Elaine woke up with her neck cramped, a blanket covering her. She had fallen asleep, reading on her comm, and Leonardo must have put the blanket over her, the big soft one she that she had brought. Quietly, she stood up and walked over to Leonardo, who was already up and watching the sunrise, and gave him a hug. He hugged her back and they stood there for a moment, warm and content.
"Next island is right over there." Leonardo released her from the hug and pointed to some fog shrouded land. "Soon as we get there we'll scrape up some supplies and head to the big island. From there we'll catch a bigger boat and get out of the country."
The big Island that Leonardo spoke of was Auxiliatra, the largest island in the archipelago nation of Escolus. Elaine ran her fingers through her dark brown hair, retied her braid, and started the water filter. In the boat there was a box of matches, so Elaine scooped up a pail of ocean water, set up the cloth, and lit some wood. Soon there was enough hot, clean water for them to have tea, courtesy of the boat's survival supplies. "It seems silly drinking nice tea in the morning like this, seeing as we're wanted fugitives on the run." Leonardo observed as he steered the boat slowly through the choppy waters.
Elaine nodded and looked out at the approaching island. It looked like Craecius for the most part, with pine trees and wide beaches, but unlike on Craecius, the beaches were full of birds. This was one of the only islands that got birds anymore, just as it was the only island that you could see the stars from. It was a natural island, no cities, no metal buildings, just dirt roads and huts. This was the refugee camp for the rebellion against Escolus. Elaine knew Leonardo would have moved here long ago if she wasn't in Craecius.
He pulled the boat ashore and tied it up to another tree. "Hey!" yelled a voice. Elaine looked up.
A man in his early 20s with dark brown hair was standing on the beach with his arms crossed."We're here to learn the history of our nation." Leonardo called.
Elaine deduced that it was some sort of code. "We come with information of the present." Leonardo said. "Our names are hidden from your mind, but yours is not to ours. My friend and I come in peace, to trade, Sulat Coren, so please return the peace."
"I have returned the peace. Sulat Coren, age 21. Yours?"
Leonardo spoke first. "My name is Leonardo, age 25."
"I'm Elaine, age 14.
Sulat beckoned for Elaine and Leonardo to come forwards. "Go to the hut labeled clothing. Katrín will get you some clothes. You'll get yours back eventually, but we have to check for bugs or tracers."
Leonardo bowed his head and turned away. Elaine followed his lead and grasped his hand as they walked towards some huts. Elaine quickly used her sonic screwdriver to make her box from her duffel bag materialize in her pocket. She couldn't lose it, not after all she'd done to get it working. They arrived at the hut, where a petite blonde woman greeted them. "You are new, no? My name is Katrín. Girl, how about you come for clothes first."
Elaine stepped inside while Leonardo waited. Katrín had Elaine empty her pockets. Elaine took out her sonic screwdriver and quickly dematerialized the box, moving the molecules to an airtight compartment Leonardo had installed in her boot. "Interesting tool you have there." Katrín said. "May I try?"
"Sorry" Elaine replied. "But the screwdriver has isomorfic controls. Honestly, I'm a good person, Now, about clothing."
"Come back here." Katrín said. "Pick out clothes, undergarments, and shoes. We'll search everything you have and return it to you."
