After collecting the samples from Terragnath's massive body, John gave the signal for the convoy to move out. The soldiers worked swiftly, securing the containers filled with pieces of the fallen creature, making sure everything was tightly sealed. As the last HEMTT was loaded and locked down, the engines of the vehicles roared to life, breaking the eerie silence around them. One by one, the convoy began its steady march back toward Fort Sentinel.
But just as they prepared to head home, John made a sudden decision. Something had been bothering him for a while, and he knew he couldn't delay any longer. The weight of Crestfall's plight sat heavily on his mind, and he wasn't about to let another day go by without addressing it.
"Walker," John called over the radio, his voice cutting through the low rumble of the convoy. "We're heading to Crestfall. I've got an important matter to deal with."
Walker, leading the front of the convoy in one of the JLTVs, quickly acknowledged. "Copy that, sir. Redirecting course to Crestfall."
The convoy adjusted its route, veering away from the direct path to Fort Sentinel. As they passed the familiar landmarks, John sat in the command vehicle, his mind already turning over the next steps.
Crestfall had suffered enough—its people abandoned by their own kingdom, left defenseless against both the hordes and the petty attacks of the royal family. He had heard their stories, seen the desperation in their eyes, and he knew now was the time to act.
As they neared the outskirts of Crestfall, John glanced out the window. The once-bustling town had become a shadow of itself. The streets were quiet, the marketplace all but abandoned, and the few remaining townspeople moved about cautiously, ever alert to the lurking dangers that surrounded them.
John's jaw tightened. This was more than just a strategic stop. Crestfall needed protection—real protection. And if the kingdom wouldn't provide it, then he would.
As the convoy halted at the entrance of Crestfall, the hum of engines gradually died down. John's soldiers, ever disciplined, moved quickly into action.
They fanned out, securing the area and establishing a temporary perimeter around the convoy to ensure no unwanted surprises.
The soldiers, weapons at the ready, kept a watchful eye on the surrounding buildings and streets.
John stepped out of his vehicle, his boots crunching against the dirt road as he took in the scene before him. Crestfall was quiet, unnervingly so, and the weight of the town's struggles was palpable in the air.
The streets were almost barren, save for a few townspeople who cautiously emerged from their homes and hiding places.
Their eyes, filled with a mixture of fear and curiosity, darted between the convoy's imposing vehicles and the soldiers patrolling the perimeter.
John stepped forward, his presence commanding as he addressed one of the nearby townspeople. "Fetch the mayor," he said, his voice steady but authoritative. The man quickly nodded and hurried off, disappearing down the street.
John then turned toward his convoy, issuing orders with crisp efficiency. "Unload the food crates," he called out to his men. "Get everything distributed."
The soldiers moved into action, lowering the ramps on the HEMTTs and beginning to unload the much-needed supplies. Large wooden crates filled with sacks of grain, barley, and rye—the basic food staples for the common folk in times like these—were carefully brought out and stacked in an orderly manner. In addition to these essentials, there were crates of dried beans, onions, root vegetables like turnips and carrots, and hunks of salted meat, which could sustain the town for weeks.
Next came the crates filled with spices. In a world where flavor was often a luxury, John had made sure to include a variety of seasonings to lift the spirits of the weary townspeople. There were sacks of coarse salt, dried thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves, alongside small jars of cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper—rare and cherished commodities in medieval markets.
As the soldiers unloaded the crates, John turned back to the gathering crowd. "These are for you," he said. "Make sure they're distributed fairly. There's more where this came from, but for now, this should hold you over. No one in Crestfall goes hungry on my watch."
The townspeople looked on, their expressions a mix of surprise and gratitude.
Then Mayor of Crestfall, Gideon, appeared at the entrance, making his way through the crowd, his face a picture of disbelief.
He was taken aback by John's unexpected visit, but what surprised him even more were the goods being distributed by John's soldiers.
As he watched the townspeople gratefully gather food and spices, he slowly strode toward John, his brow furrowed in curiosity.
"Commander," Gideon began, his voice cautious yet curious, "why would you do this? You owe us nothing, yet here you are, helping our people when no one else would."
John turned to face him, his expression calm and sincere. "I'm concerned about your people, Mayor," John replied. "I've seen what's happening here—how the Stampede has cut you off from trade, and how the Eldorian army has failed to protect you. Your people deserve better."
