by Terry Mayer
The next one was a little easier, I walked up to it and in one swift blow cut it's head clean off and I was rewarded with a piece of Leather and some Meat. Cool city man. I got stuck into it then, spraying cow blood everywhere but after about my twelfth or thirteenth Cow the novelty wore off and all I could see were their cute eyes staring at me as I sliced into them. Gross, I started to feel sick to my stomach, this was just wrong, so much death.
I stopped and looked around at all the floating Leather and Meat, it was everywhere. Some people were laughing and shouting to one another, others were bent over puking. Man, so very, very wrong. I caught Major Larrson's eye and he walked over to me.
"Everything ok here Jeb?"
"Yes Major," I replied, 'it's just that it seems wrong to slaughter so many cows."
"Really? This is the only way to get Leather, and without Leather there are no Books, without Books there are no higher level enchantments, do you understand Jeb?"
"Yes Major."
"Good, now apart from a little nauseated, how do you feel?"
I was about to say disgusted when I realized I felt incredible, totally pumped and it was then that it hit me. I had been gaining XP points with every Cow killed. Duh, that's why we had to do it ourselves, without the XP we could not enchant. I looked up at Major Larrson and he just laughed, slapped me on my back and said, "I can tell by the look on your face that you feel incredible and it has finally sunk into your block head that the XP points are increasing your Experience Level - Feels great doesn't it?"
Man, that was an understatement, I suddenly felt like Superman. I could hardly reply, I had a grin a mile wide stuck to my face. Laughing again Major Larrson ushered me back towards the Cows. "Go on Jeb, get some more Leather and XP, it is the way it is done here so you may as well enjoy it."
At this point I need to apologize to any vegetarians because I dashed back into the enclosure and started slaughtering Cows like it was going out of fashion, and yes, I really enjoyed it. I realized that you can't attribute Minecraftia values to the Overworld. They are different worlds and should be treated accordingly.
When all the cows were butchered, yeah for some reason that sounds better than slaughtered, we gathered up all the Meat and stacked it in chests in the supply room, that should be enough to feed the troops for days. We then gathered the Leather and took it back to the class room.
"Ok everyone, count your Leather pieces, you need 45 per group, if you have more than you need pass it on to another group."
We counted up our Leather and found we had collected 62 pieces. Man, I guess we all got into Cow butchering in a big way. We passed the excess over to Pippa's group, seems she doesn't mind killing Zombies but cute cows were another thing altogether.
"Ok people, we now need Paper and Wooden Planks. Right, place your Leather in the Chest assigned to your group and follow me." We then all marched off to the other side of the farm where a huge Sugar Cane field had been planted.
"Ok everyone, listen up, you need to harvest 135 Sugar Cane per group. Only cut the top two blocks and leave the bottom block intact, that way the Sugar Cane will continue to grow without re-planting. Ok, get to it and meet back here when you are done."
We all dashed into the Sugar Cane plantation and hacked away, gathering the Sugar Cane into our inventories as it fell. After we had all we needed we headed back to Major Larrson, who had moved over to a small Wood.
"The final task is to gather some Wood to make 90 Wooden Planks per group, so cut 23 Wooden Blocks each. Come on people, move it, move it, we don't have all day!"
We dashed into the woods and made short work of gathering the Wooden Chunks then headed back to the class, ready at last to make our enchanting rooms.
Tuesday
I am exhausted. I enchanted twenty swords today, yep twenty. All that XP I built up is gone but hopefully it has gone to a good cause. Seems like we still have a Zombie problem as Major Larrson had us all enchant Diamond Swords with the Smite enchantment, that's the one that causes extra damage to undead mobs. The best enchantment I cast was a Level IV, which I thought was pretty cool until Numbers swaggered up with a Level V enchantment. Yeah Numbers, you rock, now push off and let me bask in my Level IV for a few more minutes.
