The northern winter had settled in deep. That biting wind - once it hit bare skin, it didn’t take long before it burned like frostbite.
Lana and her team had been in the Ice Regint for over a month now. No one pushed them to decide anything. They just lived quietly among the others. Magnus made sure they got the sa treatnt as the rest of the female mbers - hot water for baths, decent als, no special favors, but no less either.
In just one short month, the number of people coming to the Ice Regint had exploded. Most of them were frozen to desperation. Small groups out there didn’t even have heat sources.
Emily, soft-hearted as she was, had let word slip to these little groups about the warmth from the teorite soil. So once those won joined, especially the ones with family, the Regint not only gave them rations, but a bit of that soil too, enough to survive through the cold.
"2,886!"
Liana held a small notebook, frowning. "Almost three thousand new arrivals in a month. Only 1,233 are Awakened. A whole bunch of them are over fifty. What now? Do we keep letting them in?"
The total headcount had passed 8,000. Resources - food, water, supplies - they could manage for now. But, not everyone pulled their weight. Not because they didn’t want to, but they just didn’t have the ability. And despite that, they got the sa treatnt as the won out there risking their necks on missions.
"Trim down rear support’s supplies..." Emily exhaled. "als, bath tokens, gear allotnts - we need to cut back."
Liana stayed silent. She oversaw logistics. Cutting supplies to her people wasn’t sothing she could easily agree with.
"I’m for it," said Sophia. "Our team’s already been grumbling. Loads of them want to transfer to logistics now. No wind, no rain, just cooking and patching clothes, and they get the sa food and perks as we do. Honestly? Can’t bla them. I’m envious too."
"I agree," Charlotte added simply.
Magnus took a drag of his smoke. Once everyone had spoken, he flicked away the ash.
"Cutting their benefits won’t go down smooth. Plus, they’re cooking - if they’re upset, the food won’t be clean. That’s a health risk."
"Then what’s your plan?" Sophia gave him a half-smirk, waiting for his answer.
"We bump up combat team rewards. Especially for those just back from a run - better food, more baths, new clothes, snacks. Keep the base standard the sa, just raise the perks for those out there doing the fighting."
It was still cutting logistics’ benefits, in a way. But done like this, no one’s pride would get poked. Who in logistics could argue? They weren’t heading into combat.
Liana finally nodded. "Our drivers risk their lives too. They’re not lounging around. I agree with your reward plan, Magnus - but driver team gets the sa treatnt as combat units. Non-negotiable."
"Done." Magnus stood up. "Liana, when you’ve got a mont, rework the logistics system. Older folks can handle kitchen duty, cleaning, boiling water inside the sleeper trucks... they’re better suited for that now."
"Anyone over forty who hasn’t Awakened, but still in decent shape, can handle driving duties full ti. We’ll arm them too, just in case, but they won’t need to fight unless it’s absolutely necessary," Magnus said calmly.
Before he could continue, Liana cut in, "That’s actually why I’ve been disagreeing with Emily and Sophia’s suggestions. Do we even have any real fights lately? All the fighting units are basically lounging in the granaries now - getting fed, clothed, and doing nothing. anwhile, logistics folks like us are busting our asses every day. You think that feels fair?"
Her words dropped, the car went silent. After a long pause, Magnus let out a soft breath and muttered, "There will be fights. Soon..."
As they continued the discussion, a female scout stepped forward to report: Lana and others wanted to et. The sa five had co again - Georgia included.
Ashton and the other squad leaders made room for them. Once seated, Lana looked around then spoke up, "We’ve decided. Voted last night. We all agreed. We’re ready to officially join your team."
Georgia spoke up, blunt as ever, "But like we said from the start, two leadership spots have to go to our people. Otherwise, we’d rather go back to living that cushy life on our own."
Sophia rolled her eyes. She had so sympathy for their struggle, but hearing Georgia talk rubbed her wrong every ti. "Sure. You can have two deputy positions. But not her," she said, voice sharp, eyes locked on Georgia.
Georgia snorted, "Please. Like I even want it?"
Lana looked straight at Magnus, frowning. "Only deputy leadership?"
Magnus hadn’t really thought about it in those terms. With their numbers shooting past 8000, including Lana’s 177, it had co up during the last leadership eting. Charlotte had already declined to lead a team again. And Lana had proven herself capable; from what Dakota and other team mbers said, she had a solid track record.
He finally spoke, "We’ve added over 3000 new mbers this month. We’ll be reorganizing again soon. So I need to know - who are you putting forward for leadership?"
"Lana, of course." Georgia answered without hesitation.
"And the second one?" Sophia cut in, still wary of Georgia being one of the nas.
"We want Dakota," Lana responded clearly.
Frankly, not many options left. Of their top five representatives, Mia barely spoke, Georgia and Glenda weren’t well-suited. That pretty much left Dakota and Lana.
Which lined up with what Magnus and his team had already been thinking.
With the total now at 8492 mbers, Magnus led the second reorganization of the month. No sweeping changes, just adjustnts. Every unit got one experienced squad leader and at least one Awakened with 4x speed.
Lana took over Regint Three with 2000 under her. Dakota was placed as Emily’s deputy. Mia went as Sophia’s second-in-command. Georgia followed Lana and took on a battalion leader role. Glenda was transferred to Liana’s logistics team.
As for the rest of the 172 won - they were distributed across 169 squads, one per unit. Just as planned, each unit now had a speed Awakened.
Except for one. One woman, brought up by Dakota and Lana themselves - they didn’t want her on the frontlines at all...
User Comments
0 comments from readers