Observations, Part 1

Posted on Mon Oct 25th, 2010 @ 7:42pm by Captain T'mpest Michaels & Lieutenant Commander Dylan Blake & Lieutenant JG Jason Fisher & Lieutenant JG Nykala Marstin & Lieutenant Jimmy Cooper

1,644 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Structured Shoreleave - Marchwiel
Location: Marchwiel

ON:

It had taken some time for Zhukov, Fisher and Blake to set up the OP and establish a somewhat secure perimeter around the area. In the meantime, Michaels, Marstin, and T'kaarch had been setting up the living camp. They had to be careful not to use anything that wouldn't be found on the planet, and as a result, had used mostly white canvas for tents and straightened tree branches for poles. It wasn't the most comfortable camp, but it would do.

The sun had now disappeared behind the horizon, and it was time to get to work. "Ok, Commander, I'll take the first shift with T'kaarch if you and the doctor want to head down to the stream to wash up. Blake and Fisher can have second shift, and you and Marstin can have third shift? Will that be ok?" he asked Michaels.

Wiping a forearm across his sweaty brow Dylan rolled his eyes at Zhukov's plan wondering how if he could bribe him into allowing him to have most of a nights sleep rather than a broken one.

T'mpest looked at Nykala and nodded. "Sure. I think we could both use a trip to the river." It would be nice to wash off the dust from the day's hike. "The shifts are fine. I like dawn watch," she added with a grin.

She ducked into her tent long enough to grab a bundle of clean clothes and some soap. If she washed her clothes as well, she'd be able to hang them up to dry when she got back.

"Alright then. Everyone, just try and be as alert as you can, we have no idea what creatures or people might be out here after dark. And remember, the Eyton city state is only one and a half kilometers away so we might even be within their patrol zone." said Zhukov.

Jason acknowledged the lieutenant's words with a simple nod. He had been impressed with the conn officer's leadership skills, which he had perceived to be a weakness in many that he had seen at the Academy. He put his hand into his robe and checked that his phaser, the only one the away team were carrying, was still easily accessible to him. He had disagreed with the captain's decision to only allow one, feeling it to be an unnecessary risk, but he had to admit that the whole camping outdoors, using natural materials and such had given the whole experience a more organic feel. Perhaps it would help his integration in to the crew too, as he reminisced about the camping trips of his youth; lying on the ground, looking up at the stars and sharing stories as the food was always overcooked on a camp fire.

"Just remember, if we do run into locals, we're travelers. I don't want to cause any unnecessary problems. It will be dark soon, so try to be back before the sun sets. You never know what is out there."

With a nod to Zhukov, T'mpest and Nykala headed for the nearby river.

Nykala glanced at the bundle of clean clothes that T'mpest carried. "It appears that we both had the same idea. I've been looking forward to a quick wash since we started putting up camp."

"Oh, yes. There's nothing like it after a long hike -- or a hard day's work," T'mpest agreed with a grin. "When I'm camping I like to smell like wood smoke, but since we may run into the natives, I think cleanliness is the better option."

"Don't worry about those," lieutenant Blake's voice followed the women. "I'll keep watch for you, and don't worry I won't peek," he smirked.

When they got to the river, they found an eddy that was clear and deep. T'mpest took off her cloak and draped it over a rock, then set her clean clothes on top of it.

After checking the water, she stripped off her clothes and washed them quickly in the stream, then laid them on another rock to dry before making a shallow dive into the water.

While the women bathed Blake sat on the far side with his back defiantly facing them to overlook the surroundings, peering into the setting sun.

It had been a long journey for Retock and Helda. The couple had left Eyton almost three weeks ago under a cloud of suspicion, and now they were returning home as man and wife. Helda had always wanted to have a celebrated wedding, but because of her delicate condition, she was forced to leave town with Retock and get married in another city. She hoped her parents had forgiven her, but she was pretty sure they hadn't. At least, not yet.

They both hoped to have been in Eyton before the sun went down and the bandits and roadside thieves came out, but they had been delayed by a broken axle on their wagon, and Retock wanted to try and push on for the city limits.

