Battle Group Conception, Crimson Dawn (Seeking Follow-up Reads)

Tax Brother grinned, "But keeping on like this isn't a long-term solution. We need to figure out a way to get Imperial Coin."

At the mention of Imperial Coin, the three of them fell silent for a moment.

After the excitement brought by the system update, the pressure of reality came crashing down.

Base construction requires resources, and resources must either be scavenged from the wilderness or purchased with Imperial Coin.

Personal growth requires Imperial Coin.

Warband development requires Imperial Coin.

Even changing one's face costs Imperial Coin, for crying out loud!

"Open source and reduce expenditure," Wang Zhong said slowly. "Reducing expenditure... means spending carefully. Don't spend recklessly on non-essentials. We'll pool our money for bulk purchases of basic survival supplies and necessary machinery."

"As for opening sources..."

He looked toward the wilderness, his eyes flickering, "Once the base takes on a basic shape, we have to organize exploration teams."

"The surrounding towns, settlements, and... the wasteland itself."

"Anything of value can be exchanged for Imperial Coin."

"There might be mineral veins in the wilderness, ruins, or... valuable local specialties."

"And while we're at it," he lowered his voice, "we gather intelligence."

"The current situation in Orian, what's happening with the industrial zone, and what moves the four major factions and the Planetary Governor are making."

"We cannot be blind and deaf."

Tax Brother and Xue Brother both nodded heavily.

Just then, a shout from [Ten Years of Bricklaying] came through the regional channel:

"Brother Loyalty! Brothers! The preliminary plan is out! Everyone, come take a look!"

The players temporarily set aside their work and gathered in front of the largest prefabricated building, which was currently being cleared out.

[Design Institute Draftsman] had already used a pen to draw on the partially cleaned wall:

"Look, everyone! This is the renovation plan for the first phase of our base!"

"Core philosophy: Keep it simple and crude, and establish basic functions quickly!"

"1. Residential Area: Based on the ruins of this largest prefabricated building, we will reinforce and repair it."

"The interior will be divided by partitions into a large dormitory area, capable of accommodating at least five thousand people for temporary lodging."

"Of the two smaller buildings nearby, one will serve as the command post and warehouse, and the other as a workshop and medical station."

"2. Defensive Facilities: We can't build a full wall yet, but we can use the cleared stones, scrap metal, and felled timber to stack a barrier belt along the perimeter of the base, one point eight to two point five meters high. It just needs to block beasts and scattered stragglers."

"We'll build simple watchtowers at the four corners, repairing one using existing materials from a crooked watchtower, and constructing the other three out of wood."

"3. Functional Areas: Here, we'll clear out space for an open-air assembly and training ground."

"Here, we'll dig several deep pits for temporary latrines (these must be far from water sources and residential areas!)."

"Water is a major issue. We need to organize manpower to find a stable water source nearby, or... see if the system shop sells water recycling units, though they'll certainly be expensive."

"4. Material Requirements: We need more metal sheets, timber, rope, tools..."

"Most can be scavenged from the ruins and the surrounding jungle, but some critical connectors and reinforcements might need to be purchased from the shop or traded for at nearby human settlements."

The plan was very rough, but for a group of players who had just shed their slave status and possessed only basic tools, it was already quite impressive.

"Agreed!"

"Let's do it!"

"Anything is better than sleeping in the open!"

The players expressed their approval one after another.

"Good!"

Wang Zhong made the final call, "We'll go with this plan! The Civil Engineering Group and Technical Group will take the lead, and everyone else will assist!"

"Prioritize reinforcing the residential area and the outer barrier belt!"

"Before we log off today, we need a place where we can lie down and sleep!"

"Awoo!!!"

The players let out a roar full of drive and enthusiasm.

Construction continued, but with much more organization.

Wang Zhong watched it all, feeling deeply moved.

This is what players are; this is the Fourth Calamity.

Give them a goal, even if that goal is just laying bricks and building houses, and they can erupt with astonishing passion and creativity.

Because they know that these bricks are being laid for themselves, and this house is being built for themselves.

More importantly, they saw the path forward.

