voice; open

[hunt4commonwealth]

This is Dylan Hunt. My first officer, Gaheris Rhade, left to explore the Wasteland three days ago and I haven't had a communication from him since. I'm going after him. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated, from spare water cans to take with me to advice on your personal favorite desert survival techniques.

Comments

[Spam] Dated to 1 1/2 days later

[truth_is_cold]

[Gaheris barely slept. Only as much as he needed to, and during the heat of the day when he could find cover under one of the randomly placed boats (boats?), or under the cover of a sizeable skull. He would have kept walking, when he saw the distant dome, investaged, went as far as to reach it.

But he reached half of his ration of water, and he decided it was safer to turn around and return the way that he came.

He's about halfway back when he finds Dylan. He's hunting for largish predators when he sees a more human shape erupt over the next rise. He's sandblasted, sunburned, and raw from days of travel, low on food and with just enough water to get him back. He knows if they're armed, even with his forcelance he could be at a disadvantage because there's no cover.]

[Spam]

[hunt4commonwealth]

[Tracking Gaheris through the Wasteland isn't easy, but at least he has good visibility. He hasn't seen another soul since he entered the desert, so when he spots a humanoid shape outlined against the sand about a half mile away he guesses (hopes) that it's Gaheris. Surely no one else would be mad enough to wander out into this desolate place, right?

Still, he's cautious as he climbs down the hill. He already had to deal with a few unfriendlies on his first day of traveling, about half a day from the Old City. He doesn't want to get caught unprepared, just in case he's mistaken. There's no way the other person hasn't seen him, so he raises his arm and waves. If it's a stranger he'll at least try to keep the encounter peaceful.]

[Spam]

[truth_is_cold]

[Gaheris's hand is near his weapon, but after a moment he raises it in a somber return of that wave. He can almost guess who it is from that gesture. He can be glad to see him- not let anything else muddy up the thought for him. Because he found something important.

Rather than pressing himself too hard, he walks casually in his direction and pulls back the hood of the loose white (or sand-brown now) garment he's wearing as he gets nearer.

Ignoring that his lips are chapped, he's on the verge of giving Dylan a report when he runs into him. But when he opens his mouth to speak to him, his voice is grated and scraping. The words are bitten back as he scrambles to get his bottle of water.]

Voice

[thecricketer]

Rhade is missing?

[a moment of silence, and then] If you're adamant on going alone, I can try to scrounge up some supplies from my ship.

I don't know if the Wastelands are prone to dust storms, but - hmm, I don't know if there are any dust masks about. Goggle, perhaps, and a scarf. You'll want to wear light colours. You might want to wear layers, as well, depending on how cold the nights get. That's when you should do most of your travelling.

Voice

[hunt4commonwealth]

I might be out there a while. I won't come back until I've found him. [Hopefully alive.] I can't let anyone else take that risk.

[Guilt. All the guilt and sense of responsibility.]

If you can spare the supplies, I'll be grateful to have them. Should I come by your ship?

Voice

[thecricketer]

I... [he sighs] I would argue with you, if I hadn't said those very words myself.

Yes - I'm on the outskirts of the Old City, not far from the ship.

[diziet_sma]

I think I can help you with both of those.

...I wondered why I hadn't seen him recently. Are you going to need someone to come with you?

[hunt4commonwealth]

Thank you. Diziet, right?

I don't want to put anyone else in danger. [He feels it's his fault that Rhade's potentially in danger now.]

[diziet_sma]

That's right. A pleasure to finally talk with you. I consider Rhade a friend.

Are you sure? If it's dangerous, you might not want to go alone.

[knightoflight]

Can I help?

....I fly.

[hunt4commonwealth]

[An air search would be damn useful, but...]

It might attract the Authorities' attention and bring them down on you and him.

[And for all Dylan's worry, it's possible that Rhade is just fine. If he knew for certain that Rhade was injured or hurt he'd be willing to take the risk if Wing was, but without more information...]

But if I find him and he's in bad shape, I'll get back into communicator range and call you for an emergency lift, if you're willing.

[knightoflight]

Yes. [He sighs.] There is that concern. We are unprepared, still, if they choose to attack again.

All right. [He considers.] In that event, perhaps it would be best, as well, to prepare for medical aid. Jim Kirk seems to find the facilities here...less than what he's used to.

[voice]

[omnomgoauld]

Does he often explore such dangerous places alone?

[voice]

[hunt4commonwealth]

He's... [On the other end of the audio line, Dylan pauses to wipe his hand down his face.]

On duty, he's a good soldier, by-the-book, follows orders. Off duty...he takes risks. Sometimes too many. [Dylan has been on shore leave with Rhade often enough to see his risk-taking in action.]

[eternaliyah]

How much about the desert do you know?

[hunt4commonwealth]

Hypothetically? I know some. I received some training on wilderness survival in all basic climates.

But in practice, very little. [He had the training, had done simulations, but had never gone on assignment on a desert planet and used that training in a real life scenario. He smiles self-deprecatingly.]

I know shade is good and running out of water is very bad.

[eternaliyah]

Nap between noon and three, at least. Make sure you bring at least one good blanket, deserts can get bitterly cold at night. You'll want to search at night, at least when the moon is up enough to look for him. Don't use artificial light when it is, you'll just wreck your night vision. Wear light colors, and make sure you have a hat, something to keep the sunlight off your head.

I've got a canteen you take. I'll want it back.

[atwar]

Travel by night, and seek what shelter can be found by day, but do not lie directly upon the ground. However hot it might become, keep your skin covered; your clothing will retain your sweat and help keep your body cool. It is more important to stay watered than fed, and eating while dehydrated will further dehydrate you, but beware of rationing water too sparsely else the heat may overcome you. Watch closely the color of what water you pass; it will tell you whether you risk being too dry.

[hunt4commonwealth]

Thank you.

I don't think we've met. [But she seems like a good person to know.]

[atwar]

We have not. I am Sif.

Will you need assistance in finding your companion?

late forever AND submitted early. sob.

[femshep]

Rhade's gone? [Her voice is a little sharp. Not quite worry, but not exactly casual either.]

Safe to assume you're armed? [Because weaponry is the biggest help she can offer, at this point. Besides going with, obviously, but she's a little occupied at the moment.]

[hunt4commonwealth]

Force lance. Wouldn't leave home without it.

I think he might be challenging himself. [That's better than thinking than Rhade might do something reckless out of a sense of self-destruction.]

[femshep]

[Skipping over the 'force lance' part, curious as that makes her, to address the fact that:]

If that's the case, going after him might just piss him off. [But she doesn't know Rhade well enough to assess that, so she tacks on:] It would if it were me, anyway.

[audio]

[buckingauthority]

What the frak? Why the hell would he just go off like that?

[And why hadn't Rhade told her, Kara wants to ask, but she doesn't. She's pretty pissed, though.]

[audio]

[hunt4commonwealth]

He wanted to explore and...and I suspect he wanted a challenge.

[Dylan's sure that there's more to it than that. (Like wanting to get away after finding out that in his future/Dylan's past he tried to kill Dylan and Dylan shot and killed Rhade.) But what he tells Kara is the part of the truth that isn't too personal and raw right now to talk about.]

I'll bring him back.