Sunburns & Hyperdrive Troubles

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

He cupped her cheek for a moment. "It's alright, we just have to be careful here. We don't know what all is here, and if we go touching colorful things...well we might get problems."

Kurt smiled at her.

Generally when things were bright and colorful they tended to be rather on the poisonous side. Kurt knew this because of his experience on Tatooine, with some of the scorpions and other animals being a bit far too colored when picking them up. Most people would have thought the opposite, that something dull or solid in color was more deadly, but it was generally color that denoted death. An interesting warning system that nature herself had invented.

"I don't have to want to carry you all the way back." Kurt said with a shrug. "I'll get tired."

He offered her a grin, then let go of her cheek.

The path up river would likely be difficult, the ground beginning to slope upward as it passed over the mountain.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Kurt Meyer"]

Kaile offered a lopsided smile. He was right. They had to be careful. A small nod and at his encouraging smile, a bit of energy returned.

“Alright,” she agreed, a bit bashfully as she moved to walk alongside him. “Although getting a piggyback ride back wouldn’t be too bad,” came her light quip, leg muscles flexing as they headed up along the riverback. There was a slight incline here, and the further they went along, the rockier it became.

The sand went from a toffee color into a fine black grit. Kaile gave a slight frown, pausing a bit to scoop a handful of it up. Fingers would rub it in small circles in her hand, and she shot a glance over at Kurt. Extending her hand, she showed it to him. “I think it’s lava.” she told him.

That much was evident what with the courser, and pumice like black rocks that scattered the river bed. “Volcano, maybe?” There were no outward signs to say anyone was active. This could very well be ancient lava beds. But these islands were made one way or another.

One good thing was that with the presence of lava came a natural filtration system. The water was clearer now, with less algae. She would bet if she went to go have a taste, the water would be fresh, considering the current was drifting out to see and not within.

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

His head turned up towards the mountain. That theory made a lot of sense, especially given the way that the island appeared. The two twin mountains could be volcanos ancient ones that were slowly building upon the islands. It happened all the time, really, active volcanic islands that grew in size day by day, the ocean almost immediately cooling the lava that rose to the surface inland. Of course that would mean that the volcanoes were still active, making this all the more dangerous.

"I think so." Kurt said as he played with some of the sand in her hand. "That means the higher we go up...the more careful we have to be."

He mused for a moment. "Why don't we try heading into the Jungle?"

That would set them off course a bit, but he thought that they could leave markers along the way. If they did that they wouldn't get lost, and perhaps they would stumble upon something bigger once they got further inland. The island itself was pretty large, and Kurt felt like if they headed deeper into the island itself they would discover more and more of it's mysteries, especially given the fact that larger mammals generally liked to cultivate away from open beaches anyway.

"Maybe get something we can hunt." He mused. "Or find a camping spot."

The idea of staying on the island overnight was starting to appeal to him.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Kurt Meyer"]

“We could do that.” Kaile agreed, coming to a stop beside him. She bit her lower lip. “We will need some sort of markers, though.” The Island was large, and while they certainly wouldn’t be wandering into a mainland, it was best to get some sort of geographical idea on what to do.

Glancing around, Kaile took note of what she had on her. A shirt, her shorts, a hair tie…. Maybe not the best idea for wandering out in the middle of an island. Okay, what did she have around that they could use?

Wait! Her eyes fell to her hands. No, she had one other tool. The Force. Her hands went curling into fists. Okay, she could use it for their advantage.

“I can bend some of the branches…. use the fronds to wrap it around the base of a few trees every now and then. “ She gave a glance up at the sun. They already knew the direction it rose and where it set.

“We know the sun rises on the west and sets east,,” It had an interesting rotation to say the least. “I think we can do pretty good with that.” bringing her hands to rest upon her hips, she gave an expectant expression to the pilot.

“What do you think?”

If he had any better ideas, now was the time. "Or we go back to the ship and gather more supplies just in case?”

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

He mused for a second, running his thumb over the blaster on his hip.

