Week 19
Day 1
The day never was the same; nasty creatures and now nasty neighbors. I had the four horseman for my first meet in the week. They decided to build a smelting plant to produce metal. They found ore deposit in the area and they reckon they can smelt that to made iron or steel.
‘We are sitting on volcano land, and active volcanic vents could had developed in the circulation of fluids rich in minerals and for ore deposition. In the past, there could had been hot water as hot as 380 degrees C gushes out of these geothermal springs along the spreading centers. The water has been heated during circulation by contact with the hot volcanic rocks forming the ridge. Deep-sea hot springs containing an abundance of dark-colored ore minerals (sulfides) of iron, copper, zinc, nickel, and other metals are called "black smokers." We are just reaping its ‘spew out of the pot’ in a manner of my own speech. If we can harness these ores into metal, we are less relying on Earth.’ This came from the geologist who was ushered in by Micheal to support his argument.
‘And how to power the smelting process; you may asked,’ Micheal Bent to the defence. We intend to use one of the thrusters engine on the shuttle for this. It will burn at a slower rate but we can lengthen the life of it. And yes, we will be polluting the environment but its only the start. We find alternative power later on.‘
I reluctantly approved it but they must find a good location.
‘Commander, I would to speak to you on Junior’s progress.’ So Doctor Leong has finally decided to speak to me. I offered him a seat and a drink of my wine from the previous supplies but he declined on health reasons. He however tells me that Junior is learning to communicate in signs and able to mutter some basic syllable. I did not know what is so important of that but nevertheless I congratulate him. He was to go into his lengthy explanation when my comms sounded off. I interrupted him; ‘ my dad on the line.’
It was not my dad, but Doctor Tanaki. They found another tunnel.
And Doctor Frost is with him.
I left for Big Mouth as soon as I apologies to Doctor Leong and his chimp tricks.
‘We think this could lead to a bigger network.’ I liked Doctor Tanaki’s enthusiasm but exploring caves is not in my list of ‘I need to do’ list. But I okay it as long as they are out of my sight.
Special Report from Doctor Tanaki
Day 1 Week 19
1225hr
The tunnel was discovered when they cleared some undergrowth to the right of the plateau near the Holding. It was well covered up and remain hidden until now. The cave entrance is narrow ( three feet across at the bottom and its closes up to a height of five feet or an angular roof design ) so we had to crawl through. Sargeant Keefee offered to have W-Bot to make us a bigger entrance but I declined. We crawled in for about ten feet before we can raised ourselves to man height.
Its a lava tube and its wide of ten feet and height of twelve. Instead of throwing in the silver box or the crawler, we are exploring it the old way. We are now in what is described as a sub crystal lava cave; its wide across but low on the ceiling. But this one can allowed us to stand. We saw three more tubes on the side wall which where the lava could had moved on or from. We took the biggest one as its easy to move there. It flows for another twenty feet and then we found another lava cavern. But this one is bigger and wider. Its about two man’s height and a hundred feet across but its long as far as I can see. We measure the length to about five hundred feet. As we move down the cavern, we can see the lava drips on the ceilings and the stalagmites on the ground.We were surprised when we found ores on the surface of the caves. Its an ore deposit and it can be mined by just digging at the surface. We took samples back for analysis. But we need to improved on the entrance.
We went in to the other lava tube which we named Tube Two. It was a long walk in some places we had to half crouch and finally we made it. Its another sub-crystal cave but it has another two more tubes on the other end. And we find sunlight coming through one of the new tubes. We went for it and saw the narrow opening. Its small but we can enlarge it. It opens to the jungle.
The new discovery served two purpose; ore deposits and a new shelter with an access from the east to the south. The new entrance that Doctor Tanaki and Frost found opens to the jungle near our bottom of the plateau at the south. I assigned Doctor Tanaki to do the needed construction in the cave and mining of the deposits.
We called the new tunnel Frost Highway and the mine Tanaki Mine. The new smelting plant was decided; near the Holding, much to the chagrin of the other scientist who finds our project is a reflection of old Earth selfish thoughts.
I held no comments except we need to survive soon without Earth for supplies.
