Sleep was impossible as the raging winter storm continued to howl outside so Reuben resigned himself to light dozing. The thermal blanket he had pulled out of his pack seemed almost useless against the below freezing temperatures. But something was better than nothing. Gritting together his chattering teeth he pulled the thin fabric even closer. He had to remember to look for fire fuel when he got the chance.
Snow was accumulating in thick sheets but at least the deadly ice storm had stopped. Reuben could deal with snow. Any minute now the winter weather should start to slow down and give way to spring... whatever spring meant.
Reuben blinked his tired eyes. He had to stay somewhat alert. He had to watch for his chance. On a planet that changed hourly, every minute counted.
With startling suddenness the sheets of snow stopped. Reuben sat up and checked his chronometer. A little early for the new season but he didn't have time to waste. Double checking the fastenings on his jumpsuit and the ammo level on his pistol, he trudged out into the waist-deep snow.
He knew already from his walk to his cave that there had been no usable resources. At this point it would be best to attempt another direction. He had only made it a few yards from the opening of the cave before stopping to think. What were his priorities? He needed food and water. Snow was water. Clean water at that which is something he might not be able to find elsewhere.
He was going to need a container of some sort...
Heading back to his cave he turned his pistol up to the highest setting and in three powerful bursts he had drilled a hole out of the bedrock floor. Not a perfect solution by any means but if it gave him just a day or two of extra water without having to tap his rations it would be worth the spent ammo.
After carrying several large armfuls of snow to his makeshift water basin to melt, Reuben resumed his quest to find food. He knew that Gittern had native mushrooms but that was questionable. He vaguely remembered from school that many types of fungus were poisonous to humans. The roots of some of the larger growths might be a better bet.
Trekking through the frozen buildup was slow going but at least it was easy enough to see where he was going. Most of the younger mushrooms had been destroyed or buried. Only the largest ones remained. He stopped at the foot of one such growth and dropped his pack to the ground. Reuben had just started to make serious headway shoving aside snow with his bare hands when a distant roar made him look up.
He had never heard the like before. Was it an animal? Peering off into the distance a black cloud loomed on the horizon. Lightning sliced flashed and an almost solid wall of rain was rapidly moving toward his general direction.
Spring was here. He looked down at his progress and back at the approaching storm. There wasn't enough time. Picking up his pack his sprinted back toward the cave.
Survival Day 3 (Adventure) - Reuben Calloway Saga 16
A chuck of ice large enough to render a man unconscious struck the ground near Reuben's feet with brutal force. He dove for the cover of his cave with mere centimeters to spare. The winter on Gittern had settled in full force and what a force it was to behold. Reuben had never seen anything quite like it before.
The entire planet was being decimated by the violence of its season. Only a few a few of the larger, sturdier mushrooms were managing to survive the onslaught of ice and electric storms. It made even the coldest winters on Reuben's homeworld, Tabor, pale in comparison.
A chunk of ice roughly half Reuben's size hit the ground outside the cave causing a few deadly shards to explode off of it in every direction. Reuben moved deeper into his temporary home to avoid being struck by the shrapnel. At least his choice of shelter was a good one. The cave was at the base of a large hill and it seemed to be holding its own.
Reuben shivered and he recalled his briefing. The days on Gittern lasted about eight standard hours and each season lasted for three of Gittern's days. If he was going to survive this he was going to have to become acquainted with these seasons fast.
Another huge chunk of ice sailed by the cave's entrance.
When he had been dropped off by the shuttle the weather, though not welcoming, had been more or less temperate. If this was a Gittern winter Reuben was not fool enough to think that the other seasons would be any better. But it made sense that there had to be lulls long enough for the native fungus to grow.
Winter was going to last another day. It was a risk but as soon as he saw the storms let up a bit, Reuben was going to have to head out and see if he could find a source of food before the next season settled in.
The entire planet was being decimated by the violence of its season. Only a few a few of the larger, sturdier mushrooms were managing to survive the onslaught of ice and electric storms. It made even the coldest winters on Reuben's homeworld, Tabor, pale in comparison.
A chunk of ice roughly half Reuben's size hit the ground outside the cave causing a few deadly shards to explode off of it in every direction. Reuben moved deeper into his temporary home to avoid being struck by the shrapnel. At least his choice of shelter was a good one. The cave was at the base of a large hill and it seemed to be holding its own.
Reuben shivered and he recalled his briefing. The days on Gittern lasted about eight standard hours and each season lasted for three of Gittern's days. If he was going to survive this he was going to have to become acquainted with these seasons fast.
Another huge chunk of ice sailed by the cave's entrance.
When he had been dropped off by the shuttle the weather, though not welcoming, had been more or less temperate. If this was a Gittern winter Reuben was not fool enough to think that the other seasons would be any better. But it made sense that there had to be lulls long enough for the native fungus to grow.
Winter was going to last another day. It was a risk but as soon as he saw the storms let up a bit, Reuben was going to have to head out and see if he could find a source of food before the next season settled in.
Viala Fighter (Ship)
Creators: Strozzi on the planet Kortholt
Speed: 5
Armor: 5
Maneuverability: 6
Description: As with their weapons, the strozzi value versatility when it comes to combat. The superior warrior wins the fight, the weapons she uses are merely tools. Compared to the others of its class, the Viala is neither the weakest nor the strongest ship. Originally designed for planetary combat, it was adapted for space flight a mere 100 years ago. It's maneuverability was increased slightly with later models.
The only notable feature about this fighter is the reinforced armor in the front. Essentially, it has the ability to ram its targets provided the pilot is experienced enough. Through trial and error, it has been found that this feature is best used when not in outer space.
Speed: 5
Armor: 5
Maneuverability: 6
Description: As with their weapons, the strozzi value versatility when it comes to combat. The superior warrior wins the fight, the weapons she uses are merely tools. Compared to the others of its class, the Viala is neither the weakest nor the strongest ship. Originally designed for planetary combat, it was adapted for space flight a mere 100 years ago. It's maneuverability was increased slightly with later models.
The only notable feature about this fighter is the reinforced armor in the front. Essentially, it has the ability to ram its targets provided the pilot is experienced enough. Through trial and error, it has been found that this feature is best used when not in outer space.
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