in the fun, were handed mini javelins by Atlas, who had one of the witches keep a close watch on them.
The baby trolls threw mini javelins with joy, The demon dogs roared loudly when a mini javelin hit. Distracted, Portilla accidentally jabbed a mini javelin into her brother Crushir.
"Ow!" Crushir yelped, immediately retaliating by stabbing his own mini javelin back into Portilla.
"That was an accident!" Portilla protested, but Crushir, still stinging from the jab, began to brawl with her.
Nova, a member of the Coven Clique, rushed over and quickly separated the brawling siblings. While getting them apart was simple, removing the KrazyBondoglue and javelins stuck to their skin was another story. Nova sighed, reaching for the glue remover.
"This is going to sting," she warned.
The baby trolls exchanged confused glances, which quickly morphed into pain as the gluegone did its work, pulling at their delicate skin.
"Owww! That hurts, that hurts!" they cried in unison.
"Well, don’t fight, then," Nova said firmly, though her tone was sympathetic.
The baby trolls pouted, looking at each other in silent blame. ‘It wasn’t my fault, it was theirs,‘ each thought.
"Now, say sorry," Nova ordered.
"Sorry," the baby trolls mumbled, still sulking.
As the fight wound down, Atlas surveyed the scene with satisfaction. None of the demon dogs had breached the walls, but he knew Fort Bone needed further upgrades.
"I’ve got to get these walls to level three," he muttered. While the demon dogs weren’t a major threat now, the other settlements of the wasteland worried him more.
Descending from the walls, Atlas removed his night vision goggles.
‘These are useful,‘ he thought, ‘but who knows how long they’ll last.‘
Just then, bright blue flares lit up the sky. Atlas wasn’t the only one to notice. Lieutenant Colonel Sanders and his hundred soldiers saw them too.
"We have a chance," Sanders said to himself , his mind racing with new possibilities.