The morning started off rather rough with a rather nasty thunderstorm raging since the start of the evening. Jule was restless throughout the night with her screaming every so often then thunder and lightning filled the blackened sky. Milve slept through everything and that in of itself was troubling because it means that if she was sleeping, anyone would easily pass her by without waking her up. Selira stirred while I slept light enough to be awoken by unnatural movement, but heavy enough to get rest. The night was rough, but it was manageable.

This morning though, ugh.... It was dreadful. Relena was going through a series of updates that would eat up a good majority of the morning, leaving us without eyes for a few hours. That also came with the added consequence of having to teach Milve her basic skills without the assistance of Relena. Questions that wouldn't be an issue for Relena (who didn't mind the questions), was grating for the rest of us, particularly because I was also tasked to educate Jule as well in her responsibilities. A rough morning with training done, but no real progress otherwise.

Relena was done with her updates mid-morning and just was she finished, the weather decided to cooperate. The rain was lifted, albeit for the moment and if we did go back to the Lake of Hevete, there would be a chance that the rain would resume, but that was a chance I was willing to make. As I got ready for departure, a concerned look on everyone loomed the hut. It was, suffocating to say the least.

“Boss, are you going to plant the seed?”

“Yes.”

“You don't need to go that far to get the work done. You'll work yourself dead if you keep it up. Take a day to rest. The lake isn't going anywhere...”

“I don't think we have a say on what we can afford to delay. The lake is getting worse by the second and you're recommending a day off when we still need to boil the water and it's taking longer now to boil the water because of the contamination levels. I think we strike now or we risk having irreversible damage occur.”

Jule nailed it in one. I observed the water going to shit and the boiling method is taking a lot longer to boil and decontaminate the water to a potable state. This was most notable when using water right from the source. Four hours to boil enough water to get a single meal and maybe a few sips isn't going to cut it. The water needed to be filtered, NOW!

Milve got ready as Selira, reluctantly, followed suit. As we got started to trek the river, the weather held out long enough to get a short break. We all sat down and began to discuss what we needed to do.

“Boss, we can't swim to the center, correct?”

“Correct. There's no way we live through something like that. But, Selira can likely fly over, plant and water the seed with the polluted water and fly back to us while we hold guard for anyone who is trespassing in this territory.”

“I guess, but what if there's demons in the water? What is the water attacks me? What happens to me?”

“You'll return back to me and we'll try again tomorrow. We don't have the luxury of failure, but we need more information on the water itself if it is an organism that is belligerent to a point that our work is compromised.”

“Well, it's good to know that you're looking out for me then.”

“I personally need you back alive. Do what needs to be done, but don't do it at the cost of your life. This isn't a rescue mission, nor is it a noble fucking sacrifice. Get the task done and lets go home so we can indeed, take the rest of this day off from work.”

I don't know if it was the thought of taking some time off from the task at hand or if it was that I didn't need her dying stupidly, but Selira got a sinister grin on her face and was maybe, overly motivated to get this task done. With her wings flapping quickly and her zipping everywhere, it was time to get back on the trail. I took point with Milve in the middle and Selira covering our “6”.

We got to the the lake just before the first drops of rain returned. This was going to be tight and I hate having luck and the weather be a deciding factor. As I got the seed out, Selira was able to get herself together and psych herself up for the task at hand. She quickly grabbed the seed and her pouch of polluted water and began to fly. At first, it seemed like she was going to fall into the water, but she quickly got her flight in order and made it to the center island. While she was getting everything set for cultivation, Milve and I stood guard at the edge of the lake.

"Boss, is it ok to be here? I know we have work to do, but I don't want to fight anyone right now."

I was taken aback with her question. I tend to forget that Milve's age is equivalent to a kid in their early teens back home. For her to come out and be on guard alongside me, sickened me to a degree. This should be something adults do to protect the young so they can play and enjoy being a child. For her enjoyment to be robbed from her, this didn't sit well at all.

"If we can avoid fighting, we won't fight. But I have to ask, are you sure you want to be my field assistant? There's no shame or anger to be had if you wish to stay at the hut and just enjoy your youth."

