Survival of the Fittest Pt1

Posted on Tue Jan 26th, 2021 @ 9:11pm by Captain Rhenora Kaylen & Chief Petty Officer Ronson Mitchell & Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen & Lieutenant Dean House & Lieutenant Aurora Vali

Mission: The Jungle
Location: The Jungle

The stream was running swiftly and approximately 5 metres wide - although not quite a running river it was still going to be a challenge to cross and access the box on the other side. Ronson hoped that it was full of food, he was starving!

" Are you ready?" He asked?

“Not really but ...” Aurora nodded. “Let’s get this over with!” She stepped into the water and sucked in a breath. “Oh heavens that’s cold!” She had little choice but to keep going. As the current washed them along the bottom started to drop away, trying to keep her head above water was difficult especially when she was so cold. << Imzadi ... I wish you ... were here! I need ... your strength!! >>

Ronson was a strong swimmer, even with his hands bound in front he managed to do an decent approximation of breaststroke, without the circular arm action of course. He kept his body alongside Aurora's , taking the brunt of the current so she would have an easier time.

Aurora appreciated Ronson’s help, she managed to keep up but she was shivering violently by the time they reached the bank where the box was. “Th ... thank you ...” She offered a smile. “l ... let’s get this b ... box open somehow.”

" Dry off as much as you can" Ronson mentioned as he attempted to prize the top off the box. IT was tightly sealed and wouldn't budge despite his best attempts. He looked around for something he could use as a lever when he noticed Aurora's lips turning a light shade of blue.

"Hey... wring as much water out of your clothes and hair as you can" He was concerned about hypothermia.

Aurora nodded. There was no time for embarrassment as she removed her clothing as best she could to wring it out. She wished Savar was there was cuddle up to and share heat with. “I can’t ... feel my fingers ...” she tried blowing heat onto her hands but it wasn’t really working. “You ... need to go ... on without me ... get to safety!”

" Not happening" Ronson replied, taking off his shirt and wringing it out, flapping it a few times to get the majority of the moisture out. He handed it to Aurora, hoping that some more layers would preserve her body heat. The box would have to wait, he had to make sure she didn't freeze first.

From Rhenora's and Savar's hiding place, He felt Aurora's plea for him. "Captain." He whispered I am sensing Aurora, very near, in this very river."

Rhenora couldn't help but smile, there was strength in numbers and they could accomplish more as a team rather than a duo. It was easier to keep people safe, and to achieve goals.

"We should join them if at all possible" she commented, expressing her eagerness to see more of her crew alive and well.

That wasn't exactly how the plans were suppose to go, nor even his backup plan that Dean and the Captain discussed. Then again when did things go as planned half the time. At least the number of hours they had already be down there, it gave Dean enough time to find the needed materials to make a bow and six arrows. It wasn't much but it was something. The best way to find a source of water and possible food was to find herd tracks. Were there any would be the question. Either way, there was still ways to find a river or lake or the like. Starting to come close enough to hear the water running.

"Ahhh I can hear something" Rhenora whispered again to Savar, trying to discern the location the sound was coming from. Her weapon was in her hand and ready for action if required. She wasn't as skilled as Savar but she could hold her own.

It was a risk, but getting by the water, Dean called out. Poising the bow with an arrow ready to be pulled back with the 'string' just in case. "Lieutenant Dean House, serial number One-Seven-Alpha-Six-Nine-Omega. Reply back if friendly."

"Lt House?" Rhenora recognized the voice and carefully moved out of her hiding position, blade still raised. He must have discovered a weapons cache or taken the bow from a hunter. Either way handy to have.

"Captain?" He also recognized the voice as well, lowering the bow a bit and following the voice. "Yes, its me," stopping a few meters away from her.

"You're in one piece, good to see. We weren't sure how many others we would bump into" she said, choosing her words carefully. There would be injuries, there would be fatalities, but she wasn't ready to face that just yet. She simply said a prayer for her husband, and returned her attention back to the officer in front of her. " Is anyone with you?"

Dean shook his head, "Just me. Took awhile to get over here after I found enough things to make this bow and some arrows. I'm sorry, ma'am, I haven't seen anyone else until now."

Rhenora's heart sank a bit for she hid it well, turning her attention back to the matter at hand.

"Savar thought he heard something, and has detected Aurora nearby" she explained, still keeping her ears open in case what they had heard previously wasn't Lt House and that they were still being hunted.

"Aright. So..is Commander Savar okay? Did he get in contact with Aurora? What direction. I'll go find her."

"Savar is well, we were attempting to find Aurora, he senses she is nearby. We stay together, strength in numbers and all that" she instructed, having a bad feeling in their gut that something was still tracking them.

"I'm glad he's alright, as for her, it would help to know where. I also as I know I'm not the Department Head, but, I disagree about strength in numbers. The priority is you and Savar. Staying together and safe. I can go find her and since you mentioned hunters. See if I can track it, or them. Cut them off." Dean gave a sigh and tilted his head also to listen more acutely.

"Your argument is illogical Lieutenant. In unknown territory, we are more formidable as a unit then by single individuals." Savar replied.

" We stay together. We pool our resources as skills that way" Rhenora said firmly. " And for the record there is no 'priority', everyone is as important and the next person. Anyone can win this Game and save our hides."