Frostpunk: The Last City On Earth
Chapter 3: Scouting
Another morning, another day of survival. He couldn't sleep after hearing the news last night. He does not know if they will be able to survive this coming storm. It's a big challenge for him and the people of New London. Today, the construction of the beacon will soon be complete.
The engineers have been working hard, and some had sleepless nights. They were looking forward to having it finally up and running soon.
"How is the beacon coming along?" He asked one of the engineers.
The engineer stood up and removed his visor before speaking, "It's going well, captain. Just a few more tweaks here and there, and we won't be blind in the snow anymore."
These beacons would help them navigate through the snow.
The captain nods, "Very good, carry on then." The engineer salutes and continues his work.
Recently their resources have been getting low.
Perhaps it would be to start building coal mines and steel workshops to help fix that issue. But, establishing those would cost even more resources if they were to achieve higher production in the future.
There are bound to be more resources outside the crater.
As of now, those scouts are their only hope.
He made his way over the hut near to the beacon where the first scout team will be. Upon arrival, he found it occupied by two young men.
The captain meets the scout team for the first time. He could hear the two of them discussing their departure.
"I'm telling you, this is the only way we could follow. Anywhere else would waste our time."
"Well, yeah. But-"
Their conversation had lasted short as they noticed him approaching and saluted him.
"Good morning, captain. My name is Jack, and this is my new partner Walter. We just got assigned together for the first scout team." Said Jack, standing next to Walter.
He looks around the hut and then back at the two, "Just you two? Weren't there supposed to be more than that?"
"Yes, sir. But unfortunately, we don't have enough people to go around today, so they suggested a team of two instead. That's us. We were the first to volunteer," said Walter.
He noticed an antenna sticking out from a strange device in one of their backpacks resting on the table.
The captain walks over to it, inspecting it, "What is this?" he asked.
Jack looks over to the table.
"This is a portable radio, and with this thing, we will be able to call back home from miles away," Jack said excitedly.
Walter rolled his eyes at Jack's excitement as he walks over to the table. "Sadly, this radio pack is quite fragile. It is the first working model so far. And the engineers should be able to make a better one soon. One that won't break so easily."
The captain laughs, "Well, we all can't have nice things. So we make do with what we have."
"Well said, captain."
"So, apart from the equipment. Are you two ready to head out soon? I know it's just you two but, anything can happen out there. And I wouldn't wanna lose any more people so soon." He said.
"We understand, sir. We'll be careful. Walter told me he is a crack shot with a rifle. So I'll think we'll be fine," said Jack.
"We're more than ready, sir. We can't wait to start exploring this place."
He nods.
"Good. Your first mission would be to find the rest of our lost expedition, and it shouldn't be too far from here. The map you're using should be the same as theirs, so backtracking shouldn't be too hard to find it. Once you make contact, radio back here so that we'll know that you've found it." He instructed them.
The two of them saluted, "Yes, sir. We won't let you down."
"Then I wish you two the best of luck then, bring our people back home." The captain said, leaving them to their duties.
Jack and Walter watch the captain exiting the hut. "So, what do you think of the captain?" Asked Jack.
"Not much, he seems alright. I guess," said Walter.
"Welp. Come on, time to get going. Everyone's counting on us." Said Jack grabbing his gear. "Wait, isn't there supposed to be one more joining us?"
"You mean that lady? Well. They already declined her request and just assigned us to do it instead. I mean, she's not the only one who wants to go out there to find their lost families." Walter explained as he grabs his pack and leaves the tent.
Jack follows behind.
The walk to the lift had been cheerful. Everyone had been encouraging along the way. Patting their backs and shaking their hands, it reassured them a little. Who wouldn't be nervous about venturing out in the seemingly empty snowy plains?
"You can do this, Jack. You can do this." Jack softly whispers to himself.
They've reached the freight lift. It was here when the expedition made it to the crater. It used to bring down resources to build the generator.
They opened the gate and stepped in.
"Remember, once you reach the top, push the lever down to send the lift back down," said an engineer.
"Got it," said Jack.
The engineer closed the gate and gave a small wave before pushing the lever up, sending them up top.
As the lift begins to move, they felt a sense of dread as they went higher.
"I'll say it now. I'm scared to go back out there." Walter admitted. Jack immediately turns to him upon hearing that, "What?"
"I mean, getting here was already hard as it is, and the frozen ocean wasn't entirely frozen solid when we crossed it. Leaving home while everyone else is still stuck there was the scariest sensation for me."
The view of their new home was getting smaller as they reached closer to the surface.
"No point backing out now, don't you think. I mean, ready or not. We have to do this. If not us, then who?" said Jack.
"Yeah."
As the lift reaches the edge of the crater, they could see the snow as they're greeted by the blizzard, blowing harshly against their faces. Thankfully their snow goggles were protecting their eyes. It was warmer in the crater. At least the wind doesn't blow down too much.
They opened the gate, "It's freezing up here!" Jack shouted as he blocks the oncoming snow from his goggles. "Can barely see a damn thing in front of me!"
Walter closes it and pushes the lever down. Watching the lift making its descend back down.
