Second Expedition: Week 2 Day 5

[Colonel_Liam]

Player: @Colonel_Liam
Character: Theo Mercer
Involved: @Aluora as Riley, @captain_bond as Nate, @LeaT as Lea, @AndNich123 as Mac, @MsBloom as Caitlin and Abeda
Mentioning: @AndNich123 as Anastasia, @LeaT as Mia
Where: The Chariot Parking Area
Time: 7:00 AM (Endeavour Time) Week 2 Day 5

Theo stood in the early morning mist and shifted the satchel he had slung over his broad shoulders, weighed down by what passed for a first aid kit, and some food his step-mother had packed for him and Riley. He was nervous, apart from the recent unpleasantness involving his father and step sisters, he hadn't had much of a chance or time to interact with any of the younger members of the colony, or even Mia who was only slightly older than him. Instead he had been focused on the emotional damage control of his family fracturing, as so far he was the only person everyone in his family seemed to be willing to talk to, on top of fixing the actual physical damage Khandi had suffered from her father in law, as well as any minor injuries the other colonists had acquired while working to make the drop site habitable for the long term.

Though he knew he had only been invited for his medical training, (he wondered if everyone knew he was only a vet and not a proper doctor) but he was glad for the opportunity to get out of his crude clinic and the toxic atmosphere his father had created on their Jupiter. Exploring the ruins of an alien civilization... wasn't that the kind of thing people back on earth only dreamed of doing? Despite the tragedy of the Endeavor, he knew he was lucky to have survived and have this opportunity.

He leaned back against one of the giant tires of a chariot and waited for the rest of the group to arrive.

 

[MsBloom]

Character: Caitlin Drake / Abeba Nyong'o
Where: The Chariot Parking Area
Time: 7:00 AM (Endeavour Time) Week 2 Day 5
Relevant: @Aluora as Riley, @captain_bond as Nate, @LeaT as Lea, @AndNich123 as Mac, @Colonel_Liam Theo

Caitlin and Abeba had woken up early. The sun was not even up yet when the two washed off the night sweat and got dressed before heading down to the galley for quick breakfast of a shared protein bar and a cup each of rather strong instant coffee. They also made a thermos of it to bring along, as well as a supply of protein bars to last them at least two days, three if they paced themselves.

It had been agreed at the colony's first official meeting that the explorers were to take the Mercer and the Drake Chariot. What no one had openly said was that this was to ensure that Khandi and the two Mercer women left at the colony could get away should Lucas try anything desperate, such as invading The Melbourne to claim what was, in his mind, rightfully his. Not that anyone though he would actually be that stupid, considering that both Capheus and Charles were also there, as well as Jaali and Owen, the latter taking over his brother's guard duties along side Jaali.

Caitlin still walked with a minor limp but still moved around with enough ease for it to not be an issue and she was quite excited to see the ruins which both Abeba and her brothers had spoken about. In a way the whole idea was something that every human explorer had dreamt of for centuries, to explore an alien civilisation, and as exciting it might perhaps have been to meet actual aliens, or well an indigenous species, after all humans were the aliens on this planet, but in a sense the archaeological nature of the expedition somehow made it even more exciting.

"So. Just us still," Abeba said as the couple walked up to Theo, coming from the other side of the Jupiter he was leaned up against.
"I thought that at least Lea would already have been here," she added.
"Maybe she's waiting for Riley and Mac before she leaves," Caitlin suggested and looked around.
"I think it's even more odd that Nate isn't here yet. I mean he wasn't at The Esmeralda when we were getting ready. Maybe he's gone off on an early patrol to make sure everything is calm before we leave."
"Say what you will about your big brother but he has an almost singular sense of duty after all," Abeba concluded as Caitlin opened the Drake Chariot and loaded their supplies into it.

 

[Aluora]

Character: Riley Mercer
Where: The Chariot Parking Area
Time: 7:00 AM (Endeavour Time) Week 2 Day 5
Relevant: @MsBloom as Caitlin and Abeba, @captain_bond as Nate, @LeaT as Lea, @AndNich123 as Mac, @Colonel_Liam Theo


Riley was still settling in on all the changes that has happened to her family, still feeling for her mother of all people because of what Lucas tried...ever though her and Teri took a lot of the brunt of Lucas' action. Then there was still her desires to see the Nyango'o, more so Capheus and Jaali. Still, she would do her best to really not think about those things at this time.

Riley would make sure to take the food her mother packed her as she would go meet with everyone else who was going on the expedition. Despite her other well known reputations, he skills with communications was still highly valued. This would be a great way to further increase her knowledge and expertise.

