Empire Builder 4: Breed, Populate, Conquer, page 29
When Ben heard the familiar thump of huge paws, however, a smile spread across his face. Sure enough, Nipper appeared around the corner, Brock with him and the rest of the survivors. The red-headed woman, a massive blade in her hands, was at their lead.
“There you are!” she called out, the group coming to a stop. Ben looked them over, noting that a few were missing—likely killed in combat. Fortunately, most appeared to have survived. “All of the goblin machines stopped working at the same time. And a good thing, too. We were fighting hard, but it was only a matter of time before we were overwhelmed by their sheer numbers.”
She looked over the group.
“I see you’re all here. Good. We took some losses ourselves, but thankfully not as many as I’d feared. And your monsters were of great assistance.”
“The Genius is dead,” Ben said. Looks of relief appeared on the faces of the survivors. They cheered quietly among one another, though Ben could sense that they were just as worried about what was next to come.
“That’s good to hear,” the red-headed woman said. “Truly, it is. That… bastard took so much from us, not to mention those who weren’t lucky enough to live to see today. A million deaths would be too few for that torturing prick.” She spat after she spoke, making her feelings on the matter abundantly clear.
“But we have nowhere to go,” another member of the survivors said.
“Yes, you do,” Ben replied. “This is my territory now, and you all are more than welcome in my empire.”
The group regarded one another with expressions of total relief as if they couldn’t believe what they were hearing. Once the relief faded, however, he could see that they seemed overwhelmed by their newfound freedom. Not to mention, Ben realized that he still needed to find a way to get back.
“Alright!” Rox said. “First step is we return to my village. Trust me, we’re going to be having a hell of a party to celebrate!”
“That sounds perfect,” Melody said with a big smile.
As they spoke, the red-headed woman stepped over to the windows looking out over the factory floor. She placed her hands on the glass, an expression of concentration on her face. Ben stepped over to her.
“Are you alright?” he asked.
She allowed herself a smile, nodding along with it. “Yes. Still shaken from the battle, and it’s going to take some time to recover from everything we’ve been through here. All the same, I can’t help but admire what the Genius built here.”
Ben turned his attention to the factory floor, the assembly system down below impossibly complex to behold.
“It’s really something. Too bad about what it was used for.”
“I agree. Part of me wants to destroy this place piece by piece. But another part of me…”
Ben glanced over to her. “Wants to do something good with it?”
She nodded. “Imagine if this assembly line could produce food or medicine instead of weapons of war. This technology would be enough to change the entire world.”
Ben found himself in agreement. “Too bad the Genius took the knowledge of how to work it with him when I killed him.”
“Not necessarily so, Ben!” Rox bounded over, moving between the pair and plopping his green hands on the glass. “This is all pretty complicated stuff, sure, but it’s nothing me and the guys can’t figure out—especially if we don’t have a damn war to distract us. Not to mention that we’ll have a field day taking apart all those fliers and mechas that stopped working when the Genius bit the dust.” He put his hands on his hips, nodding as he thought it all over. “Yep, I think we can really do something with this.”
The redhead turned to Rox. “Then I want to be a part of it. I’ve watched and learned how some of this equipment works since being taken prisoner. I want to help turn this all into something that does good, instead of evil.”
Sounds of approval arose from the rest of the group of survivors. It was clear that they were all in agreement.
Ben turned to them and spoke. “This tower is mine now, and this land is part of my empire. If you all wish to stay here and help work this place, I’d be more than happy—so long as you pledge your loyalty.”
“You’ll have it,” the redhead spoke with a nod. “And I’m sure that I can speak for the rest of the survivors.”
Ben turned to the group, seeing them all nod in agreement. There was no doubt that they felt the same way.
“Good. But first thing’s first—we need to connect this tower to my empire.” He cleared his throat and spoke. “Tower, are you there?”
“I’m here, Ben.” The voice came through with much more clarity than before. “I see that the other Ben is no longer present.”
“Well, he’s still present,” Zito said. “Just in a pile of smoking scraps on the ground in the jungle!”
Ben allowed himself a small smile at this. “Zito’s right—the third Ben has been taken out.”
“Then this tower is now yours. Please give me a moment to connect it to the network.”
A map of the continent appeared, Ben’s group, along with the survivors, gathering around. His territory with the two towers was highlighted. A few seconds later, another section of the map—including the jungle and the mountains—was linked to it. Ben grinned as his territory expanded. But there was still the matter of the fourth and the fifth towers.
“I will also activate the transportation room at the bottom of the tower and connect that to your network. One moment, please… done. I now also have access to the schematics of the tower. Most rooms are currently being used as storage—of both organic and inorganic matter. There appears to be plenty of space, however.”
“We need to clean this place out, get it ready for being a part of my empire. I want the factory to be up and running, and I want no traces of the Genius’s grisly bullshit remaining.”
“Very well, Ben,” the tower replied. “Would you like me to divert some of the aurochkin here and assign them to cleanup duty?”
Ben opened his mouth to confirm the command. But before he did, Rox stepped over and raised his hand.
