Dale was stressed out; the big party for the Forgeworks completion was in two days, and he had too many things to do to get all of the prep work done. This was way bigger than the grand feast had been. There was bread to make, stew to prep, and vegetables that needed roasting. The fish had just been put on to smoke, and the preserves were not yet started.
Everything was planned, but the schedule was tight to make the two-day countdown. Then he saw the runner come back from the Forgeworks; he was supposed to be delivering items to the kitchen in Cave Camp. Dale wondered if that cook was missing an item or something. The runner ran up breathless, a look of terror in his eyes.
The runner said, “Forgeworks.”
Dale said, “What about it?”
The runner said, “It’s finishing.”
Dale relaxed. “Yeah. In two days.”
The runner shook his head. “Three hours.”
Everyone in the kitchen went silent. Dale pulled up the timer to check.
[Regional Infrastructure Project]
Forgeworks
Estimated Completion: 03:17:16
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Dale said, “Wait, that has to be wrong. It said days just an hour ago when I checked. This is terrible. How can we have the celebration ready in only three hours?”
* * *
John was doing another review of the Forgeworks. They had been running full steam for a few days now. All the tasks were done, and they were doing all the final reviews that the system required. He had a checklist with over 200 items on it, and he was about halfway done for like the third time today. As if anything was going to change on that two-day timer.
One of the forge workers ran up to him panting. “Hey boss, have you checked the timer recently?”
John said, “I am tired of looking at the timer; we have two days left, just like last time I looked.”
The worker said, “Um, boss, I would really look at the timer.”
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John pulled up the timer.
[Regional Infrastructure Project]
Forgeworks
Estimated Completion: 02:56:11
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John’s eyes went wide. “Who all knows about this?”
The worker said, “Word is spreading like wildfire.”
John groaned and stuffed his list in his pocket.
* * *
Garrick walked into Forest’s Rest; he had come up a day early to help with the setup for their celebration. But what he saw at camp was not what he expected. People were hastily setting up tables and chairs that had been prepared for the celebration in two days, but it was too early for that.
Garrick found Dale and said, “Why is everyone acting like today is the day?”
Dale said, “Well, it is; that’s why.”
Garrick said, “Wait, what?” He then pulled up his timer and saw that there was now less than two hours, not two days, until it was complete.
A runner ran into camp. “Anyone find Mark yet? I can’t find him, and the other three runners that were with me could not find him either.”
* * *
Mark was talking to the Southgate outpost manager about an issue he was having when a runner ran up and blurted out, “Mark, it’s time. You have to move it or you’re going to miss it. John said we were in big trouble if you did not make it.”
Mark said, “Miss what?”
The runner said, “Check the countdown timer.”
Mark brought up the timer.
[Regional Infrastructure Project]
Forgeworks
Estimated Completion: 01:42:31
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Mark just sat there watching the seconds count down.
The runner said, “Get moving; no time to explain; go.”
Mark headed north on the trail almost at a run; he really did not have the time to walk it today.
* * *
Dale was barking orders, and cooks, messengers, assistants, and every able-bodied person was moving items, setting up tables, or giving last-minute directions for the few cakes that were already finished.
Dale said, “What is the system thinking of jumping the gun like this? Most of the people are not even going to make it, and we don’t have the food ready.”
Clara just sat there smiling and looked at Dale. “Just breathe; it will be fine. Some of the food is done; no one will hold anything against you over the time change.”
* * *
Mark was panting when he got to Forest’s Rest. He was also sweating like a pig after that run. He quickly went into his cabin and put on a fresh pair of clothes. Then, trying to slow his breathing, he walked to Cave Camp to ask John what was going on.
People were moving around camp, and runners were coming in and out. People were slowly starting to arrive from the outside outposts, all trying to figure out why things changed. He was passed by dozens of people going in both directions; almost everyone was running, which was just not their norm.
When he finally got to the Forgeworks, he found John.
Mark said, “So can you explain the timer?”
John said, “We have been ahead of schedule forever; all the tasks except the final reviews have been done for a couple of days. We were wondering what was going to take two more days, and then the system, being the system it is, changed the time. Sorry about that; at least you made it.”
Mark said, “Yes, I guess I did make it.” Then he opened his timer for the last time.
[Regional Infrastructure Project]
Forgeworks
Estimated Completion:
00:07:42
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