Startled, they scrambled through a broken window and took cover inside. The craft hovered for several tense minutes before it started to vibrate. In an instant, it shot in the direction of Mount Nerva, leaving behind a rolling cloud of smoke.
With the immediate threat gone, Ampelius and Bella cautiously climbed back over the window and onto the sidewalk.
“Those things are fast. Did you see it vibrate and disappear?” Ampelius asked, his voice shaking slightly.
“I don’t know, and I don’t care. Let’s get out of here before another one shows up,” Bella replied urgently, her eyes darting around.
They followed the sidewalk until they reached the entrance of the alleyway where Ampelius had nearly lost his life. Broken bodies and collapsed debris filled the narrow passage. The memory of the revolver pointed at his face flashed through his mind, sending a shiver down his spine.
The entire alleyway was littered with broken bricks, splintered wood, chunks of concrete, and scattered furniture. Some areas were piled high with rubble, remnants of the collapsing buildings. Ampelius decided to search the bodies for anything useful before moving on. He helped Bella sit down next to a cracked brick wall, using it as a solid surface for her to lean against. She didn’t argue but urged him to be quick.
He started with the body closest to him, rolling it over until it faced skyward. It was the thug who had found him behind the dumpster. Ampelius searched the body thoroughly but found nothing of use except for a few old denarii coins.
"Ancient coins?" Ampelius muttered, puzzled. He tossed them aside and moved on to the next body, hoping for something more useful.
The next body had a revolver in its hand, the same one that had been aimed at his head. Ampelius picked it up, inspecting it carefully. Three out of six rounds had been fired. He removed the spent casings and found six unused bullets in one of the pockets. Loading three rounds, he concealed the revolver within his shirt and waistband before returning to Bella.
Bella suddenly pointed frantically behind him. He spun around to see the first body stirring.
Drawing the revolver, Ampelius cautiously approached. “Still alive, I see,” Ampelius said coldly, his grip tightening around the gun.
The thug raised his hands weakly. “Please don’t shoot me! It wasn’t personal! I was just following orders,” he gasped.
Ampelius’s jaw clenched. “Wasn’t personal? Maybe it wasn’t for you, but for me, it was very personal.” His finger hovered near the trigger, but instead, he stepped forward and slammed his boot onto the thug’s knee, a sickening snap echoing through the alley.
The thug screamed in agony as Ampelius turned back to Bella.
“What is wrong with you? Why did you do that?” Bella demanded, her eyes wide with shock.
“He was the reason I was nearly executed. He deserved to feel it,” Ampelius replied, his tone hard.
“Well, that doesn’t make it right,” Bella snapped but then glanced around nervously.
“I saw you take that gun. Do you really think that revolver is going to do any good against those things flying around?”
“I don’t plan on using it against them. It’s for protection from people,” Ampelius said, his voice steady. “When people get desperate, they become dangerous.”
Before she could respond, another turtle-shell craft appeared, its light beam scanning the puddles of blue liquid. The glow cast an eerie light over the destroyed street, making them freeze. Ampelius grabbed Bella, dragging her into the alley.
They found a tarp draped over a small space beneath the rubble and hid under it. Ampelius peeked through a small hole and watched as the craft’s beam locked onto the wounded thug. A rod extended from the craft, piercing the man’s chest and lifting him into the air. His body dissolved into blue liquid and was sucked into the machine.
“Maybe I should have shot him,” Ampelius whispered, his stomach twisting in guilt.
Bella, her face pale, nodded silently as the turtle shell craft repeated the process with the other bodies.
When the last body disappeared, the craft hovered for a moment, scanning the area. Ampelius and Bella barely breathed, waiting for it to leave. Finally, it drifted away, its lights fading into the distance.
Ampelius exhaled shakily. “We need to keep moving,” he whispered, helping Bella to her feet.
“I should have just shot him. It would have been a mercy,” Ampelius muttered.
Bella glanced at him, her eyes hard. “Next time, if you want to kill someone, just do it quickly.”
Ampelius frowned, shaking his head. “I don’t want to kill people.”
Bella scoffed. “Like your friend Marius? The one who ‘accidentally’ shot himself?”
Ampelius clenched his jaw. “You know that’s not what happened.”
“The autopsy says otherwise,” Bella muttered, shaking her head.
