The arrival of the third caravan, generously provided by Beatrix, marked yet another step forward for our camp. But what truly caught my attention was the additional cargo she brought – 10 power generators. These machines were more than just a source of electricity; they represented a touch of normalcy and comfort amidst the raw environment of Clivilius.
I made a decision to allocate one generator per caravan and left the rest at the Drop Zone. The task of distributing and managing these new assets felt heavy on my shoulders. While I had a basic grasp of how to operate them, the finer points of effectively integrating them into our camp setup were a bit out of my depth.
With the third caravan now in place, I felt compelled to see how Karen and Chris were settling into their new abode. As I approached their caravan, a sense of community pride swelled within me. This was more than just a cluster of shelters; it was the beginning of a small township.
“Hey, Karen, Chris, it's Paul. Can I come in?” I called out, knocking on their door.
Karen greeted me with a warm smile. “Hi Paul, come on in,” she said, stepping aside.
The interior was a cozy haven compared to the starkness outside. Chris was at the small table, busy with something in his hands.
“Just got the third caravan from Beatrix,” I announced, trying to sound more confident than I felt. “She also brought some power generators. I’m planning to allocate one to each caravan, but, honestly, I have no clue about setting these up.”
Chris looked up, a spark of interest in his eyes. “I can help with that,” he offered, his tone reassuring. “I’ll make sure that all the caravans get connected.”
I felt a wave of relief at his offer. “That’d be great, Chris. Thank you.”
Karen, who had been folding some clothes, joined the conversation. “It's amazing how quickly things are coming together,” she said, her voice tinged with optimism.
Nodding in agreement, I remembered another task I had in mind. “I was planning to check in on Kain. I’ll take the generator to him myself,” I said, feeling it was important to see how he was adjusting to his new living situation.
Chris nodded, “Sure thing, I’ll handle the rest.”
Stepping out of Karen and Chris’s caravan, I grabbed one of the generators. Its weight was a reminder of the tangible progress we were making. Walking towards Kain’s caravan, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of anticipation and anxiety. Distributing the generators was more than just a logistical task; it was about ensuring the well-being and comfort of our small community.
As I approached Kain's caravan, carrying the generator, I hoped this small gesture would bring some ease to his recovery.
Trudging toward Kain’s caravan, the generator's weight in my hands was a constant reminder of my role as the camp's de facto leader. My mind was occupied with thoughts of our growing settlement, particularly the third caravan that had just come through the Portal.
A part of me toyed with the idea of claiming this new caravan for myself. The thought of having a personal space, a sanctuary amidst the chaos of Clivilius, was incredibly tempting. I could envision the comfort and privacy it would provide, a place to escape, if only briefly, from the relentless demands of leadership.
However, as quickly as the thought came, I dismissed it. Allocating the caravan to Nial felt like the right decision. The reality of life in Clivilius was harsh, and Nial, with his open wound, was more vulnerable than most. The risk of attracting creatures – creatures potentially more dangerous than the portal pirates and shadow panthers we had already encountered – was not one I was willing to take. The safety and well-being of our camp members had to come first, always.
As I navigated the familiar path, the Clivilius sun beat down relentlessly, casting long, stark shadows on the ground. The dust kicked up with each step, a constant reminder of the alien environment we now called home. My thoughts kept returning to the myriad of dangers that lurked beyond our camp, unseen but ever-present in my mind.
Finally reaching Kain’s caravan, I placed the generator on the ground. This simple act reinforced my commitment to our community. As I raised my hand to knock on Kain’s door, I steeled myself with the knowledge that every decision I made, no matter how small, was a step toward building a sustainable life here in Clivilius. We were here not just to survive, but to create a place where, against all odds, we might even thrive.
As I knocked on Kain's caravan door, Henri's protective barks echoed from inside, alerting me to his ever-vigilant presence. The door swung open to reveal Kain, bare-chested and rubbing his eyes, clearly having been woken from a deep sleep.
“Sorry for waking you,” I said, as I set down the heavy generator with a grunt. Kain looked at the generator, a mix of surprise and curiosity in his eyes.
“It’s a power generator for the caravan,” I explained, straightening up and giving my back a good stretch. “The latest gift from Beatrix. She’s managed to bring us ten of them.” I couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride as I spoke about the progress we were making.
Kain's eyes widened, “We’ve got ten caravans now?” he asked, his voice laced with disbelief.
I shook my head, “We’ve just received our third caravan, but it’s good for us to try and get ahead where we can,” I replied. A wave of optimism washed over me. For the first time since arriving in Clivilius, it felt like we were genuinely making progress, laying the foundations for a sustainable life here.
Kain nodded, absorbing the information. I could see the wheels turning in his head as he processed the news.
“How’s the healing coming along?” I asked, remembering the second reason why I had ventured to disrupt Kain’s slumber.
Henri had finally emerged from a nap of his own, and greeting me at the door, I leaned in and gave his ear a good scratch. His head tilted and he grunted loudly with satisfaction.
“It’s feeling much better,” Kain replied, stretching himself. “That extra nap must have really helped it.”
“Sleep usually does,” I commented with a slight chuckle.
With Lois giving a playful bark, announcing her arrival, Henri quickly retreated into the safety of the caravan, and I quickly grabbed hold of Lois’s collar before she could pester him further.
“Sorry, Lois,” I told her, trying to keep her outside.
Kain squatted and ruffled Lois’s face. “You know Henri doesn’t like anybody else,” he told Lois affectionately.
I couldn’t hold back my laugh at the remark.
“Anyway…” I said, not wanting to overstay my welcome and aware that Kain might still need rest, I began to turn away, tugging on Lois’s collar as I did so. It was then that Kain’s voice stopped me in my tracks.
“You’re not going to help set it up?” he asked, a hint of concern in his voice.
I let out a sigh, feeling a twinge of inadequacy. “I’ve got no idea how these things work,” I admitted with a shrug. It was moments like these I wished my skill set was more practical. “But Chris knows what he’s doing with them,” I quickly added, hoping to reassure Kain. “He and Karen have plenty of experience with these sorts of things from all the camping and outdoor expeditions they go on regularly. If you talk to Chris, I’m sure he’ll be happy to help you get power to your new home.”
“Thanks,” Kain mumbled, still looking a bit overwhelmed.
As I stepped back, pausing one last time, I turned to Kain again. “I’ve allocated Karen and Chris the second caravan and Nial the third. Beatrix has promised we’ll get more soon,” I informed him, wanting to ensure he was up to date with our arrangements.
Kain nodded.
Retreating from Kain's caravan, I took a moment to survey the growing settlement. The other two caravans were positioned strategically – close enough for safety, but with enough space to afford some privacy. A sense of satisfaction filled me as I looked over our small community.
“You’ve got this, Paul,” I whispered to myself, a pep talk to bolster my confidence. “Once the power comes on, things will get better.”