It did feel weird to to have her twin right, now but she would still be with Mackenzie and Theo. Not wanting to delay any further, Riley would head out to meet the rest of the group at the Chariot.

Her eyes would catch Theo, Abeba, and Caitlin as they were all preparing in their own way for the exploration. She would simple wave to the girls before casually stroking up to Theo. Despite everything Lucas did, she still cared for him as family. Riley would nudge him with her elbow, making sure to keep her carefree attitude on display. "What's wrong? Figured you would look alot more excited." She obviously knew he mind was heavy, but was hoping to help Theo relax a little bit.

 

[AndNich123]

Player: @AndNich123
Character: Mac Mercer
Involved: @Colonel_Liam as Theo, @Aluora as Riley, @captain_bond as Nate, @LeaT as Lea, @MsBloom as Caitlin and Abeda
Where: The Chariot Parking Area
Time: 7:00 AM (Endeavour Time) Week 2 Day 5

She had gotten up way too early for a trip she wasn't crazy about going on. This was something her mother should have been a part of. Still, she packed paper and charcoal to make imprints of anything she thought her mother could look at to try and translate. Hopefully, these ruins would contain something that could give them assistance. Maybe it would tell them where to go to find more water, food, the best soil to plant, the types of foods they could actually eat, information about the animals there, and anything really that could help them. Maybe the ruins could help them find out what happened to the beings that lived there once. Was there some sort of catastrophe that wiped them all out?? Were they in danger of the same thing repeating itself?? Did they only buy more time until they met their end anyway?? Was there even any real need for the breeding program?? If they were all going to die in a few years, or even a few months, was there even any need for them to try to repopulate?? All of these were things they could actually find answers to at these ruins, and she intended on bringing back as much as she could for her mother to try and decipher.

Though she had gotten up early, Mac hadn't gone straight to the meet-up site yet. Instead, she had walked around, visiting the site where the pump was that she and Alex had installed. It still brought a smile to her face. It represented a sense of accomplishment, that they could make it here. She walked the borders, or at least what she considered the borders. It was simply the point of how far out they had ventured so far. There was still so much unexplored. It was exciting and terrifying at the same time.

As she finally made her way to the site, she sighed looking around at the various faces. Of course, she spotted Theo and Riles. Pulling up on the bag containing the supplies she had brought, she made her way over there. Considering who her father was, looking at the others wasn't something she wanted to do. What if they said something?? Mac wasn't even sure how she would react. Would she be angry at them or at Lucas?? It was just easier to make her way over to familiar and friendly faces. Coming to a stop next to Theo, she shucked her bag from her shoulder to the ground. Her attire was her normal non flair. The work coveralls were becoming more of her normal wardrobe than even jeans and tee shirt. "So Riles, how you holding up," she asked, her eyes still scanning the others. "He treating you okay??" She knew her sister was still spending her time with that behemoth of a man. She loathed Capheus. He had made this deal with her dad, and now he was having his way with her sister. If someone crept into his bed chambers at night and cut off his dick, she wouldn't lose any sleep over it. Her twin sisters were different from her, there was no denying that, but they were still her sisters, and she was protective of them. The thought had crossed her mind to slip the monster something in his food, something that would make it impossible for him to rise to the occasion anymore. Still, drugging him to the point of sleep and cutting off his manhood herself had become her favorite thing to daydream of whenever his name was mentioned.

She had something on her mind, something she wanted to talk to Theo about, but she dared not mention it in front of her sister. The fewer people that knew, the better. "How you holding up Doc, " she asked him, turning to look at him.

 

[captain_bond]

Character: Nate Drake
Where: Chariot Parking
Relevant: @Colonel_Liam as Theo, @Aluora as Riley, @AndNich123 as Mackenzie, @LeaT as Lea, @MsBloom as Caitlin and Abeba
Time: 7:00 AM (Endeavour Time) Week 2 Day 5

Nate was, as some may have assumed, making one last circuit of the drop site before joining the others, while at the same time warning his brother and Jaali of the need to make sure the women didn't fall victim to the Mercer patriarch's depredations while he was away. With that in mind and with Artemis in tow, he grabbed his supply pack (with first-aid kit this time), and made his way towards the chariots, the colony security attire he'd chosen for the occasion due to its suitability for exploration as well as combat making him appear somewhat more intimidating than perhaps he had intended. But he was known to the others by now, as was his four-legged companion, so hopefully when the two of them emerged from around one of the chariots, they wouldn't cause a fuss.