"Let's head back for now." He said finally deciding. "Grab some flares, a backpack full of supplies. A tarp, water bottle or two, stuff like that, then we can come back and spend the night over here. It'll be fun I think, we'll just have to lock up The Messa."

He thought that would be the best course of action, allow them to be a tad more safe than simply wandering around completely unprepared. The Island could hold one of a dozen mysteries, for all they knew they would find a Sarlacc waiting for them as they got further in, though truthfully he doubted they would find such a creature here. Sarlacc's generally tended to need a lot of food, and somehow he doubted that this island had enough large creatures to actually sustain such a thing.

Now some kind of flying monster?

That he could believe. That would actually make sense really, if this place was home to some sort of massive bird or reptilian like the Drexl. The island would serve as a nest, a place to get away. The irony in that would've been hilarious, though terrifying.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Kurt Meyer"]

Great! Now they had a plan.

Kaile gave a clap and a bounce of excitement. “Yess!! Maybe even camp out!!” she said with cheer. The following second she threw herself at Kurt. With a laugh and mischief in her eyes, she said, “Carry me back!”

Of course, she didn’t expect him to piggy back carry her ALL the way back. But a few feet of being silly would do just fine. She was having fun, and at least, with fair warning this time, Kurt wouldn’t go face first into the sand.

They would do this right and gather what they need. This was turning into the best vacation ever.

All that she needed for him and her to relax and just enjoy.

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

"When we get to the land bridge." Kurt said waving her off for now. "I'm not so steady footed that I think I can make it downhill without falling on my face...again."

He had already done that yesterday.

They were still on the slope part of the Mountain, and the rock below them was still rather jagged and painful looking. He supposed that was part of how it was formed, but it definitely wasn't something that Kurt wanted to fall onto. Shifting slightly he began to pull Kaile along back the way they had come. The little critters that they had passed earlier began to watch them more closely this time, eyeing them as they wandered past their place on the river.

"I wonder what they are." Kurt commented to Kaile. "And how good they taste."

The two of them would have to endeavor to find out before leaving.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Kurt Meyer"]

Kaile could agree to that at least. With a laugh, she would follow along with Kurt as they began to climb down the river. When Kurt mentioned and pointed out the Little critters a lawn the bank, the young woman gave a small shrug of her shoulder. Her eyes narrowed, and she glanced over to the palle glanced over to the pilot.

"Let me get a closer look." She told him. She wasn't going to go to far. She just wanted to take a couple of steps closer to the bank to maybe perhaps get a better view. A wink was given to Kurt, and would light steps the young brunette quietly moved closer to the water. She would continue along the edge trying to be as quiet as possible. As she drew closer, she could get a better view at the tiny critter. At this distance it really appeared to be some sort of gerbil. It did not have the floppy ears of a rabbit, instead they were small and tight against its head. It did however, seem to hop around on powerful hind quarters. There seem to be several of them around, and were very skittish.

Maybe that would suggest that they were used to needing to get away very quickly. There just might be something larger on the island that feeds on them.

With that bit of information she came back to Kurt and caught up to him as they continued on towards the sand bridge. "With the way that they hop around and move so quickly, that might be an issue hunting them." she told him, swinging her hands in front of her as she walked. Water and wet sand clung to get bare feet. The sand was starting to lighten again as the river would widen along the inlet.

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

Traps.

That was really the only way to catch animals that were faster than you, or at least ones that were too small to properly shoot. Traps were the great invention that humanity had ever created, they were astoundingly effective as a source of food and even more so as a way to garner safety. Kurt's father had taught him how to make traps, traps for hunting womp rats to be specific. The things were a plague on Tatooine, getting everywhere and being an obnoxious pest to even the best farmers. Of course Kurt's father had his own way of dealing with them, usually through a series of convoluted plans that ended up somehow working in his favor. Kurt had always found it entertaining.

"Snares." Kurt told Kaile. "We'll use snares. Lure them in with some food, then boop, caught."

It was really that easy. "Shouldn't be too hard to get some rope back on The Messa."

