© Becca, Dana Simmons and Starbright 2001 The Young Riders is an Ogiens/Kane Production, created by Ed Spielman.
We only borrow his characters for fun. No infringement of copyright intended. There is absolutely no financial gain for the authors. We survive on the feedback, and we need plenty of it.
2313
Chapter 2
It was already late in the afternoon when Lou's ASA stopped and sank to the ground. For a brief moment she hesitated, what if she never stepped out, but stayed inside and gave the vehicle the command to return. What if she went back to safety instead of joining the team. After all she didn't know any of these folks!
Then she diverted her eyes to the screen and saw the sand blow in the wind. The wind! She had never felt the wind before, she had read about it and tried it virtually, but she had never actually sensed the wind before. There was so many things she had never sensed before. She grabbed her bag and jumped out as the portal opened.
For a moment she didn't dare step away from the ASA, she just stood there while all the sensations of the open assaulted her. The wind; caressing her, ruffling her hair, making her breathless. The smells. A myriad of scents she had never experienced before filled her. The air feeling new, unused. Filled with wonders it surrounded her and penetrated her senses. The sand under her feet, she could actually feel the texture through the soles of her shoes. And the light! It was the most beautiful light she had ever seen. It altered intensity when clouds sailed over the sun. The light was warm. Making her skin tingle, and her breathing to quicken. She couldn't move, she was trapped by the beauty of the wild. And she knew she would never again be able to return to the cupola. An other ASA sank down behind her own. She marveled at the soundlessness as it momentarily hovered over the sand and sunk to rest and undload. Then it let out a deep sigh and the front-port opened.
A young man stepped out, she recognized the monk immediately. He looked at her and seemed surprised to see her standing there. Nodding his head he greeted her, saying her name. Lou was startled at how pleasant his voice sounded. He didn't take the time to marvel at the surroundings. He quickly gathered his stuff and turned to walk to the building in front of him. Then he stopped and turned to look at her. His eyes a question. Lou looked at him, wanting to know if he didn't feel what she felt. That life had finally come alive.
"Something wrong, Louise?"
She barely dared breathe not to disturb the wonders surrounding her and he seemed not to care at all. What was wrong with him?
"First time out?"
She still couldn't find her voice, too occupied with sensing she just looked at him, wondering if he had no feelings whatsoever?
"I see." He smiled and walked up to her. He was so tall and lean, she could feel his strength as he stopped in front of her, smiling. His wavy hair blowing in the wind. "Louise, it won't go away, I promise. But we better get out so these machines can return. Believe me, it's even more beautiful when they're not blocking the view."
Lou smiled back and took a deep breath, letting the freshness fill her again. Pouring out in her every cell, making her dizzy. The monk looked at her, she read the concern in his eyes. "I'm fine, really. It's just so...so..."
"I know." He smiled again and she found even his smile to be breathtaking. I must be in such an altered state of mind right now. Everything got to her like never before.
He bent down to take her bag from her and threw it with his own over his shoulder. Then he turned and offered her his arm. "Come on, Louise. This is just the beginning."
Louise took the support offered, without even reflecting she hooked her arm around his. He adjusted his long steps to suit hers as they walked over the sandy ground. The sun warming them and the wind rustling the leafs around them, making the scent of wilderness penetrate her being. He watched her while he walked, a soft smile lingering in the eyes. She turned to look into the deep blue eyes of the man walking with her. "Oh God," she said softly.
"I know," he replied and she could read in his eyes that he really did. He truly knew.
