DISCLAIMER: I do not own any characters or places in the following.
AN: This is set after All about Eve and Devon has been cured by Julia (somehow).
Summary: Julia and True go exploring some interesting features and run into some other inhabitants.
Voice of AlonzoAs the group continues towards New Pacifica, each person seems more weary and desperate to stop for a few days. However food is in short supply and we must keep going until we find a new source, hoping that we can hold on a bit longer. The person I fear for most is Julia. After the encounter with EVE she worked day and night to cure Devon and now she spends every moment not travelling testing food desperately trying to find something. She finds the need to find fresh food even more desperate as she does not want Devon put under any extra stress. I worry she will break soon ………….
"Ok guys lets set up camp for the night." Calls Devon. "Danziger, can you set up a food hunting party or two?"
"Sure thing Adair, Walman, Baines you're with me."
As soon as the med tent was set up Julia started testing samples she had picked up along the way. Despite Alonzo's best efforts she refused to rest so eventually he sat with the main group as they planned the next leg.
Two hours later the food hunting party returned with a bag full of samples. As John passed Alonzo he asked, "Where's Julia?"
"Where do you think? She has been at all the time you have been away. She won't listen when I tell her to rest." Responded a depressed Alonzo.
"You want me to talk to her?"
"You can try, I doubt it will do much good. She is too stubborn."
"Ha! Compared to Adair she is completely reasonable!"
"Go knock yourself out man!"
With that John proceeded to the med-tent. "Hey Julia how is it going."
"Nothing. Nothing is edible." Julia began to loose control of her emotions so checked herself and continued, "I have tested all the samples I got today, but they are no good. Did you find anything?"
John could hear the desperation in her voice. "We found a few plants…."
Before he could finish Julia interrupted, "Good I will test them straight away," as she reached for the bag.
"I don't think so."
"John.."
"Now listen Heller, you are the only doctor this group has so you need to stay healthy. If you don't take care of yourself there will be no one to look after you and worse Morgan will probably complain to me rather than you." Seeing that his last comment drew a small smile he continued, "Besides I already have a daughter to look after, I don't need to have Alonzo moping round camp like a sulky teenager."
"I will take care of myself, just as soon as I find a good source of food."
"No, you are going to take a small break now, have something to eat then you can go back to testing."
Julia reluctantly agreed and headed out of the med-tent, followed by John, once he had put the samples down. As they approached the group Devon looked up and was about to ask if Julia had found anything when she saw John shake his head. Instead she wave Julia over and handed her a plate. As John headed off to tinker with the transrover Alonzo mouthed "Thanks."
However Alonzo's relief was short lived as the Martins soon emerged from their tent. Upon seeing Julia Morgan ran over and said. "Have you found something then? Of course you have found something. You wouldn't be sitting here if you hadn't. Thank God we are saved. So what is it? Berry? Root?"
As Morgan started his speech the rest of the group watched Julia's face fall and guilt wash over her. Before he had finished she got up and headed towards the med-tent leaving behind an untouched plate of food. Devon immediately picked up the plate and headed over to the med-tent.
"What? What did I say?" Asked a confused Morgan.
"Great going Morgan. I swear if Julia did not have so much to do at the moment I would punch your lights out." Answered Alonzo before storming off.
Inside the med-tent Devon was trying to get Julia to eat, with little success. Eventually, Julia agreed to eat whilst she worked if she was left in peace. With that Devon left. That was the last anyone saw of Julia that day.
The next morning as the group began to gather round for breakfast a dishevelled looking Julia emerged from the med-tent holding a plant. Without acknowledging anyone she headed over to John and asked, "How plentiful was this?"
"There is tonnes of it over that hill."
With that reply Julia gave a small smile and said, " Great you need to harvest as much as you can."
Looking round the camp to see who had finished breakfast he called, "Lonz, Cameron, Morgan lets go." Surprised that Morgan did not complain he started to head off.
As the guys departed Devon ensured that Julia sat down and ate something, before sneaking off to the med-tent and stealing the diaglove. Having safely hidden it she rejoined the main group and sat herself next to Julia.
"Good work Julia. Now you have found something I want you to spend the day resting." Too weary to argue Julia just nodded before standing and heading back to the med-tent.
"Do you think she will rest?" Asked Bess.
"Yes." Replied Devon with a big smile on her face.
"How can you be so sure?" Queried Bess, seeing the smile she added, "What have you done?"
Before she could answer Julia emerged from the med-tent looking very flustered. She headed straight to Devon. But before she reached her Devon said. "Relax Julia, it is safe. I took it. I did not believe that you would actually rest. It looks like I was right. I will return it once you have got some rest."
"But Devon I have other samples to test I need to perform medicals on everyone to ensure that the lack of nutrients has not had an adverse effect…"
Before she could finish, Devon placed an arm on her shoulders and turned her round before escorting her back to the tent. "The testing can wait till tomorrow. You need to rest. When was the last time you got a good nights sleep? Have the day off and relax. Or if you prefer I could sedate you?"
"Fine I will rest." With that Julia ducked into the tent and sat on the cot, annoyed that everyone was treating her like a child. But her thoughts were cut-off by her falling into a deep sleep.
Sometime around mid-day she awoke, feeling better than she had in a while and for the first time in ages she felt hungry. So she headed out to find some food. Bess saw her first and called.
"Hey, Julia, I am glad you are awake you can try my new concoction." Julia smiled at Bess and took the dish before sitting next to Devon.
"Wow Bess this is great." Julia said after a mouth full. Bess beamed at her and then headed off. "So Devon when can I get it back?"
"Tomorrow, maybe." Replied Devon.
"But Devon …" Started Julia.
"No buts Julia, it is the only way to ensure to rest."
Julia mumbled something under her breath before noticing True looking as fed up as she felt. "Hey True. What's wrong?"
"I found some really interesting rock features, but I am not allowed to go for a closer look by myself and no one will come with me."
Feeling sorry for the kid, knowing how frustrating it was to have an inquisitive nature stifled, Julia offered. "I'll go if you want."
"Really?" True and Devon responded in unison.
"Sure, It is not like I am allowed to do anything round here anyway. Besides we might learn something about the planets history."
"Great, I will go get my gear. Thanks Julia." With that True ran off to her tent.
"Don't wonder to far and watch out for rain. There are some clouds in the distance." Devon ordered Julia.
"Will do." Julia responded before getting up to meet True.
The two headed of to the rock formations unaware of what would be waiting….
