Private Footprints in the sand

[Jesse Organa]

Seren Gwyn

Jesse looked over at Seren and spoke as she came closer to her. "Gives us time, I am cool but I am not the only one here... you are here with me and now we have more people. Don't exclude yourself." She said it offering a smile though and a hand on the womans shoulder while she looked at it. "ANd this is.. well we don't know how long we are going to be here, if something or someone is going to come... so numbers, position and time. We'll need to work on the water but if it rains, those collectors they set up might be better then if there are more of those beasts waiting near the water areas." She said it while walking. "Come on, join the others, talk to someone, have fun... well as much fun as we can have but just like when we were singing... everyone p-lays a part."

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren listened to Jesse without interrupting, her arms loosely folded as she walked beside her, gaze drifting briefly over the camp, the lines of stone and wire, the careful organization of supplies and shelter. She took in the movement of people working together, the quiet rhythm of survival settling in.

When Jesse finished, Seren let out a small breath and gave a slow nod.

"You're right," she admitted quietly, a faint smile touching her lips. "I have a bad habit of stepping back when things start to feel…crowded. Like it's safer to stay out of the way."

She glanced at Jesse, appreciation clear in her eyes.

"So…thank you for not letting me do that."

Her gaze shifted again toward the others, watching Guilia, Ginger, and Mugen moving with purpose.

"It's strange," Seren went on thoughtfully. "Back home, I was used to working in structured groups. Orders, rotations, schedules. This…" She gestured lightly toward the improvised camp. "…this is messier. But it's honest. Everyone was doing what they could."

She straightened slightly, as if grounding herself.

"And you're right about the water," she added. "If the collectors work, they'll buy us breathing room. Less risk, fewer trips down to the shore."

Then, after a brief pause, she gave Jesse a small, almost amused look.

"Alright," she said. "No more hiding on the edges."

She took a few steps toward the others before glancing back.

"I'll try talking to someone before I lose my nerve."

With that, Seren moved toward the nearest small group, approaching Mugen and Guilia with measured steps.

"Hey," she said gently, offering a polite smile. "I was wondering…how stable do you think this section will be if the tide comes in higher than usual?"

It wasn't flashy. It wasn't bold.

But it was her way of stepping in, choosing to be part of things rather than stand apart.

Jesse Organa

 

[Jesse Organa]

Seren Gwyn

Jesse was moving to join Mari and Giner as they were working with Guilia and Mugen staying there as they worked. She could hear Seren wanting to be part of the group and offered a nod of her head. They were working on the parts as Mugen spoke. "We will have to see, in theory we are made it deeper and with a small channel that the water will come up and channel back before eroding the enforcements. We do not know how they will react though so adjustments are entirely based on a guesswork and limited knowledge. We can gather additional debris though to reinforce sections and dig out the channel which would allow for better protections. The local creatures will also be important, Guilia can scent territories so if there is the strongest predator we might be able to mark specific areas for ourselves to drive the lesser things away or pen them into certain areas as a means of confusion if they avoid it."

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren listened quietly as Mugen explained his thoughts, her gaze following the lines he gestured toward, the channels, the rocks, the narrow approaches. She did not interrupt, did not try to redirect him. Instead, she let the information settle first, fitting it into the larger picture forming in her mind.

After a moment, she nodded once, thoughtful.

"That makes sense," she said softly. "Especially using the terrain instead of fighting it."

She stepped a little closer to the edge of the formation, careful with her footing, studying the slope and the way the water pooled.

"If the channels start wearing down," she added, her tone calm and tentative, "we could line the weakest parts with flatter debris first. Not to stop erosion completely… just slow it."

Her eyes shifted toward Guilia.

"And using predator boundaries could help," she continued. "As long as we're careful not to trap ourselves between two territories."

A faint, wry smile touched her lips.

"Confusing smaller creatures sounds useful. Getting surprised by something bigger doesn't."

She glanced briefly at Jesse and the others before looking back to Mugen.

"I don't know enough about this place to say what will work long-term," she admitted honestly. "But starting flexible… being able to change things quickly… that feels like the safest way."

Then, gently, almost self-effacingly:

"If you want, I can help watch the channels over the next few days. Just to see where the water starts fighting back."

She stayed where she was, open and attentive, clearly offering support rather than authority.

Jesse Organa

 

[Jesse Organa]

Seren Gwyn

Mugen was looking at her and gave a nod as they worked. "We'll have to adjust as it goes, for the moment the plan is simple enough and if we are able to keep it sturdy enough and gather enough debris from the crash. We might be able to build a locator beacon from supplies. A primitive transponder would be possible with enough of the equipment even if the main locators were taken or sabotaged. We can use the raft to check the submerged pods on the sand bars before hopefully tides come in and if there is blood it attracts larger predators in the water. The netting will help keep some of the fish, we can move it aside to lure more in possible and reinforcing the rocks with mud and clay packed between can dry and harden in the sun. We'll last for someone to either rescue us or if someone is trying to soften us up to kidnap."