“Uh, Ben? Don’t want to put too fine a point on it, but if what we’ve seen around here is any indication, the rest of this tower won’t be pretty.”
“He’s right,” Melody said. “So much of this stuff is going to be burned into my brain forever.”
“What I’m thinking,” Rox said, “is that we spare the aurochkin the sight of what’s going on in here. I’ve met aurochkin before, they, uh, spook easily. Last thing you want is a traumatized workforce, you know?”
“What’re you suggesting?” Ben asked.
“Let the goblin tribes move in! We’ll get this place settled and cleaned up in no time. Give us a couple of weeks, and we’ll have this factory up and running again, ready to pump out whatever goodies you’ve got in mind. Trust me! If there’s anyone in the world who can figure out this stuff, it’s us!”
“Sounds reasonable to me,” Melody said. “If anyone’s going to figure out how to get this equipment up and running, it’s going to be the goblins. And unless you want to deal with some seriously spooked aurochkin, I’d keep them as far away from this place as possible.”
Rox grinned. “That’s right. Goblins might not be as, uh, docile as aurochkin, but we’re just as hard workers. You say the word, and I’ll start moving in some of the tribes.”
“Let’s do it,” Ben replied. “But first, I want to survey the battlefield.”
Ben and the rest of his group made their way out of the tower. Instead of using the service tunnels they’d snuck in through, they were able to exit through the towering metal doors in the grand hall. The entrance opened directly into a path that led through the mountains and into the jungle. The view was sweeping, allowing him to see all the way to the edge of the jungle, Brekmarth visible in the distance.
“Got another idea for you, boss,” Rox said. “The jungle’s a wild place, but that doesn’t mean we can’t do our best to tame it. Now that you’ve got the goblins on your side, we can start construction of a road through the jungle, all the way to that town of yours. Might take some doing, but in the meantime, we can use the river and set up some patrols to keep the Fell Beasts away from anyone traveling them.”
Ben smirked. “You’re shaping up to be a hell of an advisor, Rox.”
Rox winked from behind his goggles. “Humans always think that we goblins are like pesky little rodents. Not so! We’re crafty as they come, and living in the jungle makes us tougher than we might look. But don’t tell that to the Xurian Realm. The goblins in their territories are nothing more than slaves, worked in the mines until they’re dead!”
Rox pursed his lips for a moment as if the thought of his kind suffering in such a way was too much to bear.
“But you’re not like that, Ben, right? You’re not going to turn us into slaves or robotic murder machines or anything like that. And in return, the rest of the goblins and I are going to give you our loyalty. Now, let’s get our butts down to the village and celebrate this victory!”
With that, Ben and the rest of his group made their way down the path leading into the jungle. The trip down the mountains was far easier than the one down it, and before they day had ended, the group arrived in the village, passing many goblin mechas and fliers that littered the jungle.
The party began right away, Ben and Rox and the rest of his companions the guests of honor. Together, they ate and drank and celebrated their victory. Envoys from the rest of the independent tribes in the jungles arrived over the course of the evening, all pledging their loyalty to Ben and his empire.
It wasn’t long, however, before Ben’s mind began to drift to the other towers. He knew taking them both would be no small feat, but he was already much stronger than he’d been a day ago, and he had the best companions he could possibly ask for alongside him.
Chapter 29
One week later…
As Ben looked out over Grand Zhameen, his mind raced with strategies and tactics, analyzing every possible move and countermove that might give him an edge in the coming confrontation.
But even as he planned and strategized, Ben couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that had settled deep within him. He knew that the southwestern tower’s Ben would almost certainly prove to be a worthy adversary, and victory would not come easily. The Genius had called him the Brilliant Strategist, after all.
With a determined spirit, Ben turned from the view of the city and stepped into his chambers.
He was dressed in clothing that one of the tailors down in the city below had made for him, fine, but functional clothing that was a testament to his status as emperor—the black and gold garments hugged his muscular frame, accentuating his powerful presence. The black fabric was thick and sturdy, providing both protection and style. Golden embroidery traced the edges of his coat, glinting in the sunlight that filtered in through the windows of his tower.
Ben’s trousers were also black but made of a softer material that allowed him to move freely as he paced thoughtfully in his chambers. The gold accents continued down the sides of his pants, adding a touch of opulence to the otherwise practical outfit.
A black leather belt with a gold buckle was cinched at his waist, drawing attention to the impressive breadth of his shoulders. His boots were black and knee-high, polished to a high shine. Gold buckles at the top and bottom of the boots matched the rest of his outfit. His gloves were black as well, made of supple leather that allowed him to handle a sword or a pen with equal ease.
He couldn’t help but appreciate the craftsmanship of his clothing and how they gave him a regal bearing. Ben had spoken with some of the kin about enchanting his gear with magic—something that could give him an advantage in the battle to come.
“You’re looking like a real emperor, Ben.”
Ben flicked his eyes up to see Melody standing at the entrance to his room, leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed beneath her breasts. She was dressed in her usual style of loose-fitting clothing, the light fabric clinging to her lusciously curvy figure. Ben couldn’t help but notice how his attraction to Melody hadn’t decreased one bit since their first night together. Indeed, it’d only deepened with all they’d gone through together.
