Frostpunk: The Last City On Earth
Chapter 7: A Small Gift, A Big Gesture
Jack and Walter stood at the back of the crowd. No one seemed to notice them standing there.
"I think we're on time. I don't see the captain just yet." Jack said.
But Walter swayed ever so slightly.
"Hey, Walter. Can you try and stay awake? The captain is going to be here soon." Jack shakes him lightly.
Walter yawns.
"I was. I just haven't had my coffee yet." He scratched himself.
Jack sighs, "Cocoa is better."
"You such are a child," Walter smirks.
"Hey, there's nothing wrong with that."
"Well. It won't be long until we can get to the cookhouse. I can smell breakfast from here." Walter sniffed the air. "Finn sure is lucky. He doesn't have to attend the early meetings."
"I think I can smell some eggs cooking." Jack sniffs as well.
"And the coffee, heh." Walter smiled.
Jack shakes his head, "And you called me a child. You're hopeless."
"Hey, look who's here." Walter pointed in front.
"Oh, it's the captain."
The crowd cheered and waved at the captain.
"Good morning." He said.
"Good morning." A few of them said back.
"I hoped that everyone slept well. I know the tents can be a bit uncomfortable right now. But we are doing the best we can. Soon we'll have homes with a solid roof over our heads." He said.
They nodded.
The captain looks around the crowd and sees Jack and Walter standing among them. They looked well rested.
Well, at least Jack looks happy. Walter is trying to keep his eyes open. Come to think of it. A little praise wouldn't hurt them. He's sure they had enough of that, but it's better to give a proper one.
"Hey. Is it me, or is the captain looking right at us?" Jack asked.
Walter rubs his eyes and looks at the captain.
"I think he is, Jack."
"Oh no."
"I'm sure you're all eager to hear what I have to say. But first, let's thank our two brave scouts." The captain said as he gestured to them.
The crowd cheered, causing Jack to blush while Walter sighed.
"Those two did a great job and made us all proud." The captain claps along with them.
Jack waved, "It's nothing. We're happy to help." He said to the crowd.
Walter sighs, "And here I hoped for a nice quiet morning."
"I wasn't," Jack whispered. "I kind of expected this sort of thing to happen sooner."
"Great."
But thankfully, the captain decided to stop it, "Okay. That's enough, everyone. They are going out again soon after breakfast. We wouldn't want to hold back our scouts now, do we?" He asked.
The crowd dispersed.
Jack and Walter finally have some room to breathe.
"Now, let's get back to the main stuff for today. I'm sure that some of you have heard about Winterhome. Well, I'll be glad to announce that we are not alone. We will make contact with the city soon. But for now, let us focus on continuing to build our home. And I think a pub should be in order."
"A pub!? Really?" Someone shouted.
"Just like back home."
Jack crossed his arms, "I'm not so sure if that's a good idea. We'll be dealing with drunkards later. I hope they don't build one near the child shelter."
"Oh, come on, Jack. Grow up a little." Walter teased.
"I'm being serious here, Walter." Jack glares at him.
"Okay. I'm sorry."
"Alright, but apart from that, I bet you all want to hear some news. The good news is that we have gathered many resources in the past few days. But, the bad news is that we are running out of those resources."
A worker raised his hand, "Sir, we were wondering if we can build a sawmill. We can cut down the trees and use them for our city."
"That's a good idea, but do you have the necessary tools to do it?"
"Yes, captain. Just say the words, and we'll get started on it."
"Good. You boys can get started after the briefing."
The crowd agrees. But another raises a hand.
"Yes?" The captain asked as he pointed at him.
"Captain, we still need steel to build our home. I suggest that we tear down the dreadnaught to get more." He said.
"Hey, that's insane! That is the only dreadnaught we're talking about here."
"What about the food? Finn said the meat in our reserve is running low as well. And the hunters are not bringing back enough food to feed all of us."
"Okay, hold on. I'm sure there's another way. Let's not get angry now." Said the captain. But the crowd doesn't seem too calm right now.
Uh, this will take a while.
/-/
Coffee has never tasted so good. Walter sips the cup in his hands. He sighs with contentment as he puts the cup down. He grabs the rag and continues to clean his flintlock rifle.
The food was good too, but Walter preferred to relax in the scout tent. He then pulls out his knife and starts to sharpen it.
Jack is still at the cookhouse, talking to some of the others.
"Walter, there you are. Where's Jack?" Someone said.