The system update was like a game manual, telling them how this Warhammer OL was meant to be played:

Grow stronger, form groups, advance technology, build infrastructure, and eventually... perhaps they could truly pilot mechs and conquer the Starry Sea.

Hope was the most powerful driving force of all.

"Right," Wang Zhong suddenly remembered something and said in the regional channel, "About the warband... does anyone have any thoughts?"

"Should we form one large group, or split into several smaller ones?"

The channel immediately became lively again.

[Soul of Cadia]: "A large group, of course! Let's call it the Orian Liberation Front! Or Emperor's Blessing! We must be united as one!"

[Tau-kun, you are right, but Bolter is righter]: "I think we could have specialized groups."

"For example, a combat assault group, a technical logistics group, an exploration and reconnaissance group... each with their own duties."

[Slaanesh Chosen Reserve]: "I propose establishing an Art and Aesthetics Research Society... alright, never mind."

[Mechanicus Oil-Lover on the Run]: "From an efficiency standpoint, a single large group facilitates resource concentration and unified command."

"However, considering future personnel expansion and task diversity, establishing subordinate specialized detachments is a reasonable trend."

"I suggest forming a main group first, then gradually branching out."

[The Emperor's tax must be paid even if the world ends]:

"How will group fees be calculated? Do members need to pay taxes?"

"Er... I mean, contribute a certain percentage of Imperial Coin as group funds?"

After discussing for a long time, they finally reached a preliminary consensus:

1. Establish a main warband first, named "Crimson Dawn" as proposed by Wang Zhong, signifying the hope of a crimson dawn brought to the dark Aurelian IV and even the entire dark Warhammer universe, which gained majority approval.

"For the emblem, let's use a rising sun illuminating the dark earth!"

"We won't join Chaos, we won't lick the boots of Imperial nobles; we will rely on ourselves to carve out a bloody path in this dark galaxy and shine a light of dawn!"

2. The main warband will have various squads or groups under its command, or sub-groups can be established by those who have the funds to start them.

3. Warband funds will be raised through voluntary donations and future loot commissions, used for purchasing public equipment, building base facilities, and subsidizing the resurrection costs of fallen brothers.

4. Wang Zhong will serve as the temporary Warband Commander.

The blueprint for the warband's foundation slowly took shape during the intervals of moving bricks.

The sunset appeared exceptionally dim through the polluted clouds, but by now, the base had begun to take shape.

The largest prefabricated house was barely reinforced, and the roof was patched with whatever materials could be found; though it leaked air, it at least blocked most of the rain.

The interior was simply partitioned, and while crowded, it finally looked like a dormitory.

The outer perimeter obstacles were mostly piled up; though they looked crooked, they did indeed form a low wall.

One watchtower was repaired, and the frames for two other wooden watchtowers were also erected.

The open-air training ground was cleared, even if it remained uneven.

The temporary latrines were dug, though the smell had already begun to permeate the air.

The players were exhausted and slumped about, but most wore smiles of accomplishment on their faces.

They sat in the cleared open space, eating synthetic nutrient paste and purified water purchased collectively from the shop; the taste was still moving, but their moods were different.

"This is food we earned ourselves."

One player muttered.

"And this is a house we built ourselves."

Wang Zhong stood on the repaired watchtower, watching the sporadic campfires lighting up below, watching those tired but excited faces.

He sent a message in the regional channel:

"Brothers, today, we have taken the first step."

"From miners, we have become pioneers."

"From slaves, we have become... temporarily free warriors."

"The road ahead is long, and strong enemies surround us."

"Chaos is watching like a tiger, the four major factions have their own ulterior motives, and the Imperial bureaucrats don't know when they will notice us illegal residents."

"But we have each other, we have this beginning, and we have... hope."

"Remember what we said in the industrial zone: bring a little shock to this f*cked-up world."

"Now, start by building our own home."

"For the coming of the dawn in the darkness."

"For Imperial Coin."

"And for... one day, being able to truly master our own destiny."

Wang Zhong opened the modification function and clicked on Basic Physique Enhancement (Type I).