I drove through an opening in the forest. Eventually, I reached a barricade ahead; it had a big door with two speakers on either sides of it. From far away, I could see the top of what looked like some factory.
As we came close enough, the loudspeakers went, "Come on in." as the large gates started to open.
I stopped for a moment, wondering whether we'd find hostile or helpful people. As my eyes turned to Angel, I ultimately decided to go in. We drove through 3 layers of barricades each with large gates, which closed behind us as we passed.
We were greeted by 2 old men beyond the last gate.
"So, may I ask why you two were traveling?" One asked.
"Is she your daughter? Where is her mom?" the other asked at the same time.
I got out of the car, trying to understand what they asked. Angelica stayed behind me, peeking at the two strangers. After I understood what the two asked, I answered, "No, I am not her father. She was taken care of by an old man. who got food poisoning. When I found him, he entrusted me to take care of her. I am travelling now to find a suitable place for her."
"I see..." said one, looking down.
"Such a poor girl... what happened to her parents?" asked the other at the same time.
"I'd like not to talk about her parents... At least not with her around." I answered. She was still peeking from behind my right leg, and when I said that, she looked up at me for a moment.
The two looked at her before turning to me. they said in unison, "We understand... so, what's her name, and yours?"
I looked down at her, holding her shoulder to comfort her. "You can call her Angel," I said, "I am Jakub."
"I'm Carl." said one.
"Call me Talor." said the other, talking over Carl.
Carl's gaze dropped to the wooden sheaths at my waist. "You got some gear there."
"They are for bone swords." I explained resting my hand on one, "Made from the scales of a giant crocodile that attacked us on our way."
Talor's eyes widened, "You killed a mega mutant? Alone!?"
"Mega mutant?" I asked, curiously. I didn't think about it at the time, but most mutants appear to not change in size by much, other than the insects.
Talor took a minute, then he explained, "I guess you wouldn't know. Its a term only we use after all. Basically... mega mutants are mutants which are stronger, faster, larger and or tougher. They have mutated more than other animals... and their mutations were mostly beneficial. They are still manageable but with just a wooden spear and axe... Not so much."
"How did you even kill it?" Carl asked.
"I was lucky there was a pit near where it attacked me. I was able to lead it there, and it fell there on its back." I explained.
"Even leading it to a pit couldn't be easy. You had to be pretty level-headed to achieve that." Carl said.
"I'm from the military after all. I had to be level-headed during tense situations."
"What department of the military were you in?" Carl asked.
I hesitated for a moment, looked at Angel, then back at the two. "I worked on a submarine." I answered finally.
Both of their eyes widened before Carl asked, "You took active part in the war?"
"Yes..." I answered, lowering my head.
The two tilted their heads, asking in unison, "Then what are you doing on the land? Shouldn't you be in your submarine still?"
I closed my eyes and sighed, "I... I was thrown out of my submarine. The others put sleeping pills in my water bottle so that I'd be out cold. The next thing I knew, I was in the ocean."
"Hmm..." The two seemed deep in thought before Carl changed the subject. "Can I take a look at those bone swords of yours?"
I pulled the left one out. "It cuts. not much more I can ask from something like this."
He looked at it closely before extending his hand. "Mind letting me take a closer look?"
I hesitated for a moment, wondering if giving someone I just met a weapon was a good idea. But they didn't look like soldiers, and I'd still have my other sword, so I handed it over. "Here."
He swung it a few times before flicking the edges of the scales a few times, "This doesn't have the best alignment, but for a crude weapon its good. And these scales are sharp for something organic. Do you have more of them?"
"I do." I said, as I took out some of the scales.
He took two of them, hitting one with the other, "These feel metallic... Maybe carbon steel? I could probably make a weapon, after removing some impurities and adjusting the carbon content."
"A weapon, hmm? Can you make a katana? During my military training, I had to learn a few close combat martial arts. Out of what I learned, I prefer using katanas. Preferably on the longer side, like 80 to 90 centimetres."
"I can... But it'll take some time. I don't know its exact composition, so I'd have to experiment with it a little. If you have enough, and could stay for... about an year, I can make a katana for you." Carl explained.
"And? What do you want from me?" I asked. "We have some crops so food shouldn't be an issue."
"Ohh, don't worry about food." The two said in unison. Talor continued, "We grow more than enough vegetables and fruits."
"You do?"
"Yeah. We would also appreciate your help on defence." Talor explained, "Since this place is so large a lot of mutants come this way at night. The barricades and turrets on them help, but some still get through. Normally," he leaned on Carl, "He takes care of the rest, since I can't hold a gun if my life depended on it. But it is fairly dangerous, and if he'd gotten injured we'd be in big trouble."
I nodded. Then I gave Carl the rest of the scales I had.
Carl took the scales, then asked, "How much do you know about the mutants?"
"Nearly nothing." I answered.
Carl turned to Talor, "You should explain everything we know about the mutants."
"I know." Talor answered in an irritated voice.
They started walking toward the main gate of the factory.
"You can leave the truck there for now, we will bring it in later." They said in unison.
And just like that, the year of preparation had begun.