The first few days the area was subjected to a lasting torrential downpour that severely limited the amount of work that could be done on the defences, however as Kohln had made significant progress he was less worried than before. He had also sent some messengers to New Redon as he has no communications from military command, but he was also keen to receive any news from home that would lift the spirits of his men.
Kohln decided that he needed to be more aware of his surrounds, so on the 12th another exploration party set out , as well as a hunting party to supplement supplies. The hunting party was a fairly routine task, hunting in the jungle immediately around Songo, and as such they never encountered an angry natives.
On the 13th of June Sgt Harld led a small party of men west and had a rather eventful few days, however these were positive events. After 2 days of hard jungle trekking, Harld's party encountered a friendly group of Mabutan warriors on a hunting party, after a brief exchange of trade items, the Mabutans set off north. It was quite refreshing for them men to know that in the jungle they did have a chance not to have to shoot at people, and several of the men appeared to be a little more happier at their role in the area. Apart from this, the party managed to explore further west and reported back to the garrison on the 19th of June, their return a lot quicker due to the discovery of a decent trail that the Mabutan party the encountered told them about.
While the various exploration parties were out and about, the garrison set about its daily tasks, aided by a spectacular sting of very fine days with no rain. In this time several lengths of palisade where finished, as well as a small strong room that would be utilised as a small jailhouse. Next on the Major's plan were some more barracks and perhaps an infirmary, though he did wish to have contact from his commanders in case this was a wasted effort.
However all the while, the men knew that the danger of attack was present. Natives would pass on sightings on Mbeechi and it was always clear that the Mbeechi were still around, but were being very cautious.....and this worried Kolhn, as it meant they were up to something.
The days moved swiftly without incident, given the success of this party, Kohln ordered another stronger party to utilise the river via canoe and make a great expedition west. He assigned Mosse to take 9 men, supplies and 4 canoes and to make as greater gain west as possible. Mosse departed on the 22nd of June and encountered a great swag of Mabutan villages dotted all along the river, it was apparent why the Mbeechi liked the area, as the Mabutans were everywhere !. After several days of being hosted by Mabutan villages on the river bank, the river then changed SW and in the distance Mosse could see the slopes of a mountain range. He decided to press on and map this uncharted land, perhaps the range or some colourful flora would be named after him and he decided to press on for another few days. The river ebbed and flowed in a vast valley with steep cliffs on either side, rapids rose here and there but his men pressed on until the chasm lessened and the river flowed into a grassland landscape. (June 28th) Mosse ordered the party to camp on the bank early as he wanted the men to rest. As the men made their fire and unloaded the canoes, the sentry cried a warning. Amongst a treeline some distance away some Mabutan warriors (They appeared to be Mabutan at least) were watching the men, Mosse was wary that this far away from the garrison that the some Mabutan tribes might be hostile given they may have never seen white men before, and the next few minutes confirmed this as two war parties burst out of the brush and directly at the men spears raised and tempers high.............would Jaxonian volley fire stem the slaughter, or would they end up on pokey bits !
(The area discovered so far)
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