Book One: Rise of the King

Chapter Two

It had been a week and things were slowly coming together at their settlement. There were lean-tos put together from wooden crates and food for the survivors. They'd found the animal feed, clean clothes, seeds and farming tools and the water supply had somehow survived. It wasn't fantastic, but they weren't going to die just yet, so that was something. There was, as Shannon said, some hope.

For Gray, there was less worry about the immediate and more concern about the long-term plan. There were, from among the two ships, a total of one hundred and eighteen survivors from four hundred souls and that weighed heavily on him. He didn't like the idea of leaving people in the sleep chambers but until there was a little more to go on than hope, he didn't see how could awaken anyone else only to watch them starve to death. The resources just weren't available to keep that many people alive indefinitely. If they kept their numbers small, there would be a chance for everyone.

"I've been thinking about those water filtration systems we brought with us." Charlie told him as their little tribe sat around the fire having dinner.

Gray looked up. "And?"

"I can hook it up with no problem. I'd need a battery from the old hive room, though, to run it."

Gray nodded. "Sure."

"Does that mean we can have showers?" Shannon asked, smiling hopefully beside Gray.

"We might be able to rig something up." Charlie smiled back.

"Water conservation is important, though." Gray reminded her with a twinkle in his eye.

"I won't take long."

"At this rate, neither will I." he muttered.

Shannon blushed and shook her head. "You should have hidden a few girls in a crate."

Gray gave her a suggestive look. "A few?" He took a bite. "If you need more than one, you aren't doing it right."

Shannon laughed despite herself. He was the most maddening mix of gentleman and gigolo. He was extremely attractive, she had to admit, even if he had a good fifteen years on her. He was broad-shouldered, tanned, well-built and well-maintained. He had scared up a straight-razor and a mirror and was shaving every day. He'd even managed to cut his salt-and-pepper hair in a high and tight. Though it was an extreme hairstyle, it worked on him. His face was very serious. His eyes were a cool gray and his mouth a stern slash. It was a rugged face, with lines at his eyes and a strong jaw. She had only seen him really laugh once and it was transformative.

"What did you do back home, Charlie?" Gray asked, changing the subject while he still could. Discretion was the key to most things, particularly screwing around. He'd get there, but it didn't have to be tonight.

"Professor at MIT." Charlie answered.

"That explains why you know everything." Nate grinned.

Charlie snickered. "Well, not everything."

"Do you think you could rig something up with those batteries to get the computer working? I'd like to check the manifest and see if there's anyone who might know something about farming. I know I sure as hell don't." Gray said.

Charlie shrugged. "We can try."

"Good." Gray said, setting down his plate and standing up. "I think I'll take a walk. Shannon?"

Nate and Charlie watched them walk off across the glade. Nate shook his head.

"I swear. That guy could get laid in a room full of lesbian nuns." Nate muttered.

Charlie looked at him. "We've been here a week. She just lost her husband. You can't really think he's doing that."

"If he isn't yet, mark my words, he will before it's over with." Nate assured him with a raised eyebrow.