Jimmy peeked out the window and saw the monk and a beautiful girl slowly traverse the yard. Jimmy had to grin at the unlikely picture. He had been the first to arrive at the new building, a style that was late 1700, the colonial style. Luckily enough with all the modern facilities. It was in fact, huge, and hugely different from everything he had lived in before. The walls were thicker, to keep out the wild and the light was so different from the one inside the cupolas. The sunshine actually leaked in through the big windows in the den. The largest room in the building. The center. A kitchen adjoining the room, an antic fireplace in the corner. To his left there were rooms, signs telling him there was a 'Lab', 'ER', ComCenter', and the funniest of them all 'the recreation room'. Jimmy realized that the architect had not spent too much time in the wild. Who the hell would spend their time inside when there was all the adventure anybody ever wanted right outside? He let his eyes wander to opening that lead into the small hallway where Hunter's and Cain's rooms were. Doors facing each other, with the third door at the end of the hall, the sign marking it as 'equips'. He didn't bother to go inside and check the rooms out. He wondered where they were supposed to sleep? If they were supposed to sleep? His eyes followed a large stairways that curved into the second floor. Probably up there, and he'd gladly share a room with the young woman walking with the monk. Jimmy gathered that the Kid wouldn't. Grinning he stepped outside to greet the newcomers. Specially Louise McCloud.
The two of them were talking as they approached the large verandah. Louise's voce soft, accompanied by Kid's hums. He couldn't make out what they were discussing, but he noticed they were walking with their arms hooked around each others and Kid was carrying Louise's bag. Jimmy waited and squinted his eyes in the sunshine, it was so strange being out here, so different from the stagnant air in the cupola. The air he had actually considered fresh. Now he understood how wrong he had been. It had been sterile, not fresh, only cleansed into something so neutral it brought with it nothing of the wonders that lingered in the air he bathed in right now.
The two of them didn't even notice him standing there, Lou threw her head back and laughed at something the monk had said. Jimmy tapped his fingers against the verandah railing. Then he whistled softly in appreciation.
Lou turned her eyes to him immediately, seeming surprised. Jimmy smiled at her, oh she was beautiful. Stepping down the two stairs he walked up to them, extending a hand in Louise's direction. She took it, and shook it with a secure grip. "Louise McCloud," Jimmy said, "an honor to meet you." He didn't let go of her hand.
"James, right?" Louise asked and let go of Kid's arm.
"Jimmy to my friends," he replied and finally let go of her hand. Glancing at Kid's raised eyebrows he nodded in his direction. Neither of them addressed each other. Lou looked bewildered at them both.
"I'll get these bags inside," Kid stated and took the stairs in one stride.
"So you've met the monk," Jimmy said with a grin at the young woman.
"John, right?"
"Actually everybody calls him Kid, don't ask me why." Jimmy looked at her and realized her eyes were still on the door that Kid had closed behind him. "A funny fella', never talks much."
"Oh," Louise said and finally diverted her eyes to look at Jimmy. "So you know him?"
"Well, kind'o, we've run in to each other. So Louise, what brings you out here?" He'd never in his life admit to how well he actually knew Kid, they had made some kind of unspoken pact to stay out of each other's life. And he would sure keep his end of the deal up.
"Actually, I'm Lou to most folks."
"Lou, huh, kinda suits you."
"Well yeah, Jimmy, is this your first time out too? Kid says he's been out before, letting animals into the wild, I've never been out. Well, that's for any length of time."
"Oh, I've been out before," he replied and smiled at Lou's skeptical glance. "Two days, with the Kid. Actually protecting the Kid."
She turned to him with interest. "The two of you, what did you do? Was it on those trips to let the animals loose? Where were you at? How..."
The goddamn monk opened the door and asked if Jimmy knew where the cafs was. Jimmy threw him an irritated glance. Lou jumped up the stairs. "I'll help you look!"
And the monk smiled shyly at her, having Louise's face brighten. Jimmy shook his head. The poor girl might be falling for the monk, he would have to warn her.
"You comin' Jimmy?" She asked him over her shoulder, standing close to the Kid.
"Sure," Jimmy replied and followed them in.
