SNIP
https://www.star-fleet.com/core/stf3/outpost42/notes/48363/ Original thread

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Gamma Tiltium
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Duncan stood outside the runabout and looked around the clearing. It was big enough for the kids to pitch their tents, two to a tent, and still have space for the meal and teaching tent that Duncan had brought with him. They were deep inland with no sight of Gamma Tiltium’s gorgeous beaches in sight, and far away from the simple comforts of Duncans beach house. They were in the mountains, up high and although the day was clear and bright, the temperature was noticeably cooler than at water level although still comfortable.

“Alright kids, out and front up! Time to get our tents up and then make lunch.” Duncan called out and looked for Trico, she was away exploring the edges of the clearing and noting everything with keen interest, just like she always did when they returned to her home planet.

Torf was the first out of the shuttle, striding down the short gangplank like he was a conquering invader, chest puffed out in search of his first badges of honor. Pausing, he looked around the clearing and almost looked relieved for a second that there was nothing that looked scary or dangerous. “This planet looks soft!” He declared, looking up at Duncan. ‘What do we do first?”

Lt Rhodes, CSO

“Go back in the shuttle,” Tim said in a solemn tone. “The shuttle has metal walls that will protect us from animals. You know if you pitch a tent and an animal comes they will rip the tent to shreds and we will all die.” His tone was so neutral and matter of fact many of the kids bought it as a solemn truth.

“Mr. Duncan,” Margo said a tad hesitant looking around the area, “is that true?” While it was the actual outdoors, the area was covered in lush grasses and wildflowers. There was a tree line that encircled the place but it was far enough away for everyone to have a place to start a fire and not ignite branches overhead.

“No Margo,” Duncan told her as he put one of the backpacks he carried off the shuttle down. “This continent doesn’t have those kinds of predators, we are safe here and our tents will be fine, they are tough, made by Starfleet even.” Duncan smiled his most reassuring smile, it was true that this continent held no real predators, there were a couple but they had never been seen in this area which was why Duncan had chosen it. His smile dropped when he heard the voice behind him though.

“Well the tent is only made of a Poly-cotton fabric. This a hybrid meaning it is a cotton fabric with some polyester weaved into it,” Sam started to explain the science behind the fabric as he pushed his glasses back on his nose. Glasses were a rarity in the future but Sam had gotten an eye infection a few weeks back and needed the tint on the glasses to shield his delicate corneas from damage as he healed. At least that is what his mother claimed and in the end, it didn’t matter or not. Sam was required by his mom to wear the glasses to come so he wore the glasses. “It has many properties that make it ideal for this type of application but it will not survive the nine-inch nails of the Steradian Ranaas. That animal is the largest carnivore on the planet surface and what it lacks in intelligence it does make up for in dumb brute strength.”

“Just like Torf,” Duncan whispered to Lily, who by now had exited the shuttle and was standing next to him. He was interrupted though by that particular person’s voice cutting through Sam’s argument.

“There are no Steradian Ranaas in this part of the forest,” Torf said confidently until he thought about it. “I mean if it did Mr. Rhodes could kill it with his bare hands couldn’t you sir?” Torf tried to sound confident but Tim’s confidence that they would be attacked in their sleep and eaten like some polyester sushi was concerning him.

“There are none of them here, Torf. No Ranaas have been seen here for years, the ones that escapes were all caught and taken off world. Go and get your packs and start unloading the Shuttle, we are sleeping out under the stars tonight.”

Lily stopped putting around the site and looked at Duncan. His reply to Torf lingered in her head. No Ranaas have been seen here for years. Whether the kids caught on to the idea that they were real just not around she wasn’t sure but was here was only a synonym for well there are lurking about and we just haven’t seen them for a couple of years.

“I bet there are. You just can’t see them now and at night you won’t see them because you are asleep. Until they eat one of us,” Tim said in a monotone voice.

“Does Tim have a point,* Lily stood just shaking out a blanket that needed nothing done to it. It was folded neatly but Lily had to act busy as she eavesdropped. Lucky for her the kiddos seemed to be reading her mind and answering every question she posed silently in her head.

“Tim does have a point Mr. Rhodes,” Sam said in almost the same monotone voice.