Day 2
Peter Thomas Bone presented me his first platoon of Village Guards. They looked impressive with their PH762 and gun belt but no uniform. Peter has given them some badge to wear on their jacket lapels. It has the T-Rex face on it. I saw my recruit who did not speak out of line this time. I shook his hand and he was smiling. Then he went back to looked grim when I did not smile,
He told me there are more volunteers and he would like to trained them too. I told him to cap it at fifty and then we would plan again. The Village Guards take over the Village security, so I can freed Corporal Simone and four recruits for other duties.
Warden Tomas saw me and we discussed the matter I told him before I went on my land exploration. I told him I want to release the penal inmates to be self managed with their own farms. They will work on their farms and go back to stay at the units in Holdings with minimum guards. They only do a roll call in the morning and one in the evening before turning in. If anyone chooses to escape, they can do so, but they would not be hunted or taken back again. They are on their own out there. Same goes for anyone who choose to take things into their own hands. Its a new life but its their choice. They will be given basic tools and there will be the a few portable flame thrower at the farm to deter any creatures if the perimeter fails.
The inmates agreed to the terms and conditions.
‘Do you realized that they may run away once we released them.’
‘I know, Warden. But to where? To Mathew Burns? He is not getting anymore supplies and there is Federation land now. They don’t like us and more so penal inmates. The jungle is unkind and you know that. I want to released your men to take over as guards for the colonists. I cannot take care of all of them.’
‘When?’
‘Tomorrow morning.’
Cheng gave me best surprise; two new ATV from the shuttle supplies. It was unassembled and they did it in one week. We also have extra ammo and weapons in there with medic supplies. But they also showed me three drones plane; the wingspan of five feet and length of three feet, with four mini missiles on its wings. Its a recon/attack drone and they are unmanned and can be remote controlled. I had them flew off immediately for the river to check for any activities. We called them Birdeye One, Two and Three.
‘Commander, this is Lieutenant Carlos. We picked up a fugitive of yours. His name is Peter Lawford; PP10278. He jumped into the river and we had to save him.’
‘You wasted your time, Lieutenant. Next time leave them there. We don’t deal with fugitives and terrorists.’ I was to shut off my comms when the Lieutenant told me that Peter has info on Colonel Ras.
‘Peter, you got ten seconds to tell me what you know about Colonel Ras. Countdown now.’ Peter mumbled and I drag him out of the unit we held him. I pushed against the outer railing on SWAMP.
‘I give you three seconds.’ He told me a different story then. He was in the jungle with Mongol and they saw the landings. Mongol went berserk on seeing the Federations people here. Mongol told Peter to go back and tell Mathews. But Peter did not; he stayed back to see Mongol. Mongol walked up to the Federation’s people and spoke to them. He was later met by this military man. He is holding the rank of Colonel.’
‘How did you know his name?’ I am not looking to be cheated again.
‘I went into the camp after Mongol went into their unit with the Colonel. I asked the local who is the colonel. They told me his name.’
‘How did you walked up to these people?’
‘I just did and talked to them. They are all disoriented and hungry. I gave them some rations. My mistake. I went off later and ran back to the hideout. It was the next day when Mongol caught up with me later and questioned me whether I talk to the Federation people. I denied it as I do not want Mongol to know that. But he suspected me of it. He followed me for some days and one day confront me again on some rations wrappers. I denied as before and he pulled me to the river. He told me he would throw me there if I lied. But he let me off until yesterday. He called me to follow him and I did. He starting accusing me again, and pulled me by my jacket. He tossed me into the river, and I swam, but he was on the bank. I swam upstream and climbed out to the riverbank. But he was there and I jumped back into the river. There were creatures but I climbed when I can. And he will be there, until he saw your men. I jumped in to swim to them but they refused to picked me up until I was almost eaten up.’ Peter started sobbing and sat down on his haunches. He keep on muttering and sobbing.
‘Pick him up and locked him up. I heard enough.’ I walked away but not Peter. He lunged at me and shouted; ‘I had enough of penal. I want to be free.’ He grabbed my PH350 and took it to his temple on his head.
‘I will rather die than go back.’ He pulled the trigger and fell over the railing. I tried to reach for him but the predators are faster on the scent of blood. Or they been waiting for him here.
It tells me more of Mongol but not of the fate of Colonel Ras.
Day 3
If Peter can walked into their camp, so can someone from my side. I send Pedro to the camp. This is his report.