Noah Dixon stretched his legs out of the ASA, placing them firmly on solid ground. Stepping away from the craft he turned and watched it rise to hover over the ground before it calculated the designed route back and rose into its final position in the airlayers. Then he followed its voyage back until it was out of sight. He did so to concentrate on something familiar, something safe since his body was so acutely aware of the warm sun on his back and the wind tingling on his skin. The air was overwhelming, filled with scents he had never encountered before. All was new, so new. He felt like a stranger. He had only caught a glimpse of the building in front of him, a building in a style he had only seen in books before. His heart was pounding while his brain slowly took in the surroundings. First the incredible green of the trees. The leafs turning a million different shades as the wind rustled them. The grass, bowing for the breeze. And the vast open sky, unshielded. No protection whatsoever between him and the nature's forces. It was ... He turned when he felt a hand on his back.
"Noah Dixon?"
A strawberry-blonde woman stood before him, Rachel Dunne. Her cheeks red, from the sun, he gathered. She would have to be careful with that complexion. Her pale skin would burn to a crisp if she didn't watch out.
"Rachel Dunne? Enchanted."
"It's amazing, it's so different from what I ever imagined. So much more."
Noah had not let himself take it all in yet, he had to portion the wonders carefully. Now he lifted his eyes and let them wander around. The house was maybe one hundred yards away, looking huge. Built at the edge of a forest, a lawn surrounding it. Behind it a field, an enormous field. There was openness for as long as your eyesight carried. Mountains at the end of the green. And then the horizon that melted into a thick forest that continued on the other side, like a encircling the vastness. At the end of the house there was a low long building, with fenced areas around. What on earth was that good for?
Rachel followed his gaze. "They're bringing horses and cattle. The vet's gonna keep them under surveillance, see if they're able to breed on their own. Just like the buffalos they let out."
"Oh," Noah let out. He looked back at the house. The solar panels on the roof blended perfectly in. The disk on the roof reflecting the sun. It was beautiful. Old-fashioned but beautiful."
Rachel giggled at his side, "I know what you're thinking. But don't worry, there is indoor plumbing."
"You sure?" Noah asked with a grin. "Maybe we should check it out just in case."
"Tell you what, if there ain't - I'm taking the next ASA back."
Noah chuckled. "Come on, let see the place, never seen anything like it before. Are we the first?"
"No, there's at least three sets of footprints leading to the house. I just sat myself down on that rock over there. Couldn't bring myself to move. It's so damned beautiful out here."
"You better watch yourself from that sun, with your complexion..."
"Forgot you're the Doc," Rachel moaned, "come on, your assignment won't start until tomorrow. You can doctor us around then."
"Somehow I get the feeling it won't be that easy," Noah teased her while they walked.
"Ya bet ya," Rachel laughed.
Lou sat on the lateral porch and just looked out over the vast green field before her. The boys sitting on each side of her, Jimmy fidgeting with his EA and Kid checking some equipment out. All had finally arrived, except the team-leader himself, Hunter. Lou had been out here for three hours but already she was so sleepy she barely could keep her eyes open. Never had she felt anything like this before, it was like the fresh air took every ounce of energy she had in her. It drained her. All these new people, this place, everything. Her mind was reeling and she had stopped imprinting the visual memories into her long term memory, now she just took it all as it came.
She had been introduced to all these people, even talked with them, found out a lot of things about them, like where they came from, what they were doing here. But she had not really connected with any of them, except the one who had told her the least. The one that sat at her side and calibered some equipment of his. He did never say much, but all the while she had been sitting here she had stolen a glance and he had responded with a quick one in her direction. A smile as if he understood how overwhelmed she was. Oddly enough she felt safe around him, he didn't need much words, he just was. And it felt safe right now, but it also aroused her curiosity. The monk, huh? Why on earth would a man like he choose celibacy? What was wrong with him? He suddenly put the device to the side and bent down to pick something off her shoe. Surprised she keeled over to find out what he was up to. He cupped his hand at the edge of her shoe and gently brushed something off it, into his open hand.
Something small and red with black spots ran in his hand, to then settle. Lou bent over to look. There was a tiny little ladybug resting in the middle of his palm.
"Oh," Lou exhaled and watched the insect, she had never seen one in real life before. It seemed to feel safe in the large hand that stayed absolutely still, letting the small bug find its own way. "It's beautiful, I've never seen one before."
