Gulor of Auf Lal’al was impressed by the efforts to build the underground farms. It was an effective joint effort between the Auf Lal’al and the Gang of Uf Mag’og, tla’loc’al and brezans building extensive underground farms able to grow a wide variety of edible foodstuffs. Vines full of sugary syrup extended back and forth across the canopy of nanye pear trees and binber fruit trees. It amazing to see such beauty bloom under the desert after just two weeks of careful application of Leyas and care and love.
The tops of the underground farms were thick rock, shaped to evenly distribute the morning moisture that would collect on it. Light Leyas stones artificed to activate during the morning and afternoon kept the plants bathed in a healthy glow.
In the ruins of Brez, this much food and water was a treasure worth more than any shiny metal. A gang with this type of food source could rule the rest while growing stronger every year.
A single loose word from one of the Olgog workers tending the farm made its way into the ear of an Olgog trader making his way into the ruined city, and from there the word spread like wildfire.
The Gang of Mak’lalTor beat every subordinate gang in its reach into action on one side of Brez and they set out in a march that made the entire GNA seem a small army indeed.
On the south side of Brez, the Gang of Ganak Lagg has also mobilized a Brezan stalker cavalry numbering in the hundreds. In a city with a population as large as Brez, even these mobilizations were small. Most Olgogs in Brez didn’t even really understand what the United Tribes of Refuge represented. So they saw no need to come to the defense of the underground farms.
Shirley of Uf Mag’og and Gulor of Auf Lal’al watched the huge mass of Gangers that surrounded the north side of the farms, and then saw the stalker cavalry cut off the southern approach as well.
From the north side waddled a giant Olgog, nearly nine feet tall and as wide as a Mak Hoblok. He was dressed in multi-colored armor. Bronze plates hung next to steel bands, draped with iron chainmail, all adorned with the cloaks of defeated foes. The red of an Inquisitor was draped on one shoulder and the blue of an EEF naval uniform on the other. His head was helmed by a Dragon’s skull, which barely fit his oversized cranium. He was the King Blood’og and around his neck hung the a dried Mak’laltor, the “death” fruit the gang got its name from.
Death fruit was a binber fruit or a nanye pear into which a malicious ganger gently hammered small roofing nails. Once it was suitably mushy, the holes would then be filled with chewed up torya grasses to bulk it back up. It would then be left out in enemy gang territory during times of famine.
Since it was often the gang leader offered any food found in their territory, quite a few gangs found themselves leaderless and easy prey for the Gang of Mak’laltor.
The Gang of Ganak Lagg was not much better. They didn’t care about numbers or land, and only the best Stalker riders were invited to join them. Any others the Gang found were whipped with scourges make from olgog fur and marble chips and driven off to act as bait for the Mighty Yadols. Ganak Lagg had always dreamed of becoming a Yadol Rider, and did ride a larger Brezan Stalker.
He did not bother approaching the farms to talk. It was obvious he planned on letting the Mak’laltor and defenders kill each other before he attacked the survivor.
Shirly may have been tempted to challenge the larger King Blood’og, so she was surprised when a Kalokgog stepped forth at King Blood’og’s side and said, “Stand down farmers, and none will be harmed. These farms are claimed by Great King Blood’og, as his right as Mightiest Chieftian of Brez. Unless Gul’al herself steps forth, King Blood’og refuses the challenge from these lesser Olgogs.
You give up the farms in full to the mightiest Gang of Mak’laltor, and Great King Blood’og shows his restraint.
He is strong and even stronger in mercy to those who swear loyalty and alliegance to him.
Swear fealty to Great King Blood’og and the king will share some of the food wealth that is grown here with you.
Fight and you will die.
This is Brez and Great King Blood’og is Brez!”
The Mak’laltor King roared his agreement and it echoed across the desert and through the subterranean tunnels.
It was a challenging moment in many ways. A battle would cause losses on both sides. While the UtR could call upon a full military force to strike with artificed vehicles that could quickly cut through the barely armored Mak’laltor Vandals, it would concern many other Brezan tribes to see a “standing army” mobilized in their lands.
Losing the farms to King Blood’og would deal a devastating blow to the legitimacy of the UtR in Brez.
Then there was the question of Ganak Lagg and his burrowing cavalry ready to flank the defenders the moment the problem of Mak’laltor was handled.
Teamwork between UtR, GNA, Lur Union and GUTS will be required to win this mission.