Warnings: Minor Blood
Characters: Jameson Jackson, Dr. Schneeplestein, Jackieboy Man
POV: Jameson Jackson
All they had was a single multi-purpose room. It was too small, too cramped, for the five of them plus their supplies that grew with every passing hour that they scavenged, but at least it was a lot better than a lifepod.
The others were already talking about going back to where Jameson had crashed to salvage parts and the Seamoth blueprint. Jameson could only gulp and quickly shake his head at the prospect; he wasn't going anywhere close to there again! His mind drifted back to O'Harris and his unfortunate end every time the thought occurred to him. He never wanted to see that place again.
Jackie had already partially pieced together a blueprint for a mobile vehicle bay after accidentally stumbling across a part of one. That was good, at least. It meant they were just another step closer to having a little bit easier of a time on this…well, frankly terrifying, planet.
They'd had a proper introduction of each other (with Jameson grinning at Chase and Jackie; they were friends of his from the ship!) then that was that and it was back to work.
Marvin and Chase had gone off toward Lifepod Seventeen to scavenge together. Jackie had opted to stay near the habitat to gather nearby materials. He'd already been in and out quite a few times.
That left Jameson and…the doctor. The grumpy doctor who'd been muttering and huffing and sighing the entire time like everything he was doing should be handled by someone else. The chef just rolled his eyes. Ranks were the last thing they'd be acknowledging right now, but Schneeplestein just carried on like the tasks were below him.
A part of him was tempted to turn off his hearing aid. Another part knew that would only earn him even more of an earful the next time he turned it on. So, he just shook his head and knelt down for another chunk of titanium to store in one of the lockers.
There was a certain "silence" for a while as Jameson worked on arranging supplies into new lockers, occasionally grabbing the builder to make another to keep organization smooth. He'd stopped paying attention to the doctor—he really wasn't doing much anyway.
He did have to admit he was impressed with the materials in such easy access on the planet. Gold, copper, quartz, lead? It was impressive! If only there was a geologist among them, or maybe a biologist; they'd probably be in awe of the planet!
…Despite it being terrifying.
Oh, who was he kidding, no one would want to be stuck here.
He coughed once, cleared his throat. Apparently he had to be watched for pneumonia after his near-drowning. He really hoped he didn't have or get it.
"Why even bother?" the doctor muttered. Jameson had to resist the urge to huff sharply. "Is not like we will be here long! Rescue will come!"
Placing a decent-sized chunk of gold on a shelf in the locker he'd designated for it, Jameson crossed his arms and arched a brow. Schneeplestein didn't know sign, so little use it would be to say anything aloud. Instead, he just offered a look.
Yes, rescue likely would come, wouldn't it? They were all holding out hope for that. But it was clear now that it could be a long wait.
The doctor just ducked his head and grumbled to himself, limping toward the fabricator near the entrance. Oh, now what was he doing?
It was just then that there was a sound of running water, then the wheel on the bulkhead turned sharply to allow a sopping Jackie entry to the habitat. Water was still draining from the entrance as he shut the door again, making sure it was tightly latched (leaving his Seaglide in the area between the hatch and the bulkhead instead of taking it with him into the main habitat…). His makeshift satchel was full again.
The moment he'd set it on the ground, words started tumbling out of his mouth.
"Okay," he breathed, "good news and bad news. But first, ow. That thing that got you, Doc? Those buggers are tiny but they hurt. Goddammit." It was only with that that Jameson noticed the tear in Jackie's suit, the exposed forearm beneath bleeding. It looked like just a grazing of teeth that would heal on its own, fortunately.
"Is that the bad news?" Jameson signed with his brows scrunched.
"Oh, god no. Okay, okay, you ever heard a recording of a whale? Okay, it was like that, and it was freaking huge and—"
"Slow down," Schneeplestein growled.
The other two only cast him quick glares.
"Anyway," Jackie continued, seemingly unfazed by the rude interruption, "I was gathering titanium and then this enormous shadow blocked out the sun and I look up and—and oh god, that thing was terrifying! It was gigantic and there were three of them and a little baby too, and when they made the whale-sound I could feel it through it water!"
Jameson's eyes widened.
Yeah. He definitely wanted off this planet.
ASAP, preferably.
"And…the good news..?"
Jackie grinned at that. "Finished the mobile vehicle bay blueprint! So, if the other two got the Seamoth's, should just be able to get started on it right away when they get back!"
"At least one of you is being helpful." He cast a glare at the doctor with that.
Jackie just snorted in an attempt to stifle his laughter.
