Three days passed.
Base 101 transformed once again.
Workers swept every street.
Fresh banners bearing the silver crest of Base 101 were raised throughout the kingdom.
The marketplace bustled with activity.
The new Commander's Manor became the center of preparation.
George refused to rest.
"No!"
"The east wing still needs another balcony!"
Master Doran folded his arms.
"George."
"The balcony is finished."
George stared at it.
"It could be... more finished."
Doran sighed.
"I've worked with stubborn blacksmiths."
"I've worked with stubborn nobles."
"But you..."
"...are something else."
Ben laughed.
"I've never seen anyone argue with a balcony before."
The room erupted into laughter.
---
Elsewhere...
Mira directed dozens of healers through the manor.
"Prepare the guest chambers."
"Restock every medical kit."
"No visitor leaves Base 101 without receiving proper care."
The Medical Corps answered together.
"Yes, Commander!"
---
In the kitchens...
Cooks hurried from station to station.
Fresh bread filled the air with its aroma.
Roasted meats slowly turned over enchanted fires.
Vegetables from Base 101's farms were carefully prepared.
Even the newest refugees volunteered to help.
They wanted the visiting kingdoms to see the Base they had chosen to call home.
---
Outside the walls...
Leon stood with the Shadow Scouts.
Eight silent figures waited before him.
"The roads."
One scout nodded.
"Clear."
"The forests."
"Clear."
"The mountain pass."
"No hostile movement."
Leon gave one final order.
"No guest enters Base 101 unwatched."
The scouts disappeared into the surrounding wilderness.
Only the rustling leaves remained.
---
Inside the Commander's Manor...
Sam stood before the large map of Eastern Aetherra.
The emerald light marking the Wildlands pulsed steadily.
Inside his mind...
Rex spoke.
Commander...
Long-range detection active.
Alliance members approaching.
Estimated arrival...
Two hours.
Sam nodded.
"They're right on time."
---
The great bell atop Base 101 rang.
DONG!
DONG!
DONG!
A guard shouted from the western wall.
"RIDERS APPROACHING!"
Citizens gathered along the streets.
Children climbed onto fences.
Everyone wanted to witness history.
Far down the western road...
Three banners appeared.
The first carried the silver wolf crest of Base 202.
The second displayed the crimson dragon of Base 305.
The third...
Made everyone pause.
A banner of black steel gears.
Ben narrowed his eyes.
"That must be Atlas."
George's face lit up.
"I've been waiting to meet him!"
---
The gates of Base 101 opened.
Dennis rode in first.
He swung down from his horse with a grin.
"Sam."
"It's good to see you again."
Sam smiled.
"You made good time."
Dennis laughed.
"I wasn't going to miss this."
---
A second group entered.
Commander Elena rode at the front.
Behind her marched a small escort of Dragon Knights.
She dismounted gracefully.
"It's good to be back."
Runa smiled.
"Under better circumstances this time."
Elena nodded.
"Much better."
The two commanders shook hands once more.
This time...
As allies.
---
Finally...
The third delegation entered.
It was unlike anything anyone had seen.
Instead of wagons...
Strange mana-powered carts rolled through the gate.
Bronze gears turned beneath their frames.
Small crystal engines hummed softly.
Engineers walked beside them carrying blueprints instead of weapons.
At their center...
A man in a long engineer's coat adjusted the glowing goggles resting on his forehead.
He looked around Base 101 with obvious curiosity.
"So..."
"This is Base 101."
George was already walking toward him.
"You must be Atlas."
Atlas smiled.
"And you must be George."
The two men stared at each other for a long moment.
Then...
Almost simultaneously...
They both pointed toward the Advanced Forge.
"You built that?"
They spoke the exact same words.
Silence.
Then both burst into laughter.
Doran pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Oh no..."
George threw an arm around Atlas's shoulders.
"Come on!"
"You have to see my furnaces!"
Atlas grinned.
"Only if you let me show you my engine designs afterward."
"Deal!"
The two engineers disappeared into the forge before anyone could stop them.
Ben blinked.
"...Should we be worried?"
Doran answered without hesitation.
"Yes."
Kael laughed loudly.
"I like him already."
---
Sam looked toward Dennis and Elena.
Then toward the forge where George and Atlas had vanished.
A small smile crossed his face.
Inside his mind...
Rex spoke.
Commander...
Alliance Council members assembled.
Objective...
Ready to begin.
Sam nodded.
"Then let's make history."
Far above Base 101...
The emerald pillar continued to shine across Eastern Aetherra.
Waiting patiently...
For the kings who would soon enter the Emerald Wildlands together.