Ampelius exhaled sharply. “Believe whatever you want, but we need to survive right now. Unless you’d rather be on your own?”
Bella opened her mouth to argue but then closed it again, choosing silence.
Ampelius crawled out from under the rubble, scanning the street for danger. Bella followed, her face set in grim determination.
Suddenly, a glowing blue orb shot silently over the rooftops, leaving a shimmering contrail behind. Ampelius’s breath caught in his throat as he watched it vanish into the distance.
“We’ve overstayed our welcome,” Ampelius said. “Let’s go.”
Bella nodded, reaching for his arm for support as they moved deeper into the alley. Distant explosions echoed in the background as they pressed forward.
After twenty minutes of walking, the faint glow of fire lit up the alley ahead of them. Shadows danced against a building’s wall, the flickering silhouettes of figures visible in the distance.
With little choice, they moved forward, hoping for help.
As they reached the T-intersection and turned the corner to the right, they were met with a shotgun aimed directly at their faces.
"And who might you two be, and how did you get past our checkpoint?" demanded the stranger, his grip on the shotgun unwavering.
“We didn’t encounter a checkpoint,” Ampelius replied cautiously, his hands raised slightly in a gesture of peace.
"No? Well, I don’t believe you. So I’m going to ask you again, how did you get past our checkpoint?" the stranger repeated, his grip tightening on the weapon.
"If the dead bodies we saw when we first entered the alley were your checkpoint, then I assume the earthquake killed them. They were buried under rubble," Bella interjected, her voice steady despite the tension.
The stranger lowered the shotgun slightly, his expression softening. "Well, that explains why we didn’t receive a runner after the quake. Okay, what are your names?"
“I’m Bella, and this is Ampelius,” she introduced them.
The stranger glanced at Bella, his eyes narrowing as he noticed her injury. “What happened to you?”
"We were in our apartment building when the earthquake struck. Part of it collapsed, and I happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Ampelius was outside and ran back in to dig me out," Bella explained.
“Okay, I’ll have the doctor take a look at you and see what we can do. You two can stay the night, but you’ll have to leave in the morning. And my name’s Saul, by the way,” the stranger said.
Saul appeared to be in his late 50s, his gray hair and ragged clothing making him look homeless, but then again, everyone looked worn in these desperate times. He was a few inches taller than Ampelius and noticeably bulkier, a man that Ampelius wouldn’t want to face in a fight.
"Follow me," Saul instructed, leading them through the alley into a group of people huddled around a small fire. The group looked worn and exhausted, their faces reflecting the harsh reality of their circumstances.
Ampelius took in the makeshift camp set up along the alley walls. Tarps and blankets hung from the buildings, forming crude shelters. People sat in silence, huddled together for warmth, their eyes hollow with fatigue and despair. The small fire provided minimal warmth, casting eerie shadows that danced on the walls.
The air was thick with smoke from fires spreading throughout the city, the haze clinging to the buildings in the still air. The stillness added an unsettling atmosphere to the grim scene. Ampelius felt uneasy, thinking about what Saul had said regarding the checkpoints. These people could be connected to the group that had tried to kill him earlier, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that they might be walking into a trap.
“We posted checkpoints at every entrance leading to this location. Out of five, only one sent a runner. They were supposed to filter out people like you to keep out thugs and undesirables. We’re not a charity, but we do what we can if we have the resources,” Saul explained as they walked.
As they followed him, several refugees huddled around barrel fires came into view. Saul mentioned that the fires were small enough to stay hidden from the sky but big enough to provide warmth and light. The eerie glow cast long, unsettling shadows on the walls, adding to the oppressive atmosphere.
Ahead, Saul pointed to a large barricade blocking the alley. The barricade was made of debris, overturned vehicles, and makeshift fortifications, all designed to keep intruders out and provide some semblance of security.
The area was thick with smoke from the numerous fires spreading throughout the city, the haze clinging to the buildings without wind. The stillness was eerie, amplifying the sense of unease. Ampelius glanced around, feeling more on edge with each step. He mulled over the information Saul had given them about the checkpoints. These people could be connected to the group that had tried to kill him earlier, and for all he knew, they were walking into a trap.
As they followed him, they passed scenes of refugees huddled around flickering barrel fires. Saul mentioned the fires were small enough to stay hidden from the sky but provided enough warmth and light. The eerie glow cast long, unsettling shadows on the walls, heightening the oppressive atmosphere.