He immediately spotted Riley and made his way over to her and, if she'd allow it, embraced her in a one-armed hug, his other hand making sure the combat rifle slung on one of his shoulders didn't slip to the ground in the process. "Hey Riley, hope you're doing alright, all things considered." When he let her go, he waited a beat for her response, then turned to Mackenzie and smiled. "Hey, don't know if we've had time to speak in person yet. Nathan Drake, Colony Security," he said somewhat formally, stretching out his hand for her to shake. "I'm sorry about the fiasco with your dad. I for one don't hold his actions or behavior against anyone else, especially you. I hope we can speak another time, when it's easier for us both. Until then, just know that both Artemis and I will do our best to make sure nothing or no one can hurt you." Indicating the reptilian creature beside him when he mentioned the name Artemis, the beast yawned and lolled out his forked tongue.

Turning towards the others, he clapped his hands and said, "Alright folks, for those who've already been there, this is just a recap, but for those who haven't, there is a series of underground caverns underneath the ruins, one of which was Artemis' former home, as well as home to some rocks whose mineral properties acted as a coagulant. Or was it the moss growing on it?", he asked, the question directed at their resident medical practitioner (even though his degree was for beings such as Artemis), Theo. After his answer, he'd nod in understanding and continue. "Right, well still, be careful of unstable ground. There was a burial chamber, correct?" This was directed towards those who had accompanied him the first time. "Needless to say, do not open the sarcophagus. Even if we had a trained archaeological survey team with us, it is best to let the dead lie. Other than that, the pictograms suggested that the previous inhabitants shared a close-knit bond with Artemis' kin, similar to humans and dogs, which could have been why he was so quick to accept me as friend. We took several images of them, but it's probably not a bad idea to make sure we got everything, and some hard copies would not go amiss," he added, having noticed the paper and charcoal that Mac brought along. "Your mom is a linguist, isn't she, Mackenzie?" This was purely for personal curiosity, and his smile was broad and genuine as he regarded her. "Is everyone ready to go?", he asked, slinging his pack into the Drake chariot and opening the driver's door.

 

[Colonel_Liam]

Player: @Colonel_Liam
Character: Theo Mercer
Involved: @Aluora as Riley, @captain_bond as Nate, @LeaT as Lea, @AndNich123 as Mac, @MsBloom as Caitlin and Abeda
Mentioning: @AndNich123 as Anastasia, @LeaT as Mia
Where: The Chariot Parking Area
Time: 7:00 AM (Endeavour Time) Week 2 Day 5


Hearing the voices of others approaching, Theo stood up fully, no longer leaning against the large tire. Caitlin and Abeda seemed to be in the depths of a conversation and so he didn't interrupt, simply giving them a wave, before he noticed two of his step-sisters coming out of the fog, though not the two he would have expected to come together.

Tentatively he greet Riley and Mac with a hug apiece, looking them over for injuries or signs of abuse. Not seeing anything too obvious he nodded. "I'm doing alright, the Jupiter is a little quiet now without you guys yelling at each other anymore." he said, trying to lighten the mood by some margin. "How are you both? Are Teri and mom ok?" he continued.


Eventually after Nate had given his mission briefing he helped his step sisters into the back of a chariot, sitting between the two of the, enjoying the closeness to his family for the first time in a while.

 

[MsBloom]

Character: Caitlin Drake / Abeba Nyong'o
Where: The Chariot Parking Area
Time: 7:00 AM (Endeavour Time) Week 2 Day 5
Relevant: @Aluora as Riley, @captain_bond as Nate, @LeaT as Charles?, @AndNich123 as Mac, @Colonel_Liam Theo

It wasn't long before everyone who was going was gathered at the parking area for the Chariots. Nate had as Caitlin suspected done an early sweep of the perimeter and, also true to character, he gave a little speech, or mission briefing as he would probably have called it himself, at which Abeba smiled as he spoke as if it was more than she and him who had been at the ruins before, addressing her as those who've already been there. She said nothing about it though but added that the underground caverns might actually be tombs and also made it clear that they would have to be careful.
"Not only can we be entirely sure whether these ruins are entirely abandoned, whether those who once lived there are actually gone, extinct, moved or evolved, we can also not be certain why they abandoned the settlement, if that is what it was. It could just as easily have been just a temple site for worship of some deity, or perhaps nothing more than a burial site. When we get there I would suggest we split into teams of two to cover more ground and also that we use the handheld comms from the Chariots to keep contact. Which means that we will perhaps have to take turns exploring while two of us stay at the Chariots."

With the mission briefing out of the way Caitlin climbed into the Chariot belonging to The Esmeralda taking the seat next to her brother with Abeba climbing in next to her in the other passenger seat. It had been agreed that they would only take two Chariots, leaving one behind at the colony in case it would be needed for any reason.