Survival of the Fittest Pt 5

Posted on Thu Jan 28th, 2021 @ 2:44am 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

The group was together once more, bringing a small smile to the tired Captain's face. They were more or less intact which was something, she prayed the rest of her crew were faring as well.

"We should make camp, somewhere protected" She looked around for somewhere appropriate.

"You mentioned a cave before, we should go back there." Dean nodded. "It's secure, protected."

Rhenora scanned the region she had seen the cave in, a small rocky outcropping about half an hour in the previous direction. They needed shelter and somewhere they could defend.

"It's back this way" she pointed back along the river."we should get there by last light the way the light it fading. Pick up any dry kindling and sticks we could use for a fire on your way"

"Alright, that way. Its better than searching aimlessly." Dean gave a little motion out a moment and then looked over to the rest of them. "I can literally run ahead, Mitchell looks to be in good shape. Can try to keep up, while Commander Savar sticks with you and Vali."

Rhenora looked at Ronson who nodded, he was physically fit and would be able to keep up with House.

"Righto then, you two head off to locate the cave, come back once you've found one that's suitable." She instructed, leaning on her stick as she paused to speak.

"Yes, ma'am." Motions in that direction, "Lets go, Crewman." Dean starting out at the dead run, no need to dilly dally.

Ronson didn't have time to reply, channeling his energy into keeping up with the Tactical officer. As they vanished from sight Rhenora looked at Savar and Aurora, ascertaining that they were more or less intact. "Shall we?" She carried on in the direction the two had run off in, hoping to reach their destination with some light left. Exploring a cave in the pitch black wasn't high on her list of things to do.

There wasn't exactly time for them to cover the trail, at least not for now. Maybe once they got everyone there, and settled. Ronson was keeping up pretty well for the most part. No talking needed unless they saw something and then stopping.

Ronson puffed away behind Lt House, not the fittest on the ship by a long shot but he could hold his own. They neared the rocky outcrop and slowed a little, searching for the cave the Captain had seen.

Dean finally stopped, "Let see..Okay, typically if there's going to be a cave, then with the outcropping. There's bound to be a path that's used. If not by these Hunters then by animals. Look for something like that."

"Let's hope they are friendly animals, and no Hunters. Looks like you had a bit of a run in with one" Ronson commented on Dean's clothing.

"Just a little bit, at least got his weapon and ammo. That will help. Should have gone back and grabbed his sword, or the Captains now that I think about it." Let out a breath, "Little late now. We need to get this done, he called for back up so I'm sure we're being hunted. Again."

"Nah she's still got the blade, I'm sure I saw it" Ronson replied, having an eye for detail. "What else did you get from him?"

"Not a hell of a lot actually. That was probably on purpose, nothing to give an advantage should this have happened. Which..." shrugs, "It did." Dean kept walking and looking. "Probably have a way to get out or to a base or camp within a half days walk."

Ronson nodded but kept his mouth shut, this was well out of his field of expertise and was right into Dean's. "There" he pointed behind several rocks where the mouth of a shallow cave could be seen.

Dean nodded and switched to 'silent mode.' Holding a finger up to his lips, then motioned for Ronson to go left, watch out, and hold to the side of the mouth. He was going to do the same, but on the right. Dean first since he did have the bow.

Ronson did as he was told, keeping silent and keeping watch. Would they find anything in the cave? He held his breath and waited.

Moving up to the mouth, Dean dropped the aim of the bow, though slipping a finger around the shaft of the arrow. There at shelf point. So it was still ready, mostly. Leaning down to feel of the tracks. Use his free hand as a size comparison. Oh..crap... Standing up and slowly, slowly back-peddling. Motioning Ronson off.

Ronson backed up, eyes wide but saying nothing. He followed Dean's lead and retreated, holding his box in front of him defensively.

"What is it?" He mouthed without making a sound.

Getting close enough to Ronson to at least whisper, "I don't know, but some kind of animal. We're going to have to run it off or kill it if we want to turn that into a safe camp."

Ronson gulped, he had never killed anything in his life. "Let's try and run it off" He said with more confidence than he felt.

"Alright..we can try it that way first. I'll go ahead and bait it, if its still in there. It might be out at the moment."

Ronson nodded and readied himself, retreating behind some of the rocks and waiting for something - anything to come out.

There wasn't a whole lot to do to get its attention really but making a lot of noise. Dean moved up by the mouth and started banging on the side a few times and then getting out of the way.

There was a growl and the sound of scampering feet before three large mammals erupted from the cave, running into the surrounding jungle as the sound startled them. Ronson was silent and unmoving as they ran past, their home disturbed by a larger intruder.

Just in case, Dean kept the bow loaded and ready. Leading any of the three as they came out. Them just running off though was the better scenario. "That was easier than I thought. Okay."

Ronsons breathed a sigh of relief as the animals ran off, he waited as well for a few moments before looking at Dean. HE motioned to go in however the cave was pitch black. They would need light and thus a fire.

"Gather some tinder, dried leaves. I'll grab some rocks. A couple larger pieces of wood. We can use one of the arrow heads and a stone as flint and steel."

Ronson placed his beloved box on the sand and smashed it, using the timber to build the start of a campfire. He then looked round for some dry material to use as a kindling. A found some leaves and smaller sticks and brought them back to the mouth of the cave.

" Here we go - this should help" He said as he plonked an armful on the floor.

Dean raised an eyebrow, "Well you didn't have to break your box. There's plenty of wood around." Looking up from gathering rocks to make them a circle. That should work just fine anyway though. Once started they could make two torches to use in the cave. It was going give off their location though.

"It was perfect firewood, hence why I kept it" Ronson retorted, setting more stick and small branches down nearby for firewood. The light would keep animals at bay however the Hunters would know exactly where they were. Cross that bridge when they come to it.

"Well it should be starting, one of us needs to check out the cave."

" You have the weapons" Ronson said, placing a longer branch into the fire and waiting until the end was alight before handing it to Lt House " Your light Sir"

"I guess I should have mentioned wrapping it and it a bit damp, it'll burn longer. I know..that shouldn't work that way, but it does. Thank you though. I guess I'll go check it out. Be back in a bit." Taking the torch and heading slowly into the cave.