That and a little bit of whatever these little guys liked to eat was really all they needed. He suspected that they were vegetarians, which likely meant that they wouldn't mind something with a little bit more sugar content, as long as it wasn't meant. That would mean that if they grabbed some of the energy bars from the ship they would be able to get one of these critters right fast.

Easy really.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Kurt Meyer"]

"Traps! Of course!"

Kaile would snap her fingers in an 'ah hah!' moment, pointing them over at Kurt as her expression brightened. "Guess this is where all your Womp-rat catching skills come to play?" she would quip with notable humor, teasing the pilot as she skipped ahead along the beach. Her small footsteps would carve into the sand, a grains scattering as she turned to face him anew.

They were at the sandy bank bridge. Not much had changed, and so far, seemed like this extreme version of a low tide would last. In fact, it seem to still be receding. More tide-pools had been exposed, allowing for more sea life to be seen along mussel encrusted rocks and beds of drying seaweed. It must be a crazy lunar pull to cause such a shift.

"I can't believe how low this gets." a thought came to her, thinking back to the time they had originally arrived at the island first. It had just been past two o'clock. At that time, the sun had been out and at full tide.

"We are looking perhaps at a few hours of this staying at low tide... if it follows a daily shift." if it was different cycle all together, drawn or caused by another method, well.. then they would have no clue what the cycle would be.

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

He nodded slightly, he suspected that the bridge would remain for a few hours yet, likely until the end of mid-day and then begin to disappear. There was no doubt in his mind that if they chose to stay on the other island over night they would be stuck there for the duration.

"I think we have a few hours yet before it disappears, probably on a daily shift like you said." He nodded slightly. "So lets get stuff from the Messa."

Without further ado Kurt scooped Kaile upon, throwing her over his shoulder and beginning to walk down the land bridge.

"Come on, lass." He put on that fake accent he had used when talking about the sandyfish.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Kurt Meyer"]

Her shriek of laughter would whoop around them both. The world spun, and her hair went flying forward. Before she knew it, her pert ass was in the air and she had the best view in the galaxy. Her belly would ripple in her laughter, and she gave a mock wiggle. Said wiggle would land a smack right on her right cheek, the sting making her gasp.

"KURT MEYER!" her exclamation would hold no venom, as she quickly pursed her lips with her own devilry. Without further ado, the pilot would hear and feel the resulting smack against his left cheek. One that would quickly be soothed over by a hearty grope!

Alas, it was no fair at all.

He has a great ass...

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

Kurt didn't stop of course, he had promised to carry her all the way back to the ship. It helped that comparatively she was a little thing, barely bigger than a mouse really, didn't weight anything all. Letting his feet sink into the muddy coral and moving at quite a quick pace Kurt didn't allow himself to slow down, simply moving across the land bridge at the same speed he had crossed it on the way there. Kaile kept on objecting, screaming his name and attempting to smack his rear now and again.

"Almost there." Kurt said simply

He could see the blazing red of The Messa cresting on the horizon, the bright color glowing and burning across the white contrasting sand.

Kurt loved seeing his ship.

There was a great amount of pride that had gone into The Vessel, more than he could ever really describe to anyone that asked. The ship was his, something he had built, with the help of Kaile of course, but it was something that was his. His pride and joy, his accomplishment while on the run. The fastest ship in the galaxy. "Would you stop that!"

Kurt said as he felt her fingers dig into his rear.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Kurt Meyer"]

A snicker would follow.

No. No she would not stop that. With the devil fanning the flames of her silly nature -along with a giggle - Kaile gave Kurt's left buttcheck a light pinch. Nothing enough to hurt, just enough to be playful about it.

And oh did she giggle in turn.

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

Eventually they managed to get back to the island where they had begun the day. Nothing had changed of course, The Messa was still in its place and nothing on the beach of even the island itself had really become any different than it was, there weren't even any signs of birds or the like. Kurt smiled slightly, then slowly deposited Kaile onto the sands of the beach, having fulfilled his part of the bargain as far as he was concerned.

"Alright." He said heading up towards the ship. "Let's grab what we need and get back."

Kurt wasn't entirely sure how long the bridge would stay, and he wanted as much time as possible.

