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The encampment did not look as one might have expected. There were no tents or campfires to be seen, no gatherings of soldiers out in the open.

No, the encampments of the Living Void were different. He’d always preferred to travel in luxury. What was the point of being the most powerful conqueror the world had ever known if his entourage paled in comparison to those of the self-professed god-kings of the ancient world?

Here, they had mobile, multi-purpose buildings. Each one served as a miniature fortress unto itself, able to deploy men or vehicles on a moment’s notice, while also providing the comfort of a palace for Dozer and his chosen leaders. The rank-and-file were not entirely left out, though. They were able to enjoy the fully stocked kitchens and refectories, as well the various training facilities.

It was important not to coddle the men, but it was equally important to give them a view of what they might one day be able to achieve, should they prove themselves worthy.

There were also immobile facilities in this camp, as well. And they were no primitive structures, either, despite being made almost entirely by materializers. The artistry in some of these buildings could’ve rivaled any of the ancient kingdoms of Qhenghis.

Their pristine and prestigious nature was in large part due to Natia. She always obsessed over decorations, regardless of how temporary their stay. Once upon time, he’d found that obsession rather obnoxious, but over the decades, he’d developed a fondness for her attentive eye, even if it did end up going to waste more often than not.

She was the first one to greet him upon his return, though he could see a few of the men running about, no doubt having been ordered into positions.

“Master,” said Natia with a welcoming nod. As ever, her perfectly calm voice and demeanor betrayed nothing of her thoughts, and nary a speck of dust was to be found on her brown-and-green fatigues despite all the debris around.

Another apparent after shock arrived, prompting Dozer’s next question. “What’s the source of this rumbling?”

‘Uncertain,’ answered her reaper, Akama, who floated close behind her. To Dozer’s eyes, she was a dog-sized, black lump with no eyes or ears to speak of--only an oval-shaped proboscis that sported rows of bloodied, smoldering teeth. ‘But it seems to be originating from deeper into the forest, from the direction of Kara’kuun.’