From the Ashes Chapter 6
Disclaimer: See chapter 1
The following day turned out to be grey and drizzly, reminding the group that although they'd had several days of sunny weather, summer hadn't quite arrived yet. Danziger was afraid that Uly's nightmare would push him back into silence but the boy seemed to have forgotten about it. As soon as they'd eaten breakfast the two kids set out to explore, glad that since Yale was on one of the scouting teams they had the day off classes.
"Stay near camp. And away from the river." Danziger yelled after them.
"Sure, dad."
"Okay, Mr. Danziger." Danziger grimaced. He'd have to speak to Uly about calling him John. Given the circumstances 'Mr. Danziger' was just too formal.
The scout teams left straight after breakfast, heading out in opposite directions, Morgan still half asleep. Bess and Magus volunteered to collect samples of the local flora, in the hopes of finding something edible. Danziger agreed, embarrassed that he hadn't thought of that, but told them to take Cameron and Mazatl with them for safety and to make sure everyone kept their gear on in case he and Baines needed help. Then he sent Baines to get some rope and headed off to the med-tent. Julia was already there, working away at her microscope.
"Morning Julia." She turned to look at him and smiled.
"Good morning. How's Uly? That dream must have been pretty nasty to have him screaming like that. It wasn't the Terrians was it?"
"Nope. Just an ordinary nightmare. Uly says he hasn't heard from the Terrians since we left Devon."
"Alonzo says the same thing. He figures that maybe we're in an area with no Terrian tribes." Danziger shrugged. The diggers were the least of his problems at the minute and he didn't think he'd care if he never saw one again.
"Listen, Julia, I just dropped in to let you know the camp'll be empty for a while. Although I'm sure the kids'll be back as soon as they get cold."
"No problem. I'll be in here all morning. Then, this afternoon, I told Bess I'd scan her samples. Who knows, maybe this time she'll find some G889 potatoes." Danziger smiled. Bess foraging expeditions hadn't yet found anything more exciting than a few herbs.
"See you later, then." He left the tent, happy knowing that Alonzo's sediderm had had the desired effect. Julia had come to calmer and much more clear-headed than she'd been in days and in the week since she'd worked sensibly, with regular breaks. She was no less determined to cure Devon but she'd resigned herself to the fact that she wouldn't be able to do so overnight. Danziger scowled once at the cloudy sky and then headed to the river.
Walman and Morgan had made good time on the first leg of their scout. The terrain along the river was firm and flat, making for easier driving. For the first forty-five minutes Morgan was silent, a fact Walman was extremely grateful for. In their months on the planet he'd decided that a small amount of Morgan went a long way. The peace didn't last, however. When he finished the coffee Bess had packed for him – without offering Walman any – Morgan finally woke up. By the time Danziger was leaving the med-tent Walman had almost reached the end of his tether.
"How about that spot?"
"You mean the spot with all the rocks and the white water?" Morgan shot Walman a resentful look and remained silent. For about three minutes.
"Well how about that spot?" Walman growled.
"Will you just shut-up, Martin! We are going to keep going along this river until we find a suitable crossing place. And by suitable I mean one where we won't all die! I know you hate scouting. I know you want to be back at camp. But asking that stupid question over and over isn't going to get you there any faster. All it's going to get you is pushed out of a moving ATV!" Morgan folded his arms and pouted.
"I was only trying to help."
"Well don't!"
Alonzo and Yale also travelled in silence at first, albeit a more companionable one. Yale was driving and Alonzo sat in the passenger seat, holding a mag-pro and keeping a close eye on the river. He didn't hold out much hope for this direction. The further downstream they travelled the deeper and faster the river seemed to be getting. Eventually Yale spoke, causing Alonzo to jump slightly.
"Julia seems much better."
"Yeah. A bit of real rest did her the world of good." Yale nodded and the two men lapsed back into silence. Which was why Yale didn't notice when, ten minutes later, Alonzo lost consciousness.
TBC