The Other Earth - Derek Schumacher (good novels to read .TXT) 📗

to hack down some trees, which could be much more useful in the long run than just twigs and branches. Thing is, he would have to make the fire much, much hotter, and also much bigger than it normally is.

Which means that he would need a different place to make a fire. A nice, open area to use to burn a large fire. And then, it hit Neil square between the eyes. The field that he got up in all those days ago. He could use that to his advantage, and make the fire there. It was widespread, and an open area, which would be perfect to create a fire in.

The best way to probably get back to the field would be to go along with the river, but instead, go the opposite way that he went the day before. Thing is, just how long did it take him to get to the camp site in the first place? Neil couldn't remember exactly, but it didn't matter too much. He had awoken fairly early in the morning, so he should have plenty of time to set up.

Which brings up the thought, just how long would it take to melt down the rocks and metal? Neil wasn't really sure, mainly because he hadn't known anyone who was involved in the profession of blacksmithing. These days, not many people would use it anyways, because of the invention of machines to do the work for them.

Neil had always rented tools from fellow wilderness folk, so it never was much of a problem. But now, there wasn't exactly anyone to go to for tools. So, either he would have to explore around the regions and look for some place that used to produce said tools, or he would have to make his own.

 He understood a bit of how it worked, having to melt the metal, alter it, forge it, and then of course, merge it with whatever handle you could create. He would also need to be near a source of water to cool it off with, so it's good that the river would be so close. Neil was actually slightly excited, this would be something completely different than anything he had ever attempted to do before.

At the river, he looked left, and off into the eastern distance, the way he had ventured off the day before. This area was dense with forest, and closed in on the rocky terrains of the mountain region. This area also might just hold a mountain lake, the thing Neil is really looking forward too, as he loved seeing pictures of said lakes. The beautiful mountain in the background, the sun shining off the snowy peak, the reflection on the water, the trees on the sides, to give emphasis to the great structure of rock in the middle. Truly a work of natural work.

But, this wasn't where he was going today. Neil looked to the right, looking off to the west. This region was flooded, marshy, and downright messy. This would be especially true since the storm produced quite the amount of rainfall, so the area would be soaked. Good thing he was planning on staying close to the river, and wouldn't actually step up out of the river bed and go into the western area itself.

Neil needed to go past the marsh, passed the river, to get to the field where his lonely journey of survival started. Here would be the perfect open area to make a blacksmithing fire, forge, and the whole nine yards. How hard could it be? Neil had no idea. But, he guessed that this part of the journey was going to teach him just difficult it was, the easy or the hard way. But, learning is one of the best ways to acquire knowledge.

After some thoughts and mental preperation, Neil was ready. At least, he figured ready enough to go on this expedition. Glancing up at the sky, he noticed it was still nice and early, the dull orange from the sunrise glazed across the dark morning sky. The sky was one of the many wonders that makes up a planet's atmosphere, figuratively and literally.

Enough waiting around, there was ground to cover! Neil began walking at the previously self discussed pace of five feet per second, but Neil didn't feel like counting steps again, thank goodness. The only thing on his mind was the goal at the end of the river, at both ends. On one, a possible beautiful scene, where the other may hold the possibility of a new tool, and weapon.

The difference between knife and an axe was giant. On one hand, a quick device, able to gash and thrust to one's heart's content. The other a heavier, stronger, and more bludgened device. Perfect for chopping down trees, and hacking into any possible opponenets. Just in case if Neil runs into another shade, he would have a new trick up his sleeve.

As the man continued to walk, he glanced back behind to watch his steps in the gritty sand and dirt mixture appear with each step he takes. It's fascinating, to watch the exact places you've been show up before your very eyes. Sure, they'll wash away one day, either when the water rises far enough, or if another rainfall occurs, but still, it's an interesting thing none the less. Just like the footprints on the moon, they'll always be there. Well, these one's might be washed away, but the memory will still remain.

Ah, memories. The one thing humans can hold onto. Almost all other creatures cannot create memories, remember things of the past. Humans can do the same, but in widespread fashion. Sure, as age grips oneself, things become harder and harder to remember. But in truth, you may forget, but the world will never forget. And whatever happens on that world, than planet, that galaxy will never forget. And in that galaxy, the universe will never forget. In Neil's mind, everything is somehow connected, almost like a space time sized spider web. Hopefully, without any galactic sized spiders.

