Chapter 1448 – Rising Once Again

“What do you estimate to be the level of fortress completion?” Solant asked softly, her eyes fixated on the maps and models laid out before her.

“It’s almost impossible to give an accurate figure,” Tungstant groused. “We’ve never done anything in such a piecemeal fashion as this. Some parts are nearly complete, while others haven’t been started!”

“That’s why I asked for an estimate.”

The carver paused for a moment to gather her scattered thoughts. She wasn’t used to working in this manner, and the pressure was enormous. The Colony had invested an enormous wealth of resources in this endeavour, and she had never before been so painfully aware of the risks. Combined with a lack of torpor that had her looking over her shoulder, and… she was getting irritable.

At least Solant was always calm and patient, which at times was an irritant in and of itself.

“Twenty percent,” she said finally. “Of all the components, the channels, tanks and platforms are probably the furthest along, but foundations, reinforcement and the outer walls are woefully behind. There’s almost no chance we can finish according to the schedule.”

“I completely agree,” Solant nodded, not taking her eyes off her precious models. “There will be a new timetable issued within the hour. Our deadline has been pushed back a week, which should give everyone time to catch up on their torpor.”

“A week?” Tungstant said, shocked. “Why a week?”

The vents had slowed them down tremendously, but they hadn’t lost that much time, had they?

Solant clacked her mandibles softly.

“You keep telling me that this is the most complex and ambitious construction project the Colony has ever undertaken. Am I right?”

“Yes. Because it is.”

Not just in scale or complexity, but the manner of construction as well.

“We cannot allow there to be any errors, not one, in the final fortress. The extra week will allow time for every build team to maintain minimum rest standards and double-check their completed builds to iron out faults.”

What Solant didn’t mention was that the reinforcements they’d received from the Legion allowed them a little more leeway. Should the worst happen, the Colony could concentrate their forces in fewer tunnels, which would make all the difference and allowed them to push the clock out a bit further.

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“Fine,” Tungstant said slowly. “I’ll let the teams know.”

“I appreciate your time, Senior,” Solant said, finally turning her head. “Make sure you get some rest as well.”

“I will.”

That would be one less thing she had to worry about, at least. As Tungstant moved out of the command post, Leonidant, the trusted scout of Solant’s twenty, moved to her side.