Wings of Honor: Bad Moon Rising

Chapter 1: Botched Landing

The next thing I remember, is falling. Things kept hitting me on the way down.
"Oh shiiii-"
Branches, tree leaves, all sorts of shrubbery slammed into me on the way down. I tried reaching out, but my arm was all cut to hell instead. Something rolled me, and I landed face first into soft dirt.
"Argh hah!"
I groaned out. The sounds of objects still falling, probably my equipment. A cold front met me.
The egg!
I rolled over, the basket still on my back. I sat up, my entire body stinging and bruised.
The basket was cut up, but it looked like it was still okay. I opened the top almost in a panic. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw the unblemished white shell. Only a few documented cracks ran up and down, no additional ones. I set the cover back with another sigh, keeping the egg safe and warm.
I made an agonized groan, a few things were still hurting me. I checked myself, running my hands up and down. I came across a large branch, leaves still on it, embedded into my hip. I shook nervously at the sight. I steeled myself with a shaky breath, grabbing it with both hands. I yanked it out.
"Ah!"
I took two sharp breaths before I stifled myself.
A nice squirt of blood came out with the stick. A river of maroon red ran down from the hole in my right.
I dug out a bundle of gauze from a belt pouch, running it around me tightly. As soon as I dressed it, I kept looking myself over. I pulled out smaller twigs and sticks that embedded themselves into me, to avoid inflammation and infection.
God knows how quickly shits like those have made men into casualties in the field. Nearly made me into one.
Once I was assured there were no immediate threats on me, I scanned the environment. I heard a bird call out, the gentle droning of a frog or the like.
Animal sounds, that meant we were safe, I could breathe easier. The little spot I found myself in was not quite open, not quite covered by shrubbery. Little beams of sunlight pierced through the foliage, considering I was quite literally dropped into the jungle.
I went silent for a few moments, concentrating as to pierce through the camouflage for any threats that may be lurking in the vegetation. I concentrated especially for the faint but barely perceptible shapes of camouflaged Rainwings, I was not about to be tranqued again.
I spent a good long while just looking, looking for threats. Listening for anything that might betray someone. But there was nothing, other than animal calls and the rustle of wind. I finally let out a sigh.
"We're okay. We're okay. Now what?"
Security was assured, at least for a while. Next thing was taking inventory. What did I have, what did I need?
I went back to the bags I dropped with. The majority of the supplies on my person were still with me, other than a few MKB magazines bent to hell. I still had four good ones though, plus the one already in my rifle.
I still had the "Sprit of America," plus five good magazines, plus one in already.
I had a D ration in my back pocket, which was already a day's meal. Even though I hated everything about D rations, I knew they would keep me alive.
In my pack, I had a C ration, and three more K rations. Almost a week's worth of food right here.
I had two canteens I had filled with Jade Mountain water, which would last me a small while. Water was the limiting factor. Although, in a Jungle with rain, it shouldn't be too difficult to find something that gets me water.
Now for my equipment. All my enchanted equipment, scopes, compass, lighter, were all undamaged.
The big scope was in its own carry case, which was nicked up but still usable.
The Springfield was okay, as well as my MKB, those were still serviceable.
I had an entrenching tool, ideal for building another Dakota fire pit; as well as my switchblade and a bayonet, for anything that needs a sharp implement.
In the duffle, a pup tent, three C rations, five more K rations, one D ration, a cooking set, the radio smashed to hell, two rolls of Duck Tape, a first aid kit, and a clone of Jimmy's medic bag.
Inside that, suture materials, saline, enough morphine for a platoon, and plenty of other medicinal materials. I wasn't about to touch the flask of brandy, no doubt, McManus hid in there.
I knew least one of the C and a trio set of K rations were enchanted by Travers or Qibli to give me unlimited food, which would be incredibly useful.
"Okay. I got plenty of food, but I only have a day's worth of water. That's what we need right now."
I resigned myself to taking a few hobbled steps forward. I wasn't particularly thirsty right now, 'though I know that was soon to change. I started throwing things back inside the duffle bag. Orienting myself with my compass and a partial map of the jungle, I charted as far away from the Rainforest kingdom as I could. I set the basket over my backpack, and grabbed hold of the duffle.
Pistol in my left and a fire in my eye, I set off for better ground.
Turns out I didn't have to go much further before I found a semi-clearing still under the canopy. It had dry ground on a small bluff, which meant no worry of quicksand. It was fairly open, good enough for the tent, and enough space for a Dakota fire.
I brushed the sweat off my brow and set about work. I began unfurling the pup tent, laying it out on the ground. I set up a tarp underneath it to provide some insulation and a clean floor.
Using the entrenching tool shovel as a hammer, I sunk the two polls into the tarp and ground. I could sew up the holes if necessary. I draped over the tent canvas and suspended the front and rear poles with string. I sunk in the smaller stakes to really build the tent into its iconic shape. That was pretty much the structure, but I closed out the back and front to provide mosquito and rain protection.
Inside, it was small enough for me and my bedroll, although I had to lay it at an angle. The bedroll was slightly longer than I was, and would interfere with the structure poles if I makes it lengthwise.
I quickly placed the egg and basket inside, out of the jungle and whatever dangers it might carry.
Now for a fire.
I begun by drawing out two circles as far away from my tent and the surrounding shrubbery, which was only about 15 feet away from the tent. Dangerous yes, but it was an underground fire, and I knew what I was doing.
I had received my fire safety badge with the Scouts, and I had plenty of experience building survival fires.
The two circles were placed about a foot away from each other, one slightly smaller than the other. The bigger one would be for fire, while the other allowed oxygen to draft through.
I began work. First softening the dirt out with the pickaxe side, then began carving out the dirt. I had to dull my shovel when I hit a tree root, but I figured I was deep enough. Now, I carved out a smaller hole and tunneled it down and to the first hole. I kept clearing it out until I could shove my entire arm through.
"Good. Now for fuel."
Using my bayonet, saving the sharpness of my switchblade, I began to barb up nearby brush.
90% of it was still green, which meant it wouldn't burn very well. It would also cast white smoke amidst the green jungle. Although that might be disguised in the fog or low clouds.
I set about gathering shavings and lighter, fuel materials.
I opened one of the dinner K rations for the paper and wax that packaged the food. May as well have the food as well. I snacked on a biscuit as I rummaged around for fire materials.
After a longer while than necessary, I had found enough firewood to sustain me for the night at least.
I began my first fire by producing a layer of larger sticks and branches I chopped using my entrenching tool.
I really wish I had a hatchet or an axe instead, but it would have to do for now. After building a raised base, I began layering on the other fuel; from the heaviest and thickest sticks, to the lighter branches, and eventually the woodchip kindling resting under wax and paperboard.
The K ration had a matchbook set of four matches, but I also had my lighter. Considering I had no other use for it, and the greater reliability of my enchanted lighter, I resigned to jamming the book on top of the lighter sticks. I flicked open my lighter, and aimed Its awkward, canted, flame at the matchbook.
It quickly came alight, almost to my suprise. I watched it quickly burn, but not before catching the wax and paper above it. I had to move out of the way as the fireball rose up to met me. But it did succeed in catching the top layer of shavings. I watched over it as it slowly took hold, feeding it more wood chips as I carved them. Once I was satisfied I didn't have to baby it anymore, I dug out my compass.
"Take me to my campsite please."
The arrow instantly swung around and began pointing towards the pup tent. I turned around, but the white arrow remained constantly towards the tent.
"Okay."
I flicked it shut. I wasn't about to risk the egg on its own just yet, picking it up and slinging it onto my back once more.
I also emptied out whatever I did not need immediately out of the duffle bag. There would be plenty of space for whatever I found, although carrying it all back would be another manner.
I rotated the egg, just to be sure, before taking one last look over the camp.
The fire was growing slowly, and the green fire materials were retarding embers. Everything except my tent was all green and living, a challenge to catch on fire. While not 100% confident, I figured I wouldn't find the entire camp burning when I returned. I chatted into the forest a little bit, in search of supplies.

