AND: Sorry I've taken so long in updating, but I've been busy. I have a few projects I'm working on for college classes and they're taking up all my time. Please forgive this one for her faults.

Sorry for the repost, but messed up my formatting. sigh

Final-Find a Base

The Draven Crater was said to be about 4 Sukre (Millenium) old and was created by a meteor long before the Crog people walked on two legs. The crater walls were at least 15 kiso (miles) straight up. The crater was 47 kiso across and mostly covered in dense forest, but a small lake had formed in the northwest area and was fed by a few small streams that cracked out of underground springs. If it wasn't for the wild animals in there, it would be paradise.

The Academy students stood in five groups in front of their instructors. Shailana ignored the instructors giving the rules. She knew the instructors would look the other way for any team that attacked hers. Instead she listened to the forest's sounds. She could hear animals prowling and birds singing. The instructors clapped their hands and the teams headed out into the forest.

"I know this place," Shai whispered as she looked around the small groove of trees that had scratch marks going up the trunks.

"You know this place?" Edo asked.

"Yeah, Mom brought me here a year ago so I could get some special practice in. I made all these scratch marks. If I remember correctly, there should be a cave system near here. It would make a good base," Shai said. The other, even Morithius, agreed to check out the cave.

A few minutes of walking and they had found it. It was hidden by some vines and debris, but beneath that exterior, there was a perfect place to make a base. There was a small chamber, just large enough for the guys to squeeze through. Further on was a much larger chamber with sunlight streaming in from a few small holes in the ceiling. Along the walls was a type of glowing lichen that gave off more light. There were further tunnels with one leading to another exit behind a large ledge in the cliff and hidden but trees and other vegetation.

"This is amazing," Shiv said as he looked around. The lighting was just right for their eyes. Shai had a slight difficulty with her eyes, but she could make out shapes in the dimness.

"Even I have to admit, this place is nice, human," Morithius said. Shai gave him a withering look as she turned back toward the entrance they had just come through.

"Where are you going?" Lark asked.

"Booby trapping the outside entrance. I'll show you guys the safe way when I'm done," Shai said and exited outside. A feral grin spread across her face as she dug around in her pack for a few supplies.

An hour later the boys knew where all the traps were located and how to avoid and disarm them should they need to. The group had agreed as a whole it would be safest to keep rotating who carried the signature stone. Figuring out who would have what jobs was a whole different matter.

"Reconnaissance, you?" Moritihus said as Shai volunteered for the job. She glared at him.

"I am trained for that job specifically," Shai growled. The other three boys backed away.

"What can you possibly do that another can't?" Morithius growled.

"I can get into small spaces and I am less likely to be seen in a tree than you," she said and poked the annoying Crog male on the arm.

"Don't touch me," he growled. Shai just gave him a smirk.

"I'll do reconnaissance," she said in finality. Morithius growled at her and swiped his fist at her. Shai grabbed hold of his fist, used momentum to flip herself up, and kicked him in between his shoulders. He fell flat onto the ground face first. The other boys winced as she landed on the ground.

"Morithius," Edo said, "I wouldn't insult her talents again. Don't underestimate her."

Morithius just growled once more and pulled himself up. Rubbing his sore face, he glared at Shai's back. He looked like he was going to attack her until he saw the knife in her left hand.

"Alright, you can do reconnaissance," he growled as Shiv and Lark let out low chuckles.

And that's how that little issue was settled. The next day the Shield team decided to start gathering food. After all, they only had two days of rations left. Shai wandered deeper into the forest than the boys. She was searching for another team when she was attacked.

She had barely heard the rocks falling from the treetops when she passed a heavily sheltered area. She heard a small chuckle from that direction and reacted. A knife flew from her hand toward her hidden opponent. A smirk appeared as she heard the hidden soldier's cry of pain. Then he had to have tripped the trap. Shai let out a groan as she moved quickly and agilely through the branches. Jumping down the tree to the forest floor, she took off at a fast speed toward her teammates. She heard no others following her.