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren listened without interrupting, her attention fully on Mugen as he laid out his thoughts. She followed the logic easily, eyes moving occasionally to the shoreline, the nets, the rocks, and the half-finished structures as she mentally mapped his ideas onto the space around them.

When he finished, she nodded slowly.

"That all sounds… solid," she said quietly, her tone thoughtful rather than authoritative. "Especially the beacon and the transponder idea. Even something crude is better than silence."

She glanced toward the water, watching the light ripple over the shallows.

"Checking the submerged pods before the tides shift makes sense too," Seren continued. "Better to know what is down there now than be surprised later."

Her gaze moved back to the netting and reinforced rocks.

"And the clay and mud between the stones… that is clever," she added, with a faint hint of appreciation. "Once it sets, it will buy us time even if something tries to force its way through."

She folded her arms loosely, more out of habit than defensiveness.

"I am not much of a builder," she admitted calmly, "but I can help gather materials, check the perimeter, and keep watch when needed. If you want someone to help with the pods or the netting, I am available."

Her eyes met his briefly, steady and sincere.

"For what it is worth," she added softly, "having a plan that can adapt is probably the best thing we can have right now. None of us knows what this place will throw at us."

Then, with a small, reassuring nod, she shifted her weight.

"Just let me know where I am most useful."

Jesse Organa

 

[Jesse Organa]

Seren Gwyn

Mugen looked at her. "Guilia is going to need help, her idea will require at least herself and one other person. Someone likely smaller then her in most situations" He said. "We are also going to need for the smaller pools they are making that will fill with the tides something for protection. Those spines on some of the urchins are good for needles if we need something in the medical equipment. Good source of food as well but we need something to pick them up with that will protect from the poison." He said it while Mari was there finally but she had more set up and Jesse was working on some of the rock reinforcements and formations where they had fit. "We were able to work on a good amount. The mud will need to try but we will also need some more rocks." Jesse said it with a nod of her head looking at Seren though aas she grinned. "They also have a better sleeping area set up it will allow the fire to warm all of us but not choke us out."

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren nodded, taking in all of it without hesitation.

"I can go with Guilia," she said calmly. "I'm smaller, and I can help gather or carry without slowing her down."

Her gaze shifted briefly toward the tide pools.

"For the urchins, we can use driftwood, broken plating, or wrapped vine to make simple tongs," she added. "Keeps hands clear of the spines and poison."

She glanced back at Jesse, returning the grin with a small one of her own.

"The sleeping area sounds like a good call," Seren said. "Warmth and airflow both matter more than comfort right now."

She shifted her weight, already ready to move.

"Just point me where you need me first."

Jesse Organa

 

[Jesse Organa]

Seren Gwyn

Jesse gave her a nod. "Comfort can come later sure, also helps that we are sealing the gaps in the rocks on both sides. We'll be able to retain heat, the covering will if it rains not just collect the water keep it from flooding and being retained in the areas. We'll have to work where it can be patched. Mari was looking at areas we might be able to cultivate if needed or at going to be here for awhile. With some sealing, debris and parts we might be able to make a preservation box. No cyroban gas to freeze or chill it but it would be better storage we can work to block the scent from." She said it and guilia was looking at her as she offered a nod of her head.

"We will be able to do a lot more. I'll take her out and we'll get some of them, good seals from fat melted down with a few other components." Guilia said it when she motioned for Seren to follow her as she was going towards the entrance they had left visible and open. The spears set up for them to be able to grab as Ginger had made a couple more for different uses the large Cathar grabbed them for a spear and pick that she would be able to use before heading in and her footfalls were quiet as she moved. Jesse looked at her go offering the spear they had and spoke. "Careful, remember if it gets dangerous run. Don't be a hero yet."

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren accepted the spear with a firm but measured grip, giving it a quick, practiced check before resting it lightly against her shoulder. She looked back toward Jesse, then to Guilia, her expression calm but focused.

"Understood," she said quietly. "I'll keep my eyes open and my pride out of it."

A faint, reassuring smile touched her lips.

"We'll get what we can and come back in one piece."

She shifted her stance, falling into step beside Guilia as they started forward, her voice lowering just enough to be heard over the surf and wind.

"I'll watch the rear and mark anything that looks like trouble," Seren added. "If something feels wrong, we pull back."

With that, she followed the Cathar toward the opening, alert, steady, and clearly more interested in everyone making it back safely than proving anything to anyone.

