Page 20 of Fallen from the Stars

“Not to be a downer, but…there’s no ship to go back to, so I guess you don’t have to worry about that.”

Theo sighed as she unfastened the straps holding her toolbox in place and slid the metal container closer. She ran her fingertips over the name etched on the lid —M. VELENTI.

“There’s always another ship,” she said quietly. “I got away with the important things. My toolbox and you.”

“How sentimental of you,” Kane replied. “You know thatyouare more important than either of those, don’t you?”

“Aww, Kane. I think that’s the sweetest thing you’ve said to me in a long time.” Theo grinned, opening the door of the storage space to which she’d returned the food. It also contained first aid supplies, various tools, spare universal power cells, and extra clothing. The supplies were enough to last her a few weeks if she was smart — even longer if she supplemented with foraged food.

“Don’t get used to it.”

Theo chuckled as she pulled out the pair of automatic-filtration water containers from the bottom of the storage space. “I won’t. And to answer your question from earlier, the plan, for now, is just to survive. Not much more we can do.”

“Fair enough,” Kane replied. “I take it we’re going back to the stream?”

“Yep,” she said, closing the storage door and stepping back. She hurriedly finished the rest of the winefruit, clicked the holstered pistol into place at her hip, and felt for her knife before exiting the pod with the containers.

Setting the containers aside for a few moments, she gathered the fruit off the leaves and moved it into the pod for safe keeping.

Kane’s orb projected from her wrist when she finally walked into the jungle. The scents of moist vegetation and rich earth quickly replaced the beach’s salty breeze. She remained alert, unwilling to be caught unaware as she had the day before.

Who would’ve guessed a plant — aplant— would be so high on thedangerous predatorlist?

What other surprises awaited her on this world?

She was grateful for what Vasil had taught her thus far. Hehadearned some of her trust — much more than she’d given him. Yet part of her knew she needed to remain on-guard, that she had no reason to feel guilty for protecting herself.

“Do you want me to highlight the route back to the stream?” Kane asked aloud, his orb pulsing gently with his words.

“I think I remember, but…it’s hard to be sure. Everything looks the same.” She ran her gaze over the trees and the thick vegetation covering the jungle floor. “Am I at least on the right path?”

“Close enough. I’ll inform you if you stray too far.”

“Any sign of carnivorous plants?”

“I don’t see anything within my limited range,” he replied, “but who’s to say what other dangers lurk out here? Just be alert.”

She continued forward, twigs and plant stalks snapping beneath her boots. The hot, muggy air soon had sweat rolling down her back, trickling between her breasts, and beading on her forehead and neck. Even her hair dampened with perspiration. All at once, her jumpsuit felt too constricting. It clung to her skin uncomfortably and chaffed her most sensitive parts. She’d never encountered this problem in the controlled atmospheres of interstellar ships.

Theo paused when a new sound joined the jungle ambiance — running water. She pushed through leaves and vines until she finally broke into the clearing along the stream’s bank.

“Finally.” She sighed in relief, stepped to the edge of the water, and set one of the extra containers down beside her. The opening in the canopy allowed the sun to shine bright and hot atop her head, adding to her discomfort. “This planet is going to be the death of me.”

“I refuse to be stuck in a rotting corpse until my backup power cells die,” Kane said. “It would takeyears.”

“You won’t have much of a choice, will you? And do you really think my corpse would last? You’d likely wind up in the belly of a beast before getting shat out—”

“Fill up your damned bottles so we can get out of here, Theo.”

Theo laughed as she opened the first container. “Did I cross your wires?”

“I’ll not have you insult the sophistication of my components by suggesting I have anything as crude aswires, thank you,” he grumbled.

“Boy, youaretouchy today.” She bent forward and dipped the container into the stream, holding it firmly so it wouldn’t be carried off by the current. Once it was full, she lifted it out, replaced the cap, and pressed the button to begin the filtration process. She stared at the water as she filled the second container. “You see anything in there that I don’t?”

“Looks clear,” Kane replied, “not that it made any difference yesterday. Why?”

She sealed the second container and activated it, placing it beside the first. “’Cause I stink to high hell, and it’s hot.”

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