One log in and jarring scrapes birthed from the process of wood’s subjection to metal’s rage. The jerking and screeching of the contraption ceased when the log fell out the other end, naked. Justean was always first at the logging site to examine logs dragged in by Zolton the day before carefully, assuring each met the parameters for a strong ship and were able to be inserted into the metal monster. Before every other processing period, Valin would examine the depths of the machine to make sure the “North circuit meets with the southeast charge, the charge runs to the joints so the core isn’t stressed,” slowing the process, no doubt, but he claimed it necessary.

This, directly, made processing a pile of logs take around an hour when they would be done in about twenty minutes. Not to mention the longer time taken to process them due to Zolton bringing in felled redwood trees blessed with tougher wood and were a lot more massive than the usual. Usually they were on the further reaches of Auxuth where he and Balton played around. Many had been uprooted or shattered from their… games. Fortunately, these larger trees did not require as many trips for retrieval of wood since one of the redwoods equated to about a hundred of the nearby smaller ones for lumber. Justean had only excitement, though. Studying a redwood tree was surreal for her; a legend. Acquiring redwood logs was too unrealistic before Zolton came along. The first one he dragged in had Justean jumping for the stars with an influx of joy running through her blood. She gained good knowledge of them over years, discovering the best and most efficient ways to utilize the massive and tough wood for shipwrighting.

But for the time in those two years, she was not seen at the processor scrutinizing a log before working hours. Valin eyed Zolton searching for something in the distance, assuming it was Justean.

"I saw her talking to some dude in a white cap and shirt on the way to work today. I went up to make sure everything was alright. She seemed pretty happy and the guy was nice so I left them to it. Guess she found someone she wants in her life."

"You just left her with a stranger?" Zolton dug, "Sure that was a good idea?"

"Ain't my place to stick my nose in two lovers' business. All I had to do was make sure my sis was alright, and it seemed so. I had no other reason to be there."

"That makes sense, I guess. Wait, you two are siblings?"

"Ah, here she come now."

Justean was jogging in the distance. Her feet were bouncing with joy and a big grin could be seen on her face even from afar.

"What has you leaping like a drugged up frog? That guy give you a new type of wood to examine?"

"What? No, shut up dumbass. He asked me what I was good at and I told him I worked at the shipwright's logging site. I informed him about my extensive knowledge with woodwork. He was very invested then asked about what you did after you barged in and left. I said you were good at technological work, you nerd."

"You're calling me a nerd? Really?"

"There's some people coming, y'all," Zolton cut in, "Old Man hired some newbies?"

Justean raised a brow. "I don't think so? He would've told me since he respects me more than Valin."

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"Ah, shut up treehugger."

There were four of them. They wore similar uniforms, following an apparent dress code; blue, khaki or black combat pants, black or brown military-type boots, a white, black, or blue T-shirt and a white cap with the letters G.N on the front. The letters varied in blue, red, gold or black from cap to cap.

A familiar face in a white shirt amongst the four greeted first. "What's up, guys?"

"You're the one she was talking to earlier," Valin noticed.

"Hey, Calway!" Justean greeted eagerly.

One of the uniformed men in a blue shirt to the left side rolled his eyes. Zolton was scowling at all four.

"Yeah, that's me. I want to ask, what do you guys want to do in the future? Any plans?"

Valin thought to himself for a moment. "Well, I do want to be a skilled technician. Eventually I want to do something big and bold."

"Yeah, I heard that from Justean. She said you're pretty good at it, even now. How does working on next generation ships sound? I believe you could work to be a master at it in the navy."

Valin's eyes cut into skepticism. "The navy? What are these 'next generation ships' that you're talking about?"

"We're moving closer to having whole fleets of metal warships. Right now, we're still mostly wood-borne. But with more talented people like yourself, your skills can be improved and honed better. Whatcha say, you in?"

Valin's eyes glew with wonder. "Am I in? After telling me that you guys are working on metal warships?! Hell yeah, I'm in!"

Calway gave a pleasant smile of accomplishment. "I'm glad to hear that. What about you, Justean? I see a great scientist hiding in ya."

"Oh, me? Nooo, no… the military isn't my thing."

Calway shrugged, "Alright. What about you, Big Gu-"

"No."

"I see. Very well, alright guys, let's go. Valin, welcome ab-"

"Actually," Valin interrupted, "I can't go."

"What?!" The one in the blue shirt muttered, earning a brief jab of the elbow from Calway.

"If Justean isn't coming with, then I'm not going. Can't leave my sister behind."

Justean began to water at the eyes a bit. "What? No, go on, Valin! Don't let me keep you back, I saw how excited you were when he was telling you about it. Go on, I don't want to be the one keeping you here."

"Fine, then I'm staying because I want to."

"I understand, Valin," Calway eased, handing over a sheet of paper to Valin, "It's no problem. Leaving behind loved ones is no simple task. If you ever change your mind then you can just send an enlistment letter to this nearby Grand Navy outpost. Tell them Calway Squad gave you this."

"Thanks, Calway."

Calway grinned, "Absolutel-"

"Absolutely not!" shouted the blue shirt recruiter.

"Return yourself to silence, Cyro. That's an order."

"We're going on three weeks with no new soldiers to show for it, Captain!" Cyro shouted, stomping towards Valin, "You, Val guy, you already said you were joining, so you're joining!"

Zolton grabbed underneath the collar of Cyro's shirt and lifted him. "He said ain't going, so he ain't going."

"Everyone settle down. Cyro, you already disobeyed me, don't make this any worse. Sir, please set him down."

Zolton released the dangling man, letting him drop to the ground on his ass. Calway offered his hand to Cyro, only for it to be slapped away and stomping off.

"I strongly apologize for his ignorance and hotheaded nature. He is the most recent addition to my squad and tries to go above and beyond. Please forgive his stupidi-"

A gunshot took up the silence and a bullet zipped right past the left side of Zolton's lower torso, missing only by mere centimeters.

“Cyro! What the living fuck are you doing?! You have just earned yourself a court martial!”

Agonized wails flooded over all. Zolton turned back to the noise and his eyes grew wide with despair, his fist riddled with rage, and his heart numb. Blood consumed Valin’s hands as he desperately tried to keep all of Justean’s brain matter in her head. Bone, blood and chunks of organs from his sister’s shattered skull spilled on the ground and Valin’s hands like a river carrying sediment. He bawled over the jittering Justean knowing his frantic efforts had no possibility of avail.