Special Report from Specialist Pedro
Day 3 Week 19
1225hr
I was dropped off by the MSV which went in submerged. I was dressed like a colonist but I had my K2 hidden strapped on the thigh inside my dungarees.I staggered to the perimeter; panting as if I ran the marathon. The guards on seeing me, came out from the perimeter and approached me. I told them I was lost and wandered off this morning.
I told them I needed refreshment or I will dropped dead. They bought the story and let me in. I know it sounds easy but the sounds of the jungle can be disturbing if you are not familiar with here you do not want to be out here for too long. I was sent on my way inside.and they ran to their cannons.
I walked among the people who are lost and starving. I greeted some faces who was looking at me and one of them took me in to his unit. His name is Milo Straus and was an engineer in the Federation. He told me of his stay here when they board the ship. They were bundled into the holds and fed daily with food that is adequate to fill but not nourishing. We told to get into the containers and strapped in with the four guards. They felt the drop but they know not where. It seems forever to them and they landed on solid ground. The sides of the containers opened and they freed themselves. Then the creatures came; they were not told of this before. The creature attacked the people who stepped out and the guards who was firing but nothing seem to take effect. The people scurried in to the container but there was no protection except the bodies of your nearest neighbour. They fought with their bare hands and anything they can lay their hands on. Milo was the last five survivor when the help came, and seventeen died in the container. He recognised me as one of the rescuers.
I remembered that container; attacked by raptors and later other predators. They were lucky there was no T-Rex around. There was one where the T-rex was there first. There was little to collect later.
He told me that the Colonel Ras announced the final count of ninety six colonist and twenty six military personnels survived, including Colonel Ras and Lieutenant Colonel Wilhelm. But since then, they lost another twenty more people and five military personnels. He told me Colonel Ras was injured in one of the attacks and the Lieutenant Colonel took over. The Lieutenant Colonel has uncover the container containing the weapons so he has distribute the weapons to capable men. They have increased the armed men to twenty five and they are more like bullies. They took the extra rations and give us the leftover. His parting words to me was ‘help us’.
I left the unit and surveyed the camp site. The military had moved the container sides to formed the perimeter wall and fixed torches on strategic distance. They also lit cluster of campfires with available unlit torch at the sides. They have also erected cannons around the perimeter and manned by the military. They are quite similar to ours but they are manually operated. I surveyed more of the place and decided to take my leave.
I saw a gap in the wall and I sneaked out, and ran into the jungle. It was after two hundred paces when I realized that I was followed. I stopped behind a tree and waited. He came into the view and I stepped out. He is a Sargeant and carries a PH762 equivalent. His name is Saidin and he wanted to know who I am. He remember seeing me with Commander Bent. I told him my name and he lowered his rifle. He wanted asylum.
I brought him back with me. But we did not make it. He was walking behind me when he heard the sounds of raptor. I told him to climb the tree, but the week of stress and fear; he ran back the trail we took. I wanted to save him but the raptors jumped on his back. It was over when the raptor bit his neck. I was up in the tree for over three hours while they feed on the dead man.
I discussed with the other officers on the next action.
Do we take action to rescue the people or we ignored them?
Day 4
The attack team consists of Sargeant Keefe, Lance Corporal Lance, Specialist Pedro, Specialist Nixon, and Specialist Mathew. The are all sniper and experts in recon. We split into two groups and sneak in two points. Keefe, Pedro and myself while the rests are under Lance Corporal.
I had the guns set to stun; we are using PH350 only. The other weapons are for emergency use.
And its before dawn.
The Federation Camp is a crude one, with the walls made from the containers salvage sides and some wooden beams for support. There are two gates in the camp to the jungle which is guarded from inside; That the one which Pedro went in before. They have erected four watch towers with an armed sentry each around the square camp which has like thirty units inside it. Each watch tower is fitted with a cannon which operated manually by the sentry. All around the wall are lighted torches as described by Pedro before. The armed military and colonists are staying in six containers on the east side of the camp while the common colonists stayed the rest of the units in the right. The central area consist of a yard and three container units plus two for the infirmary and kitchen. That three units are for the supplies storage as mentioned by Pedro.