Wednesday
Spent the day mining again, loads of hard work but some good laughs as well. The other half of the class were using the Ore we mined to finish the Portal defenses. Sounds like it's just in time as there has been a meeting called for this evening, everyone must attend. Will let you know what happens.
Thursday
Man, did not get back until this morning, the meeting went on all night. I'm exhausted but have to go straight back out to work. Will fill you in later.
Friday
At this pace I won't have to worry about the Zombies killing me, Major Larrson will work me to death long before that happens! Anyway, I have a few minutes before I have to go back out so let me fill you in on what's happening.
First off, this is more serious than any of us guessed. After the first search party went missing the Captain sent a Platoon of heavily armed soldiers through the portal, but none of them returned. The Headmasters was beside himself and ordered the portal sealed but Major Larrson convinced him to send through a stealth team to find out exactly what we were up against. What's a stealth team? Oh they are really cool. Major Larrson knocked up a batch of Potions of Invisibility and the team slipped through the portal, totally invisible. They were scheduled to return within 2 hours but burst back through the portal less than 10 minutes later. They were immediately marched off to the command centre and we were all left wondering what happened, until the meeting.
We were told that when the stealth team arrived on the Overworld they were confronted by an army of Zombies and had to return in fear of being caught, just like the last platoon that was sent through. Hundred's of Zombies, can you imagine? Yuk, even twenty at a time is enough to make my skin crawl, but hundreds, ew!
Anyway, the officers have been in discussions ever since. The Headmaster still wants the Portal sealed, he thinks the risk of Zombies invading Minecraftia is too great, but Major Larrson convinced the group that even if the Zombies did invade they would not be able to survive outside of the Survival Room, so the Headmaster was eventually outvoted by everyone else.
You see, it's the only way back from the Overworld and without the Portal, the School of Minecraft would not even exist. Strange, I would have though that the Headmaster would have done anything to keep the school open, whatever the costs, go figure.
So, ever since we have been building defenses and preparing to defend the Portal. Bowmen were placed just inside the walls to kill any Zombies that tried to come through the Portal and scout our defenses. So far it's been quiet with only one small invasion, a dozen Zombies came through, took a quick look around and were preparing to leave when they spotted the Bowmen and attacked them. Lucky for us that Zombies are so blood thirsty, as it seems their craving for brains was more powerful than their orders to scout our camp and we were able to kill them all before they managed to return to the Overworld.
Right, that brings you almost up to date, except for the most important news. The Zombie Invasion is tonight!
Yep, the Captain sent the stealth team back through the Portal and the Zombies are all set to go, they were just waiting for dark. *gulp*
Sooooo, here I am, writing furiously before we have to man the defenses. Oh no, that's the siren, time to go. Wish me luck.
*****
This is so scary. We are in our squads, with Bows drawn at the ready, hunkered down behind the Portal defense wall. We have been ordered to be really quiet, anyone who makes even the smallest sound will be dealt with by Corporal Henckman. *gulp*
That is one scary dude, even Numbers keeps his jokes to himself when the Corporal gives an order.
Anyway, here's the plan. We wait for as many of the Zombies to stream through the Portal as possible then we all mount the wall and shoot them
with our Bows and arrows. The Zombies will be trapped the Corporal says it will be like shooting fish in a barrel, what ever that means!
Oh man, here they come.
"Wait for it lads, hold, hold," whispers Corporal Henckman, trying to boost our moral by giving a little wink to Numbers, and patting my head. Why me, and what's with the head patting?
"Ok, almost time, everyone notch your first arrow and be prepared to fire on my signal."
*gulp* It suddenly hits me, this is no game. I just hope the Corporal is right and this goes off as planed.
"Ok men, move, move move," screams the Corporal as a dozens of fireworks shoot into the air and the Portal is lit up like a Christmas tree.
"and girls!" mutters Pippa, jumping up onto the wall with her Bow at the ready.
"Numbers, what are you waiting for, move it boy," screams the Corporal grabbing Numbers and dragging him onto the wall.