"I know I can stay at home and enjoy what was taken from me, but then I don't get to see my revenge at all. The torture, abuse, assaults, everything. Someone of my age should not suffer like I have and that's why I joined you. It's selfish, but if I can change one person's life with the actions we have to do, then it's worth it."

Milve was holding back tears of anger and sadness. I couldn't imagine the horrors that my former kind have done to her. Nevertheless, if her revenge would mean work gets done, then I'll gladly have her harbor the hatred of humankind just to make sure shit like this doesn't persist further. I patted her on the head and smiled. She smiled in kind and got motivated to continue her guard. It was a small while, but Selira was traveling back. She was a tad tired, but with a smile on her face, she was pleased by the result. I carried her on my back as we couldn't do anything further here. Milve did something odd though before we left; she gathered more samples of the water and with care, fished out what looked like remains of a fish and yet another corpse (which I took for her). We traveled back home from there.

When we returned, Jule and Relena were relieved that we returned. They were worrying over different situations that would put the party at risk of failure or worse. Our return put those thoughts to rest.

I detect that two new specimens are going to be analyzed today.

"Yep. A corpse or two and more samples of the water."

I just got updated from Demarite that he's sending up samples of fluids from different areas of his domain. He collected the samples from Kige, the Lake of fire and Overx, Lake of the Damned. Current ETA of the samples is twenty earth minutes.

"Good. Milve, I need you to handle the fire."

"Why the fire, boss?"

"Because today will be your very first day that you'll be handling unknown fluids."

Milve was gitty at the thought of actually doing one of my tasks. And what a task I was going to ask of her. She was going to learn and do a pH Test and a pA test (A potential of Arcana). While the pH test is fairly simple, I need to discuss what a pA test is. Much like the pH test, a pA test measures how much arcana is in the fluid or water. The lower the number, the safer it is to consume or use as it has less arcanical properties that make up it's compounds. Conversely, the higher the number, the higher the risk using the fluid is as it has high or highly saturated mana that lingered or put into the fluid. For a pA test, there's not a balance at all. It's either safe or it is not.

Milve tended the fire while Selira took a few to get her mind right. Relena got her scanners ready for use as I got the body and the fish skeleton onto the "table". Jule looked on with tome in hand to record any findings.

"Boss, the fire is ready."

Boss Boa, the fluids hasn't arrived yet.

"Proceed with the body composition analysis. Milve, standby for the specimens. We have time now that the seed is planted."

"Yes Boss."

Relena scanned the fish skeleton and was looking in her databases of information akin to our modern day internet.

From the civilization of Urru, this fish closely resembles that of the Jet Striped Cod. A delicacy in a few places in this realm. The skeletal features show that this fish has been in the lake, a fair bit of time.

"Bone erosion?"

Plenty of it and from the looks of it, a high concentration of dark mana, likely produced by the lake as a byproduct of all the bodies being dumped.

Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

"To add, this fish isn't native to my waters, but it is native to the planet. So it must have migrated for mating season and never made the journey home because, you know..."

"Indeed. So, seeing a brittle skeleton, what did the people of Urru do to dispose of the leftovers bones? Do they use them or do they just, consume them?

The Urru Civilization use skeleton weapons but the materials are, odd to say the least. Metal traces were discovered in the most recent brand of merfolk and mermaid weapons and armor.

(Bone Smelting. Instead of discarding the bones and innards, it's likely that they used the innards for different salves, perfumes or potions while the skeleton was mixed with maybe coral or metals found at a shipwreck. This one skeleton isn't enough to provide much, but with simple metals, perhaps I can create something for Administrator Jule for protection while here at the hut.)

"Relena, what's the probability of success if I used this skeleton with any metals that is sold at the recycling center?"

Seeing that we can only obtain Iron at best, the probability of a fusion from the smelting station is 72%. For a new material based off of this skeleton using the same iron purchase is cut from 72% to 20% on any good day.

"So, the likelihood of reinforcement is higher than creation."

Under normal circumstances, yes. But seeing that our smelter has features and we just found a supplier for our metals in the future, we could start with our supply that we just received as a gift.

