Tax Bro grinned. "But just doing this isn't a long-term solution. We need to figure out how to get Imperial Coins."
At the mention of Imperial Coins, the three of them fell silent for a moment.
The excitement brought by the system update had passed, and the pressure of reality hit them straight in the face.
Base construction required resources. They either had to scavenge for them in the wasteland, or buy them with Imperial Coins.
Personal enhancement required Imperial Coins.
Chapter development required Imperial Coins.
Even a fucking face-lift required Imperial Coins!
"Increase revenue and cut expenditure," Zeke said slowly. "Cutting expenditure... means spending carefully. Don't waste money unnecessarily. We'll pool our funds to centrally purchase basic survival supplies and required machinery."
"Increasing revenue..."
He looked out at the wasteland, his eyes flashing. "Once the base has taken a basic shape, we have to organize exploration teams."
"The surrounding towns, settlements, and... this wasteland itself."
"Anything of value can be exchanged for Imperial Coins."
"There might be mineral veins in the wasteland, or ruins, or... valuable local specialties."
"And while we're at it," he lowered his voice, "we gather intel."
"The current situation on Aurelian IV, the aftermath in the industrial zone, the movements of the Four Great Factions and the Planetary Governor."
"We can't be blind and deaf."
Tax Bro and Schrödinger Bro both nodded heavily.
Just then, a shout from [Bricklaying on Site for Ten Years] came through the regional channel:
"Zeke! Everyone! The preliminary plan is out! Everyone come take a look!"
The players temporarily put down their work and gathered in front of the largest prefabricated panel building, which was currently being cleared.
[Design Institute Blueprint Dog] had already drawn on a slightly cleaned section of the wall using a pen:
"Look here, everyone! This is the Phase One renovation plan for our base!"
"Core philosophy: Make do with what we have, quickly establish basic functions!"
"1. Residential Area: Based on the ruins of this largest prefab building. We'll reinforce and repair it."
"We'll use partitions inside to divide it into large communal sleeping areas. It needs to hold at least five thousand people for temporary lodging."
"The two smaller buildings next to it: one will serve as a command post and warehouse, the other as a workshop and medical station."
"2. Defensive Facilities: We can't build a full perimeter wall right now. But we can use cleared rubble, metal scrap, and chopped wood to pile up a barrier belt along the perimeter. One point eight to two point five meters high. It just needs to stop wild beasts and stray stragglers."
"We'll build simple watchtowers at the four corners. We'll use materials from the existing crooked watchtower to repair one, and build the other three out of wood."
"3. Functional Areas: Here, we clear a space for an open-air assembly and training ground."
"Here, we dig a few deep pits for temporary latrines (This MUST be far away from the water source and residential area!)."
"Water is a major issue. We need to organize manpower to find a stable water source nearby, or... see if the system shop sells water recycling units, though they'll definitely be expensive."
"4. Material Requirements: We need more metal plates, wood, rope, tools..."
"Most of it can be scavenged from the ruins and the surrounding jungle, but some critical connectors and reinforcements might need to be bought from the shop or traded at nearby human settlements."
The plan was crude, but for a group of players who had just escaped slavery and only had basic tools, it was quite impressive.
"Agreed!"
"Let's do it!"
"It's better than sleeping under the open sky!"
The players voiced their agreement.
"Good!" Zeke finalized it. "We go with this plan! Civil Engineering Team and Tech Team will take the lead, everyone else cooperate!"
"Prioritize completing the residential area reinforcements and the perimeter barrier belt!"
"Before we log off today, we need a place to lie down and sleep!"
"AHOOO!!!"
The players let out a roar full of motivation.
Construction resumed, and it was much more organized.
Watching all of this, Zeke felt deeply moved.
This was what players were. This was the Fourth Scourge.
Give them an objective—even if that objective was moving bricks and building a house—and they would erupt with astonishing enthusiasm and creativity.
Because they knew they were moving these bricks for themselves; they were building this house for themselves.
More importantly, they saw a path forward.
The system update was like a game manual, telling them how to play this Warhammer MMO:
Get stronger, form groups, climb the tech tree, build infrastructure, and eventually... maybe they really could pilot mechas through the sea of stars.
