Survival of the Fittest Pt 4

Posted on Wed Jan 27th, 2021 @ 5:30am 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: Jungle

" Commander!" Crewman Ronson Mitchell looked up in surprise as the tall Vulcan emerged from the thick jungle, startling him out of his wits.

"Yes, Mr. Mitchell, no need to shout. I trust you are well? Thank you for watching out for Aurora as well." Savar answered the younger man. "The Captain and Lt. House are on the other side of the river. I feel it is to our advantage to rejoin them but first let us see what the box you recovered contains."

" I've been trying to get into it for some time now Commander, but without success. However I feel Aurora is more of the concern - she is still quite cold after crossing the river and could use some assistance warming up." The Yeoman explained as he fetched another stick to try and prize the it open with.

"I will tend to Aurora. Have you checked for a recessed button to open the box Mr. Mitchell?" Savar inquired as he moved to check on Aurora and her condition.

" I've tried everything" Ronson grumbled, looking around for a rock or something. " Hey Commander, can I borrow the knife? I might be able to lever it open with that" He asked, spying the blade tucked into Savar's waistband.

"Certainly." Savar replied taking the knife from his waistband and handing it to Ronson in one fluid motion. "Do be careful Mr. Ronson, it is sharp."

" I know my way around a sharp knife Commander. What do you think I open the containers of tea with?" Ronson retorted in good nature as he turned his attention back to the box.

Aurora smiled relieved to see her husband. “It’s so good ... to see you! I could really use ... a hug right now.”

Savar wasted no time in moving to Aurora and giving her a hug. Letting her body absorb his own body heat. To Ronson, he replied, "I had thought your teeth."

" Grrrrr" Ronson retorted, levering the lid off the box and revealing the contents. There were several packets of food, as well as another small knife and some other items he didn't recognise.

“Oh wow!” Aurora smiled. “Just what we needed. Looks like we’ll get to eat Ronson.” She was starting to feel warmer.

" I can't say that it'll taste any good, looks like ration type stuff, but its food. Maybe if we get a fire going, mix it with water and make a soup? " HE suggetsed, feeling as though they should probably boil the water before drinking it anyways. Who knew what bacteria were thriving in it

“Sounds like a good idea” Aurora nodded. “What do you think Savar?”

"I commend your thinking Mr. Mitchell. It is an excellent idea however it is one that must wait until we rejoin the Captain and Lt. House. We will do it without crossing the river. "Take everything in the box and place in your pockets. I am sure it will all be used.''

" Sure" Ronson packed everything in his pockets and closed the box, it was of timber construction and could be used as firewood if necessary. It would depend on if the Captain was going to join them on this side of the river or if they were going to swim back across themselves.

" It is imperative we do stay here long. We must reunite with the Captain. Are you ready to proceed Mr. Mitchell?" Savar asked as he checked on Aurora to make sure she was up to the task at hand.

" Yes Sir" Ronson stood up with his stuffed pockets and a few items still left in the box. He could swim across and keep the box out of the water without too much hassle. "Ready when you are"

"Very good Mr. Mitchell however I do not think it prudent that we seem across the river again. I fear Aurora would not survive another attempt. Instead we will look for a crossing to reunite with the Captain." Savar told the yeoman.

" Have you told the Captain that?" Ronson asked, relising their CO was waiting on the other side of the river. She could just be seen through the thick underbrush.

Not yet Mr. Mitchell, I will however remedy that now." Savar didn't look in the Captain's direction in case they were being hunted nor did he reveal his position. "Captain, we will look for a crossing up river to reunite with you and the others." He fabricated the last in case anyone was listening, he hoped it would make them pause in any attack, they might plan.

" Roger, be warned, there are Hunters around., we dispatched one a short time ago" Rhenora replied, advising Savar of the ever present threat. Damned Hunters were getting more cunning, as though someone had hit the 'level up' button in the game.

