...Are you still there?
Sorry it's taken so long to write! A LOT going on!
but I'm back and getting back in the groove. This is more of a set up chapter for the next part.
still I hope you like it!
The pod landed back down on 422x.
Gordon glanced over at Ed, who was putting on the suit for safety. He already seemed a bit slow, as he concentrated on the lacing between pieces. "Ed, I could go instead."
"We need you to be able fly back. It won't do us any good if something were to happen to you," Ed replied, not looking up. Gordon glanced at Isaac, who seemed to be looking back at him, before he turned to Ed.
"If I may, Captain," he started, "I could venture ahead on my own, while you stay here. If I find myself in need, I will com."
Ed took a moment, considering it, then shook his head. "If we come across too many, you could be knocked down and overwhelmed. You may not be affect by their poison, but it will be hard to move if many of them are on you."
"Hard," Isaac agreed. "But not impossible."
"Ed. Buddy," Gordon pleaded. "You already don't look well..."
"There's a better chance this way," Ed said, determined. "I still have some time."
And with that, he walked off the pod. Isaac looked back at Gordon, and then followed after.
They scanned the area, checking for signs of the Capurths. "I am picking up life readings this way," Isaac confirmed.
Ed shifted the helmet of the suit slightly. It was already becoming hard to breathe.
They followed the readings to an area where, at least, 30 Capurth's seemed to be nesting.
"We just need one," Ed reminded Issac, which was completely unnecessary.
Isaac viewed the area.
"Captain, if we were to disturb one, all will
be react," he acknowledged.
Ed thought for a moment. "Maybe there is a way to lead one away..?" He looked around. They weren't TOO far from the closest one. He picked up a rock and threw it an equal distance, to see if the capurth would run.
However, it started to approach where the stone fell.
Ed picked up another rock, throwing it a bit closer. The Capurth, again, approached the rock to study it.
A third rock drew the creature even closer.
"Almost there," Ed whispered. Isaac remained still next to him. Ed knew his temperature was rising, and he tried to remain calm and calculated the next throw.
The fourth rock brought the creature almost past them. It was paying more attention to the sound and the rock, that it stepped right by them, without even giving them a look.
Ed started to rise slowly, but felt Isaac's hand on his shoulder as the Kaylon swiftly scruffed the creature and placed a tube in its mouth, scraping it along and and pulling mucus.
Isaac gave a small stun as he placed the creature down. "Quickly Captain," he pointed.
Ed nodded and started back to the ship. He could see it, not far off, but his vision was beginning to blur again.
"Isaac," he huffed. "I can't see straight."
"Do not falter in direction and stay true, and you will reach the location of the pod," Isaac directed.
Ed kept, what he hoped, was straight, but it became clear that something was wrong. He fell to his knees, and forced himself to continue, on all fours. The sound of rushing water flooded his ears again and he felt a pinch and sting in his side.
He glanced up as he saw Gordon in the safety of the ships force field waving to him.
But he couldn't hear him any more.
*O*
Isaac shot his own beams to startle the few creatures, that had gathered, away.
Gordon backed the pod up closer. Once he parked it, he quickly ventured outside to help Isaac bring the captain on board once.
"You got the spit?" Gordon asked?
"Affirmative."
Isaac knelt beside Ed, checking his vitals, as Gordon ran to the controls to close the door and fly them back.
"Talk to me, Isaac," he called out.
"There seems to be a new flow of venom in his system."
"You mean he was shot again?"
"Most likely," Isaac replies.
Gordon glanced back and shook his head. "Oh man. Kelly is going to kill me."
*O*
"There was another needle from the Capurth that was found in his hip," Claire confirmed, as she hooked another fluid bag up.
"It went right through the suit," Talla noted, as she studied Ed's resting body.
"Well, now we know if we ever go back, we need stronger armor," Kelly stated.
"Do we ever need to go back?" Gordon asked. "Realistically speaking."
Kelly considered and shook her head. "I supposed not."
"OK good. Just wanted to be sure."
"Claire," Kelly began," I want a full report for when I send over all findings to the Union."
"Yes sir."
"And the Captain?" Talla inquired.
"I created the first dose gave it to him not that long ago... I can give him another one tomorrow...but at this point we can give him fluids, and make him comfortable as his body fights. There's nothing else we can do. Especially since now there's another round in him..."
"When will we know for sure?" Kelly asked, "that it's working?"
"Another day or so."
Kelly kept her eyes on him, "Keep us informed. Everyone else? Back to your posts."
Hope you all liked the chapter!
sorry (again) that it took so long! I promise to try to write sooner!