Up ahead, Saul pointed to a large, barricaded checkpoint. The barricade was made of debris, overturned vehicles, and makeshift fortifications—all designed to keep intruders out and offer some semblance of security to those inside.
“This is our final barricade leading to the shopping center. That tall building on the left collapsed during the quake, which of course acts as a natural defense. Two more buildings blocked off the other entrance. We’ve got guards on top, plus a hidden MG nest.”Saul explained.
Two armed and masked guards dressed in black approached Saul. “Who are these two?” one of them asked.
“I found them outside our outer perimeter. Speaking of which, four out of five checkpoints have been compromised. Talk to the boss and figure out what he wants to do about it. I’m taking these two to Mark,” Saul replied.
The guard nodded and waved them through. As they entered, Ampelius noticed several armed guards patrolling the area but no sign of refugees or even barrel fires. The empty shopping center raised a red flag in his mind.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
“I apologize for the ominous view of a dark shopping center with armed patrols,” Saul said, his tone attempting reassurance. “I like to think of it as hiding in plain sight. With those flying around, keeping a low profile is better. Every building within this center has a purpose, like this clinic. The medic is just inside and should have some supplies to spare.”
Ampelius still didn’t trust him, but he knew he had no choice. If he tried to run or resist, he’d be gunned down instantly—or maybe not, he considered, noticing the open space surrounded by skyscrapers. Gunshots could easily attract those turtle-shell drones.
Saul opened the metal double doors and quickly shut them behind them, calling out for the doctor. “Mark, get over here! These people need medical attention!”
The clinic was dimly lit by candles and lanterns, crowded with people who looked sick or injured. Bandaged limbs, pale faces—one person was missing a leg. Everyone stared at them with suspicion as Mark emerged from a closed door, wearing a full medical gown and hairnet, holding a pair of bloody suture scissors.
“First of all, Saul, the whole damned city needs medical attention; just look around! Secondly, I’m in the middle of surgery. And thirdly, don’t speak to me like that unless you want these scissors up your—”
Before Mark could finish, Saul stepped forward and struck him in the stomach with the butt of his shotgun. Mark collapsed to his knees, gasping for air as the scissors clattered to the floor. He coughed uncontrollably, struggling to breathe.
“This is my shotgun,” Saul said, his voice low and dangerous. “A shotgun my father gave me the day I was born, and it's been with me through combat all over the world. I’ve lost count of how many people I’ve killed with it. Your constant disrespect ends today. You'll be added to that list the next time you mouth off to me. Now, I know you’re not performing live surgery as the woman in there has been dead for hours. So, enough with whatever you’re doing to the body. Bella here is bleeding heavily from her side. Before she bleeds out and becomes another corpse for you to dissect, I suggest you help her. Otherwise, I’ll ensure you’re on the table.”
“Saul, I didn’t mean—” Mark started, but Saul cut him off with a sharp glare.
“Shut up and take care of them now. And the rest of you, mind your own business,” Saul barked at the onlookers. Still recovering from the blow, Mark grunted and sighed before gesturing for Ampelius and Bella to follow him. They headed down a dimly lit hallway and entered a room on the right, where a cabinet stocked with medical supplies stood next to a patient bed. Mark quickly replaced the pillow and sheet with fresh ones from the cabinet.
“Let me get this bed ready before she lies down,” Mark said as he arranged everything. Ampelius carefully helped Bella onto the bed, making sure she was comfortable.
“Wow, she’s tall. Let me adjust this so her feet aren’t hanging off the edge,” Mark muttered as he repositioned the bed. “Are you comfortable?”
“Yes, thank you,” Bella replied, her voice strained.
“Alright, let’s take a look at your wound. Let me know if it hurts,” Mark said, gently lifting her shirt to reveal the blood-soaked jacket underneath. He carefully peeled it back as Bella winced in pain.
“I’m sorry, but I need to see the wound. If it’s too much, let me know,” Mark said.
“Just do it,” she snapped, her voice tight with discomfort.
Mark carefully peeled the jacket away, revealing a deep, rapidly bleeding cut on her side.
“This is a laceration starting to look infected. Did this happen after the blackout? How did it occur?” Mark asked, his tone professional despite the urgency.
