Leaving London behind wasn't easy, and choosing to stay there was even more difficult. There was so much chaos in the city that the police and even the military had trouble just keeping them under control. Jobs were closed, and the food was running out. They've already accepted the fact that this winter would doom them all.
The whole world was suffering from the same thing as we speak. Countries in the warmer region have gone silent after the first few months.
We've tried to contact them, but we haven't received anything from their end. Nobody came out of their borders, and nobody dared to enter. Everyone was willing to cooperate, but we haven't gotten much from them either.
We were lucky enough that the Americans were still present, but they're moving into our country by the masses. Their home had already succumbed to the winter. It was too cold to live there anymore. And most of the generators have finished construction all around the designated spots chosen by the IEC, in the far north.
When there's so little heat and too many to share it, we decide to create a few tools that would keep us alive. One of them is the heat lamp, a personal heating device. It also acts as a light when it gets dark at night.
But that wasn't the only thing we have made.
Ever after the success of steam-powered machines, our technology became more and more advanced. We've made the Dreadnaughts, a massive steam locomotive. Capable of transporting people and supplies.
It would be the solution to allow us to travel through the frost lands. Despite the immense effort of constructing these gigantic land ships, it bankrupted the British Empire and whatever powers it holds left.
When it was time to evacuate the city, everyone was desperate to leave. The storm was getting worse. The evacuation center became even more overcrowded, with whoever was left still breathing.
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He remembered it all.
How he hastily made his way out of the building to reach his convoy as it was almost ready to depart. It was his turn to leave. He steps out, and the first thing he sees is his assigned Dreadnought. Its sheer size alone looked like it could challenge a god.
He watched everyone frantically pushing each other, trying to get out of the city. Frantic screaming and shouting, civilians and police clashing against each other trying to keep order, the whole city was falling apart before his eyes.
Lost in the sea of people, he felt a sudden grip on his arm. Startled, he turned to find the Commissioner, his face etched with determination. "Captain, I've been trying to reach you for minutes! You must leave now! This expedition is under your command!" The Commissioner's voice was urgent as he propelled him forward, guiding him toward the imposing figure of the Dreadnought.
The deafening roars of its engines and steam cores grew louder with each step, drowning out the surrounding chaos. A line of policemen carved a path through the frantic crowd. A desperate woman, clutching her child, pleaded, "Let us go, please! We'll all perish if we stay!" Her voice cracked with fear.
"Stay back and stop pushing! Only passengers with boarding tickets are allowed through!" barked a policeman, his authoritative tone cutting through the panic. With firm resolve, he pushed them back using his baton. "Get back!" he commanded, his voice echoing over the tumultuous sounds of desperation.
The captain stood silently as he witnessed the struggle unfolding on both sides.
"You'll need to head north, follow this map, and you'll find your designated spot, along with others awaiting your arrival. I've already informed you that your expedition is the largest we can allow. Don't halt for anyone, not even a few lagging behind," the commissioner briefed him, his tone resolute, as they finally reached the colossal form of the Dreadnought.
Echoes of fear and despair still resonated behind him. "Nearly a few thousand people are following your lead. Whatever happens, don't get lost," the commissioner stressed. Climbing aboard the Dreadnought, he glanced back at the General, whose face was etched with dread.
"This is it. I hope you succeed. Good luck – you'll need it," the commissioner said, offering a final wave before the horn blared, signaling the departure from London. Hundreds of civilians and military personnel followed.
He cast one last glance at the dying city and the hundreds of thousands who remained behind. As the Dreadnought moved farther from the city, he felt a tug on his shoulder, though no one was near. It wasn't until he jolted awake.
"Captain? Captain, wake up. It's time for work," the guard said, watching him stir from his bedroll. Glancing around, he took a moment to collect himself, the remnants of the haunting dream fading away.
"Nightmares, sir?" inquired the guard.
The captain gently shook his head. "No need for concern, guardsman. All is well. You may resume your duties." With a salute, the guard exited the tent. The captain rose from his bed, indulging in a brief stretch before preparing to change.
He stepped out of his tent and went to the same assembly point where he stood yesterday. Everyone was already waiting for him. Standing back on the wooden crate, he did a headcount on everybody. But before he dismisses everyone for their work, he gives one last note before starting.
"Good morning, everyone. I've hoped you all had slept well. Yesterday, a few of our fellow citizens suggested that we let our children do some labor work. As there was lots of work needed to be dealt with."
Some of the parents have started to make some noise again. But he raised his hand to silence them.
"But I would like to let you know that I have decided to decline that suggestion, and instead. I proposed building a schoolhouse instead. Where the kids will be safe and won't cause any mischief while the rest of us work." He finishes, waiting for their answer.
There was a woman who spoke up, and it was Olivia. "I agree with the Captain. It is too early for our children to work. It is too dangerous for them." She said, half of them nodded at her statement.
But somebody objected, "But there's too much work to handle. We need to let the kids learn how to survive in these harsh times. I'm not letting my son be unprepared when the time arises."