In his head Kurt began to list off the things that they would need to actually bring. Some power bars, rope, maybe a bit of tarp that they could use to keep themselves dry in case it rained. Not much really, everything should fit into a single bag and if they needed something they could just return to The Messa the next day. Stepping onto the loading ramp Kurt ducked straight towards his room, retrieving a small bag and throwing it onto the kitchen counter.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Kurt Meyer"]

Seeing as Kurt went straight into survival prep mode for operation 'Explore the New Island", Kaile gave a sigh of halfhearted woe and drew herself up from the sand. She dusted herself off, scattering the fine grit off of her body.

Well cracked could busy himself getting tools that they need, Kaile instead focused with what they would require for food. She went straight to the Kail she went straight to the galley, Where she went sifting through the cupboards and the locker for power bars Power rations. She found some crackers. A packet of pretzels and nuts. She made sure she packed two canteens of water, along with her multitool.

This would require good shoes, and to prevent another toe incident. Lava was brutal and could cut bare skin. For safeties sake, she went to the refresher to take the medkit.

After collecting her bag, she would meet Kurt out in front for a final check up.

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

Kurt filled his own bag with a combination of things he thought they might need.

A knife, some rope, tarp, extra power packs for his blaster, a few power-bars in case they needed emergency rations, and of course a small camera that Kaile had given him some time ago. He also took his sunglasses with him, placing them over his eyes and winking at his reflection as he passed by the refresher and headed into the Kitchen. He found Kaile already standing there, her own backpack slung over the side of her shoulder. The Courier offered her a small smile. "Got everything?"

He supposed they would need to lock up the ship too.

Kurt doubted that anyone would be coming along to try and open up The Messa, but he was weary of having birds or any other critters worm there way in and dig their way through all of his stuff. He knew that some creatures could be rather curious, and if he could avoid a gizka like parasite from entering his starship then he would be more than pleased.

"Remember, can't come back until tomorrow." He told her as he pulled a small remote from a place under the counter. "Well...probably."

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Kurt Meyer"]

Okay, was that it? Did they need anything else? It was always good to check and regardless, Kaile would mull about it. She had the bad tendency to forget at least one thing. That's why it was good Kurt was here to be her double checker. Normally what she forgot wasn't important, but if they were going to be wandering an uncharted island it paid to be safe.

The thought of going hiking and enjoying a new scenery gave Kaile little flutters of joy. She on the rare occasions she'd joined the Pyre on other missions, it had been their exploration corps. The trip to rediscover Bespin had been, well, interesting.

Not many managed to survive a crash landing and then go on survival mode for a week until they'd been rescued.

"Yeah I think so," she told him, checking his stack and hers. She flashed him a grin "ready?"

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

"Yep." Kurt said as he pointed her forward and towards the ramp. Kaile began to move, Kurt thumbing the remote as they both walked off the ramp and stepped back onto the white sand beach. His finger slipped in the combination on the small touch screen, a whirring erupting behind him. The Messa's landing ramp slowly began to retract, the red hull forming back together as the step retracted and folded into itself. Kurt watched it for a moment then waited for the sealing hiss.

"Don't let me lose this." Kurt said wiggling the remote. "Manual access is a pain in the ass."

The Courier tossed the remote into the air, catching it and then tucking it into his pack.

Before Kaile had time to answer he urged her forward again, his hand swooping up to smack her hard on the rear. "'Les go."

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Kurt Meyer"]
It was then that she gave a start!

“Oh! Wait!” Yup, like always forgot one thing. She held up her finger in a gesture for him to halt. An apologetic look lanced his way as she mouthed, sorry!

“I'll be right back!” She promised, backing up to go right into the Messa before the ramp shut, bringing it to a halt. Scampering inside, Kaile bounded thought the cargo bay and towards her room. Once inside she gave Bobo an apologetic smile, and went straight to collect her holster and the Morp stun blaster. Better to have it just in case!
Rushing back out, she hit the control to shut the ramp. With a wide, and victorious grin to the pilot, Kaile held up her stun blaster.

“Just in case!”