"The name of our supplier."

The Salamanders of the Azure Flame. Our contact is a Chief Blueblood.

"Make contact with Chief Blueblood."

Acknowledged. Patching in to Chief Blueblood.

Relena made connection with Chief Blueblood of the Azure Flame while the rest of us began the work or took a well needed break. So, to not bore you with the results because it did take some time to get in full contact with Chief Blueblood, all future findings will have a separate report that will accompany events documented here. After about an hour of trying to get in contact with, the contact, he finally acknowledged the summons and was speaking to Jule and I, via a link with Relena.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't the High Spiritweaver and the newly appointed retainer..."

"Watch your mouth, Chief. This is Boa, current head of... What are we naming ourselves, Boss Boa?"

"Environmental Sanitation and Recycling or ESR for short."

"Sounds like a task. So, we can provide you the metals needed for your operations, but at a 20% kickback of all profits you make."

"You guys don't need the gold."

"You misread me. I mean 20% of all profits. Findings, Territory, Credit, anything of value really."

I saw what Blueblood was going for: he was going to milk us while only providing whatever he was going to give us. It's very likely that he would only give us what he wanted to give us and any advances will be met with rather steep increases. I wasn't onboard for that and neither was Jule.

"Relena, any other vendors that can provide metals to us?"

We have many Dwarven families looking to do business with us without having to be exploitative.

"Good. We'll end current negotiations with Chief Blueblood and talk with on of them. Chief, we're not an business nor are we looking to make profit that will put us into the limelight. This is covering what we need to do our job and if anything remains, then we'll expand as necessary and maybe look for a modest profit margin. What you're recommending is that we divulge our findings and surrender a portion of our findings and samples for your own personal greed. Either you amend your statement and offer or we're going elsewhere for metal ore because I'm sure that a few Dwarven families would welcome our knowledge for smithing with recycled materials."

Chief Blueblood was taken aback by the attack on his pride and the dismantling of his exploitative demands.

"Listen, listen. I was only joking."

"You were certainly not. Do you think you can lie to ME and thing YOU can get away with it?"

Jule showed a hint of disgust and a fair bit of annoyance by Blueblood. Blueblood's demeanor changed when Jule got involved.

"Ok, ok. Look, 10% of all profits..."

"Denied. Let me make you a fucking offer, lizard..."

That struck a nerve with him. Now, at the time, I didn't know this, but calling a Salamander a "lizard" was hella racist and they consider that an act of grave disrespect.

"NOW YOU SEE HERE, FUCKING RABBIT! WE'RE NOT FUCKING LIZARDS!!!! CAN A LIZARD BREATH FIRE OR RAZE A CITY TO THE FUCKING GROUND???"

"Yes. They're called dragons."

Blueblood froze in fear and disgust. He was talking to someone who held no regard for, anyone or anything. He stood silent with tears in his eyes.

"Look. Things got heated. Sorry for the comment, but we're not in it for the money. The Lake of Hevete is a dumping site for the Kingdom of Mot. My people are dying and the world has no concept of recycling or sanitation. Now, not everything can be sanitized, but I want to at least clean the place a bit so people like you and I can live without ingesting toxins or breathing in various poisons in the air."

"Silence. Just, be silent a second."

I complied.

"We're a proud species. While I appreciate the fact that you did apologize for the comment, it shouldn't have been said to begin with. I thought I was dealing with a merchant group, not a group looking to clean up our world. In that respect, I will apologize on behalf of my people. Allow us some of the recycled wares for our day to day and some for business and we can provide you the ore you'll need."

"That's reasonable. We'll produce our recycled goods and as a result for your people going the extra mile, we'll permit you to resell the goods at a modest kickback. I won't ask for any percentage as we're going to be doing the same in different regions and outlets. Just inform us where you plan to do business and we'll keep from interfering or undercutting you."

"I can agree to those terms, Boss Boa. Keep from the north for the time being."

"Sure. We'll aim southbound. If they want to make the trek northbound to get the exact same products, that's on them. So, is this acceptable?"

"More than acceptable. Again, sorry for the rocky start to negotiations."

