Defending the Homestead

With the birth of his son, Marcus has turned his attention to his homestead. As agreed, the production of specialized plows stopped, but the resourceful colonist used the freshly crafted steam engine and a piece of the Novus’s hull to create a plow. In addition to the newly forged equipment, Marcus hired three individuals from the Central region to work his land. As the farm develops, Talia’s effort with their animals continues to excel. Unfortunately, this draws the awareness of the indigenous predators. Will Marcus and his helpers be able to protect them from the livestock from these dangerous animals? Or will these vicious hunters ravage the herds?

Defending the Homestead

As the plow approached the end of the field, Preston eased it to a stop. Turning it off, he wiped the sweat from his brow and dropped to the ground rubbing his shoulders.

“You’re always loafing,” Wayne decreed, entering the newest field.

Preston grabbed his canteen and swigged half the water. Screwing the bottle closed, Preston hung it on his shoulder. “I just finished plowing the entire field, and you have the temerity to call me lazy.”

“The smaller field,” Bret mocked, clapping Wayne’s back. “We plowed and planted the larger one, and we did it without the new steam plow.”

“You used a team of horses,” Preston countered as he rose. He opened the grate, smothering the flames. With the flick of his wrist, he opened the valve and let the pressure vanish. With a grunt, Preston lifted the blade out of the ground and locked it in place. Preston brushed the clinging dirt off and glared at the others. “They seemed to work fine.”

Bret slapped the top of the fence. “What did he say?”

“I think he volunteered to switch fields next planting season,” Wayne replied as he walked towards the plow.

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