After dinner, as the last plates were cleared and the warmth of shared food lingered in the air, we gathered once again in the main hall—our usual spot for the nightly debriefing. The fire crackled in the hearth as people took their seats. The mood tonight felt lighter than usual. There was still tension, always, like the humming pressure before a storm—but it was balanced by progress, visible and tangible.
I took my place near the long table at the center, alongside James, Patrick, Leo, Emily, and the others. This evening, the report started with Lucy.
"We've completed three more greenhouses," she said, her voice steady but proud. "Ready for planting tomorrow. We've also set up the water distribution systems and lighting. All systems passed inspection today."
"That brings the total to seven," Emily added, checking her notes. "Four fully functioning and producing, and three ready to go. It's more than we hoped for in such a short time."
