Droppers, page 15
Then came a great crashing through the trees, and loud huffing. And then Miya saw it, and it was huge. All in white, like Sam’s fur rolled up over on the travois. The great beast shuffled around beneath them, huffing. It moved towards the travois, and huffed loudly as it poked at the travois. Then it turned and moved back towards Hank and lowered its great body over him.
There was a click beside her, like a switch.
Sam fired a single shot with his rifle, aiming straight down.
Miya put her hand to her ear just in time.
The beast fell to the ground, and all was still.
Sam lifted the barrel of the rifle in the air and slung the rifle back over his shoulder. He climbed down the tree in silence. Miya’s right ear rung from the blast.
Miya stared down from the branch as Sam approached the great white beast that he’d just killed. Then Sam reared back his right leg and gave the beast a solid kick. Like one of Sola’s get-your-dodo-ass-out-of-here kicks.
The beast moved a little. Sam took a step back. The beast groaned.
Sam crossed his arms over his chest. “Nathan? Get the hell out from under that skin. The bottom half’s still mine, I told you that. You’re just allowed to use it to keep warm, not walk around scaring the shit out of people. Now get out from there, or I’ll shoot you for real this time.”
A pair of feet and a trousered behind crawled out backwards from under the white fur, right in front of Sam.
Apparently, Sam couldn’t resist.
He kicked Nathan right square in the bottom, just like Sola did. But Sola didn’t break anything when she kicked. It just hurt like hell.
Miya was pretty sure she’d heard something crack this time.
Nathan crawled face first out from under the fur, his face beet red. “That hurt like hell, Sam. I think you cracked my tail-bone.”
“You deserved it, Nathan.” Sam bent down and tugged at the fur.
Hank twisted his head and looked up at Sam, wide-eyed, the fur still over his lower half.
Sam bent over and held out a hand. “It’s safe now, Hank. Here, I’ll help you up. Bloody Nathan.”
Hank shook his head. “I can do it. Just give me a minute.”
Miya climbed down the tree and studied Nathan, who without his big fur was more normal-sized. About seventeen … no, maybe twenty, if he grew up here. Or twenty-one. About her age, anyway.
Sam stood up, looking down at Hank with concern. “Did Nathan hurt you? Because I’ll bust his ass again if he did.”
“No.” Hank flushed. “But he did say urrrrrr…”
“Shit.” Sam turned to face Nathan. “You bloody dodo. Miya, please grab Hank a spare pair of pants and unders from the trav. And Nathan, you owe us a pair of pants. You can always find another pair. And just so you know, you sure as hell don’t sound like a real Ur-bear. They don’t huff and puff and crash about like that. They’re almost silent until you hear that sound. And if you try to steal one of my books from the trav again, I’ll shoot you for real. Bloody urrrrr!”
“So you brought a book with you?” Miya asked as they sat around a small cheerful fire.
“Books. Two books, my whole library.” Sam poked the fire with a stick. “Always take them with me. Always. Books are important. Pages are still in these, different kind of material. Lasts a long time.”
“So you always bring your books, but you forgot your rod and rounds when you went to get an elk?”
Nathan spat out a mouthful of tea. “What, again? He’s always doing that. Talk about a dodo. He’s got his head stuck in those books. Lucky he didn’t get eaten.”
Sam scowled. “It’s not ‘always’, Nathan. This was only the third time I forgot my rifle, and it was the final one. I’ve decided. Two rods and a pocket this time. Miya’s a good shot, and Hank’s learning well enough. Trainers and rounds for three.”
Nathan nodded. “Well, I already know you remembered your rifle. I nearly shit my pants when you did that.”
Miya raised an eyebrow. “You said it took three shots to kill an Ur-bear. You only shot once.”
“I knew it was Nathan.”
Nathan smiled. “Well then, I knew it was you, too.”
Sam’s scowl deepened. “You couldn’t have known that it was me. We were pretty well hidden in the tree.”
Nathan pointed at the rolled fur on the travois. “Only one person’s got that kind of fur, except me. And thank you again, it’s pretty warm. I just hope you didn’t put a new hole in it.”
