Chapter 1
Major Olebrud looked on in satisfaction at the sight in front of him. An assembly line of metal parts rattled across the room, a large number of hares moving some of them to another rattling line. Machines welded stamps of steel together, while drills bored grooves in gun barrels.
The hare standing next to him fidgeted from one foot to the other, but he paid no mind. He was too busy relishing the sight before him. It had been built by him and his crew, all of it. The factory, the machines, everything. More and more beasts had come to join his clan, whole families swelling the ranks of his ever-growing army. Five more factories were under construction, while another would be open for service in a mere week.
Even the territory that he controlled had grown, ever increasing as scouting parties' claimed unoccupied land for service. Mines, lumber mills, and granaries had also shot up, providing for civilians and military personal alike. But it was his next, large goal that he was focused on. Seizing the fertile farming lands surrounding Redwall Abbey.
He had no wish to go to war with this great place. They had thwarted other armies for hundreds of years, over and over again. Unfortunately, this had led to the development of a very interesting people.
At first glance they were a peaceful group, but the many years of war had hardened them, and their ability to raise a military at a single command was completely heartfelt. The old abbey had been heavily fortified for the sake of beating the armies of vermin again and again.
But he was building an army of his own, just in case. Because the Black Berets, are always prepared.