Hope was the most powerful driving force.
"By the way," Zeke suddenly remembered something and spoke in the regional channel. "Regarding the Chapter... what does everyone think?"
"Should we form one massive Chapter, or split into several smaller ones?"
The channel instantly grew lively again.
[Soul of Cadia]: "One massive Chapter, of course! Let's call it the Aurelian Liberation Front! Or the Emperor's Aegis! We stand united!"
[T'au-Kun, You're Right, But the Bolter is Righter]: "I think we can split into specialized Chapters."
"Like a Combat Assault Chapter, a Tech Logistics Chapter, an Exploration Recon Chapter... each with its own duties."
[Slaanesh Chosen Reserve]: "I propose founding the Art and Aesthetics Research Society... Okay, pretend I didn't say that."
[Fugitive Cogboy of the Mechanicus]: "From an efficiency standpoint, a single large Chapter facilitates centralized resources and unified command."
"But considering future personnel expansion and mission diversity, establishing subordinate specialized detachments is a logical trend."
"I recommend founding a Main Chapter first, and gradually branching out."
[Emperor's Taxes Must Be Paid Even If The World Ends]: "How do we calculate Chapter dues? Do members have to pay taxes?"
"Uh... I mean, hand over a certain percentage of Imperial Coins as Chapter funds?"
After a long discussion, a preliminary consensus was reached:
1. Found a Main Chapter first. The name proposed by Zeke was "Crimson Dawn"—meaning to bring a glimmer of crimson dawn's hope to the dark Aurelian IV, and even to the entire grimdark Warhammer universe. It received majority approval.
2. "For the emblem, we use a breaking sunrise, illuminating the dark earth!"
3. "We won't surrender to Chaos, and we won't lick the boots of Imperial Nobles! We'll rely on ourselves to carve a bloody path through this dark galaxy and shine a light of dawn!"
4. The Main Chapter would have different squads or divisions beneath it. Alternatively, the few major players who possessed the funds to found a Chapter could establish sub-Chapters.
5. Chapter funds would be raised through voluntary donations and future loot commissions, used to purchase public equipment, build base facilities, and subsidize resurrection fees for fallen brothers.
6. Zeke would temporarily serve as the Chapter Master.
–
The embryonic concepts for the Chapter slowly took shape in the intervals between moving bricks.
The setting sun looked exceptionally sallow through the pollution clouds, but by this time, the base had taken a rudimentary form.
The largest prefab building had been barely reinforced. The roof was patched with whatever materials could be found. Though it was drafty, it could at least block most of the rain.
The interior was simply partitioned with boards. Though crowded, it looked like a dormitory.
The perimeter barrier belt was mostly piled up. Though it looked crooked, it had indeed formed a low wall.
One watchtower was repaired, and the frames for the other two wooden watchtowers were erected.
The open-air training ground was cleared, though it was still full of potholes.
The temporary latrines were dug, though the smell had already begun to spread.
The players were exhausted to the point of stumbling, but most wore smiles of accomplishment.
Sitting in the cleared open space, they ate the synthetic nutrient paste and purified water purchased collectively from the shop. The taste was still 'touching,' but their mood was entirely different.
"This is food we earned ourselves," one player muttered.
"And this is a house we built ourselves."
Zeke stood on the repaired watchtower, looking down at the scattered campfires slowly lighting up, and at those exhausted yet excited faces.
He sent a message in the regional channel:
"Brothers, today, we took our first step."
"From miners, we became pioneers."
"From slaves, we became... temporarily free warriors."
"The road ahead is long, and we are surrounded by powerful enemies."
"Chaos glares at us like a tiger, the Four Great Factions each harbor their own sinister motives, and who knows when the Imperial bureaucrats will notice our group of undocumented ghosts."
"But we have everyone standing by each other. We have this beginning. We have... hope."
"Remember what we said in the industrial zone: Let's give this dog-shit universe a little bit of shock and awe."
"Now, it starts with building our own home."
"For the arrival of dawn in the darkness."
"For Imperial Coins."
"And for the day... when we can truly master our own destinies."
Zeke opened the enhancement menu and clicked on Basic Physique Enhancement (Type I).
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