“No, he does not,” Duncan said. “Listen, there are no Ranaas here, alright? And if there were they would go for Bradley anyway, he’s the biggest and juiciest one here.” He tried to make a joke of it, distract them with some good old fashioned ribbing of a class mate but it seemed they were intent on imagining being eaten. “Besides we have Trico, she was born here, if there was any danger she would know it and warn us wouldn’t she?”

“Bradly you are sleeping with Sam,” Torf announced firmly trying to achieve the deep rumbling baritone his father’s and uncles used when making a proclamation.

All the children looked off towards where Trico was patrolling and exploring the tree line, and Trico seemed to sense this as she paused and looked back, seeing everyone looking back at her, chirp-barked happily and stretched her wings, then carried on exploring.

“How about a snack,” Lily chirped in happily opening a crate she had not noticed before. Jessica said she had left a few things in the shuttle for them and not to let Duncan see until later. She had called it the essentials for camping so that had to mean it was food. Flopping open the lid she raised an eyebrow. The crate was refrigerated so a soft swoosh of cool air wafted over Lily. Duncan seemed to think they were doing this all commando style. Lily liked Jessica’s way of thinking. Picking up a metal packet she turned it over reading the writing printed on the wrapper. “Grilled Salmon Skewers with Garlic and Dijon, Whole Wheat Pasta with Goat Cheese and Tomatoes, Coconut Lime Shrimp on Wild Rice Pilaf, and Smores Dip,” she read off the contents of each packet. “Well smores dip doesn’t sound so bad,” she murmured. The rest of the food Lily raised an eyebrow at. Where were the hot dogs and popcorn? Digging through the packets, she did find several bottled of Chianti, a dozen beers, and some flaskes. Maybe Jessica did know how to pack for a camping trip.

“And if the Steradian Ranaas doesn’t sneak up on you from the ground the Jicamas Henels will sweep down from above when you get up to go pee,” Tim looked up at the sky.

The sound of another death threat pulled Lily’s attention from the goodies to Duncan.

“There are no.... you know what, fire,” Duncan said, changing tack completely realizing they were only going to invent more dangers of the wilds. “We are going to build our tents, then build a huge, roaring fire. Fire scares away all wild animals, whether they are on the ground or in the sky, and we have a portable loo so nobody has to walk into the bushes, we aren’t barbarians, Tim.”

Duncan took a few paces and looked around, then kicked a bunch of sticks into place. “That’s where we will build the fire and cook marshmallows, pair up with your partner we selected before we left, and put up your tents. First pair to have your tent up doesn’t have to wash dishes tonight! Go!” Duncan clapped his hands and then looked at Lily. “So, Miss Locksley, fancy pairing up for the night?”

Lt Rhodes, CSO

“You didn’t quite answer the Jicamas Henels question,” Lily tried not to make it obvious she was scanning the skies. “You like completely blew,” she hopped over a log making her way to Duncan’s side-stepping gingerly as if crossing a bed of lava, “off that reply. You went on and on about the Stareados Rainy thing but the Jim wokcus Hen you said bupkus, nada, no explano,” she moved in close to him. “Level with me Rhodes,” she looked at him with a serious expression. “How much money do you have?” She let the question fill the space between them. It was hard to breath normal this close to Duncan. The man was the epitome of sex and charm. When his blue eyes looked at you they actually looked through you. It felt as if he could read every inner thought she had and every fear she buried deep.

“Because if it does come down to sacrifice the slow fat one I am not sure we should go back to the Outpost and tell Bradley’s mother she should have concentrated more on calisthenics than the oboe. Either way if we need to make a quick escape to OED or someother place I got the connections if you have the credits.” A soft smile spread across Lily’s face as she looked at the handsome Science officer. Never had she thought about settling down in one spot however she had never thought she would meet one man whose boxes were all able to be ticked off and she had the list. Once she had met a man named Max. Her vehicle had broken down and he was nice enough to fix it. When she offered him a ride to the local transporter facility but took the wrong road in Hudson Wyoming and spent a glorious weekend with the man. He had potential but the man had an actual checklist. It was the first and last time she decided to date a Mintaran. There was also the bounty hunter on OED V named Atticus Wolfe. He had the charisma but still probably needed time from when she started answering his comm calls and that group of ships showed up Lily thought were coming for his surprise birthday party. It turned out to be a surprise but not his birthday.

Lily

Lily

Lily Locksley.