Chapter Four
"He wants me to do what?" Reik exclaimed. His voice carried through the empty halls of the compound lower levels.
"The order was very clear Sub-commander." Reik said evenly and calm.
"You want me to coordinate a major structural build under threat of siege attacks with limited resources and man power?"
"In a very short period of time as well. And I do not request it of you Sub-Commander. Your 1st Narce does. "
"I've just pieced together the Heavy Weapons team under his sudden order, now this. This man wants the impossible. Do you know what kind of effort that would take?"
"I can imagine, however, the task is not asked of me. Obviously you do know which is why the task is asked of you."
Reik was floored.
"Why is the 1st Narce putting such huge responsibilities on me?"
"I am not sure Reik. I got the sense real quickly that the 1st Narce makes his decision for what he finds as good reasons."
“I don't think I can do this."
"Oh I'm sure you will try. You know the truth of the matter is that you don't have a choice."
"Kiel really, what is this man thinking? You've spent a little more time with him than the rest of us."
"I'm not sure," Kiel said snidely. "I'm not privy to all of the 1st Narces reasoning. Some of the decisions of the past few days have been beyond me as well. However; we must stay functional. That means we have to adjust according to leadership." Kiel decided to test Riek. "Do you want to tell the 1st Narce you won't do it?"
"Hell no! I'm just saying…"
"There is nothing else to be said Sub-Commander. We know it is a demanding order that you are uncertain can be completed. This is the situation you find yourself in. The simple question is what will you do?"
Reik sat in quiet contemplation. His thoughts were varied, but there was only one answer; at least for him.
"I will do my job, to the best of my ability." He conceded subdued.
"That is all that can be asked of you Sub-Commander."
"Oh really?"
"Do not fret too hard. We will provide you with any assistance you need. I am your commanding officer. Believe it or not, your success or failures will fall on me as well. Do us a favor. Spare us any possibility of rebuke and succeed."
"Yes sir."
"I am going up top. If you require my assistance I will be out in the field." Kiel left Reik to his thoughts.
How the hell am I going to get this done? 24 hrs?
He went up top and walked to the damaged front walls. For a half hour he studied the structure and contemplated on the task at hand. He knew he would need a lot of talent on this. After contemplating on the structure he went to inspect the damaged buildings that would be used for the build. He had to figure out how the damaged buildings would be deconstructed and transported efficiently before any building could begin. He went down to his office and pulled up all of the personal profiles. There wasn’t much time to dwell on the data. Construction had to begin soon. He found a number of personnel that would be sufficient, and then a profile jumped out at him; an engineer. Reik skimmed over his experience. This engineer might be his saving grace. Immediately he sent out a request for his presence atop the walls of the compound.
Reik was standing atop the front wall, clip board under his arm, staring out at the sands, when noticed an gentleman making his way toward him. Mid-forties, still fit, light accents of grey. He was obviously military but with a demeanor of something else in his stride.
“Sub - Commander Reik. You wanted to see me?" The man called out.
Reik reached out to shake the man's hand as he approached. "Abney?"
"Yes sir."
"Thank you for coming up to meet me.” There was no need to tiptoe around the subject. “Abney I've been charged with an interesting task." Reik pointed to the damaged wall. "I've been ordered to put together a team to demolish three damaged buildings and construct a support wall along the entire inner front wall of the compound in twenty four hours."
"Damn!"
"Yeah. Damn to say the least. I looked over your profile and it says you were one of the original engineers for the latest face of the compounds walls."
"Yes that's true. I was one of three. The other two men have since died during Destruction battles."
"Great. Take a good strong look. I'll just ask you one simple question. Can this be done?"
Abney analyzed the wall of the compound and the surrounding area briefly.
"Pretty easily actually." Abney informed nonchalantly. He reached out for the clipboard Reik was holding under his arm. "Give me a pin and some paper young man." Reik released the board as Abney took it into his hands. He flipped it open and found the first piece of blank paper. Abney quickly got to scribbling numbers and formulas. Reik peeked over on the paper. None of it was decipherable to him. Abney took a glance at the wall then around the compound, then scribbled some more. He stopped abruptly then handed the board back to Reik.
"Yeah, quite easily actually, well relatively easily."
"Really?"
"Here's the thing young man, the entire project would take some time. Of course we would need more resources. If the attacks keep going as they have been, we will have more than enough buildings to pull from, but of course we don't want that, so, the one thing and most important thing we can do, relatively quickly, again would be to finish a reinforcement of the front gates and wall immediately surround it. The rest of the compound walls will hold through continued attacks. I can actually build it stronger than what had been previously been constructed."
"How so?"
"It's a bit complicated, but I'm going to use my personal design. It’s called a Triangular Point Build. I always wanted to capitalize on an opportunity to implement it in a new build.
"This would be that opportunity Mr. Abney." Reik patted the man on the shoulder. "Abney I'm glad I found you."
"It will be a pleasure to help you young man."
Construction of the new inner wall of the compound began that day. It was mid-day by the time the initial phases of the project began. Reik managed to pull the teams together quickly and organize available construction resources. With Abney's help they had been able to devise and quick and efficient way to demolish and transport what was usable from the damaged buildings while the frame was going up against the wall. Reik concentrated on managing personnel on and moving resources, while Abney concentrated on the actual demolishing and building. During this time, Reik did his best to avoid Avahloh. He already felt pressured enough. If he could avoid him the whole time, that would be best. It was not likely.
Crest and Shield Book 2: an O R D E R mini Page 4