Gideon was visibly moved by John's words, his hardened demeanor softening for a moment. "You don't know how much this means to us," the mayor said quietly, his voice thick with emotion. "We've been left to fend for ourselves for too long."
After a brief exchange of small talk about the state of the town and the challenges they faced, John decided it was time to get to the heart of his visit. He stepped closer, his tone becoming more serious.
"Mayor Gideon," John began, "I didn't just come here to deliver supplies. I came with a proposition."
The mayor raised an eyebrow, intrigued but cautious. "A proposition?" he asked. "What are you suggesting?"
"I want Crestfall to join me," John said plainly. "I can offer your town protection, supplies—food, weapons, whatever you need. In exchange, I need workers. Not just any workers, but people to help with basic production—agriculture, smithing, carpentry, and other essential crafts. You'll be part of something greater, and in return, your people will thrive. No more fear of running out of food, no more wondering if anyone will come to your aid."
Mayor Gideon was taken aback, his eyes widening at the offer. "You're serious?" he asked, still in shock. "You'd give us all of that? What's the catch?"
John met his gaze with unwavering confidence. "There's no catch, Mayor. All I ask is that you stand with me. Work for the betterment of your people and, by extension, for the growing strength of our combined forces. We're stronger together than we are alone."
The mayor stood silent for a moment, weighing the enormity of the offer. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he nodded slowly. "If you can guarantee what you've promised…then I'll speak to the people. We'll stand with you."
John extended his hand. "Then let's build a future where no one in Crestfall suffers again."
Gideon hesitated only for a second before grasping John's hand in a firm shake. "Let's do it."
John's face tightened in concentration as he asked the mayor, "I'm planning to station some of my troops here. Is there a place nearby where I can establish a base for them?"
Mayor Gideon thought for a moment, scanning the outskirts of the town. "There's a plot of land just beside the main road," he suggested. "It's close enough to the town for easy access but far enough for your operations not to interfere with our daily life."
John nodded in appreciation. "That will do. Thank you, Mayor."
Without wasting any time, John made his way to the suggested location. It was a decent stretch of land, enough space to set up a forward operating base. The soldiers who followed began assessing the area for security as John summoned the system, ready to lay down the foundation for his new outpost.
However, as soon as he attempted to initiate the construction, a notification appeared before his eyes:
[⚠️ Warning! Unable to build. Too far away from base]
John blinked, confused. He had never encountered such a restriction before. His mind raced as he clicked the small "?" icon beside the warning, hoping for more information. A new pop-up emerged on the system's interface:
[ Since the base is already established, structures can only be summoned and placed within a 1KM radius of the original base.]
[Note: The size of Fort Sentinel is 5KM. The maximum distance to build structures must be within 6KM radius.]
John stared at the message, shocked. "This is new," he muttered under his breath. He hadn't anticipated a limitation like this, especially now that Crestfall's strategic importance was rising.
With no other choice, John decided the army would manually construct the forward operating base tomorrow.
For now, he needed to return to Fort Sentinel to build a laboratory for the specimen and allocate some soldiers for patrolling Crestfall while others began the work on the FOB.
As he approached the town square, John found Mayor Gideon speaking with a few townsfolk. The atmosphere was tense yet hopeful as people were still processing the recent supplies delivered to them. John stepped forward, addressing the mayor directly.
"I'll be heading back to Fort Sentinel now, Mayor. We'll start building the forward operating base tomorrow, but I need to ensure the safety of your town first. I'll allocate some soldiers to patrol Crestfall and oversee the construction."
Mayor Gideon looked relieved and nodded. "Thank you, Commander. Your support means a lot to us. We'll do our best to keep the peace here."
He bid farewell to the mayor and the townspeople, who watched him with a mix of gratitude and respect. Climbing back into his vehicle, John signaled for the convoy to prepare to leave.
...
As John arrived at Fort Sentinel, he quickly ordered the HEMTTs to head to a nearby open space within the compound.
With a determined look, he summoned the system to initiate the construction of his new building: a state-of-the-art Level 10 laboratory. As he input the parameters, he decided to upgrade the design, opting for a laboratory with five underground levels. He knew the potential benefits of having such an advanced facility—ample storage for specimens, research capabilities, and secure operations.
The price was steep—800,000 points just to level it into 10—but John understood that this investment would pay off in the long run. The laboratory would allow for in-depth analysis of the creature samples collected, and it would be essential for developing new technologies and strategies.
