Yggsdrasil
Chapter 25: Breakfast
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As it happened ‘breakfast’ was served late. There were certain logistical issues that had to be overcome first. Eating utensils for example. Plates, bowls and mugs to be specific.
Breakfast was a picnic. People of all shapes and sizes would file past the cooking fires with plates in hand. Some of the plates were ‘make do’ and make shift since there weren’t enough to go around. Everyone shared. When loaded down with sufficient grub everyone would find a place to sit down or lay down (depending on morphology) and eat. Yesterday’s combat and today’s blood brother procedure had formed many instant companionships. Sharing a coffee mug, a plate, or a fork just didn’t seem like a big deal.
It turned out that everyone loved coffee. The coffee supply was doomed. Hobbs and Halsey hoped that it grew locally.
After a "breakfast" half the long Mesa morning was gone. Lamar and the 'command group' consisting of the Texan and Kraki, First Sergeant Halsey his companion Minaiwen, Sgt. Hobbs and Kara , the other Platoon Sergeants and their companions and now Herjar returned to the wall and stood gazing out over the distant forest. It was quite a number who stood there gazing out over the countryside.
"I wonder what's out there" said the Texan.
"I do too” replied Kraki. “we all do”
The Texan looked at the young BearRider with Gimlet eyes and said."You don’t know? This is your world."
"I don’t know, " said Kraki “This is the first time I’ve left the Ark. I just know what the caretaker said that the other’s said before they left. I hadn’t been decanted yet.”
" Others?" said the Texan inquisitively.
"Yup… Others. Almost everyone left a long time ago. We’ve been wondering when they would get back. All the adults are gone. There was no one left in the Ark except for us, the new babies, and some really old people. Even the Elders have gone. “
The Texan was looking at the young kindred intently.
“We’re all children. We, most of us, weren’t even decanted yet when the adults left. Almost everyone else in the Ark is gone. They went to war. Those that couldn’t fly a long ways, like Bears, Lions, Tigers, Dwarves, Elves and Griffin, all loaded into SkyManta’s and Elders and were carried. ”Kraki said.
He sounded a little sad, a little lonely, a little afraid. The Texan was very still.“ Dwarves, Elves, SkyManta’s and Elders? Lions, and tigers, and bears! Oh, My! What have we fallen into boys? I don’t think that we are in Kansas any longer
"We do have a problem though " said the young dragon-kin sipping on his coffee. The Texan raised an eyebrow, then realized that the dragon-kin wouldn't understand the gesture and said."No kidding? Another problem? What other problem do we have?"
“Demons” said the dragon-kin...looking toward the horizon. “ There are more Demons out there ”
"More Demons " groaned Sgt. Hobbs.
"Lots more Demons. Maybe a few thousand, in the first wave, perhaps ten thousand. We couldn’t tell from where we overflew them and we didn’t want to get too close. There might to be millions for all we know. We know for sure that there are a lot.” smiled the Dragon, a frightening experience for the two humans given his dentition.
“These guys were just a small group. They were using SteamCars so maybe they got ahead of everyone else? I don’t know. I do know that their buddies aren't very close but they are too close for you to make a run for the Ark." the dragon waved to indicate the destroyed Demon force.
The Humans were stunned. That just blew the day all to hell and gone."A few thousand huh? And that's just the first wave? Millions over all? Any OTHER surprises?"
Lamar must have spoken harshly because the young dragon was a bit startled at his tone. "I dunno, they’ve got funny looking things. Big wagons and other stuff. I dunno what they are. We tried to stay out of range. I didn't see anything that flew though. ”
“Perfect, "grumbled the Texan “Ok, here's what we need to do. This wonderful wall, and I’m not criticizing, it IS wonderful. It’s great for keeping critters off our ass while we sleep. Unfortunately it won’t be so good for repelling a mass assault, especially if they have high velocity weapons and explosives, which they probably do. Their handguns are fabulous. I shudder to think what their long guns and cannons might be like. We need to improve on the fort here somehow. If they have cannon we have problems. The floor is open for discussion. Anyone with any ideas let’s hear it.”
He and his subordinates begin to discuss the situation. Everyone including Herjar and her companions. The young dragons were part of the group now.
The dragons and griffin could fly the Kindred Kids away. They might even fly some of the humans to safety, but not all, not even most. The distance was too far and they were, after all, children. There was a limit to their abilities. Most of the humans would be killed when the Demons arrived. The Demons would then move on to attack the defenseless ARK with it’s legion of babies.
This was a good place to die if need be. It was naturally defensible and they’d made a good start on enhancement. It was either win or die. That said the main force of Demons weren’t really all THAT close. There was still time to extend their preparation.
First Sergeant Halsey looked at the Texan and grimaced. “uh oh” he said.
Sgt Hobbs looked up, startled. Uh oh was never a good thing when a combat vet uttered it. “What do you mean ‘uh-oh’? That’s really not helpful at this time saying ‘uh-oh’.
First Sergeant Halsey nodded toward the Texan ”Look at his face. He’s got that look again”.
Hobbs did so. “Uh Oh”.
To be Continued
If you missed the start of this book
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24