The team worked through the night in Maria's quarters, maps and sketches covering every available surface. Candles provided flickering light as they debated, planned, and reimagined what their settlement could become.
AJ had spent hours creating three-dimensional models—translucent green structures that glowed softly in the candlelight, showing different approaches to city design. Each iteration brought new insights and refinements.
"Radial pattern makes the most sense," Sam argued, sketching modifications to his latest design. "Central plaza with spokes radiating outwards. Efficient traffic flow, equal access to the centre."
"The river complicates things," Lily observed, studying AJ's models. "But we can make it work for us instead of against us."
Walter's cane tapped rhythmically as he considered the implications. "Size is the question. Too small, and we'll outgrow it quickly. Too large, and people will think we've lost our minds."
Maria leaned back, rubbing tired eyes. "We're not just building for the 167 people we have now. This is for the many future refugees that will come our way and the future generations."
As dawn approached, their vision crystallized—a radial city design with the river flowing through the centre, six major boulevards extending outwards like spokes on a wheel, concentric rings connecting everything together. Ambitious beyond anything their current population could fill, but designed for massive growth.
"They're going to think we're insane," Ethan said, studying the final model.
"Maybe," AJ replied, his form rippling with anticipation. "But sometimes insane ideas are exactly what people need."
---
Morning brought curious residents to the central plaza, word having spread that something significant was planned. People gathered with the mixture of hope and scepticism that came from months of disappointment under Richard's rule.
The team had arranged themselves around AJ's impressive creation—a detailed 3D model that a miniature city that represented their many hours of planning.
"Before we show you our vision," Maria began, addressing the assembled crowd, "we want you to understand what we're really proposing."
Sam stepped forward, his notebook filled with measurements and calculations. "We spent the night designing not just improvements to what we have, but something entirely new. A proper city that could serve tens of thousands of people."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Thousands of people seemed far from their current reality.
The 3D city rose from the ground, glowing structures forming roads, buildings, and open spaces. A perfect radial pattern with the river flowing directly through the centre, six main boulevards extending outward, and rings expanding from the core.
The crowd fell silent, staring at the beauty of the miniature city.
"The central plaza alone would be 600 metres across," Walter explained, his cane pointing to the model's heart. "Space for markets, gatherings, and celebrations for thousands of people."
"Six hundred metres?" someone gasped. "That's... that's enormous."
"The main roads will be 40 metres wide," Sam added, indicating the spoke-like boulevards. "Designed to carry huge numbers of people and goods."
"Forty metres?" Doctor Hayes asked incredulously. "Some of our current residential areas aren't that big."
"This looks like it's designed for a major city," Thomas observed, studying the model with professional interest. "There's not even 200 people here right now."
"We're not building for who we are now. We're building for who we'll become." Maria replied firmly.
The crowd's reaction was mixed—amazement at the beauty and scope of the vision, but growing concern about the practical impossibility of such an undertaking.
"How long would something like this take to build?" Eric asked, just thinking about logistics and timelines for something of that scale started to give him a headache.
"The initial phase—central plaza and first ring of housing—will take a few weeks of concentrated work," Sam replied. "The complete vision? Months, maybe years."
"Can we actually do this?" a woman asked nervously. "Do we have the skills, the resources?"
"Not yet," Victor admitted. "But we'll develop them as we go."
An older man stepped forward, concern evident in his voice. "This is great and all, but isn't it a bit... unrealistic? Shouldn't we focus on fixing what we already have?"
The question hung in the air for a moment.
Maria looked around at the faces—people torn between inspiration and pragmatism, hope and fear of disappointment.
"There's an old saying," she said, her voice carrying across the plaza. "Reach for the stars, and even if you miss, you'll land on the moon."
Walter nodded. "We could spend our time making small improvements to inadequate housing, or we could build something truly worthwhile, setting up the next generation for success."
"The point isn't to complete this vision immediately," AJ explained, his form shifting to highlight different sections of the model. "The point is to have a plan worth working towards."
Lily stepped forward, her voice filled with quiet conviction. "We survived the wish event, travelled across a transformed world, and defeated Richard. Building a proper city is just the next challenge."
Sam looked around at the crowd, then back at his sketches. "Every great city started with someone saying 'what if we built something better?' We're just setting our sights high from the beginning."
Ethan cracked his knuckles, grinning. "Besides, if we aim small we'll achieve it sure, but we'll still be living in shacks by the time those kids become adults."
The mood began to shift as people absorbed the reasoning.
"Start with the plaza and first housing ring," Thomas suggested, studying the model more carefully. "If that works, we continue. If not, we've still built something better than what we have."