"It's ok. I'm glad that this didn't escalate further. I don't discriminate but I didn't know that you guys held ties to actual dragons."

"We're considered 3rd generation dragonkin. The Saurian Race are our indirect ancestors. We're more like the Frogites of old. I, appreciate the correction and understanding you showed after what I was offering."

"Next time, understand what we need to do..."

"Admin Jule, cool it. No need to scold him further. Mistakes were made and we don't need to make this unnecessarily racist."

Jule was taken aback while Blueblood nodded in agreement. Jule didn't quite understand why I allowed continued negotiations. For her, the modern concept of "give and take" or "Quid Pro Quo" didn't sink in for her. She continued to, process the transaction while Blueblood and I continued negotiations.

"So, what can you provide currently that will not take from reserves or manpower?"

"We have some, slaves from a recent battle serving time in the coal mines. If you can make use of the coal, we might be able to safely dig further for more, precious metals."

Coal by itself could be useful, but since our operation is in constant need of fire, this was a boon to us.

"The coal will be of great use because a lot of our testing and research requires fire of some sort."

"Would it be possible for you to make use of a member or two of my tribe in your research team?"

"I would appreciate the assistant for easy access to fire, but do you have a corpse of one of your own? The reason I ask is because I want to find safe methods for disposing the body while keeping to any tribal burial rituals you may have."

"We usually dispose of the bodies of great warriors into our volcano to continue to fuel the lava."

"Hm... If you sent me two members of your tribe and two corpses of common people who have died recently, I can see about how to make the volcano ritual a bit safer for you all."

Blueblood smiled a tad. Anything to honor tradition I guess.

"Sure thing. I can have them meet you near the northside of the Lake of Hevete in three days time. Will that be acceptable?"

"That's more than acceptable as it will give us time to make reservations and accommodations to your representatives."

"Excellent. I'll choose Warrior Lavaxe and Shaman Ashye to make the journey with corpses in tow."

"Ok. I'll personally make sure to greet them. What kind of boss would I be if I didn't personally greet new arrivals?"

Blueblood and I laughed it up as an alert popped up.

"I do apologize for the sudden departure, but there might be an issue that I need to tend to."

"But of course. I'll need to inform my chosen about the dangers and properly arm them for any dangers ahead. We'll talk more once they are in your custody and free from immediate danger."

"Well then. Until we speak next."

"Indeed."

As comms ended, Relena held a perplexed, yet panicked look.

Three unidentified entities have wandered onto the blueprint.

"Vision."

From what I saw, it seemed to be a small family of some kind of batfolk. They held bloodied dispositions and their young were in really bad shape.

"I'm going outside to escort them in."

I'll deactivate the close-range cloaking protocol.

"Good Idea. Admin Jule, care to help me?"

"Not a problem. I'll help while the young ones are resting."

As Jule and i got outside the cloaking near the hut was deactivated. The family looked with startled eyes and sorrowful faces.

"Lets get you inside. You can explain everything once you all are safe. Relena, reactivate the close-range cloaking and have climate control ready for the young one. Admin Jule, inside the satchel should be some simple medicine to administer to this one. Also, have Milve bring the first-aid kit for the parents."

"Will do, Boa."

As we got inside, the cloaking was reactivated. Jule got my medicine out and Milve got the first-aid kit. The parents had cuts and scars all along the winged muscle tissue and faces. The mother (?) got it exceptionally bad with a notched left ear from what seemed to be an axe. The father's legs were bruised and scarred as well.

"Relena, language needed for communication."

Subterranean. I've already have that ready for you to start talking.

"Excellent."

I approached the couple as they looked on to their child. They held some distance, but didn't stiffen themselves too much.

"Thank you for rescuing us, but we don't trust you at all."

"Understandable. You kinda walked into our area, unannounced. All the same. You're welcome to stay here until your wounds are healed and your child made a full recovery."

The two of them looked at me, back at their child and back to me. They looked at the various tools we had and saw that we're boiling the contaminated water from the lake.

"You're, boiling water?"

"Yes. The lake is contaminated and until the seed's roots are properly growing, we'll need to boil the water to make it potable or drinkable in your case."