“Yeah, it happened after the blackout, right after the earthquake,” Bella said, taking a shaky breath. “We fell through the stairs in our apartment building. I must have landed on something sharp.”
“Well, whatever you landed on caused this serious cut. I can’t tell if anything’s still embedded or if it was just from a sharp object. Either way, this needs to be treated immediately, or it could get infected and possibly fatal. First, we need to stop the bleeding.” He turned to Ampelius. “Put your hand here; apply firm pressure while I gather the supplies.”
Ampelius did as instructed, pressing down on the wound while Mark moved quickly to gather the necessary medical items. He returned with gloves, a medical gown, a face shield, a lantern-rigged procedure light, antiseptic solution, sterile gauze, local anesthetic, antibiotic ointment, and bandages.
“First, I’ll clean the wound to prevent infection, then scrub to minimize tissue damage. Afterward, I’ll control the bleeding and check for any foreign objects. Once that’s done, I’ll stitch and dress the wound. I’ll give you a local anesthetic to ease the pain. Any questions?” Mark asked, his tone quick but thorough.
“Yeah. Can you stop talking and just start already?” Bella replied, her voice tense.
“Of course.” Without another word, Mark put on his gloves and face shield, swapped his bloody gown for a clean one, and began the procedure. He called in an assistant named Adiran and had Ampelius step aside to give them space. For what felt like hours, Mark worked meticulously. Finally, the stitches were embedded, and a non-adherent dressing was applied with adhesive tape to secure it. Mark removed his gloves, gown, and face shield, then approached Ampelius, who was half-asleep in the chair. Startled, Ampelius barely recognized Mark without his medical gear. He was a young, thin man in his mid-thirties who looked like he hadn’t eaten in days.
“Hey, it’s just me. The wound’s cleaned and stitched up. I didn’t find any foreign objects, but keep the dressing dry and in place. I’ll give you some extra bandages. Come see me in a few days for a follow-up. This is assuming we’re all still alive. She’s lucky,” Mark said.
“Thanks. Is there a place we can rest for the night? We’ve been through a lot and could use some sleep.”
“You can stay here for a few hours or until we need the room,” Mark replied before leaving and closing the door behind him. Ampelius glanced over at Bella, who was already asleep. Given what they’d been through, it was no surprise. They were both exhausted.
Ampelius settled into the office chair, trying to get comfortable, and drifted off to sleep.
Sometime later, a loud bang—like metal striking metal—echoed through the room, followed by a female scream. Ampelius jolted awake and immediately noticed Bella was no longer in bed. The door remained closed, with no light seeping from beneath it. The only illumination came from the faint glow of candles.
“What’s going on?” Ampelius muttered, his voice echoing in the silence. He carefully approached the door and opened it. Stepping into the hallway, he found the building eerily calm. No candles lit the waiting area, and the emptiness unsettled him. An unnatural chill seeped into the air, making his skin prickle. Where is everyone?
As he turned back toward the hallway, a high-pitched scream from outside startled him. A woman burst through the entrance, shouting, “Run! They’re coming!” Before Ampelius could react, a blinding blue flash erupted outside, freezing the woman in place. Her foot was suspended mid-step, and her arm raised behind her like a mannequin caught in motion.
Ampelius rushed toward her but couldn’t move her. She was solid as stone, frozen in place. A buzzing sensation filled the air around her, an energy that made the hairs on his neck stand on end. The cold seemed to intensify, creeping through his skin and into his bones. A shock wave erupted from her, knocking him onto his back.
Before he could regain his footing, a blue orb appeared above her frozen body. It scanned her from head to toe, then rose toward the ceiling, glowing brighter. With a piercing flash, it struck her in the chest, transforming her into a thick blue gel. For a moment, her human form remained intact before she splashed into a puddle.The blue orb then locked onto him. A shock wave rippled through the air just as his world shattered.
Ampelius gasped awake, lungs burning, the room still dark. His hands trembled. Bella was still asleep beside him. A dream…? It felt too real.
“That was some nightmare to wake up like that,” Saul said, startling Ampelius.
“And you scared the life out of me, you jackass,” Ampelius said, still catching his breath.