The sight that greets me nearly stops my heart. Hundreds of Zombies are pouring through the Portal and shambling towards our defenses.
"Find your targets," instructs the Corporal, "steady, now fire, fire fire."
We all fire together, and I mean everyone. Dozens of arrows fly from the wall as all the assembled troops let rip and fire on the Zombie hoard.
"Again, fire at will," screams the Corporal, giving instructions over the noise of battle.
Time and time again we all fire on the Zombies but even as they die more shamble forward to take their place. "There's too many of them," screams Darth from the platoon on my left.
"Hey Jonesy, get your cowardly platoon under control," shouts Corporal Henckman, notching an arrow and sending yet another Zombie to its death.
"You look after your platoon and I'll take care of mine," responds Jonesy, smacking Darth on the back of the head.
He he - watching Darth get smacked was awesome, almost worth going to battle for!
Reaching the wall the Zombies start to spread out, leaving a clear path from the Portal to the wall directly below us.
"What are they up to Corporal?" I ask.
"Don't know, don't care, just shoot them soldier."
Soldier, he just called me a soldier, way cool!
As more and more Zombies fall to the barrage of death we send down on them a cry from one of the other squads grabs our attention.
Appearing through the portal, a dozen creepers run on four small legs along the pathway made by the Zombies. As they near the wall they start to fizz and spark.
"Shoot the creepers, everyone, do not let them get to the wall," screams the Corporal.
We all turn our Bows on the creepers, raining deadly arrows at the fizzing time bombs.
"Shoot them all," screams the Corporal as most of our arrows hit one single creeper, exploding it in a shower of earth. As the dust clears we realize our mistake, and the rest of the creepers reach the wall and detonate.
The explosion is huge. Bits of cobblestone fly everywhere and we are all knocked off our feet by the blast but strangely we are still ok. Looking over the edge of the wall, a huge hole greets me.
"Jeb, what do you see?" asks the Corporal.
"Huge hole sir, about 10 blocks high, can't see how deep it goes though," I reply, pulling myself back onto the wall.
"Right, we got lucky, if this wall was any lower we would have bought the farm."
What farm? Am I missing something here?
Suddenly Numbers jumps on top of me, knocking me to the ground.
"What the? Get off me you idiot, it's no time for messing ..." I scream at him as dozens of arrows fly through the air where my head had been just seconds before.
"Skeletons!" I stammer, looking out to the Portal as Numbers picks me up.
"Is anyone hurt?" demands the Corporal.
"Sir, I've been hit but I'm ok, but Pebbles never made it," replies Hoody, pointing at a pile of floating possessions where Pebbles had been standing.
"Ah Pebbles, he was quiet but a good guy."
"Ok look sharp men, this ain't over yet. Numbers and Pippa, grab some blocks and place them 1 block high along the front edge of the wall. Everyone else keep shooting."
I've decided that war sucks. Poor Pebbles is dead and we don't even have a chance to stop!
"Incoming," screams the Corporal and we all dive behind the low wall that Numbers and Pippa are just finishing.
As the arrows bounce harmlessly off the blocks I glance to our left and am horrified to see 5 or 6 avatars disappear from the next squad, including Corporal Jones. Grabbing Corporal Henckman's arm I point and shout over the noise.
"They are getting slaughtered sir, why don't they build a defensive wall?"
Looking over he immediately takes action. "Everyone listen up. The moment there is a break in the incoming arrows, stand up and return fire. Aim for the Skeletons at the Portal. Jeb and Pippa, you're with me, on your feet soldiers."
"Yes sir, uh, where are we going sir?"
"On a little rescue mission," he replies, pointing over to the next squad just as another avatar disappears.
"Come on, come on already, or there will be no one left to rescue, you guys ready?"
"Yes sir," I reply, gulping down my fear.
"Good, when we get to the squad I want you both to build a wall, just like ours, ok?
"Yes sir," we both reply.
