Memento

(With thanks to Tony for RPing this conversation with me. Thanks, Tony!--Maer)


Wednesday, 16 Aug 2519
Bivouac, Miranda
Blue Sun (Qing Long) system
20:30 hrs, local time

The sun was setting over Miranda, painting the sky marmalade and scarlet, and the shadows crept long across the ground. The shuttle was finally freed of the remote hardware and Rina squirmed out from under the console. Nika had done a fine job swapping out the equipment and in truth had left nothing for Rina to do.

Not even a screw to tighten.

She sat up carefully to spare her stitches and got to her feet. With the hour late and her repairs list for the day cleared, Rina left the shuttle to go find Rick.

 ***

Rick had made a list of the items he really wanted to see moved from the ship and prepared for their defense in case Reavers were to attack them on the ground. The most crucial items were the food and remaining assault rifles along with the ammo. After the items had been prepared for transport Rick took a walk to survey the damage one more time.

 ***

Rina spied Rick taking a turn around the Gift, looking over the damage done to her. The sight of her in such a state pained her and Rina breathed deeply against it. She'd seen the boneyard, same as the others, and given their current situation it didn't take a genius to know that it would be in their best interest to abandon the Gift for a faster, spaceworthier ship. It made the most sense but it was still a gut stab, nonetheless. Rina had hopes for the Gift and memories from her year's stint on her still ran strong.

Never let sentiment cloud your judgment, Mike had told her years ago. It was good advice and it had served her well, and deep down Rina knew that she should heed it. Unless help arrived from above, chances were very good the Gift would remain on Miranda after they'd all left.

Mind, 'left' takes on an ominous connotation in this neighborhood.

She drew closer and when she was sure that her call wouldn't attract the attention of the others, she hailed her crewmate.

"Rick."

 ***

Looking over the damage to the ship, Rick was surprised they even survived the landing. While contemplating the serious shit they had landed themselves into after crashing on Miranda Rick heard Rina call his name.

“Hi Rina. You are looking pretty good for someone who survived a fight with the Reavers. Nika did a good job though of avoiding that last missile and getting us down here safe. The ship just couldn’t take any more though. At least no one was in a container that was destroyed.”

 ***

Rina quirked an eyebrow up at the last remark and nodded once.

"Here." She fished the cuff she'd made from her sleeve pocket and held it out to him. "I'm sorry about Evil Tick and Smudge, Rick. I liked the little guys. I'm just glad I was able to save something back from them for you."

In her hand was the leather cuff she'd picked up on one of the scav runs they'd done. Affixed to it was a large brass cog from her tool bag, a couple of flat washers from her pockets and two of the gators' cast off teeth she'd fished out of their terrarium during her visits to see them.

"I'd only scrounged the two, but I figured you'd want them now that they're gone. God, please tell me it fits."

 ***

“Thank you Rina,” Rick said with a smile. “I will miss Evil Tick and Smudge. I’m just glad all of us made it though. Maybe one day we will be back by Lassek. Perhaps we will be able to find you an animal friend too.”

Rick holds the cuff in his hand and runs his thumb over the two little teeth. He puts it on and looks back at Rina. “It fits perfectly.” Not wanting to dwell on his forever lost little friends Rick changes the subject. “How are you holding up Rina? We should have went with you on that ship.”

 ***

"Don't beat yourself up over it. You couldn't've known. None of us did."

She gestured at the cuff, saying, "I'm glad it fits. I didn't have any more leather to work with. And as for getting me an animal friend, if you find a cat, I'll find room on my bunk for it."

 ***

Thinking back to his time on Lassek Rick knew that there were small cats. They would be hard to train because of their predatory nature, but it could be do-able. “We will see what we can do about getting you a cat, when we get out of here.” Rick said with a smile.

Rick was sure that the crew would find their way off this planet. His only worry is what will find them once they get off this planet. If only we could capture a Reaver, Rick thought. I’m sure we will have some chances to do that here.

“Once we get out of here I think we will need to a take a break. Maybe relax some place nice and warm. “ A silly grin comes over Rick’s face. “It’s a good thing Jake made it though. He is the only one that has the code for the shower cam data.”

 ***

"Masterful stroke, that. Sending me on that snipe hunt." Rina said, laughing. "But just in case I somehow missed those cameras, remember that I could jack the signal anytime and see you washing your boys whenever I wanted. Hell, Nika and I will make popcorn and watch."

 **

“I’m sure you could jack the signal, but why when you could simply ask.” Rick said letting out a chuckle.

“Is there anything in particular you want to move from the ship to a safer location?”

 ***

"Ow. Bluff called." She mimed putting a card hand on the table. "I got nothin'. But seriously, if I told you everything I wanted to take, we'd be here all night. In a way," Rina gazed up at the bulk of the Gift wistfully. "It's more a pity that what I would really want to take with me isn't even aboard." She fell silent a moment, cataloguing the missed opportunities, the non-existent machine shop...the absent people. "Thanks, Rick. Now that you've got your cuff, there's nothing else I need you to carry for me."

She shook off her mood.

"Come on. Let's go see what Christian's managed to rustle up for dinner. I think I saw him go off with his rifle earlier. If we're lucky, there might be fresh meat on the menu. As long as it doesn't try jumping off the plate to munch my face, I'm willing to take a stab at eating it."

 ***

Rick knew to keep his eyes open for some interesting engineering equipment.

“There is always a chance we will find some awesome engineering equipment so you can build till your heart’s content. I wonder what meat is available on this planet. I know I saw deer tracks, but I hope they aren’t Zombie deer.” Rick said with a laugh. “We should be fine and fresh meat would be great,” he said as he followed Rina in search of Christian.

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