Tank Borne

Part 14: Stay or leave

A week later the trio were still sleeping together in the shuttle waiting for the rains to stop so that Synsyn and Liana could take items they made and gathered to a new site. That would complete their deal with Parker, he could stay with the shuttle and radio the Star Fleet for pick up or come with them. The thing was, Parker never really answered Liana about coming or staying. For now he was content enough to forage and study the new planet and its life that inhabited it.

The day came though however when the rains had stopped and the suns, yes suns, one normal and another lager one way off that wasn't as hot and always shun purple. Those suns were able to shin long enough to finally dry the grounds which reminded Liana of the dark soft soil or Earth but this soil was very light and airy. Almost like some dust was always hovering over the surface when dry.

Synsyn was satisfied by the weather and after studying Liana's language all this past week along with working on scouting and fighting outside, he said, "it is early enough. Would leave and scout up rigger and past large clearing." Yeah he could speak English but it was very broken up. Just enough to get the point but never really any details. Like explaining how he liked Liana's seasoned steaks or a new fruit or nut she found. He'd eat it, then she'd ask if he like it and all he ever said was "it's good."
At least he gave a nod once in a while but it frustrated Liana in a way. 

Liana looked up at Synsyn then out of the shuttle where she was sitting in the shade and said, "well the ground is a lot dryer and it'll be safer to climb." She paused remembering how Synsyn had her cling to his back while he jumped from tree to tree just to land on a wet slippery branch and fall. He landed on his feet but had to slow down by grabbing other branches and breaking with his claws. She shuttered at the memory then continued, "okay let's leave then.  There aren't anymore clouds coming it seems so yeah let's do it!"

Liana sat up from her pilot seat that Synsyn tore out of the shuttle for her to sit in when she complained that she didn't have a lawn chair to see the view.

When she turned and looked at the shuttle she saw Parker drawing some of the plants for his research book he was making. She thought for a second, I still need an answer from him about staying or leaving.

She sighed and straightened up, preparing herself for whatever answer he might give her, and then she walked over.

He was still drawing a fruit from a flower they found that was extremely poisonous they found out. A dead horse creature was next to it and Synsyn pointed out that it ate one fruit then died. Parker was finishing up his sketch of it and didn't notice Liana there till she spoke up, "um Parker. Since it's sunny and everything is finally fit for travel me and Synsyn are going up the mountain where we think there's another clearing fit to stay for a bit. I need your answer on coming or going."
He closed his book after finishing and looked out at the scenery. Before he answered her he sighed thinking then made his decision, "I'd be happy to help you as a doctor but I wouldn't be helpful out there. I'm researching what I can use as medicine for different things. I'll stay and continue my research, I think I found my happiness and calling like you said back then."

He then looked at her with a serious look on his face along with a content smile. Liana smiled back and just nodded then asked, "what about going back home?"

"I'll try to radio the fleet and catch the next ride that comes along but for now I'm happy just staying here. I hate camping anyway."

Liana thought about his wishes and stated, "if you need help just signal a flare or something and we'll come. I'm pretty sure there's more predators than what we've seen here. And hey! Parker, take care."

She didn't say what she really wanted to but decided to leave the conversation at that. Sweet, short and simple.

~.~.~

Later that evening Liana and Synsyn were up the mountain and found a small clearing in the trees that had a spring of drinkable water next to it. Not only the spring but across it was a small hot spring that Liana spotted and told Syn, "hey we should camp here and enjoy that spring."
He told her, "I'll be there later. Checking around camp first."

Liana felt bad that Synsyn always seemed to do all the heavy lifting (he kinda did) and protested, "well then let me set up the hammock and a fire pit for dinner."

He nodded and added, "the food I'll hang up in the trees till it's time to eat."

Liana nodded and they got to business. Synsyn took his spear he made and the axe he also made from the stallion horn. He checked around the clearing for any signs of burrowed animals or giant spiders that they had ran across before. A nightmare really, nothing like stretching to wake up feeling warm and cozy just to realize your sleeping bag is a spiders cocoon and you're in it.
Synsyn remembered that while on one of their scouting trips around the shuttle they spent the night in a forest spot and while Syn slept in a tree Liana protested sleeping with him and slept in her bag on the ground and found herself screaming when she woke up and Synsyn having to kill the spider and cut her free. Turns out those five foot tall bugs were strong, silent, and hid in a hole out of the sun. They didn't like it but would come out at night to hunt and spin webs. What they didn't eat that night was then bitten and saved as cocoon soup when they woke up.

Synsyn smiled on his search around camp, was funny how she got mad when I said I was going to leave here there. It was a joke of course but he still exercised humor while Liana was teaching him things. Teasing her was his favorite.

No signs of burrowing or any threats to worry about Synsyn went back to the camp and found the hammocks and a fire pit ready for heating dinner. The food was hung right between the hammocks, he saw Liana places them there where he put the food.

Smart female. Good places to guard it and close enough over fire to keep her warm. He thought nodding his approval. Everything was perfection with Syn, from the way he dressed and wore his home made leather guards to how Liana stitched them even though it was her idea to make them. Yep he oversaw through everything.