Speaking of insects and the like, there hadn't been any in a very long time. In truth, the seasons were changing, and growing closer to winter. But still, there should be something out here. No birds either, no animals. This planet was always so quiet. Without anyone else to make noise, or to keep company, there really isn't anything here on Other Earth. Except Neil, and the shades. Life is rough when the only things around you want to kill you.

After what seems like an hour of walking, Neil decides to took a gaze over on his right, to see if anything on the western front had changed. And it had, very much so. The trees were still spread far and wide, but because of the increase in water because of the past rainfall, the ground must have shifted slightly, and the trees were pushed back, much closer to the edge of the region than before. Neil wondered if it was possible if, with enough water in the system, to actually push the trees out of the entire region. Physics would say so, but it would sure take a lot to remove a tree from the ground, even for water.

Looking over from to the right, Neil then turned to his left, looking to the other side of the river. It actually didn't seem to change much at all, even with distance. This almost struck him as interesting, but the more he thought about it, the more it made sense. If it were to get closer towards the mountains, rocky terrain would make sense. But, if it were to get farther away, the generic forest terrain would remain, as nothing would really be able to alter it.

After finishing looking from left to right, Neil continued to walk. Glancing back down to the river itself, he watched the flow of water run up against the edge of the ground slowly. It was a soothing view, as the liquid ran west. Neil knew the field stretched far westward, so hopefully it ran smack dab into the rest of the river. He had come from a different direction originally, so this was going to be a bit of a different area of the field. But, either way, he still made it to where he needed to be.

Keeping up his pace, Neil began to mumble about random things, because it seems to be his specialty when he becomes bored. So what could be the topic for today?

Neil fiddled through his pockets, and pulled out a few of the jagged rocks he had brought along. He wondered just exactly these little spheres of hard material were. Metal or rock, they could both be used for his little project. But, which was it? The question struck Neil hard, even though it was exactly an important thing to worry about.

Metal could be much more sturdy, but would require a higher heat to melt and form, while rock could be much easier shaped, but probably not as durable, but require less heat. Neil guessed there was disadvantages and advantages to both, which would make sense, now wouldn't it?

He knew exactly what the head would be, but what about the handle? Would it also be formed from the rocks, or could it be made with something else? Neil had absolutely no idea. He figure wood would burn, and anything else would melt. So might as go material on material.

Question is, how large should he actually make this thing? His knife was about four centimeters in width, and ten and a half in length. This axe should be strong and large enough to fell trees. Maybe not the huge ones, but at least some of the smaller and younger ones. Anything that could be used as a larger source of wood would work.

Neil began to think about the dimensions of his new tool, and just how he should plan and go about making it. The head could be about a twelve by fifteen, while the handle could be a three by twenty. The man figured he was probably using those measurements in correct format, or something like that. He was using centimeters, mainly because it was easier, nothing was going to be large enough to use meters, and he wasn't a filthy American who used inches.

Neil remembered living in the beautiful widespread forests of northern England. At the time, no one really owned a large chunk of them, because who was going to use a bunch of useless land? Why not just expand the cities in all other directions? Ugh, disgusting modernists. Life was nice and simple out in the woods.

Of course, he wasn't sure about anything else, as the memories of back then were still plenty foggy. But none of that stuff was incredibly important at the moment, especially since he had arrived at his destination.

Neil stopped, and looked out at the fields before him. Lush grasslands, barely any trees dotting the plains. And the giant river running through all of it, and into what looks to be a large group of hills far off to the west. Who knows what's over there, but that could wait for now, because a forge needed to be set up. Or, well, a fire, and some other junk to help make this axe. Neil wasn't sure really what a real forge looked like, but it something to do with an anvil, he thought. Too bad there weren't any anvils laying around in the woods.

He began to set up his little station, digging up a hole for the fire, and settling down by the river, setting up a big stone slab for a working table, and a short stump for a chair. Call Neil the modern day caveman. With a lot less facial hair, body hair, and all around less hair. And a proportionally larger brain, greater understanding of everything, and also, believe it or not, language. No ooga boogas from this man, what a shame.

After Neil