"Now!" Jumping to our feet we dash along the wall as the rest of the squad returns fire. All along the wall, soldiers are shooting the Skeletons, but they also falling victim to their arrows, blinking out and disappearing.
As we reach the next squad Corporal Henckman grabs hold of Darth and shouts into his face, "you, soldier, help my men build a single block wall across the front of these defenses."
"Build it yourself," shouts Darth, pushing the Corporal off and notching another arrow.
Grabbing Darth by the back of his head, the Corporal throws him to the floor. Darth is livid, trying to stand back up and fight when the Corporal throws himself next to him, dragging him back to the ground. Darth pulls back his arm, ready to punch when a volley of arrows flies through the air where they had both just been standing.
"Lower your arm soldier," growls the Corporal.
Bewildered, Darth turns his attention back to the Corporal and gulps. "Uh sir, I'm sorry sir, I did not realize I was addressing an officer."
Ducking as another volley of arrows hits the hastily erected defense, the Corporal leans past Darth and shouts to me. "Jeb, what's the status?"
"Seven dead including Corporal Jones, three wounded sir."
"Right, good work soldier. And you," he growls, leaning into Darth's face, "I will deal with you later."
Gulping and trying to make himself as small as possible, Darth nods and replies, "yes sir, sorry sir."
"Right, soldiers, I'm taking command of this squad. I'm Corporal Henckman, but you can just call me SIR."
Smiling to myself I realize the speech is not quite so scary this time.
"When the arrows stop we are all heading over to my squad, do you understand?"
"Sir, yes sir," we all reply.
"Good, on my mark, go, go, go."
We all jump to our feet and dash the 30 blocks back to the squadron, who cheer wildly as we rejoin them.
"Numbers, what's happening here?"
"Just shooting a few Skeletons sir."
"Numbers!"
"Sorry Sir. We have driven the Skeletons back but they look like they are getting reinforcements and regrouping by the Portal sir."
"Good work Numbers."
The shout goes out along the wall, as dozens of Creepers burst forth from the Portal and dash towards the wall. Before we can even raise our Bows, hundreds of arrows are launched at us by the Skeletons.
Diving behind our defenses we are lucky and no one is hit, but many others along the wall are not so lucky.
"Come on Captain, what are you waiting for. Give the command already," mutters the Corporal, squatting next to me behind the wall.
"
What command sir?" I ask.
"Never you mind soldier, ok men, on my mark, take out the Creepers, now!" he screams, but before we can even pull ourselves to our feet the first of the Creepers reaches the wall and explodes, knocking us back to the floor.
As we struggle to our feet, more and more creepers reach the wall and explosions ring out all along our defenses.
"We've been breached," someone calls from further down the wall. As the dust starts to clear, I lean over and try to get a glimpse at the damage.
"What's the damage Jeb?"
"The walls been breached in at least four places sir, maybe more, it's hard to see with all the smoke."
"Darn Creepers. Ok, you can expect the Zombies to advance again now that the defenses have been breached, take them out, make every shot count. Ok everyone, I need to find the Captain, until I return Pippa is in charge, obey her every command, do you understand?" he snarls, looking at Darth, who cowers away and mumbles something under his breath.
"Are you trying to upset me soldier? I asked you a question," screams the Corporal, grabbing Darth by the collar and dragging him forward until their noses touch.
"Uh no sir, I mean yes sir. No, hang on, I mean no I'm not trying to upset you sir and yes I understand. Sorry sir."
"Good, DO NOT disappoint me, or you will regret it! Numbers and Hoody. In the next lull I want you both to start working your way around the wall, Numbers go left, Hoody go right. Instruct each squadron to build a defensive wall before it's too late, if anyone questions you say it is by the command of the Captain, don't worry if this ever comes out he'll back me up, everyone give them any blocks you have in your inventories, now move."
"Yes sir," replies Numbers and Hoody who immediately scoop up all the blocks that everyone tosses on the floor, and dash off in either direction, dodging arrows as they go.