Tonight, I would pray to God for my luck and fortune.
There was a Mango grove and a coconut tree grove not far from each other and from my camp. I managed to nab a few of the HUGE mangos, but the coconut trees were well off. At least 20 feet high, more like the Invincible City wall high. I would not be able to get up there without some gear.
I took what I could back to camp.
The fire was well emplaced now, which was perfect, as the sun was setting at this time. There was very little smoke, as I set the fire almost perfectly.
I placed the egg inside the tent, while I opened up a mango. I had the fruit with the remainder of the K ration. It was actually pretty good. The dairy cheese and cold bacon contrasted with the sweet mango, but it helped to wash down the dry biscuits.
I saved the milk packets. I personally didn't like them and I figured I may as well prepare to feed a new mouth soon. I cleaned out the crumbs with gum, dumping the grape flavor packet into one of my canteens. Hopefully, it would mask the musky taste a bit.
I felt like I fulfilled all my immediate needs, and was getting pretty sleepy. I was still alert, but I felt the weight begin to fall on my eyes. The fire was burning down now, only a layer of embers with a minuscule flame.
I grabbed a few larger green leaves and covered the holes to prevent anything from sparking, and to protect the fire so it would be easier to light in the morning.
I snuggled alongside the egg basket in my tent. I tossed and turned as I got comfortable in my uncomfortably fuzzy sleeping bag. I looked at the egg for a long moment.
No.
I sat up once more, taking the pearly white, speckled stone out of its worn, woven grass basket. I sat it on top of me. I turned it around, inspecting it with care.
I counted two more branchlines. The North-South mainline looked to have lengthened, now covering two-thirds of the entire height.
The industrial short line branching off from the south end of the mainline was beginning to curve up, as if it was competing for mainline status.
Already, an S connected the mainline and the industrial line, creating a huge runaround between the two routes.
A smile broke through, Rail and Spike Transportation Company was expanding at a rapid pace.
I set it back in its basket; I was known to be a bad roommate. I have always known I drool and toss and turn in my sleep, but I've also been told I snore like a bear and generally be a pain in the ass. I chuckled.
Setting the entire basket beside me, I finally retired to lay down and chase sleep. The gentle droning of cicadas or some other animals. The distant calls of rainforest animals. The rustling of the trees.
I swear to God, I could hear the Lark, pulled by one of the Daylight Northerns. Its deep rumbling whistle piercing through the still night. I've always wondered why the steam engines were always painted orange, while the cars were always grey. But I digress, it was late and I would need to sleep.
I called in Mr. Sweeps to clear my mind. I closed my eyes, trying to focus on nothingness. I breathed slowly and deeply, I could hear the sounds of the jungle more clearly now; but I let it fade to the background. Focusing on how tired I was.
It was my first night here, on my own. It wasn't my first night on my own though. Although I would save story time, otherwise I would never get to sleep.
I wanted to sleep, but my mind would go off on a branch line and not let me. But I was disciplined enough to keep my mind clear, and catch and keep sleep when it slipped up, which it consistently did. I had to trust God that no dangers would happen across my camp in the night, and I would have the opportunity to react and face it down. That's why I sleep with my pistol on safe, a round in the chamber, and underneath my pillow where my supporting hand was.
I took a shaky breath before I finally drifted off. Paciencia y fe was my last thought that night.
Although I would forget it almost instantly.