My targets are the sentries and then the armed personnels in the units. We are going into subdue them and not kill them. I had the first sentry on the left end down, while Pedro took the other. We moved to the wall and started removing the panels to sneak in. Meanwhile Pedro sneak down the wall side to take out the other sentry on our side. Keefe did the same on his end. Out first stop was not the military units but the Commander. My team sneaked in to the Commander Unit and there are two guards. Keefe and Pedro took aim and stunned them. I opened the door and walked in to the Command Unit. The Lieutenant Colonel was sleeping and I stunned him.
I can’t stand his political opinions. I tied up the officer while the other two did the two guards. We moved to the next unit which has six of them huddled inside. We did the same for the next two units and Keefe’s team did the rest including the sentry at the armory. I then went to the infirmary and saw the Colonel lying on his cot. He is awake and has his gun trained on me.
‘Commander Bent. I am surprised to see you here.’ The colonel lowered his gun and tuck it into the belt holster by the bed. ‘I thought the junior of mine stopped all diplomatic relationship. So what is the honor?’
‘We need your permission to feed your people and provide some medic aids. Then we are gone.’ He looked at me and smiled.
‘Permission granted and get me your Doctor. The military interns knows not much about dinosaurs slashes.’ I signaled the Bubbles and they carried over the supplies for the people. Doctor Bashir came over later in a MSV and administer the Colonel. Colonel Ras took back command and set things right in a way. My personnels left the camp at noon and we are glad the people are smiling. They are still the people of Earth.
Colonel Ras told me of a new development; there is a new bigger load of colonist coming in a week. This time they will be well protected as they are coming with a new platoon of military personnels. And military vehicles.
I advised Earth Council on Code One of the new load of colonists, and their reply was we will advise back later.
But my day has yet to end so soon.
‘Commander, Our patrol has sighted another fugitive who is attempting to communicate with us. My reply was no more negotiations. I have to reinforced the river for I fear the new batch will attempt some stupid crossover.
I discussed with Major Feeley and Major Shaw on the best location. We finally agreed on Outpost Eight at downstream to northeast of the Plateau. Tips Nest will be used as lookout position on the river for any activities.
Outpost Eight will be manned by the ex-Village team of Corporal Simone and her four recruits. But we reinforced with three M-Bots. Unlike the rest of the outpost, we erected the outpost on a wide platform joined on several large trees for support. Canopy trees only branch near the top of their long, pole-like trunks (which also make them good for timber) and their leaves are generally small and waxy to retain water. The leaves of the lower canopy branches, shaded from the harsh sun by the upper canopy ceiling, are often a darker blue-green color than the leaves of the upper canopy in order to absorb the red wavelengths necessary for photosynthesis. Its high enough for them evade any land predators like T-Rex; well at least they can shoot at same eye level. The structure is basically wood but its also supported by metal beams salvaged from the shuttle. We mounted three flame throwers and two twin mounted cannons on the platform. It has four escape hatches which allowed the occupants to rappel down fast. Two of the M-bots are stationed below and one on the platform. The base of the tree are reinforced with a low wall and wooden stakes, and there is a boundary clearing of a hundred feet in all directions. There is one ATV assigned to this outpost. At that height of forty feet up, it still does not give them a view of the river, but we improvised with a small crow’s nest on the top of the tree accessed by a series of spiral stairs.
We named Outpost Eight as the Tree Top.
Day 5
The ore smelting machine is ready as advised to me by Micheal Bent. He has fashioned a basic furnace stove using the thrusters to heat up the stove which can melt the ore. The ores are then poured out into the ladles which was constructed with parts of the solar panels on the shuttle hull. The molten metal will then be transferred to the cast molded containers to be cooled down. They have a stream up a series of water from the nearby underground source to circulate through a series of pipes and ducts that will cooled down the molten metal. These cast containers may be producing tubular tubes of iron or plates of iron. As the working condition is going to dangerous and hot, five W-Bots was assigned to do the heavy works.
As mentioned only the stove is ready and the rest are still on the way, but its an improvement.
So is the mining at the tunnel with the W-Bots making a bigger entrance and exit for the ores to be transported out. Besides ore, they found limestones sediments on the walls of the tunnels and ceilings. Its not much but its a good find as with limestones and iron, they can made steel. Limestones can be found in caves due to water evaporation process where the calcium carbonate that was dissolved in the water will be deposited on the cave ceiling. Over time this evaporative process can result in an accumulation of icicle-shaped calcium carbonate on the cave ceiling. These deposits are known as stalactites. If the droplet falls to the floor and evaporates there a stalagmite could grow upwards from the cave floor. Or the fossilized remains of dead creatures over the period of time could had resulted in the formation of limestones.
