Development had gone exceedingly faster than expected. The Migrants had managed to finish the palisade wall that protected their growing settlement from the Gateway. Carlachii warriors armed with new razor blade swords and crossbows carved from driftwood, dental floss and bolts tipped in their own constantly shedding teeth patrolled the wooden ramparts. Small teams of Brachycea had begun constructing a more permanent and fortified barrier behind the palisade. This was being built out of stone hauled up from the crane from the desert floor, as well as using bags filled with sand to pad the gaps and act as mortar. Construction was going slower there, as General Gnash had conceded to allow the majority of the workers to move to other projects now that the direct need for protection had been satisfied.
The Lake, as it was now being called, had filled up to a few inches of the white rim and had a thick layer of sand lining the smooth bottom. Teams of Ithcises swam to the bottom, planting the stalks of seaweed in an ever expanding plantation, using some of the live crops they still had as well as seeds they had managed to keep moist. Small herds of minnows now roamed freely, some already beginning to spawn among the seaweed fronds to the delight of the Migrant workers there.
The crane was becoming increasingly useful, and several expeditions of especially brave individuals had gone back out into the desert, looking for supplies. They returned with sea glass, more driftwood, sand, stones, and other various pieces of odd looking trash that the Migrants were using to build more permanent homes and buildings. Scaffolding and ladders were everywhere, as the new world they were in had a dizzying array of heights that the small people couldn’t hope to reach. They had discovered yet another bowl like area of the same smooth white stone, with another of the metal pipes that was able to spew forth water. This area was being built into a vast structure, a stronghold for the race. While most of the inhabitants were now living and building market stalls on the floor below, the greater height here allowed for more protection and the water filled bowl gave the inside of the partially constructed fortress a constant supply of water. The White Monolith that had been the entrance to the world now had many ladders descending into its depths, and the Migrants had taken to laying their existing eggs within its waters. It would be easy to escape back down the tunnels should the need arise.
Things were looking up for the Migrants, and their new world was becoming increasingly less scary. Now that they were more established, Gnash felt the need to explore the world in a bit more force. He turned to one of his warriors.
“Take a platoon of your finest and set out after the scouts. They shouldn’t be far. Link in with them and find out what they have learned. I want you to then continue your patrol in more force. Look for supplies, possible expansions, and any threats that we need to be aware of. If you are attacked fight back if you can. If you need to run make your route back here as hard to follow as possible. I don’t want the enemy coming right up to the front gate. It would be best if any attackers had no survivors left to tell of our arrival.” He said the last part with a snarl, and the warrior saluted with a wicked, tooth filled grin. Soon, 30 warriors heavily armed and armored in sea shells, new swords, crossbows and spears rode out on the mounts to link up with the scouts. What lay beyond their borders they didn’t know, but they were prepared to meet it with ferocity if need be.
