Survival of the Fittest - part lots.

Posted on Fri Jan 29th, 2021 @ 5:20am 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

The howling of the night animals drifted on the breeze, making Rhenora stiffen a little as she wriggled to sit closer to the fire. The night air was cold, seeping the warmth from her body as the Jungle warmth was replaced with a deathly cold. She looked towards Ronson and Dean, knowing they would be feeling the cold out in the mouth of the cave. She could offer them nothing, she had no clothes, no warmth to offer. It made her feel small and powerless. Her role was to protect and to guide, and here she was with the shoe on the other foot. Being protected and unable to guide. It frustrated the heck out of her.

Having made up bedding out of the leaves they’d been out to collect Aurora was grateful to have them to lie on but even more grateful to have Savar to cuddle up to in order to stay warm. She was sensing the animal life present on the surface, as well as other life forms which were most likely the crew.

Rhenora looked up as Savar and Aurora returned with their arms full of wide flat leaves. They arranged them on the sand with enough to serve as rudimentary coverings as well.

"You did well" Rhenora attempted a smile as she shifted sideways onto the leave laid out for her, a large flat rock had appeared from somewhere for her to raise her legs onto, keeping bloodflow towards her major organs. Shock could be a problem as the cold descended. "Did you see anything out there?"

"Aurora was most helpful in pointing out the leaves we needed Captain and no we did not see anything but we heard quite a lot there are several large animals about."

" Well that's something I guess, that you didn't see them I mean" The Captain corrected herself. She was still a little concerned that there were animals around that may have a taste for humanoids.

"Would you have preferred for us to be seen Captain? I can go out and see if I can lure one here. Then we can hopefully kill it and have a meat to cook." Savar questioned his Captain.

Rhenora considered the option - if they were to risk going out into the dark, they could get some high protein meat that would provide better sustenance than the ration bars they had stolen from the Hunters. The risk was going out in the dark and facing off against an unknown wild animal.

" If you feel confident hunting, maybe take Lt House with you - I don't want anyone going alone unless absolutely necessary"

Aurora looked at Savar. “There are animals nearby I can feel them, just promise me if you go you’ll be careful.”

"Of course Aurora. I have no intention on being eaten." Savar replied to his wife. "Captain, I would prefer to take Mr. Mitchell if you have no objections. Lt. House is better suited to protect you and Aurora. I addition Aurora's senses would be able to alert Lt. House of any approaching danger."

" As you wish" Rhenora replied, allowing her XO to pick his companion - as usual he was right. Dean would be better protecting the cave, whilst Savar and Ronson went hunting. The howls of the animals drew closer.

Savar nodded, "Mr. Mitchell, I need your assistance for a task." Savar called out to the yeoman.

" Yessir, sorry I don't have tea with me" Ronson quipped as he left his post at the mouth of the cave and headed over to where Savar was. The young officer still had Rhenora's weapon tucked in his belt, hoping that he wouldn't have to use it.

Aurora smiled at Ronson. “Do me a favour, look after yourself and my husband while you’re out of here. You did a grand job looking after me.”

"Exchange weapons with me Mr. Mitchell. We are going hunting to bring back some meat and the Captain's weapon is better suited for slicing as in dismemberment."

" Okay... can you do that part?" Ronson looked a bit queasy but put on a brave face. He would do what was required and necessary to ensure the survival of the team as a whole.

"I can and I will Mr. Mitchell." Savar told him, "However I will need your assistance in bringing the animal back here where we can cook the meat."

Dean looked between all of them a moment here and there, "I'd advise against going out there. I know, everyone is tired. Hungry. We want this to be over. However, I saw the size of those prints of what was using this cave. Its big. Not to mention, just the same with the Hunters. Night is the best time to hunt, they also, both groups, have the home field advantage. Dawn would be the better time to do so."

Rhenora's stomach growled at the mention of hunger. They only had a few rations left between them, it would be slim pickings for a while.

"Savar I would leave it up to your best judgement. If you feel you can hunt for something size appropriate..." She let the decision rest with those who would be putting their lives on the line.

"Thank you Captain." Savar looked to Ronson, "Shall we be going Mr. Mitchell? The sooner we leave, the sooner we will come back."