More to it, the geologist are exploring the nearby grounds for other ores or minerals.
This is becoming a nuisance as some of the colonists now wants to go into mining, as it was their job before on Earth, building catacombs beneath the surface. So were the craftsmen of metal designs. But we still retained the majority in the farming as that is essential for us all.
But the worse was not seen until I saw the ‘four horseman’ latest animal mill; they got a Diprotodon or giant Wombat to pull the wheel which will activate the pump to raise water from the ground in the well for the farm. They hung this big basket of herbs and foliage in front of the for the creature to eat which is tied to a harness and attached to the giant wheel. At the rate of its eating proficiency, the helpers are having a tough time feed the animal in time but its moving the wheel.
‘I wished to protest the use of this creature for such use. This is like slavery in the nineteenth century.’ That was Doctor Leong on his call and I nodded to his comment but I would allowed it as that is the way we domesticated other creatures before.
So goes my newly found friend.
‘SWAMP is in trouble.....’ that was on my comms.
It was a Brachiosaurus; a extra large dinosaur that measures over forty feet tall and with the length of about eighty feet. It is an absolutely massive dinosaur with large legs. Its like a walking building, and this one is partially immersed in the swamp despite its so called hollow legs. It must had got lost or distracted by the trees here and it stepped in to the soft ground. Its now not able to move and the more it stamped the soft ground, it sinks deeper. It could had walked into rivers but this over forty tons creature is now stuck in mud. What made it worse is that its next to SWAMP and the shaking of the large dinosaurs is causing damages to the tripods as its constantly adjusting to the sweeping landscape.
To add to the woes, the other swamp predators are waiting at the sideline for the grand finale.
I wanted to drag it out but with what as even Heavy Metal can do it but we have no chains to tie on it. The creature is standing there with one quarter of its body in the mud now. But the reptiles are swimming in to harass it, and its moving its body to avoid them. I called in SWAMP personnels to fire at the harassing reptiles so that the Brachiosaurus can rest. The MSV went around the creature creating a perimeter patrol and fired at the predators.
I also called in Pedro to take the PH900 and do the needed it we cannot save the dinosaur. It was then the tides start to come in and we find the large dinosaur actually starting to wade in the water. Its show but surely moved and its moving out to the river. Its free of its muddy trap and its now wading away to the solid river bed. It raised itself up and up to the opposite river bank soon. I would n’t want to be standing there below its large feet.
But its free, but we are not free of problems as yet. SWAMP needs some adjustments and recalibration on its tripod plus the floating platform needs some repairs.
Pedro and myself were on our way back to BASE.
Day 6
The Code One came in. And we were told to prepare for EDS Earth.
And so did the trouble. Or shall I said the rain; it came pouring hard and no one could move anywhere. But it cleared as it started on the cue and off.
The sunshine came down hard on the wet water logged ground but the bad was the news of five escapee inmates;
1. PP10201 John ‘Papa’ Hodgkins,
2. PP10217 Maru Isoh,
3. PP10214 Patrice Silva,
4. PP10215 Maeril Silva,
5. PP10296 Robin McKay.
They escaped during the night as we left the gates unattended. According to the other inmates, they are unarmed and could be in the jungle nearby.
But I told Warden not to search as we are not going to do that anymore. They been warned and yet they decided to run.
I checked on New Eden and its working fine for the fifteen families there. They have managed to repel a T-Rex which came sniffing with their combined forces and flame thrower. So was Village Two with the colonist turned farmers getting their crops into the soil. The wind turbines are working fine in both village and so is the ore smelting plant soon in a few more days,The Village Two is also planning an animal mill but we can’t find any Diprotodon or giant Wombat, so they had to settle for man power.
The four horsemen came up with a wooden wagon on wooden wheels design, but they still seeking a compatible creature to draw it.
We are not short of patients in the infirmary as colonists gets bites and wounds from their works; or their plucking knack for colorful flora. But no one died of any poisonous venom yet.