When the system confirmed his choice, the ground suddenly trembled beneath John's feet. He watched in awe as the massive structure began to rise from the earth, the advanced technology at work bringing his vision to life.
Steel and reinforced concrete materialized before him, walls emerging from the ground like the skeleton of a great beast. The ground floor resembled a bunker, with thick walls designed to withstand external threats.
Its angular design and fortified entrance conveyed a sense of security, an impenetrable fortress where critical research could take place without fear.
Once the laboratory was fully completed, John wasted no time in expanding its surrounding infrastructure. He added three barracks near the lab, strategically positioned to ensure a quick response in case of emergencies. These barracks would house the security personnel and specialists he needed for such a critical facility.
John knew that the work in this lab couldn't be entrusted to just any soldier. The complexity of studying the creatures they had encountered required specialists—scientists with the expertise to handle unknown biological materials and conduct advanced research.
Finding the right people for this job would be a priority, and he would need to ensure they had the resources to operate at the highest level.
As for security, John understood the lab's importance couldn't be overstated. The threat of accidental contamination, sabotage, or even a potential breakout of whatever they might discover meant the security team had to be elite.
He would assign only the most capable and well-trained soldiers to protect the lab, and they would be equipped with the best gear, prepared to respond to any crisis within moments.
With the three barracks ready, John wasted no time in summoning the necessary personnel. He selected 600 soldiers, carefully dividing them based on their roles.
Among them were 200 military scientists, experts in various fields ranging from biology to chemical warfare, all equipped to handle the complexities of the research awaiting them in the new lab.
These scientists were not just researchers; they had military training, capable of operating under pressure and in hazardous conditions.
The other 400 soldiers were highly specialized CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) personnel. Their task was critical—to safeguard the lab and everyone working within it.
Equipped with the latest in protective gear and detection devices, they would monitor for any potential hazards and contain threats before they could spiral out of control.
They would also serve as the lab's first line of defense, ensuring that any emergency or breach could be handled with precision and speed.
As the summoning process concluded and the soldiers and scientists began organizing themselves around the newly constructed lab, John stood back for a moment, watching the scene unfold. The sleek, sterile design of the laboratory, combined with the military precision of the soldiers, brought a memory to the forefront of his mind.
He couldn't help but think of a movie he'd once seen: Resident Evil. The laboratories, the secrecy, the high-security measures, and the ever-present danger lurking within—the similarities were striking. The thought lingered for a moment, and a faint smirk crossed his face as he considered how life had, in some strange way, mirrored fiction.
Unlike in the movie, John intended to maintain absolute control over what transpired within these walls. This was no rogue corporation running dangerous experiments for profit.
Shaking off the thought, John refocused on the task at hand. He stood in front of the newly summoned soldiers and scientists, their crisp uniforms and focused expressions revealing their readiness for what was to come.
"You are not just ordinary soldiers," John began, his voice resonating through the gathering. "You've been chosen for a unique mission—one that demands intellect, skill, and unwavering discipline."
He glanced at the military scientists standing amongst the ranks.
"From this day forward, you will be known as the Sentinel Research Division. You are the guardians of knowledge and the protectors of progress. In your hands lies the future of our mission, and it is through your expertise that we will forge ahead."
The newly named Sentinel Research Division stood at attention, embodying both the intellect and strength needed to safeguard the critical research they would soon undertake. John nodded, confident that this new unit would be key to their continued success.
John watched as the two HEMTT trucks moved methodically, delivering their precious cargo into the massive laboratory. The main doors, towering and reinforced, slowly creaked open, revealing the interior — stark, industrial, and perfectly designed for handling the dangerous materials they had retrieved from Terragnath's remains. Two yellow rectangles with black stripes marked the designated drop zones for the metal containers.
The HEMTTs aligned perfectly, lowering the metal containers with precision. Once the cargo was secured inside the marked zones, the trucks rolled out, their mission complete. The Sentinel Research Division, now fully assembled, moved in. Clad in sleek protective suits and equipped with advanced breathing apparatus, the scientists and soldiers looked almost alien in the sterile, controlled environment.
As the last of the personnel entered the lab, the enormous doors began to close, their heavy weight sealing off the outside world. With a soft hiss, the airlock engaged, and the clamps around the containers clicked into place. The floor beneath them began to descend, an elevator lowering the specimens to the secure underground levels.