"Yessir, one...meal... coming right up" He stammered, trying to fake his confidence. He held his weapon tight and headed off with the XO.

There was a long sigh given. Dean still thought it was a mistake to go right now. Sitting down not to far from the Captain and the mouth. Even he had to rest sometimes. Stabbing a grub with an arrow and holding it over the fire, after leaning way back of course. Letting it cook a little then plopping it in his mouth.

" Ewww... hopefully Savar can come up with something better than grubs" Rhenora wrinkled her nose. "Let me guess - tastes like chicken?" She snorted at her own bad joke before continuing. "Savar is doing what he thinks is best. He doesn't know your abilities yet, he will trust you over time."

"I have no doubt that he's very capable as well in his own right, wouldn't be your Executive Officer otherwise." Giving a glance at the end of the arrow he just ate off of. "More like gummy worms actually." Not completely sure if she knew they were high in protein or not, and was going to wait to point it out or not.

" He is very capable" Rhenora echoed, listening for the sounds outside the cave. There were several animals she could discern, some that sounded like large dogs, some that sounded like wild pigs, and various birds. She hoped they didn't feel like paying them a visit.

Once outside the cave, Savar turned to Ronson. "Mr. Mitchell, I know this it outside your comfort zone however I have every confidence in your abilities. Just follow my directions."

"Yes Sir" Ronson replied automatically, shoving his insecurities and feelings aside for the time being. He would get this task done and deal with the fallout later. As the pair moved away from the cave, three large dogs approached from the opposite direction, silent in their approach and eyes for the three resting by the fire.

"Very good. Trust yourself Mr. Mitchell. I do." Savar trying to bolster the younger man's confidence. "Our quarry lies ahead perhaps 50 yards."

Dean's head perked up a little. Obviously he was listening for the little things just as everyone else. "Is it me, or did it get way too quiet." Drowning out the sound of the crackling of the fire.

Rhenora shut her trap instantly and listened carefully. The surrounding jungle had gone quiet around them. "It's too quiet
She whispered, wishing she had some kind of weapon to defend herself with.

Down the trail, Savar and Ronson were closing in on their quarry. they could hear it up ahead, rooting around. "Very quiet now, Mr. Mitchell." He cautioned.

Ronson nodded, allowing Savar to lead and following his hand signals. It was a medium sized boar and would provide enough meat for days should they catch it.

In the cave Aurora was feeling disturbed. “There’s something ...” She looked towards the cave entrance then she looked around. “There ... and there!” She pointed towards the cave entrance then turned and pointed into the darkness of the cave behind them. “It’s getting closer.”

"That's what I was afraid of...other animals flee from predators..." Dean said quietly. Sliding both Rhenora and Aurora an arrow. It was something at least. Pushing up to a crouch and looking more at the entrance. Narrowing his eyes.

Rhenora nodded and accepted the arrow, grasping it as though her life depended on it. She watched Dean search the surroundings with his eyes. Feeling as though she were more a burden than useful the Captain kept her mouth shut. She couldn't even move to get out of the way should the situation require it.

"I trust you'll do your best Lieutenant" She said encouragingly. Aurora could more than hold her own as well.

Aurora gripped her arrow tight listening for movement, she wasn’t as strong as a full blood Vulcan but she was stronger than a Human with the Vulcan sense of hearing to match. Her eyes were firmly fixed on the rear of the cave, it was so dark they wouldn’t see a predator until it got closer. “I’ll protect you Captain, that’s a promise.”

" I just wish you didn't have to" Rhenora replied as she scooted out of the way and back up against a wall. She levered herself to her feet, putting as little pressure as she could on her injured leg. Something dug into her hip and she realised she still had Ronson's knife - tossing it to Aurora who would be much better served with it.

“Thank you” Aurora smiled before suddenly being rushed by something from out of the dark, the animal was large but didn’t appear to be fully grown. It’s claws were just as sharp though as it scratched Aurora on it’s attack path. It had spotted Rhenora, spotting she was weakest amongst them.

Meanwhile Savar and Ronson had tracked what they could now see looked like a boar into a narrow, dead end gulley. "Mr. Mitchell, I want you to attract he creature's attention. when it come for you I will strike a fatal blow." He pointed at large branch that hung over the trail. "I will climb up and when the boar passes underneath, I shall strike."