"My love, they seem like kind people."

"No Matter! They still can't be trusted. What if this is some kind of trap, devised by those damnable humans?"

"Let me guess, escapees from the slave owners?"

Both of them stiffened quite a bit.

"I just killed three of them a day ago."

The mother softened a bit while the father sat down in disbelief. An understandable reaction considering that they escaped with their lives.

"Names. Please, tell me your names!"

"Lower your tone. Your child is resting. I'm Jule."

"THE JULE??? High Spiritweaver Jule???"

"One and the same. I'm the admin for this group of people that saved your lives. Best be grateful."

"Boss, stop being arrogant to our guests. Sorry, the boss tends to get high and mighty when she's recognized. I'm Boa. Your child has a fever, but nothing a little medicine and a few days in bed can't fix. More importantly, you two took quite the beating. Care to explain?"

They both looked at each other and then back to me.

"My name is Tolmek and this is my wife, K'lai. The young one is Umri. We're Noctyes, a kind of batfolk from the east. We were a thriving den until our home was attacked by humans clad in chrome. They showed no mercy as they killed all of the sentries, disgraced and abused our elder, violated women and children to the extent of forcing them into something called, prostitution..."

Disgust filled the room by Milve while my rather calm look was introduced to a look of annoyance. Once again, the Kingdom of Mot had a hand in this attack, while the slave owners piggyback by taking the women for ho-ing while the children were likely going to slave camps. The guards and men were likely killed or joined the children's fate with the elder likely going to a prison as a way to keep the Noctyes in line by threatening to kill the elder if any of them got too rowdy.

"We barely escaped thanks to a few of the sentries, sacrificing..."

K'lai couldn't finish the sentence. She was devastated by what transpired.

"This is getting out of hand..."

"I agree. First the rabbit-born execution and exploitation and now, an attack on a Noctye den with blood trailing behind them. *Sigh* Look. I know you may not trust us and you might just leave, but if you wish to stay and join us, we're going to see if we can rescue more of your den and get the elder out, provided they didn't execute them yet."

The two of them lowered their heads and kneeled. I already knew what was fin to happen and I began to halt that line of thinking.

"Don't. Just, don't kneel to me. If you can assist with the work of cleaning up this world, along the way, we're going to have your den recovered and protected the best we can."

"I'll join. Just tell me what I need to do."

"K'lai, my love... Why join hands with them?"

"You heard Boa. The task they have is monumental and if we're to get back what we lost, wouldn't be ok to put our lives in his hands? High Spiritweaver Jule is here as well as one of his own. I want to trust this man."

Tolmek took a minute to look at their child. He held back tears and clenched his fist. I sensed revenge in his heart, but lacked the power to achieve it. Again, if revenge will help get this world in order with wastes of varying degrees, I'll take it.

"Boss Boa, you have my blade and my wife's speed. I can wait on revenge, but the world can't wait on change. Please, for our future, allow us to join."

I nodded and extended my hand.

"Welcome to Environmental Sanitation and Recycling. I'm Boss Boa, your direct supervisor."

"I'm Milve, Boss Boa's field assistant."

"I'm Selira, Boss Boa's personal secretary and scribe."

"Again, I'm Admin Jule. I'll be taking care of procuring things that we'll need for the future."

I'm Relena. Consider me your support away from home and your database while you're here. Glad to have you.

"Tolmek. I have specialties in Flight and Night Operations."

"K'lai. I was an herb gatherer for the den. I don't know if my skills will be of use."

An herbalist at the very worst! This would help in natural medicines and recycled potion making.

"K'lai, you've just made yourself one of the most important members of the team. You being able to gather herbs will allow you to be the company's herbalist."

"WOW!!!! I didn't know that such a thing exist!"

"K'lai, that's excellent!"

"Tolmek, don't think I didn't pay attention. You having flight and night-vision will be of great use for nocturnal operations in the future. So, as your boss and the owner of this company, welcome and let's make a difference."

"YES SIR!"

With everyone on the same sheet of music, the Environmental Sanitation and Recycling team was born.