"Understood. We will be duly vigilant, May I suggest you and the others do the same. Hopefully we will reunite in a brief period of time."

Meanwhile on the other side of the river Lt. House was disposing of the Hunter's body whilst Rhenora made her way slowly back upstream along the river, taking her team and keeping as much pressure off her leg as she could. The more it healed now the better it would be in the long term. She tried to find Savar on the other side to see how Ronson and Aurora were doing and wishes for the thousandth time for her communicator. She hadn't told Savar about the injury as he had enough on his place. With House away she was on her own and feeling more than a little vulnerable.

Dean finally got done with the body. He didn't weigh it down, it wasn't a lake. The current would just take it along and out of the way. With Rhenora clearing up their tracks as he did that. Then it worked with him heading back toward where she should be. Certainly keeping his senses open in case, but wearing the Hunters outfit should give him a drop if those others called did get to him first.

The Captain moved cautiously and slowly along the riverbank, trying to find a location that would be suitable for Savar and his small team to cross and rejoin them. Every moment her people were apart was a risk, something she felt even more so being on her own. She spied a small branch nearby, relatively straight and could support some of her weight. Hop along Harry it was.

Light on his feet, since he wasn't hurt, at least yet. That could certainly change later. For now. Hopefully he didn't startle the Captain once he got to her. Giving a look at what she was going across. Waiting until she got over to say something. Dean sighed, that wasn't going to hold him. "At least you got across, Captain. how's your leg?"

"Hurts like a bitch but it's bearable" She admitted, taking a breather and resting on her temporary crutch. "Is Mr naked in the river?" She asked, still looking for an easy way for Savar to cross.

"I'm surprised you hadn't seen the body go by yet. Or someone else hadn't, but if not, then good. They won't think anything of it." Dean gave another glance around. "At least you made a crutch. Farther up if it starts having rock faces, there might be room to get across, it being shallow, or maybe a tree fallen across the river."

" Good idea, we'll keep moving that way and hope we can find something" Rhenora commented as she hobbled along. The sun was starting to drop lower in the sky, the temperature also starting to fall. Night would be upon them soon.

"It shouldn't, theoretically, that long to find. We could move faster if you just want me to carry you. You can hop on my back, Captain." Dean shrugged a little bit, maybe she wouldn't let her pride get in the way of the decision.

" Negative on that Lieutenant" Rhenora replied with just a tad of indignation. She realised at some point it would happen but she wasn't there yet. The sun descended further towards the tops of the trees, casting long dark shadows in front of them. "We'll keep going a little further to those shallows, and maybe make camp there" Rhenora looked ahead to where the river topography changed.

"Savar!, rock shelves ahead!" She called across the river to alert their comrades.

"Yes Captain, we see them. we attempt to cross there." Savar's voice floated back to her. "Mr. Mitchell, you go first, then you Aurora and I will follow." Savar told his comrades as they found the area the Captain had spied and were soon back on the same side of the river and reunited with the Captain and House.

Ronson nodded as he spied the river crossing. Rock shelves reduced the water height up half way up his chest, it was running rapidly, but it was walkable. With the box high above his head to preserve the dry timber for a fire. It didn't take him long to reach the other side. "Not too bad Commander!" He shouted back once he had reached the Captain's side.

The Captain meanwhile was still making her way to the crossing, moving a little faster when she saw Ronson pop out of the water.

Once the calls were given back, Dean instantly drew an arrow and poised it. Because they just completely gave away their position. No climbing a tree, at least for now, but certainly moving to a spot he could see more, just in case.

"You next Aurora." Savar said as he helped his wife across, their going was slower but they made it without incident. "Captain, it good to see you, you as well Lieutenant."

"Different situation would have been more ideal. At least you didn't attack me, considering what I am wearing." Dean glanced to Aurora, "Mrs. Savar. I'm glad you're well."

Rhenora finally made it to the group, half of them sopping wet, the other dressed in Hunter garb. They made a rag-tag bunch but they were together and that was all that mattered.