“Nope.” Sam poked the fire again, sending up a shower of sparks. “Aimed just away from you, like I said. But you shouldn’t go scaring people, Nathan. You’re likely to get yourself killed.”
“Would you like some more cougar?” Miya held out a sliver of meat towards Nathan.
“That’s okay. I feel bad enough. I won’t take your food, too.”
Sam motioned with a hand. “Have some, Nathan. You’ll be hosting us tomorrow night.”
Miya and Hank exchanged glances. “You mean we’re almost at Mars Base One West?”
Sam nodded. “A long day’s walk, but easy. No crossings. We’ll get there around nightfall, especially if Nathan takes a turn pulling the trav. Assuming you were on your way home?”
Nathan nodded. “Yes, I was. And sure, I’ll help. But why aren’t those two pulling it, too?”
Sam looked at Miya and Hank. “You’re right. Almost lost track of time. They’ve been down here about two weeks now. They’ll get their turns, but tomorrow it’s just you. Call it penance.”
Nathan flushed. “Fair enough.”
“But you still owe us a pair of pants.”
“Fine.” Nathan sighed. “So who shot the cougar?”
Sam tapped his chest. “I did. It was feeding on a snare. It was distracted.”
“Ah.” Nathan nodded, staring into the fire. “So it hardly counts, then.”
“It was still huge, though,” said Miya, coming to Sam’s defence.
“Still a pot shot. But I like your necklace.” Nathan pointed at Miya. “Where did you get it?”
Miya opened her mouth to speak, but Sam interjected. “Self-defence, pistol. She was being hunted by a pair of wolves.”
“Wolves?” Nathan’s eyes went wide. “And she was by herself?”
Miya rubbed one of the ears between finger and thumb. “I was getting water at a creek.”
“Holy shit.” Nathan’s eyes widened. “And you’re a newbie. Two weeks here, you said?”
“She learns fast.” Sam nodded. “Good listener, pays attention, watches what you do real close, then copies it. Hank’s coming along with his skills, too.”
Hank smiled at the compliment.
“Wow.” Nathan shook his head. “And you just took their ears?”
“We didn’t want to hang around, Nathan.” Sam shook his head. “The rest of the pack followed us for a while, then gave up. She took what she wanted, her kill. Leave it at that.”
They stared at the fire in silence for a long time, the only sounds the pop-crackling of the fire and the wind in the branches above them.
“It’s peaceful out here.” Miya pulled her blanket up tighter around her neck against the icy chill in the air. Her front was warm, but the cold was seeping in against her back where there were air gaps.
“Yes, it is.” Sam sighed. “That’s one reason I enjoy walking.”
“You’re on the trail a little late in the season, Sam.” Nathan raised an eyebrow. “With two in tow. Why?”
“Rescue.” Sam pointed at Miya. “Her husband. Extra drop, out west, early evening about two weeks ago. Did you see it?”
Nathan nodded. “Yeah. Almost didn’t. Sun was in my eyes.”
“Close by?”
“No. It was a way off.”
“How far, do you reckon?”
Nathan looked at Sam with a worried expression. “I’d say it dropped around two.”
“Shit on a stick.” Sam sighed. “Then he’s definitely with the bloody cans, one way or another.”
Mars Base One West
A middle-aged woman came out to greet them as they trudged into Mars Base One West at sunset of the twelfth day on the trail.
“Look who I found skulking around on the ridge.” Nathan nodded at Sam. “And guests.”
“Samuel?” The woman stepped forward, wiping her hands on an apron. “What brings you out this time of year?”
“Good to see you, Muriel.” Sam gave her a firm hug, then stepped back. “I’d like to introduce Miya and Hank, fresh droppers from about two weeks ago.”
Muriel shook Hank’s hand. “Welcome, Hank.”
Hank smiled. “Thank you.”
Muriel turned and took Miya’s hand in hers. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miya.”
“It’s nice to meet you, too. And I don’t mean to be rude, but Hank and I are wondering if any of our parents might be at this Mars Base. Cherisse and Melvyn Meyers, and Shellie and Wilfert Swanson. Mine would have dropped about three or four weeks ago, though Hank’s would have been last year.”
Muriel shook her head sadly. “I’m sorry. I don’t know anyone by that name here.”