Looking at him she smiled back, watching him lift the hand higher up into the air and let the small insect catch the wind to fly away. As it took off he remain still, watching it fly away. Lou remain looking at him, her heart melting at his tenderness. Even toward a tiny ladybug. In the corner of her eyes she caught a glimpse of Jimmy's teasing smile. Turning to him she watched him shake his head, like telling her she was out on a lost cause.
"What?" She snapped in his direction, angry at him for trying to read her mind. She was sure he had, but her EA wasn't even on.
At the sound of Lou's angry voice Kid turned to look at them. Jimmy lifted one of his eyebrows and looked meaningfully between the two of them. Lou felt her cheeks go red, and that hadn't happened to her since she was fourteen.
She felt Kid's gaze on her and that made the whole thing worse. Right now she wanted to swat Jimmy hard.
"Oh nothing at all," Jimmy grinned, "never seen such emotional outburst over a ladybug before." Jimmy teased.
Lou was at a loss of words, she wasn't sure what lay under the words Jimmy had just spoken, should she take them at face value or was he implying something else?
"That's just it Jimmy, you never did care did you."
Lou looked back at the Kid still standing on the ground right at her feet. By the tone of his voice she knew these two had some kind of history, something that neither one of them told.
"Hunter, just landed," Kid said and turned to walk away.
Jimmy rose too and Lou had no chance to ask what it was all about. She followed them as they walked up to the group gathering on the yard.
She smiled in their direction as she joined them and placed herself at the end of the line they had formed. The transport ASA's front portal opened and a group of people stepped out. Lou tried to figure out which one was Mr. Hunter. The men busied themselves with the unloading of the bags and valises that contained the personal affects of each team-member. Lou looked at the rest to see if somebody knew which one of these men was Hunter, she never bothered to find his personal file and look it through. Sam Cain started walking up to the group. And gray-haired man in sagging clothes met him and shook his hand. Lou's eyes popped wide-open. The man was haggard, clad in clothes that were in fashion about ten years ago. His baseball cap must have been around in the 22nd century. He looked like he had lived in a cave for some years himself. Lou glanced at the others and tried to assess if this was really him, the man who was supposed to lead them all? Emma smiled, obviously she knew the man. Rachel at her side looked at her, asking something that Lou couldn't make out. Ike and Buck chuckled, Ike shaking his head. Lou felt relieved that somebody else shared her exact feelings. Cody scratched his head and glanced back at her. Jimmy flicked his fingers and Kid remain stoic, looking at the men unloading.
Hunter walked up to them with Sam at his side.
"This is them?" He asked the tall man at his side, "this is the goddamn team they've handed me?"
Sam Cain nodded. "HuRec team NR 41, meet Teaspoon Hunter."
At the mention of the nickname Cody burst out in a chuckle, having them all join in.
"Well, well, well," Teaspoon Hunter said and stepped in front of Ike. "Ike McSwain, huh?"
Ike nodded and looked embarrassed to be singled out.
"Communications expert, right?"
Ike nodded again.
Teaspoon Hunter tilted his head and looked closer at the young man in front of him. Scrutinizing him until Ike squirmed. After a deadly long pause Teaspoon spoke up again. "You don't talk much do ya, for being a CE, huh?"
Ike shook his head.
"Good grief," Teaspoon moaned and turned to Buck. "Buck Cross? They tell me you can forecast weather and stuff. Is that right?"
"Yes."
"Tell you what son, so can I," Teaspoon chuckled. "I get this ache in my knee everytime it's about to rain."
Buck looked absolutely baffled. But Teaspoon was already done with him and had turned to Cody.
Cody looked back at the man scrutinizing him without blinking. With his arms crossed over his chest, the blonde young man had a hard time hiding his amusement over the raggedy man in front of him.
"William F. Cody, huh?" At Cody's nod Teaspoon shook his head sadly.
"What's wrong?" Cody asked, thrown by the man's disapproving attitude.
