Chapter 280: Chapter 276: Various Constructions
Perfikot was unaware of the forthcoming activities of Kallen and the Workers’ Federation, or perhaps even if she knew, she wouldn’t care much.
Until it causes disruption or affects society or the situation as a whole, she doesn’t mind providing Kallen and the Workers’ Federation with some conveniences for their activities.
In this regard, there was a tacit understanding between her and Kallen.
Kallen wouldn’t cause any social disruptions that might affect Perfikot’s Northern Territory Plan, and Perfikot likewise wouldn’t suppress or eliminate the Workers’ Federation led by Kallen.
However, if the Workers’ Federation were to create events that Perfikot deemed threatening to the Northern Territory Plan, she wouldn’t be lenient.
After all, for Perfikot, maintaining social stability to complete the Northern Territory Plan and save more people is her current top priority.
Beyond that, any other matter takes a secondary role.
Though she wishes to help Kallen and overthrow oppression and exploitation, it is founded upon saving humanity first.
If humanity were to be destroyed, there would naturally be no need to overthrow oppression and exploitation.
Thus, after confirming the northward plan for the Seventeenth Guards Division and placing the order for march rations, Perfikot set off to return to the Northern Territory.
After her return to the Northern Territory, the Seventeenth Guards Division would follow suit, though they wouldn’t head to Eagle’s Beak Cliff but proceed along the planned route to the proposed Northern Territory Fortress.
The so-called Northern Territory Fortress is the military center established by Perfikot when planning the Northern Territory.
Located in a basin about one hundred kilometers south of Eagle’s Beak Cliff, it is approximately seventy kilometers west of Death Valley.
Despite Death Valley not being discovered when planning this fortress, it doesn’t hinder its current inclusion within the fortress’s protection scope, and Perfikot plans to build a small bastion near Death Valley to secure the oil fields.
After all, placing an entire division’s strength together is somewhat extravagant for the current Northern Territory.
Thus, Perfikot also plans to construct three small bastions outside the Northern Territory Fortress to station troops in key areas.
Death Valley is merely one of them; the other two include one close to Eagle’s Beak Cliff and the prospective Northern Territory capital, and the other near the developing industrial center.
However, the places where the Seventeenth Guards Division needs to be stationed and defended are not limited to these few; according to Perfikot’s plan, they must also post personnel at the functioning supply distribution center on Sweet Berry Island.
There will be the first stop for transporting supplies from the Empire and other colonies to the Northern Territory in the next two years, and Perfikot will also pass through here upon returning to the Northern Territory to inspect the situation on the island.
In fact, the supply distribution center on Sweet Berry Island is already operational, fulfilling its role; the various logistical supplies and military materials required for the Seventeenth Guards Division’s northward journey are dispatched from Sweet Berry Island. There will be dedicated cargo ships along the coast setting up supply points for material support, ensuring the Seventeenth Guards Division reaches the Northern Territory smoothly.
During the Seventeenth Guards Division’s march northward, the construction company hired by Perfikot has already proceeded to the designated location to commence the construction of the Northern Territory Fortress.
Naturally, the fortress’s design was conceived by Perfikot, emphasizing its inherent defensive capabilities, and she also intentionally planned underground spaces as living quarters for the stationed troops, to withstand extreme weather following the arrival of the apocalyptic winter.
Of course, the external justification and explanation being the extreme winters in the Northern Territory require such special design, and this time Perfikot also added a geothermal pump to the plans, though it still remains at the preliminary design stage.
But construction on the fortress has started, Perfikot must reserve installation spaces now, with the actual installation work being a matter for later.
According to Perfikot’s plan, once the Northern Territory Fortress and the three bastions are completed, she can firmly hold the currently planned Northern Territory in her grasp, provided she can completely control the army.
For now, the Seventeenth Guards Division following her orders doesn’t seem to be a concern.
Regarding future control, Perfikot didn’t plan any greenhouses for food production within the fortress, meaning it lacks self-sufficiency capabilities; all food and logistical supplies are entirely dependent on external input.
Thus, when the time comes, Perfikot can leverage this point to control the Seventeenth Guards Division.
Moreover, even potential rebellions sparked by the Seventeenth Guards Division are within Perfikot’s considerations; however, this issue doesn’t particularly worry her.
After all, it’s just one division, Steam Knights can easily resolve the problem.
To date, Perfikot has two squads of autonomous Steam Knights, and during Andrew’s last visit to Eagle’s Beak Cliff, she placed an order for parts for fifty more Steam Knights.
Upon receipt of this batch of parts, excluding those reserved as spare parts, Perfikot will have six squads totaling over seventy autonomous Steam Knights at her disposal, a number sufficient for crushing any adversary she wishes to dismantle.
Similarly, this armed force will ensure Perfikot thoroughly implements her will throughout the Northern Territory, regardless of her intentions; this will remain her greatest military reliance.
Nevertheless, for now, no one in the Northern Territory would defy her will, even though the population in the Northern Territory is growing, Eagle’s Beak Cliff has evolved from a simple Arctic research forward base to a Northern Territory science center.
Although this slightly diverges from Perfikot’s original plan, she wouldn’t mind establishing the Northern Branch of the Royal Academy of Sciences at Eagle’s Beak Cliff.
At least for now, the scientists who have arrived in the Northern Territory are concentrated at Eagle’s Beak Cliff. Even if it isn’t the Royal Academy of Sciences Northern Branch, it is fulfilling equivalent functions and roles.
Thus, Perfikot has again hired a construction company to expand the Eagle’s Beak Cliff base, transforming the initial forward base of Eagle’s Beak Cliff into a small town.
Of course, Perfikot is also considering whether to test tunnel-boring machines at Eagle’s Beak Cliff, to first construct the underground shelters.
But after careful consideration, she ultimately decided to build the first underground shelter at Fjord Town, as there is already sufficient construction space reserved, and comparatively, construction and some testing are more convenient at Fjord Town.
Apart from these, another matter significantly concerns Perfikot, namely the second batch of pioneers, who have already departed from Langton and are en route to the Northern Territory.