The other half nodded as well, but instead of fighting like last time, both parties looked to him for his final decision. He was thrown back by their feedback. Both choices are good. But, they come with a cost.
"If some of the children want to help, they can do so, but only safe jobs will be allowed. For those who don't want them to, it is alright. We will have the shelter built up either way." The captain said.
The two parties began to discuss among themselves.
They have agreed to give the children the freedom to choose if they want to help or not. To which he agrees as well. Soon after, some of the kids followed the adults to work. Help them out in gathering and cooking.
The construction of the new schoolhouse is already underway.
While he was helping with the building, someone suddenly tapped on his shoulder. He looks behind. It was another woman who seemed quite sad, "Are you alright, Miss? What happened? Did you hurt yourself while working?"
The woman shook her head and said, "It's about my husband and daughter, sir. They didn't reach the city with the main group when the blizzard hit us, but I'm sure they're still out there. We'll be able to find them soon, right?"
"We'll do what we can. Don't worry. We'll find your family soon."
She thanked him and went back to work. He went back to building the schoolhouse. But another person came over. An engineer came and informed him that the workshop was also beginning its construction.
Everything is almost coming together now, and soon they will be able to get a beacon running and send out the first scout team. He continued to work with his citizens until the horn sounded. "Workday is over everyone, rest while you can." said the announcer.
He went to check if the cookhouse was up and running already. Fortunately, it finished just in time for dinner. Lots of people lined up to get their food. "I don't think I've eaten anything ever since I got off that dreadnought." He thought.
The cook-house was big. A two-story building, not wanting to waste another minute, went in. The Captain opens the door and sees everyone enjoying their off time resting and conversing with each other.
One of them turned to the door.
"Hey, it's our Captain. Come in." He invites him in. Everyone else soon came forward and greeted him as well, thanking him for his hard work. After a handful of handshakes and occasionally hugs, he finally made it to the person in charge of the cookhouse,
"Ah, Captain. It's finally good to see you, sir." A Scottish man greets from his counter. "My name's Finn. I'm in charge of preparing the food around here. What brings you here?"
Before he could answer, his stomach beat him to it. And it was so loud that everyone in the room could hear. Finn just gave a small laugh, "Well, I think it is obvious. Here you go, sir."
He pours a healthy portion of hot stew into a bowl and serves it to him.
"Thanks, Finn."
He nodded before starting to eat. "By the way, our food stock is running low at the moment. And I hope that we have hunters ready by tonight to start gathering more before we run out of food."
"We'll have them up as soon as we can. You will have plenty of food to go around."
Finn nods before leaving him to attend to the others. After the warm meal, he felt a lot better than yesterday with a full stomach. He exits the cook-house and steps back outside. The sky begins to darken.
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Nightfall descended, casting shadows on the camp. As everyone prepared to retire to their tents, some still without their own sought refuge next to the generator. Walter, having relinquished his spot, settled against the comforting warmth of the metal wall.
Unexpectedly, a gesture of kindness unfolded. Others emerged from their tents, each carrying a blanket. One approached Walter, offering him a blanket with a warm smile. "Here, this will keep you warm for tonight," he said.
Walter accepted the blanket, expressing his gratitude. "Uh, thank you," he responded, momentarily unsure of the stranger's name.
"I'm Jack, and yours?" Jack inquired.
"I'm Walter, nice to meet you," he replied nonchalantly, acknowledging the unexpected but appreciated act of generosity.
"No problem, hopefully by tomorrow they should be able to build another tent up for the rest of you. If you catch a cold, head straight to the medical posts." Jack instructed.
Walter nods, "I will, thank you." Wrapping the blanket around him, he watches Jack waving one more time before returning to his tent. He sits silently as he watches the others huddled together to share some warmth. He looks up at the night sky, seeing the dark blue sky with the presence of stars accompanying it.
Seeing enough he returns his gaze back to the ground and tries to sleep for the night, but then he couldn;t shake off the noise of conversation from the captain talking to the hunting parties he had assembled. They look like they are about to head off to look for food. Maybe Walter could sign up to go out there, do something other than building or gathering resources.
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A/N: I decided to focus on Walter's perspective since it is more relatable in a way. Most of us would not be as optimistic as Jack so I doubt a lot of people can relate to him. So Walter it is then. I noticed that the old version was my plan for a multi-perspective story. But I have decided to drop that plan and focus on a more dynamic duo that is Jack and Walter, focusing mostly on the perspective of what the scouts had to go through while the city tries to build itself.
This chapter is to build up the interaction between the two and how they will be soon working together as the story goes on.
Rewriting this chapter was a pain, I still have a handful of others before I can update the rest of it here. I didn't know how lacking the first few chapters felt. So bland and not proper filling, too straight on the point and no proper construction.
Hopefully I don't have to change too much, but the old story of the captain would have to go in order not to clash with Jack and Walter's role as the main protagonists. I will retain a few characters.
Thank you all so much for reading.