"You're shoelaces are untied, young man. This is the wild, you gotta be prepared. The shoelaces undone might just be the death of you."
Cody made a sound to protest.
"Now, listen up y'all," Teaspoon interrupted, "your here to observe and watch. If Cody here gets real close to a herd of buffalos and some data are needed. What'ya think will happen if he climbs some rocks to get a closer look with his shoelaces undone. I tell you what will happen. He'll get caught on a rock and fall face down and hit his head and that's it. It's good-bye Cody. Reason for demise: undone shoelace."
"Gee," Jimmy let out. "That's likely."
"Young man, you ain't seen nothing yet," Teaspoon remarked and walked right past Jimmy. So close Jimmy had to take a step back. Irritated he mumbled and glared in Teaspoon's direction.
Teaspoon didn't mind. He had stopped before Noah. "Young man, what have you done to be forced out here?"
"I don't under.."
"You see what you're gonna be tending to, you're gonna have a lot of bruises, caused by hardheadedness and plain refusal to see sense. Am I right?" He turned back to let his eyes pierce Jimmy's. Jimmy's widened and he took a step back. Opening his mouth to protest but he was too late, Teaspoon had already walked over to stand in front of Kid. Staring at him bluntly for a long while, he then shook his head; "I have absolutely nothing to say."
Kid's brow furrowed and he cast a desperate glance in Lou's direction. Lou looked back at him, not understanding anything right now. What on earth was this man rambling about. What was he up to?
"Louise McCloud, hmmmm. Tell me something. Is that one there any kin?"
Louise shook her head, "No...sir," she added after a while. "No kin, just the same name."
"I see, thought you were brother and sister or something like that. Figured you to be the runt of the litter."
"Now mister, I don't care who the hell you are but that is no way to talk to a lady. To anyone!"
Lou instinctively stepped back when Kid took on long step forward and placed himself right in front of Hunter. He was taller and glared angrily down at the man's face.
Teaspoon looked blankly at him, like he hadn't even heard him. Kid stood glaring at him, Lou wanted to step in between the two and have them calm down. She felt that getting into a fight with your boss within the first ten minutes wasn't a good idea. However rotten the boss seemed.
Then it happened. Hunter chuckled and tapped Kid's shoulder. "That's the spirit young man, that's what I want to see in my team. Always stick together, whatever happens or whoever gets in between, you stick together."
Kid looked utterly bewildered. Lou turned to watch the man again, what the hell was this man all about?
Teaspoon Hunter laughed again, "got y'all didn't I? Well, gang, this is it, this is the wilderness and I'm the wildest of them all. Be prepared coz' you all got a lot to learn. We're gonna try and survive out here in the open. Where no humans have dwelled for over 200 years. With or without tied shoelaces." A bemused smirk in Cody's direction. "I know you're the best of the best, wouldn't be here otherwise. Now let's see if you can work together too. Coz' that's what survival is all about. Stickin' together, working towards a common good. Let's see to it we make it, right?" Turning to watch everyone anew, awaiting the nods from them all. "I know you're good in your field, but this is bigger, this is being a good human being. That is what I'll expect from each and everyone of you. And I don't have an answer to whatever that really is, that's what we will find out. Together. Or to put it in a well quoted form 'All for one and one for all'. All right?"
Everybody nodded.
"Well then I only have one question left," Teaspoon peered at them, "any food left?"
Sam Cain chuckled and beckoned Teaspoon to follow. "We're gonna have some problems with Cody here, but I managed to save you some amino-pasta.
"Wonderful, I love that worm-like sensation. Gang, get your stuff, we're gonna find ourselves some sleeping space later. Guess you must be tired to the bones, know I was the first time out."
They all watched as the men disappeared behind the door, Emma following close behind. They just stood there, not knowing what to think. Staring at the door like it was an apparition. Casting wondering glances at each other, waiting for somebody to say something.
Finally Kid cleared his throat. "I gotta agree with the man, I have absolutely nothing to say."
They hardly made it to the luggage from laughing.
TBC
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