The runaways came back from their brief freedom excursion at dusk but they numbered only two of the five. They are PP10296 Robin and 10201 ‘Papa’ Hodgkins. They looked badly bruised and trailing rags on their bodies. Despite my command, I got the ladies to picked them up and send them over to the Infirmary,
Statement from Witness; PP10296 Robin McKay
Day 6 Week 19
2112hr
I am Robin McKay; PP10296 from Penal Block 102. I escaped with the other four on the early dawn of today. We ran out the Holding and headed to the farm. There on the edge of the farm, ‘Papa’ Hodgkins has stashed away the raptor claws and bones plus some wooden poles which he fashioned in the farm some time back. He also buried some tools and rations there. We recovered the weapons stash and fixed the bones to the wooden poles like spears. We tore our shirts into strips and used that to tie to the poles. Some of the bigger bones we fashioned into clubs and machetes. We also have some wooden pieces like shields. The extra cloth strips were attached to the shorter branches to make into hand held torches. But the rain came and dampen the cloth on the torch.
‘Papa’ Hodgkins want us to move south to avoid the search in the north which he assume the commander will search. His argument was accepted and we move on south.
Our first encounter was a a Titanoboa which is about forty feet in length and has a diameter between two feet across. It came out of the bushes and grabbed PP10217 Maru Itoh. It jaws bit into the waist of the men and dragged him away. We can see the body as it recoil its length past us and its tremendous in size. ‘Papa’ strike at it with the spear but the scaly skin does not seen to be affected or untouched. PP10215 Maeril wanted to pursue but his brother PP10214 Patrice said no. We can hear the screaming of the man in the rain but there was no action by us. Instead we move the other direction to go south.
When the rain stopped, Patrice stepped on a root and tripped. He bruised his leg and we had to hold him to walk. He was bleeding and I think that attracted the predators. We all decided to climb up and avoid the ground for a while. I assist in nursing Patrice leg but the bleeding is still there. That was when the raptors came. They were a herd of them down there and they smell the blood. They did try to climb up but we pushed them off with the spears. We climbed up higher and then came the T-Rex who chased the raptors off.
It was unprecedented, but Maeril pushed Patrice off the branch onto the ground. Patrice fell and landed at the T-Rex feet. The creature turned to look at the Patrice. It roared when I threw my spear at the back of the creature but its did not deter it from grabbing Patrice in its jaw. Its ugly and scary as I saw the creature bite into the man. His scream was there and I covered my ears immediately. The creature took its kill and ran off into the jungle.I looked at Maeril who is looking above at the tree. He is crying silently and holding tightly onto his spear with his hands. I wanted to kill him then, but ‘Papa’ stopped me. We started with five and now we are down to three and its not even midday. I spoke to ‘Papa’ to forget this escape and go back. He was also of the same mind but he was worried about the repercussion. We discussed and debated the options but we did not realized that Maevil has climbed down.
Maevil reached the ground and was about to run when the raptors appeared. There are six of them and they all around him. I climbed down to the lowest branch to reach for Maevil but he is frozen in his step. I shouted at him and he looked up. His face was scared and he knows he is trapped there. That was when the raptor jumped on him and its claw ripped into his chest. Maevil fell back against the tree but the raptor was still clawing him and there was blood everywhere.‘Papa’ threw his spear down and injured the raptor on the back but it did not speared the creature. It did however caused the creature to jumped off Maevil. I saw Maevil slumped onto the ground and he is barely breathing. I wanted to climb down but ‘Papa’ pulled me up. The other raptors has closed in and it was undescribable.
It was not for another hour or so before we could climbed down. I tried to avoid stepping over what was left of Maevil but everywhere I stepped on was blood and flesh. Both ‘Papa’ and myself picked up the weapons and we ran back the way we came. We just run regardless of the pain and cuts until we reached the farm.
PP10296 Robin Mckay was age of twenty when he ran that day. He was in for multiple murder of his family members whom he claimed abused him. John ‘Papa’ Hodgkins was age of sixty nine and he was in for the murder of his wife of over thirty years. His reason for murdering her was never revealed but he did pleaded guilty.
And I am guilty of retracting my orders. I allowed them back to the Holdings.
Day 7
We saw the parachutes of containers. This time they fall on the right spot; a clearing we think and there are thirty containers.
It could be an invasion or more colonists.
No comments:
Post a Comment