"And we learn as we go," Robert added, the blacksmith's mind engaging with the challenge. "Each project teaches us something, preparing us for the next one."
Janet raised her hand tentatively. "What about the children? Where do they fit in this plan?"
"Right here," Maria replied, indicating areas marked for education in the model. "Proper schools, play areas, places where they can grow up with room to run and learn."
The children themselves had been watching the glowing model with wide eyes. Isaac, Maria's older boy, stepped forward boldly.
"Can we really build this?"
"We can try," Walter replied gently. "And trying to build something great is better than successfully building something ordinary."
---
As discussion continued, the community's initial scepticism transformed into cautious enthusiasm. The vision was ambitious beyond anything they'd imagined, but the alternative was remaining trapped in survival mode indefinitely.
"When do we start?" Lily asked.
"Now," Ethan replied, picking up one of the measuring rods AJ had begun producing during their discussion. "Let's mark out this plaza and get a better idea of what we're actually talking about."
The measurement process began immediately, using the current plaza as reference for calculating the center of the massive new space. AJ created an enormous compass—a central stake with rope nearly 300 metres long.
"This is our radius," Sam explained as volunteers gathered around. "We walk this rope in a complete circle to mark the outer boundary."
The work was methodical and impressive. As the rope traced its path, volunteers drove stakes into the ground every twenty metres. The circle that emerged was vast—encompassing not just the current plaza but extending far into the surrounding areas.
People followed the rope's path, many of them beginning to truly understand the scale.
Next came the spokes—six evenly spaced lines radiating from the center. Using AJ's measuring tools, they marked straight paths extending outward from the new plaza's edge.
Thomas walked along one of the marked roads, his professional eye evaluating the terrain. "The ground's good for construction. Some drainage work needed, but nothing we can't handle." He felt good knowing his knowledge would be put to use now.
By midday, the outline was complete. Stakes marked the enormous circle, and straight lines of markers extended outward like rays of the sun. The settlement's residents stood at various points along the boundaries, trying to comprehend the scale of what they'd committed to building.
Children ran between the stakes, their laughter echoing across the marked space. For them, the massive plaza was simply an enormous playground waiting to be created.
"Phase one housing," Maria announced, leading people towards an area north of the plaza. "10 homes for families currently in the worst conditions."
AJ created foundation-marking tools while Thomas organized work crews. "Stone cutting team expands quarry operations," he called out. "Timber team organizes logging from the eastern forest. Construction teams start with the most experienced leading groups of learners."
Eric had already begun coordinating supply lines. "Materials need to be moved from the quarry and the forest to the construction sites. Tools and equipment distribution as well as food and water."
The division of labour emerged naturally based on people's capabilities and interests. Some gravitated towards stone cutting, others towards timber work, others still towards the detailed construction that would transform raw materials into homes.
---
As afternoon progressed, the settlement buzzed with organized activity unlike anything they'd experienced. Multiple work crews prepared for different aspects of the massive undertaking.
At the quarry, expanded teams began cutting stone. In the forest, logging crews marked trees for harvesting. At the construction sites, people cleared ground and prepared for foundation work.
AJ moved between work areas, creating tools as they were needed, he also gave out pencils and paper to help people keep track of things as well as processing materials to exact specifications. His abilities seemed magical to people still adjusting to the transformed world's possibilities.
Robert worked with small groups, teaching metalworking basics and designing specialized tools for different construction tasks. His enthusiasm was infectious as people realized they could learn sophisticated skills through hands-on work.
Children helped where they could, carrying small tools and materials, learning by observation and participation. The work was becoming a community education project as much as a construction effort.
Doctor Hayes established a medical station, with Claire's assistance, for treating construction injuries and monitoring health during physically demanding work.
---
As evening approached, tangible progress was visible everywhere. Foundation trenches marked where the first homes would rise. Piles of cut stone waited for transport from the quarry. Lumber was stacked and prepared for construction use.
The marked plaza stretched across the landscape like a promise of the future—stakes and rope lines showing where something extraordinary would eventually stand.
People gathered for evening meals with dirt under their fingernails and satisfaction in their voices. Conversations centered on tomorrow's work, techniques they'd learned, and improvements they could make to processes.
Maria stood at the center of the marked plaza, looking out at the settlement that would soon be transformed beyond recognition.
Walter approached, his cane tapping softly against the ground. "No turning back now."
"Good," Maria replied. "It's about time people started to dream big again."
AJ's form rippled in the evening light. "The foundation's been laid—literally and metaphorically."
As darkness settled, the settlement hummed with anticipation. Plans were forming, skills were developing, and something great was beginning to take shape.
The age of merely surviving was coming to an end.