“Sorry. I was just checking in on you,” Saul replied, casually wiping down his shotgun. “I get nightmares, too. Don’t sleep much anymore. Every time I close my eyes, I see dead soldiers around our national banner. Then they start screaming my name, begging for help. And right before I wake up, one always pulls a gun and shoots me.”
Ampelius remained silent, still calming his breath. Unexpectedly, Saul chuckled.
“My therapist says it’s a flashback—a common issue among combat veterans. The Emperor’s even authorized a research campaign to help veterans, but as you know, warfare evolves. So does technology. What we have now is amazing, thanks to our enemies’ innovations. Not all military tech serves just the military, you know.”
Ampelius listened, a strange mix of empathy and disconnection surfacing. He felt haunted too, but Saul’s recollection of banners, dead soldiers, and therapy felt foreign. His own nightmares felt raw and visceral but not well-worn like Saul’s. He wondered if he’d ever reach the point where horror simply became routine. For now, it gnawed at him, fresh and unpredictable.
Ampelius zoned out as Saul rambled, his thoughts returning to the unsettling dream. Saul eventually noticed and paused.
“Aye, enough of my rambling,” Saul said, rubbing his eyes. “Want to talk about your nightmare? My therapist says it helps.”
Ampelius hesitated but then decided to share. He recounted the nightmare in detail—the frozen woman, the transformation. When he finished, Saul gave him a curious look but didn’t comment. Instead, he pulled out a pack of cigarettes and offered one. Ampelius declined and stood up to stretch. Saul slid more slugs into his shotgun.
As Saul prepared to leave, Ampelius felt a flicker of relief. He wasn’t sure he could keep up with Saul’s nonchalance about their shared horrors; he still fought to make sense of what he’d seen. Even if Saul’s perspective came with time, it was unsettling to imagine it, like growing numb to the darkness.
“Well, I should get back to guard duty. You’ve got about two hours until sunrise, so rest up.
Holler if you need anything,” Saul said, heading out.
“Thanks,” Ampelius muttered. Bella was still sleeping, peaceful and sound.
Ampelius heard footsteps approaching the door. Mark peered in.
“How are you two? Need anything?” Mark asked.
“She’s still sleeping, but we’re good, thanks,” Ampelius replied.
“No problem. Make sure she gets plenty of rest. The boss said you can stay for a few days to recuperate, but after that, you’ll need to move on.”
“Understood,” Ampelius muttered.
Mark left as Ampelius sat back down. He realized he needed to relieve himself and, frustrated by the long line at the bathroom, decided to head outside. Once in the alleyway, he kept watch for anyone nearby. As he finished, movement between two skyscrapers caught his eye. Looking up, he saw a glowing blue orb speeding through the sky. His stomach tightened as panic surged through him; it was like seeing a ghost from his nightmare. The same blue orb, the same eerie glow. Had he really woken up, or was he still trapped in that twisted dream? Panic surged through him, and he quickly zipped up and dashed back inside.
He moved past the reception desk and hurried down the hallway to the room where Bella was resting. Shaking her gently, he whispered, “Bella, wake up! It’s not safe here! I think they found us!”
She groaned softly, turning her head away from him. “Bella, if your snoring doesn’t stop, I’ll carry you out of here, and neither of us will enjoy that,” he said, more urgently.
“What? I’m not snoring. Leave me alone before I stick my foot up your ass,” she mumbled, drifting back to sleep.
Ampelius felt desperation rising. The voices outside the room grew louder as people started to panic, rushing past in both directions. “Bella, those turtle shells know we’re here. I saw a blue orb. We need to move now, or we—”
Screams sliced through his words, pulling him further into a surreal, dreamlike state. The déjà vu felt overwhelming, nearly suffocating him. Screams cut off his words from the waiting area. Ampelius ran to the door, peering out. People were running away from the entrance. Saul burst through the double doors, shouting, “They found us!” A blinding blue flash illuminated the area behind him.
Saul and everyone in the waiting area froze the second the flash hit. Ampelius nearly lost control when he realized Saul was caught in stasis, just like in his nightmare. He felt as if the line between reality and dream was blurring, leaving him disoriented and helpless. How was this happening again?
Outside, several people stood frozen, facing the entrance, as if they had been trying to escape. The orb scanned them one by one until it paused over a pregnant woman, focusing its laser on her stomach before disappearing. A moment later, a wire-like tentacle emerged from above, wrapping around the woman and lifting her out of sight.