Ben chuckled, glancing down at his clothing. “Thanks. One of the tailors in the marketplace insisted on making them for me.”
“They suit you,” she said, stepping farther into the room. “And you’d better get used to your subjects wanting to do things to show how loyal they are to you.”
As soon as she spoke the words, Melody glanced aside, a tense expression on her face.
“What’s up?”
She shook her head, coming back to the moment. “Nothing.”
Ben let out a wry chuckle, stepping aside and gesturing for her to come into the room.
“Mind-reading’s not one of my powers, but I wouldn’t need it to know something’s weighing on you.”
She smiled softly and entered. Ben paid special attention to Melody as she stepped into the room. Her body was sublime—every curve was accentuated by the loose, red material, and the way she moved was fluid and feline. Her lithe limbs were adorned with black bands, and her long tail swayed back and forth with an effortless grace.
As she drew closer, Ben could see the intensity in her bright purple eyes, which were framed by long lashes. Her sharp, pointed ears twitched as she listened to her surroundings, and her nose wrinkled as she scented the air of his chambers—something she did seemingly purely by instinct. Despite her petite size, she exuded an air of confidence and strength.
Melody’s purple hair fell in loose waves around her shoulders, the hue contrasting starkly against her pale skin. Her lips were set in a determined line, and Ben could make out the muscles of her arms—toned but still supple and graceful.
He watched as she moved with a dancer’s grace over to the bed and sat down at the edge. Her movements were fluid and precise, even with something weighing heavily on her mind. Her clothing allowed for maximum mobility, and the way it clung to her curves served to highlight both the sensuality and power he knew she possessed.
Ben quickly shook his head, running his hand through his hair and doing his best to come back to the moment. He pushed thoughts of Melody and her body out of his mind, wanting to give her his full attention.
“I don’t know what it is you wanted to talk about,” Ben said, stepping over to his room’s bar. “But whatever it is, I’m sure it’ll come out easier with a little wine.”
She smiled, brushing a few strands of purple hair from in front of her face and tucking them behind her ear. “That would be lovely, Ben. And I can assure you, I didn’t come here to burden you. I’m sure there’s enough weighing on your mind already.”
He poured two glasses of wine, bringing them over to where Melody was seated on the end of the bed.
“Let’s get some fresh air,” she said.
Ben agreed, and together, they stepped out onto the balcony. The air was the perfect temperature—Ben was beginning to enjoy the mostly mild weather of his new home. He handed her one of the glasses of wine, and they both sipped.
“I was just thinking about what we saw at the tower,” she said. “All of those horrible things…”
“I understand,” he said. “I’m disgusted by what was happening there, too. But it’s over now—we took out the Genius, and now we can use what he built to make the continent a better place. There’s that medicine Sir Gallant was telling us about. Imagine if we were able to produce that on a mass scale.”
She nodded, a smile on her face. “I know. I have no doubt that you’ll be able to turn something horrible into something good. It’s just… I was thinking about his companion. She was like me, right? Some mage sent to find the Ben of another world. But… she wasn’t as lucky as me. Her fate was horrible.”
“She’s at peace now. There’s nothing we could do to stop what happened, but at least we ended that terrible existence.”
“I know; we did our best. And I didn’t come here to be maudlin or weepy. Not to mention that by this point I understand the nature of war and the bad things that can happen. It’s more… I was thinking about what happened to me .”
“To you?”
She nodded. “I was thinking about how darn lucky I am. That poor mage was sent to speak to the Genius Ben, and we saw her fate. But look at me. I found the best of all the Bens, the one who’s not only powerful but seems to have a sense of morality.” Melody smiled. “Don’t get me wrong, you’re not some softie or anything like that. You’re as tough as they come, and I’ve seen you in battle enough to know that for damn sure.”
Melody pursed her lips, trying to figure out how to express what was on her mind.
“I’m grateful. That’s what I came to say, not to burden you with worry. You’re an amazing leader, and I’m grateful to be able to serve you.” She smiled and nodded one more time when she was done as if satisfied with what she’d said. “And look at this down here.” She swept her hand toward Grand Zhameen.
Ben turned his attention to the city below, a pleased smile forming on his lips as he took in the sight. The golden sun was casting a warm glow upon the sea of buildings, and the sweet aroma of freshly baked bread from the market district was carried up to him on the breeze.
The city was a patchwork of districts, each with its own character and flavor. The bustling marketplace hummed with activity, merchants haggling and bargaining with customers. The residential area was tranquil, the residents beginning to develop neatly trimmed lawns and gardens and children playing in the streets. The newly developed industrial district was a hive of activity, with smokestacks billowing thick clouds of smoke into the air.
But it wasn't just the beauty and vitality of the city that impressed Ben; it was the defenses that surrounded it. The new walls were tall and strong, built from rough-hewn stone and fortified with towers and battlements. The construction had been swift and done at a near-miraculous speed thanks to the magic users among the empire.