“Oh.” Miya’s shoulders sagged. “Thanks anyway.”
Muriel patted Miya on the shoulder. “Have hope, dear. That’s all we can do.”
“That’s what people keep telling me.” Miya sighed.
Sam gestured at Nathan. “By the way, Muriel, your boy nearly got himself shot. He was wearing the other half of my furs, pretending to be an Ur-bear.”
Muriel turned towards Nathan, waving her finger. “I told you before, that fur stays here. You shouldn’t mess around with it. There have been a few sightings lately.”
“Aww, Mum, but it keeps me warm. And I’m an adult.”
Muriel clucked her tongue. “You’re just asking for trouble. Anyone other than Sam might have shot you dead.”
“He also owes Hank a pair of pants,” said Sam.
Muriel’s eyes went wide. “I see. Maybe you should have shot him, Sam. It would have taught him a lesson.”
“Mum!” said Nathan.
“Sam’s an excellent shot. He would have left you most of your important bits. Now, go get Hank a spare pair of pants.”
“Yes, Mum,” Nathan grumbled as he headed off to a log cabin in the distance, with smoke curling out of the chimney.
Muriel shook her head. “I love him, but he’s a worry, that boy. There’s no room for practical jokes out here.”
“I hope you’re not too hard on him.” Sam glanced after Nathan.
“I’ll bend his ear, not that he listens. He’s foolish, but he’s got a good heart.” Muriel sighed. “You, however, brought newbies on the trail, Sam, and that’s even more foolish. With second snow already creeping in, and all the post-drop gravity adjustments.”
“We didn’t have a choice. Dad didn’t want us to leave, either.”
Muriel raised an eyebrow. “Then why did you set out? I certainly hope it wasn’t just to ask about their parents. You know better than that.”
“Did you see a chute drop west of here about two weeks ago?” asked Sam.
Muriel nodded. “A few saw it, far to the west. I didn’t see it myself.”
“Nathan thinks it landed around Two West.”
“Could be. Why do you ask?”
Sam put a hand on Miya’s shoulder. “We’re pretty sure Thomas, her husband, was in that capsule.”
“Oh, dear.” Muriel frowned. “How can you be sure?”
“They kicked me off the Ark.” Hank glanced up at the sky. “Though Miya left on her own.”
“I was being chased after seeing something I shouldn’t have.” Miya corrected. “I accidentally activated the capsule. But they probably would have dropped me here, too.”
Muriel shook her head. “What does that have to do with your husband?”
“We’re all Searchers, or used to be,” said Miya.
Muriel nodded. “Ah. Green rock and you saw something you weren’t supposed to?”
“Exactly.” Miya sighed. “And they gave Hank a cryptic message when they forced him into his capsule, but it only made sense once he was down here. Three of us, three separate capsules. And Hank was told ‘west’. Our two capsules dropped close to Mars Base Zero. The third fell out west. I saw it too. It’s got to be Thomas.”
“So, you’re going to rescue him?”
“We have to try.” Miya nodded. “If he’s alive, but I have to believe that he is.”
“What if he’s walking to you?”
Sam shook his head. “Do you think Two West would escort anybody away from their base, especially time of year?”
Muriel gave a sharp shake of her head. “No. But what if it isn’t him?”
“Then we’ll have learned a lot of survival skills in a short time. Sam’s an excellent teacher,” said Hank.
“I see.” Muriel studied them for a few moments, then nodded. “Well, you must be hungry. I’ll whip up some dinner for you. And you’re welcome to stay in our warm little cabin, if you don’t mind it being a little cramped, or you can pitch a biv, your choice. Sam usually stays with us when he comes through, but we can squeeze in a couple more, if you don’t mind sharing.”
“Warm sounds wonderful to me.” Miya smiled. “Thank you.”
Muriel clucked her tongue. “Well, daylight’s almost gone, and most families have already turned in for the evening, but you’ll have plenty of time to meet them tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Muriel, but we need to keep moving in the morning,” said Sam as they walked towards the cabin. “We’re in a hurry.”