"I Know."
Walter was already shaking from the cold for being out here. Two boys out of their minds and on a critical mission. "Let's get moving. The faster we find them, the faster we can get out of this cold," said Walter.
They began their journey to find the lost expedition. The snow plains were massive, and they couldn't afford to get lost in a place like this. Jack was in charge of the map, while Walter took the lead, his rifle at the ready.
"So Jack, where are you from?" asked Walter.
"I'm from London, born and raised. You?"
"I was from the US before my family moved to London, and that was way before this endless winter came," Walter replied.
It seemed like hours after they departed from New London. Luckily the blizzard had calmed down, so they were able to see much clear. But there wasn't much to see, just more snow and dead trees as far as they can see.
"Thank god, and I thought that storm was never going to end. Let's check that map again," said Walter. Jack nodded and took out the map. "Huh, it looks like we should be able to see them right after this forest," said Jack, pointing at the forest in front of them, or what used to be since all its leaves are gone.
"I think that's it right there."
"Yeah, and a big one too. Looks inviting. Might find some wildlife if we're lucky," Walter said sarcastically.
"Lighten up, Walt. How bad can it be?" Jack asked, "Let's go in."
Walter sighs, clutching his rifle close to him. "Great, just great." Walter shakes his head as he follows Jack into the forest.
The forest itself was terrifying without its leaves, just big frozen logs of wood towering just as high as the generator. Soon their vision was nothing but trees as they ventured further.
"Okay, this place is kinda creeping me out," Jack said.
"Why are you worried now? What happened to all that confidence? Weren't you worried- AH!" Walter said as he tripped on something and fell into the snow.
Jack laughs at Walter, "Are you alright?" he said as he went over and lent him a hand. "Ugh, never better," said Walter, wiping off the snow.
They kept walking in a straight line until they came across a large frozen lake in the middle of the forest. The sight was breathtaking. But, both weren't here for sightseeing.
It took a while, but they managed to make it out of the forest. The view of the snow plains was all too familiar. Nothing interesting insight.
Until, "Hey, is that what I think it is?" said Walter, pointing straight ahead.
Jack looked at where he was pointing, and to his surprise. It looks like a campsite! They quickly made their way over there.
As they entered the camp, excited voices welcomed them, and a woman holding a child came up to them, "Thank god you found us! We have been wondering for a few days after we lost the main group. We're almost running out of food, and we couldn't go anywhere."
"Don't worry, ma'am. We're here to bring you guys back home. Tell everyone to pack everything up immediately and move out as soon as you can," said Jack.
The woman nodded and quickly went back into the camp.
Meanwhile, Walter was starting up the radio pack. "HQ, this is Walter from the scout team. Do you copy?" He hoped that the radio could still pick up their signal.
After a few minutes of silence on the radio, someone responded, "Affirmative, we read you loud and clear. Did you find the rest of the expedition?"
"Yes, we found them just in time. And all were almost going to starve to death. We'll bring them home soon," said Walter.
"Well, I'll be. Good job, boys. I almost doubted you two."
Jack came back, "Alright, I've got everyone."
Walter nods.
"Alright, looks like that's everything. You guys pack up quick." Said Jack. Slightly impressed.
The group was getting ready to go to their new home. Both Jack and Walter had to make several makeshift sleighs to help carry their belongings.
Jack opened up his map, "Alright, looks like going back through the forest isn't a good idea. Some of them might get lost along the way. And the trees would be a little too narrow for the cargo."
Walter looks at the map himself, "It looks like we have to travel around the forest. It would be easier to avoid any problems along the way. It's pretty big, but I think we can make it. And you're right. We can't risk going through the forest again, not with them following us behind."
Walter nods and turns to face the group. "Alright. People, we're going to have to take a big detour around this forest. And then we can continue on our main route home. We haven't fully explored this whole forest yet, so we can't risk your safety for fast convenience. I hope that's okay with you all?" Walter asked.
They nodded, and one of them said, "No worries. as long as we can make it home is fine with us."
Walter nods. As soon as they continued their journey back, there was a sudden noise coming from the forest. It didn't sound like it was too far away from them.
Walter readies his rifle. He gave a verbal warning, "Who's out there? Show yourself!"
But there was no response, and Jack was getting anxious.
After a few minutes of silence, Walter dismisses it. "Must've been an animal."
He slings his rifle and opens up his map again. "Let's move people. We have a home to get to and families to reunite."
/-/
In the small town of New London, words have spread about Jack and Walter's success in finding the lost expedition. Families have gathered around the radio post and cheered.
"I'll be damned. Those boys did it. They did it." One of them said.
"They're heroes is what they are. It takes real courage to step out there in the snow again," said another.
"We should celebrate once they get back."
Apart from the commotion in the radio post, a lone woman walked through the crowd, making her way towards a medical tent.
Inside the medical post, a nurse was tending to a sick patient. While she was attending to them, the young woman came through and asked, "Excuse me, but can I volunteer for the medical staff?"
The nurse got up and said, "Of course, dear. We are a little short on nurses at the moment. What's your name?"
"Eve."
End of chapter 3