Project Gaia : The arrival of humanity

Chapter 19 : Little Incident

"We do not fear the threat, nor do we fear rising the sword, this land will rather be in ashes than invaded by a stranger."

- Väinö Lahja

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Gaia, "New Scandinavia". June 22nd 2038.

The vast expanse of "New Scandinavia" was a land still in its infancy, where towering mountains and dense forests met vast plains. The temperature in this part of Gaia was similar to the colder climates of Sweden, with the sky often cloaked in clouds, a heavy mist curling over the snow-covered terrain. A light snow flurry danced through the air as the workers labored tirelessly to transform the wilderness into a functioning colony.

Olle Ekman, dressed in his thick cold-protection suit, adjusted his gloves as he worked, the chill of the air seeping through his gear. His breath came out in short bursts, visible in the air before dissipating into the wind. He and his fellow workers were involved in the monumental task of deforestation, cutting down the towering trees of Tyresta Forest-a place that had once stood untouched, now to be reduced to timber for the construction of roads and buildings.

The sound of chainsaws filled the air, each worker focused on their task. The whir of the saws, the crack of the trees splitting as they fell, created a rhythm. Nearby, others with axes chopped at the felled trunks, splitting them into manageable pieces. These were then hauled to waiting trucks by transport crews who worked relentlessly to clear the land. The land would be prepared for infrastructure, for the roads, homes, and facilities that would soon rise from the earth. The operation was meticulously organized, with everyone playing their part in the sprawling effort.

Support vehicles hummed and rumbled, a testament to the raw power of the industrial machines now at work on this alien soil. The Feller Bunchers-massive machines that could fell entire trees in a matter of minutes-buzzed around, cutting and gathering. Bulldozers plowed through the terrain, breaking apart rocks and boulders, while massive excavators dug deep into the earth, clearing dirt in massive scoops. Caterpillar trucks hauled the heavy loads, each piece of machinery working in sync, a chorus of productivity and efficiency.

Motor Graders leveled the land, ensuring the ground was smooth for the construction of roads, while Compactors crushed the earth beneath them, compressing it into the solid foundation needed for the infrastructure that would one day support thousands of lives.

Above them, drones zipped through the sky, buzzing like hornets as they mapped the area, taking readings of the land and keeping a watchful eye on the progress of the workers. The drones hovered over the entire operation, ensuring everything was proceeding according to plan. Their cameras panned across the construction zone, capturing the work from all angles.

Olle was focused on his task, his shovel scraping across the ground as he mixed the asphalt with the gravel, preparing it for the next phase of the road construction. He worked with methodical precision, spreading the mixture evenly and ensuring the foundation would be strong. Behind him, the Compactors rolled over the surface, smoothing it out, creating a flawless, flat road.

The cold wind bit at his cheeks, but Olle barely noticed. He had grown used to the climate; after all, Malmö was cold in the winter, but nothing compared to the harsh, biting chill of Gaia. The temperature was lower here, but Olle's family had made their peace with the change. They were in the colony now, building their new lives on this alien world, and as long as he could be near the coast, where the weather was milder, he would endure the cold.

His mind wandered to thoughts of his wife, Astrid, and their two children. He imagined them sitting by the fireplace in their new home, the warmth of the flames flickering as they talked about their day. Olle's heart swelled with pride; this was the life they had dreamed of-a new start on a new world, far away from the dangers of Earth. The work was hard, but it was for them. It was for a future, a future where they would be safe.