Muriel gave Sam a hard look. “Now you listen to me, Samuel Walker, the boy with too many other names that I keep forgetting. You know how it works. We hurry it slow, and we get there in one piece. You’ll stay two nights with a full day in between, and no arguing. We’ll help get you stocked up on what you need.”
Sam shook his head. “I didn’t bring much to trade. I’m sorry.”
“Oh Sam.” Muriel shook her head, then smiled. “That doesn’t matter. As long as you brought the mail and any news or stories, that will do for now.”
“We’ve got a bit of cougar left,” said Hank.
“Cougar?” Muriel rubbed her chin. “Smoked?”
“Of course.” Sam smiled. “Though you may want to finish it off in a pot.”
“Only way to eat cougar.” Muriel nodded. “It’s a bit stringy, otherwise.”
“And you can have the cougar hide,” said Sam. “We gave it a quick smoke, but it needs a full tan.”
“Is that where you got your decorations, dear?” Muriel pointed at Miya’s necklace of ears.
“Oh, no.” Miya shook her head. “They’re just a reminder.”
“A reminder of what?” Muriel asked.
“Two wolves attacked her,” said Sam.
“She was attacked?” Muriel asked. “Where were you, Sam?”
Sam coloured. “At camp. She was alone by the creek.”
“Samuel!” Muriel exclaimed. “How could you?”
Sam flushed. “Miya went to top up our water bottles while Hank and I were cooking, but yes, it’s my responsibility.”
“She could have been killed!” Muriel exclaimed.
“That’s why they’re a reminder,” said Miya. “It was terrifying.”
“You poor dear.” Muriel took Miya’s hand. “Sam’s lucky he got there in time to save you.”
Sam made a strangling noise in his throat. “I was a bit late for that.”
Muriel stopped and turned to face Miya and Sam. “So what happened? She’s got the ears, right there.”
“I shot them,” said Miya.
“Well!” Muriel put a hand to her chest. “And a newbie, too. Sam must be an excellent teacher, even if he’s a careless idiot.”
“She’s a natural.” Sam shook his head. “A dead-eye. Pays attention, mirrors what you do, then she’s got it down pat. It’s amazing.”
“I just like to learn.” Miya shrugged.
“One in three, Muriel, with a rifle or pistol, with small targets.” Sam shook his head.
“One in three’s not bad for a newbie,” said Muriel.
“One in three missed. And the wolves were six for six hits with a pistol, up close, but they were moving targets, and trying to eat her. I checked the bodies afterwards. Six holes.”
Muriel raised an eyebrow at Miya. “Nathan’s lucky you didn’t shoot him, then.”
Miya blushed. “It’s just a skill to learn.”
“She was an Octopus.” Sam grinned, pointing upwards. “Up there. In her field, that was an expert.”
“Octopus, huh?” Muriel shook her head. “Well, you keep learning like that and you’ll do just fine down here, despite Sam’s carelessness.”
“Thanks.” Miya grinned. “I try.”
Muriel smiled. “That’s all we can do. Now, let’s get you inside so you can warm up properly. I can see ice in the tips of your hair.”
Just past daybreak, Miya stretched out in a handmade wooden chair out front of the cabin, a hot cup of tea in her hand. There was a thin layer of snow on the ground that had fallen overnight, making everything look clean and fresh under clear blue skies above. Long grasses bowed down low with their burden, while the scattered trees around the lake glimmered in white. It was an amazing view, here, with the smaller mountains they had crossed off to her left, and another set of larger peaks off to the west, standing out on their own.
“It’s a pleasant spot here.” Sam settled down into a chair beside her, steaming cup in hand. “Not as spectacular a view as some places I’ve been or what you get to see along the trail. Still, it’s a wonderful place to wake up to in the morning, and relaxing to sit and watch the sunset at night. Clean water, nice lakes for fishing, good hunting around here, and the people here are honest folk.”
“Sounds like a nice place.” Miya closed her eyes and turned her face up to the sun, its warm rays competing with the icy air on the surface of her cheeks. After a moment, she lowered her face and turned to study Sam.
“What?” Sam asked.
Miya smiled. “Your facial scruff is coming in pretty evenly. If I met you today, I wouldn’t have mistaken you for a fifteen-year-old. You were clean-shaven when I arrived.”