Jesse Organa

 

[Jesse Organa]

Seren Gwyn

Jesse gave a nod to her as she was moving back to work. "Good luck." She looked to it as Guilia was going into the jungle and once she and Seren were there a small gate was being set up. Debris and plating weaved with rocks propping it up for security in the back. The design was crude but it would allow them an alert and measure of security. Jesse was looking at more of it while they continued much of the same along the rest of the rock and weaved mesh wall that they were developing. Meanwhile Guilia was moving quietly as her eyes searched the jungle but she was stopping enough for Seren to catch up. She pointed as going towards more debris they could prepare things for the others to retrieve in small caches. "First step is finding what is the predator out here, it won't be pretty. Then we have to look for the scent markers if they can be moved or adjusted."

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren nodded once at Jesse before turning fully toward the jungle, her grip tightening slightly on the spear as the makeshift gate settled into place behind them. The sounds of the camp faded quickly, replaced by a chorus of insects, distant water, and the slow, breathing presence of the trees.

She matched Guilia's pace, careful not to rush, eyes moving constantly between the ground, the branches above, and the shadows between trunks.

"Makes sense," she replied quietly, keeping her voice low. "If we know what owns this territory, we know what we're planning around."

She crouched briefly near one of the marked debris spots, brushing her fingers over disturbed soil and snapped leaves before standing again.

"I'll watch for patterns," Seren added. "Broken brush, dragged marks, anything that looks repeated. Predators get predictable when they're comfortable."

Her gaze lifted toward a cluster of darker foliage ahead.

"If we can shift their routes instead of fighting them, that's better for everyone," she said softly. "Less blood. Less attention."

She adjusted her grip on the spear and moved closer to Guilia's flank.

"You lead," Seren finished. "I've got your back."

Jesse Organa

 

[Jesse Organa]

Seren Gwyn

The large cathar looked at her as she was scenting the air. "Less pretty then that. Best way to find a predator and where they return to is scat trails, territory markers are going to be bodily fluids." She said it while crouching near a tree as she pointed towards parts of it. "The roots show some of the vermin, their teeth are always growing so they have to gnaw at everything to keep them sharp but also file them down." She said it while moving and shifted so the spear was on her back while going over some of the debris or shifting it out of the way to make as little sound as possible. Her body pressed closer to the ground before she was watching several smaller lizard like beasts swarming an injured ackley. The one leg torn off from the crash and the pooling fluid below it but it was slashing and biting at them still with a few injured or dead around it. Guilia motioning with her hands though as she was staying with the wind on her face and avoiding noise and the wind on their back.

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren slowed at Guilia's motion, dropping her center of gravity and easing into a crouch beside her without a sound. One hand rested lightly against the ground for balance, the other steady on her spear, her breathing controlled and shallow.

Her eyes followed Guilia's gesture to the struggling Ackley and the swarm around it. She studied the scene carefully, not just the animals themselves, but the way they moved, how they circled, where they hesitated.

"That explains the trail we passed back there," she murmured, barely more than breath. "It's been wounded long enough for scavengers to map it."

She shifted slightly so her body aligned with the wind, mirroring Guilia's position.

"If this one's been bleeding since the crash…" Seren continued quietly, "then anything larger nearby already knows about it. This is a feeding ground now."

Her gaze swept the tree line beyond the fight, searching for heavier shadows, broken branches, or disturbed growth.

"Which means the real predator probably isn't here," she added. "Not yet. It's letting the smaller ones do the work first."

She leaned a little closer to Guilia, keeping her voice low.

"We shouldn't interfere," Seren said softly. "But we should mark this spot. Whatever claims the leftovers will likely pass through here again."

Her grip tightened slightly on her spear.

"You want to circle wide and follow the trail after they finish," she asked quietly, "or stay and watch for who comes first?"

Jesse Organa

 

[Jesse Organa]

Seren Gwyn

Guilia was looking at it as she was debating what to do. Attacking would give them away but it would be a way for them to scatter some kills around and mark there was something here... it would also attract other predators but this was a feeding ground for now. The sections of hull and debris showed charred portions of some bodies that had been ripped out. Which the arkley was likely what kept them away. "I want a few of those claws, arkley claws can be dangerous and their carapace might be a better thing to use for a raft if it can float. Preserve enough to seal it up and if we run into rocks or reefs it won't tear out the bottom like the raft."

SHe said it but was moving back and away as she followed into the trees. Going to the debris pathway where pieces had broken through the trees while staying quiet. "We have plenty here to search through, gather it, secure it into clusters that can be collected rather then taken right away. Ginger and Mari can use that sled you had to gather it and bring it back after we handle anything here. Intact pieces will benefit any walls that they make and compartments that can be stripped out caan be set in the sand or surf to make storage." Guilia was looking at more of it and following the dragged areas in the sand to where it was going to make sure there wasn't anything around them.

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren stayed low as Guilia spoke, her movements careful and deliberate as she shifted her weight behind a fallen section of hull plating, keeping herself partially concealed while still maintaining a clear line of sight on the injured ackley and the swarm around it. Her breathing remained slow and controlled, the kind that came from long habit in tense environments.