Half a dozen smart assed comments rose in Ronsons mind but he swallowed all of them. If his job was to be bait, then bait he would be - their next meal depended on it.

He headed into the gully and made a lot of noise, attracting the animal towards him so Savar to finish the job.

Savar had scrambled up the tree and out onto the limb, getting into position as Ronson worked at getting the creature's attention. He gripped the scimitar tightly ready to deliver the killing blow.

Ronson stealed himself, pushing his fear to the side as the animal lunged at him.

Savar fell like a rock atop the boar. bringing his weapon up and under the animal's neck and using all his might pulled upwards, severing the neck muscles and arteries causing the beast to stagger a few steps and then fall in a great heap.

" Hoorah!" Ronson yelled, sounding very much like a well to do Englishman who watched someone else do all the hard work.
The beast squealed once and remained unmoving.

Savar climbed off the beast's back. "Well done Mr. Ronson. Gather some of those long branches so we may get this back to the others. When Ronson had, Savar took one and pushed it through the creature's until it protruded out of it's lower back. "Grab an end Mr. Mitchell so we can return to the others."

"Pig on a spit anyone?" Ronson tried hard not to gag as Savar gutted and impaled the animal, effectively preparing it for cooking for the rest of the team. The Yeoman realised there was no way he would have known what to do or done so with any kind of efficiency. " Dinner is prepped Commander"

"Indeed Mr. Mitchell, I do hope the others like roasted boar." Savar quipped.

" If they want food they will, this rations are terrible" Ronson nodded as they hefted the boar onto their shoulders and carted it back to the cave.

There had to be another way in, the only way Dean could figure it got past him. It 'maybe' not being fully grown, he didn't know. If it was just still a cub or just into adolescence that would disappoint him having to kill it. It was them or it though.

Already on it with at least two arrows that, 'should' hit home before it go to Rhenora. If it did get in another way, that probably meant that the other Aurora mentioned was going to be coming from a different side.

Rhenora held her breath and waited, there was nothing she could do but rely on Dean's skill and Aurora's ability to keep her from becoming the animal's next meal. The problem was, they could smell the blood and burnt flesh and were keen for a taste.

The animals turned out to be large dogs, approximately the size of a Great Dane but twice the weight. Two of them lunged at the same time, working as a pack at attack the one they thought was a threat first.

One of the arrows hit like it was suppose to. As far as Dean could tell, the second missed. Missed? He didn't miss. Well that didn't matter, the one was going to be hurt if not dead. The other was probably better to deal with close up, even if he got hurt. At a distance would be better, but..it would be what it would be.

Rhenora raised her small knife in one hand, the arrow in the other, determined to defend herself as well as she could. She couldn't run, she couldn't hide, she would have to fight as best she could if they got past House.

One was down, two to go. The Captain saw one of the dogs with an arrow in it - the other was still very much alive and now suitably pissed off, as was it's buddy who was sneaking in from the other side. Teeth barred they advanced.

That wasn't exactly keen for him. These bastards got in past him some how and that wasn't acceptable. He missed something checking out the cave. That didn't matter at this point for now. The women should be able to do something with the second one. Hopefully, because they may need to. A third shot shhhnting out hit the second in the rear thigh. That'd slow it down. So he could jump the sneaky one..that thought it was sneaky.

The dog yelped as the arrow hit it, making it wounded and angry. Teeth barred it whirled at its attacker.

Saw it in a movie once. "Hey. Do ya like dags? Hmm? do ya like dags?" totally full Irish gypsy accent throw to it. Motioning his hand to beckon it. Probably a bad decision to throw own of the arrows, by hand, towards the one after Rhenora. The one he just pissed off, okay..guess we're going to do this hand to hand, then.

Rhenora raised her knife as the last dog approached, licking its lips as it sniffed the air. Yes this was the one with the scent of blood. Saliva drooled from its barred mouth as it sized up its target. Brandishing her weapon the Captain would make sure she was still standing at the end of the fight. She saw Aurora advancing with her arrow raised.

Rhenora stepped forward with her blade on her good leg, lunging as Dean distracted it. Her blade struck it in the neck, not enough to kill it but enough to do significant damage. It would give them the upper hand at least.