Water, it was any islands most valuable resource. Despite being considered as paradises where beach filled romances happen they were actually nature made prisons. The most dangerous ones. Why? Because of the very resource that surrounded them. Few islands had their own steady supply of fresh water, this island happened to be the exception. But if something were to happen to that water, then that would put the whole island at risk.
Colorado's enemies were sure to make that happen which is why the submarine insisted upon being a taster for the water supply daily. After the close call with the Secretary of Defense, she had to make sure her island's most valued resource wasn't being tampered with. The rules were simple, the submarine would take just enough for any pathogens to take affect but not so much that it could kill her. If there was deadly poison in the water however, a simple smell test would do the trick. Most poisons were detectable by scent and submarines had one of the most advanced sniffers on the planet. But there were a select few chemicals that leaved no signature. Colorado performed one such test now, breathing in deep as she placed her snout close to the water's gurgling surface. The small stream was one of many that entered the harbor from the cliffs above. Just one of many Colorado had taken to tasting. She'd test one stream, then wait a couple of hours for any poison to take affect before moving on to the next one. That way, everyone knew which streams were safe and which ones weren't.
"Are you through working that sniffer or do you just want to show off now." Colorado stifled her sigh carefully as she turned around, facing her mate. L'iana had been opposed to the taste testing from the outset and Colorado doubted she approved now. She took a few laps of the water with her tongue, swallowing the mouthful. "This one seems to be alright." She said. "The next 3 hours will be the just of that, come on." L'iana nudged her gently with her nose. She couldn't move the submarine anywhere if Colorado wanted to stay put but the Ohio-class let her as the pair headed back down into the harbor. Entering the berth, Colorado settled against the dock on her side, facing her mate. "You know I don't approve of this." L'iana said. "As you've been telling me from day one." Colorado sighed. "And as I have been telling you, it is necessary." L'iana sighed, seeing she was getting the same results as all the other previous arguments against this foolish risky plan had, namely nothing! "I'll make you some fish tacos. How does that sound hmm?" She nuzzled her. It was peace offering but not a closure and Colorado knew it. Offering her mate a glare, the sub gave in and nodded. "Delightful." She replied. L'iana kissed her cheek. "Be right back." She promised. "If you insist upon continuing this foolish action, then you will be doing so with a good meal in you. You're so thin, I would've expected a creature of the deep ocean to have a layer of fat on her." "L'iana, you forget I'm a naval submarine which means I can't have any extra weight. It'd only slow me down and decrease my fitrep scores." Colorado said. "Well you're not in the navy anymore. In case you've forgotten, you went rogue and now your former comrades are out trying to kill you. You need all the strength you can get and the best way to get an extra boost is to eat." L'iana said. "Maybe you should dress up as a submarine if you're going to act like my mother." Colorado snorted, rolling her eyes. A sharp pain hit her belly and she gasped quietly, fins gripping her side. L'iana seemed not to notice. She continued her lecture as she put the chopped fish into the tacos. "You're the only defense this island has. If you go down, we go down with it." L'iana noticed her mate's silence. "Colorado?" She asked, turning around. Her mate lay splayed against the dock, her position suggesting a sudden collapse rather than a deliberate rest. "Oh dear Ancients." She whispered, rushing to her side. "MEDIC! I NEED A MEDIC HERE NOW!" She cried, then turned back to her mate. "Colorado? Colorado can you hear me?" She tried the bond but found it blocked, rather strongly too. Whatever Colorado was feeling, it was bad enough that she did not want her mate to share in it. L'iana felt for a pulse, finding it weak but steady. "Alright, stay with me now." She growled and remembering her mate's naval origins she added "That's an order. You stay with me, soldier. And we'll get through this." She could only pray it would be enough. "I've lost my whole family, I've lost a mate before. Please, don't take this one away from me too. Not when so many depend on her."