Inside, Saul remained immobilized, his breathing the only sign of life. The stasis field didn’t extend far, as people were still running past Ampelius. He knew, just like in his nightmare, that Saul’s body would be as solid as stone, but he didn’t dare test that theory.
Ampelius calculated the orb’s rhythm, its movements disturbingly deliberate, as if it had all the time in the world. His mind raced, thoughts fragmented: Three seconds on each person… don’t move… don’t breathe. Every delay felt like an eternity; the tension wound so tightly in his chest he thought he might snap. Looking back outside, Ampelius watched the orb strike each person, turning them into blue liquid.
Each splash marked a tragic end as the orb moved methodically, leaving no one behind. It finally hovered over Saul, scanning him from head to toe. Ampelius stood paralyzed, watching the nightmare unfold in real life. He gritted his teeth, helpless anger creeping beneath the terror. This can’t be happening… but it was. The horror of his dream was real, and he felt trapped between disbelief and the harsh reality unfolding before him. As expected, the orb struck Saul’s chest, transforming him into a thick blue gel that briefly held his form before splashing to the ground.
The orb then exited through the double doors, disappearing into the sky. The once chaotic scene now felt eerily silent, and Ampelius fought to suppress his panic. He rushed back into the room to get Bella while survivors crowded into the hallway, fear etched on their faces.
As Ampelius reentered the room, the blue orb returned, flooding the hallway with its light. His pulse quickened, counting down as it approached—two seconds, one second… wait. A sudden flash froze everyone left in the corridor. Bella, still asleep, remained oblivious to what was happening outside. Suddenly, Mark appeared from behind a cabinet, startling Ampelius. He raised a finger to his lips, signaling for silence, and gestured for Ampelius to follow him to a far corner, away from the door and Bella.
They watched helplessly as the orb scanned the remaining people in the hallway, moving faster than before. Each person it scanned turned into blue liquid. Ampelius and Mark pressed themselves against the wall, hearts pounding as the orb moved closer. They both glanced at Bella, praying she wouldn’t attract attention.
Ampelius mouthed to Mark, “Help me get her.” Mark sighed but nodded. They moved as slowly as possible toward Bella, their movements deliberate and cautious. Just as they were about to reach her, the blue orb appeared again. They quickly retreated to the wall, holding their breath, waiting in silence.
The orb scanned the room methodically, its eerie blue light casting unsettling shadows. Ampelius and Mark watched in tense silence as it hovered closer. The déjà vu was disorienting, his heart pounding in his ears. The nightmare’s twisted scenes flickered in his mind, but this was real. The same orb, the same terror—he felt as if reality itself was slipping away. The tension was unbearable as the orb passed over them, scanning the room. It paused over Bella when it seemed the orb might move on. Ampelius’s heart raced as he watched, helpless, but then, as if by miracle, the orb moved away, continuing its scan of the building.
Ampelius let out a silent sigh of relief. Mark gestured for them to stay still a little longer.
After what felt like an eternity, the orb finally exited the room, its light fading as it moved down the hallway. Ampelius and Mark waited a few more moments before cautiously approaching Bella again.
“We need to move her now,” Ampelius whispered urgently.
Mark nodded, and together, they carefully lifted Bella, moving as quietly as possible, guiding her to the back of the room, away from the door and the orb’s path.
As they reached the far corner, Ampelius gently set Bella down, ensuring she was comfortable and hidden from view. Mark checked the hallway for any signs of the orb’s return.
“Is it gone?” Ampelius asked, barely audible.
“For now,” Mark replied, his expression grim. “But we need to be ready to move. These things don’t give up easily.”
Ampelius nodded, his mind racing with their next move. They had to find a way out, but for now, staying hidden was their best option. He glanced at Bella, still peacefully asleep, hoping they could keep her safe until they escaped this nightmare.
"If you see the blue light, do not run. Do not scream. Do not move.
It won’t matter."
Edited 2/27/2025
Changelog:
- Refined Descriptive Pacing
- Expanded Dialogue and Character Reactions
- More Natural Flow for Action Sequences
- Expanded Psychological Elements & Dream Sequence Integration
- Stronger Scene Transitions & Continuity Fixes
- Slight Adjustments to Military & Worldbuilding Details