The two beasts of burden pulled the slow lumbering wagon down the dirt road slowly. Retock had never noticed how loud the wooden wheels were as they plugged along on the rocky surface of the road. He knew this area outside of the city. He had played here as a child, when there were homes and families outside the walls. That seemed like so long ago, but it had really only been about ten years. He kept the reins on one hand and the other hand firmly gripped a shotgun. These were perilous times, and since the sun had gone down, there was an even greater sense of danger.

"There is a stream near here, my dear. We are close to the city now. Do you need something to drink before we finish the final leg of our journey home?" Retock asked her.

She smiled in the candle light that illuminated the front of the wagon. "No, Retock, I'll be ok.' Helda said, "I just want to get home before..."

Retock nodded. "Yes, I know. These beasts are old, but steady. We will be home soon." he replied as they got closer to the stream crossing.

Blake stiffed fingering the phaser he had smuggled out before turning and wading towards T'mpest and the doctor to take cover should they be discovered.

T'mpest heard the sound of a wagon and talking, although she didn't understand the words. She ducked under the water so that her hair could cover her ears and moved silently to the side of the river so she wouldn't be noticed and waited.

Helda shifted a bit in her seat. She glanced over into the darkness down by the stream, and swore she saw movement. "Retock, did you see that?" she asked her husband as she pointed towards the stream.

Retock glanced over to the area that Helda was pointing at and shook his head. "No, what did you see?" he asked her.

"I thought I saw...someone or something moving around." she said. Her voice began to tremble as she finished her sentence.

Retock smiled back at her. The sun was almost gone on the horizon, and he was a little worried. But he tried to calm his new wife down. "I'm sure it's nothing, Helda. Maybe some travelers, or maybe just a wild animal." he said to her as the cart continued rolling down the dusty, rocky trail. "This was a popular fishing spot many years ago." he said to her.

"STOP RIGHT THERE, YOU, OR WE FIRE!" there was a shout from a group of bushes up ahead.

"Oh God, I told you I saw something!" shouted Helda as she reached for a revolver beside her.

Retock pulled back on the reins, stopping the horselike creatures in their tracks. He reached over, picked up his shotgun and pointed it at the bushes.

"I can fire right back!" Retock shouted. "Now, let us move on or you'll have trouble you don't want. There are two more wagons not far behind me that are loaded with well armed men." he said loudly. He was bluffing. He had never fired the shotgun in his life and Helda's revolver had ammunition in it that was thirty years old, and there were no others.

T'mpest heard the shout from nearer the crossing. It didn't sound good. She pulled herself out of the water and dressed as quickly and quietly as she could. She left her cloak and her drying clothes where they were and pulled out her dirk. Whoever was in the bushes meant harm to the travelers.

She could hear two people moving in the bushes. The one who shouted was a bit closer to her than the other one. She crept up behind him and tapped him on the shoulder with her dirk.

"Commander..." Blake whispered as she slipped away.

Startled, the man turned just enough for T'mpest to get a good grip on his shoulder. With a quick pinch, she dropped him and turned to face the other man.

"If you're smart, you'll surrender," she said softly. The man growled and fired his weapon. He shot quickly without taking time to properly aim and she was much quicker than he. She easily dodged the shot and lunged, stabbing him in his arm so he dropped his weapon. "I said, surrender. If not, the next one will be worse."

"Crap..." Blake muttered hearing the sound of a shot being fired. He moved restlessy with Marstin beside him. "Come on, we'd better help her before she ends up being shot or worse, discovered."

(To be continued...)

Lieutenant Commander T'mpest Michaels
Chief Intelligence Officer

Lieutenant Vladimir Zhukov
Chief Flight Control Officer

Lieutenant Dylan Blake
Chief Operations Officer

Lieutenant JG Jason Fisher
Chief Security/Tactical Officer

T'kaarch
Assistant Chief Science Officer

Lieutenant JG Nykala Marstin
Chief Medical Officer

 

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