Chapter 40: Taking Shape
With the construction in full swing, Vincent watched as the activity around the site increased. The sound of heavy machinery filled the air. Bulldozers and excavators moved the earth, clearing the land and creating level ground for the new structures.
A Caterpillar D8T Bulldozer was busy pushing vast amounts of soil to create a foundation for the new barracks. Its powerful engine roared as it moved back and forth, flattening the terrain with precision. Nearby, a Komatsu PC360LC Excavator dug deep trenches for the underground utilities and reinforced foundations. Its long arm and powerful hydraulic system made short work of the hard ground, efficiently creating space for water lines, electrical conduits, and sewage systems.
Cranes were already in place, their tall forms towering over the construction site. An all- terrain Liebherr LTM 11200-9.1 crane was being used to lift heavy prefabricated sections of the command center into place. The precision with which the operators maneuvered these large pieces was impressive, each section fitting perfectly as the structure began to take shape.
Concrete mixers, such as the Mack Granite with McNeilus Bridgemaster V concrete mixer, were steadily churning out fresh concrete, which was then transported to various parts of the site using wheelbarrows and concrete pumps. Workers in hard hats and reflective vests directed the flow, ensuring that the concrete was poured correctly to form the foundations and walls of the buildings.
In another section of the site, a John Deere 850K Dozer was at work clearing the area for the airfield. Its wide blade efficiently pushed rocks and debris aside, creating a smooth, flat surface. This area would soon be paved and transformed into a runway capable of accommodating military aircraft.
The training grounds were also seeing rapid development. A Caterpillar 140M3 Motor Grader was in action, leveling the ground and preparing it for the various training zones. The grader's precise blade control ensured that the terrain was even and suitable for all types of military drills.
Meanwhile, in the dockyard area, a Volvo EC950F Crawler Excavator was dredging the dock, making it deeper and wider to accommodate larger vessels. Its powerful digging capabilities allowed it to remove large amounts of earth and rock, which were then transported away by dump trucks.
Vincent observed all this activity with satisfaction. The engineers and construction crews were working seamlessly, each team focusing on their tasks with dedication. The prefabricated structures he had purchased were being assembled with impressive speed, and it was clear that the base would soon start to take a tangible form.
He walked over to a group of engineers who were overseeing the installation of the advanced armory. "How's it going here?" Vincent asked.
One of the engineers, a tall man with a clipboard, looked up and smiled. "We're making great progress, sir. The prefabricated sections fit together perfectly, and we've already started on the internal reinforcements. This armory will be one of the most secure buildings on the base."
"I think I have forgotten to buy something. Something that should be in every military base." "What is it sir?" the engineer asked.
Vincent called over the lead engineer to discuss the placement. "We'll set up the coal power plant near Leona Lake."
The engineer nodded, making notes on his clipboard. "Understood, sir. We'll begin the groundwork for the power plant immediately."
"I want this done within three days," Vincent said.
Now, you might be wondering, why three days as most of the structures being built on Akarios Island could take months and possibly years. Well, the reason for that is the construction doesn't follow the paradigm of real-world construction. He noticed that during construction sometimes foundations would just magically appear as if it was in video games. Maybe it's just a touch of realism added by the system.
It's a good addition as sometimes there'd be visitors from this planet and they'll watch the construction. They would be shocked to see a facility being built from the ground up as if it was a magical process, which in a way, it was. Vincent had grown accustomed to the rapid construction pace enabled by the system, and he knew it was a significant advantage they held over any potential adversaries.
With the engineers mobilizing to start the coal power plant near Leona Lake, Vincent took a moment to appreciate the overall progress.
At the barracks site, the foundation was almost complete. Workers were preparing to install the prefabricated sections that would soon house the soldiers. The Caterpillar D8T Bulldozer had finished leveling the area, and now forklifts were moving materials into place, ready for
assembly.
The command center was rising steadily, with the Liebherr crane lifting another section into place. Vincent watched as the operators expertly maneuvered the heavy piece, fitting it perfectly into the growing structure.
Meanwhile, as all of that was happening, his radio sounded.
"Alpha...this is Alpha 2, about the prisoners."
Vincent sighed, he had forgotten about the prisoners.