Walter looks up, "Oh, hey, captain. You can come in, you know. I'm just cleaning my gear. Jack is at the cookhouse right now."
The captain comes in and sits down, "Man, this morning was crazy. I don't know how long I can keep up with this."
"Being a leader is not easy, boss. But I think you're doing fine." Walter said. "Thanks."
"But I do my question for you if you don't mind," Walter said. "Sure, go ahead then."
"Homes are getting colder. Mine too. Any idea on how to spread the heat around better?"
"Hm, that's a problem. Heaters would be the solution but designing one will take time."
"Maybe make a tiny version of the generator?" Jack pops his head inside.
"Jack. There you are. Well, it took you long enough." Walter said.
"Yeah, sorry. I asked Finn to make extra food for us today. He said it was okay with it. I don't want us to get out without food again."
The captain looks surprised, "Wait, you two didn't pack any food!?"
"We did, but it wasn't enough. We had to give the rest to the others to feed them." Walter said.
"Oh, I see. That mission could have gone wrong." Said the captain.
"Best not to think about it. This time we are ready, captain." Jack said.
"I can walk you two out. It's the least I can do for my scouts." Said the captain.
"That's not-"
"We're fine with that, captain," Jack said. "Let me get my things together, and then we'll go."
"And you. Walter?" The captain asked, "My gear is clean and ready to go."
"Great, I'll meet you two outside."
/-/
"Captain, about that site I've mentioned." Jack asked, "What about it, Jack?"
"Well, it might not be vital to anyone. But, we need to know our surroundings. We'll make this trip quick and then back to Winterhome."
"Jack, I'm not forcing you two to head there so soon. It's fine."
Jack sighs in relief, "Thanks, captain."
"But you're right. It will greatly help us out a lot."
"We'll do our best," Walter said.
"But, you two need to be careful today. I have heard from our guards that wolves are in the area."
"What!? Wolves. Out there? How many?" Jack asked.
"Don't know, so you two should be with guns at all times. So here, take this, Jack."
The captain gives his holster and revolver to him. "But, captain, I can't-" Jack tried to protest.
"I'm ordering you to take it. I know Walter already had his rifle. But that ax isn't enough for what's out there." Said the captain. "It's just a precaution in case the mission goes south."
Jack looks at the gun again and sighs, "Alright, I'll take it. Thank you." He said. Jack takes the belt and puts it on.
"There you go, now you look more prepared. Wait, do you know how to use a gun?"
Jack shakes his head and blushes, "Uh, no, captain. We are not allowed to use guns before the frost, remember?"
"Oh. Well, I can give you a quick lesson if you want. Walter, do you want to help me out?"
Jack nods eagerly.
"Sure, why not," Walter said.
They gave a quick lesson. Jack listens to them attentively.
"And that's about it. Only use it when you're sure."
"Got it. Thank you so much, captain."
"Don't start playing with it now," Walter said. "I won't."
They both got onto the lift, "Good luck." Said the captain. He pulls the lever, and the freight lift brings them up to the edge.
"We'll need it," Walter shouts back.
People were clapping as they went up. The gesture was strange, but maybe that's just for last night.
"Have a safe journey!"
"Be careful!"
"Come back home safe!"
Jack leans over the railing, "We will! Thank you!" He shouted back.
"Well, you're having fun," Walter said.
"I feel so ready for this." Jack smiled, "Well, at least one of us is."
The lift gets higher, and the edge appears once the platform reaches its goal. The ride jerks again as it makes a stop up top. The snow plain greets them once more.
"I see that the blizzard is still here," Jack said.
And the blizzard was there too.
"Yeah, it's a bummer."
"Better than the drought, am I right?" Jack jokes.
Walter smirks, "Let's go, Jack. Your adventure awaits."
They exit from the lift. Jack pushes the lever down, sending the platform back down. He smiles, "It's going to be a great day today!" He suddenly burst.
Walter sighs, "Dude. You don't have to shout. I'm right here."
A/N: I'm starting to like the idea of focusing this story mostly on Jack and Walter. Because in the game you just had to manage the city, but you're not doing the actual exploration. The scouts do that for you and only get texts and pictures from them.
But there are scenes inside the city too. But fair warning, I'm not going to copy and paste the scenarios completely. That would be boring. I want to make it scary, exciting, and wholesome in these trying times. Mostly wholesome.
Even though Frsotpunk is a depressing game, that's not going to stop me.
By the way, what do you think about Jack and Walter? I like these two, they grow on me.
Thank you for reading.