Her eyes followed the creature's movements first, then the surrounding terrain, noting the direction of the drag marks, the slope of the sand, and the way the debris had scattered through the trees like a crude trail.

After a moment, she leaned in just enough for Guilia to hear her without raising her voice.

"Yeah… I see what you mean," she murmured quietly. "Those claws alone would be worth the risk if we could get them clean. And if that carapace floats the way it looks like it might, it could save us a lot of trouble later."

She shifted her gaze toward the deeper shadows between the trees, scanning for movement.

"But if we hit it now, we light up this whole area," Seren continued, her tone thoughtful rather than hesitant. "Every scavenger and bigger predator in range is going to know there's fresh meat here."

Her eyes flicked back to the ackley, watching as it lashed out weakly at the smaller creatures.

"If it goes down on its own," she added, "we can circle back after. Let the noise and blood thin out first. Less risk, fewer surprises."

She glanced toward the debris path Guilia had indicated.

"I like the cache idea," Seren said quietly. "If we stack things in small clusters and mark them subtly, we can move faster later without hauling everything at once. And if we have to pull out in a hurry, we're not losing all of it."

She adjusted the grip on her spear, keeping it close but not raised.

"I'll help you flag the better pieces," she offered. "Anything solid enough for walls, hull sections, or that raft idea. We can leave the lighter junk for later."

Her gaze met Guilia's briefly, steady and focused.

"And if something bigger shows up," Seren added softly, "we fall back first. Gear isn't worth getting boxed in out here."

Jesse Organa

 

[Jesse Organa]

Seren Gwyn

She agreed and gave a nod of her head as the movements were quiet over the sand and metal. Getting the pieces into two sections, sharp and jagged pieces that could be used for tools. Even small ones if they could get something combustible. Make it into a shrapnel grenade which would be good for groups... longer jagged pieces that could be used for spears and weapons and pieces that would work for walls. The wires, vines and anything like supplies, cloth and linens that were intact enough. The largest pieces she could see and setting them in piles carefully to not make a sounds there was also broken wood. Fallen fruits and anything that might be edible still and protected off to the side where it could be taken by something if it came or if they came back. Guilia was checking on more things when she motioned with a hand towards some of the larger sections of debris and was slowly lifting pieces so Seren could help her and they could get into the guts some of the cargo compartments.

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren moved in without hesitation when Guilia motioned, sliding her spear across her back so both hands were free. She crouched beside the larger debris panel and braced her shoulder against the metal, fingers searching for a stable grip along the warped edge.

"On three," she whispered, keeping her voice barely above the rustle of leaves. "Slow and steady."

She lifted with controlled force rather than speed, careful not to let the panel scrape loudly against stone. Once there was enough clearance, she shifted her stance and angled it just enough to expose the compartment beneath.

Her eyes scanned the interior quickly.

"Looks intact," she murmured. "If we're lucky, we'll get sealed containers out of this."

She reached in carefully, testing the stability before committing her weight.

"And if it collapses," she added quietly, a faint edge of dry humor in her tone, "I'm blaming you."

Jesse Organa

 

[Jesse Organa]

Seren Gwyn

That got a small more silent chuckle for a moment as she was moving and lifting the piece down to the sands carefully. Letting it rest before checking the area. She was listening between movements and as they could take things out. Specifically they were able to get some of the toolboxes as one of the compartments was full of deactivated and smashed protocol droids. Guilia was looking at them. "Hmm how intact do you think a droid needs to be for its sensors to work... maybe a vocabulator." She was not going to touch them and hoped none were active but she had an idea. "If we had some of them for sensors in the jungle we could have earlier warnings if they could be networked to the camp."

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren paused beside her, easing the piece she'd been holding down into the sand before straightening slowly. She brushed grit from her palms and leaned a little closer to look at the broken droids without touching them, her expression thoughtful rather than eager.

"They wouldn't need much," she said quietly. "Not for what you're thinking."

She crouched slightly, peering at one of the shattered casings.

"If the sensor array is intact and the power routing isn't completely fried, we could probably rig something basic. Motion. Heat. Maybe sound." She glanced back at Guilia. "Even a stripped vocabulator could work as a trigger if it still reacts to pressure or vibration."

She tilted her head, considering.

"We wouldn't need a full network either," she added. "Just staggered units. If one trips, it sends a signal or makes noise. That alone buys us time."

Her gaze flicked briefly toward the treeline, instinctively checking their surroundings.

"But we should be careful," she said more softly. "Anything that still has a partial core could be unstable. Last thing we need is one of these waking up at the wrong time."

She straightened again and gave Guilia a small, practical nod.

"If you want, I can help sort through them and mark the ones that might still be usable. No touching until we're sure, though."

Jesse Organa