Private Footprints in the sand

[Jesse Organa]

Seren Gwyn

Jesse gave a nod of her head to that and she would be able to do a lot more as Guilia was pushing with her weight and she was hearing the cracks. They would be able to use a lot of the wood for fires and likely in a kiln if they needed it. The best way to get it to work before she finished with it. Moving the axe to the side as he moved to help Guilia push on the trunk as Seren was shoveling and prying. The tree starting to shift and then it was coming down as the roots splintered in some places and shifted in other. Seren moving with Guilia to uncover more and get it out of the way while she gave a nod. "Time will be fine, we'll have to cut these up and it will give us plenty of wood to use for anything. Five will go a long way and that isn't including what we might be able to find."

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren stepped back as the trunk finally gave way, the last stubborn roots cracking beneath the combined pressure. The tree fell with a heavy thud into the cleared space, sending a small tremor through the ground beneath their feet.

She planted the shovel into the soil and studied the fallen trunk for a moment, gauging how much of it they could realistically use.

"That will work well," she said evenly.

She moved forward again, using the shovel to pry loose a few of the remaining roots still tangled in the earth so the base could be cleared properly.

"Five trees will give us more than enough for the fires and whatever Mugen needs for the kilns."

Her gaze shifted along the line where the other trees still stood.

"Once we cut this one down to manageable pieces, we can start on the next."

She gave the trunk a small push with her boot to settle it flat against the ground.

"And whatever we do not burn can still be shaped into tools or supports."

Then she reached down for the shovel again, already moving to start clearing the remaining roots from the base.

Jesse Organa

 

[Jesse Organa]

Seren Gwyn

Jesse was looking at it and the roots as she gave a nod of her head. "The trunk will be useful, the branches and leafs... the roots. We can use it all if we cut it right." She was thinking about it and Mugen had plans for the roots to reinforce sections it would also give them a way to if they spread them have foundations. Something to dig into the sand and press naturally. Jesse was looking at Guilia as she pulled it out of the way and a little to the side so that they would be able to work on it. She was looking at the dirt aand sand with a nod. "We'll get the cuts started, get the refill for the hole and we'll be able to section it more to take back."

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren rested the shovel against her shoulder for a moment as she looked over the fallen tree and the exposed roots Guilia had pulled free from the soil. Her eyes moved between the trunk, the sand, and the surrounding clearing as Jesse spoke through the plan.

"Using all of it is the right call," she said, giving a small nod. "The roots will make good reinforcement if we set them deep enough."

She stepped closer to the hole where the tree had stood, nudging some of the loose sand back in with the edge of her boot while she studied the ground.

Then her gaze lifted back toward Jesse.

"Has anyone checked the electronics from the pods yet?"

She paused, leaning lightly on the shovel.

"To see if anything is still working?"

Her expression shifted slightly, more thoughtful now.

"If any of the transmitters survived the crash, we might already have an SOS signal broadcasting."

Seren glanced briefly toward the camp in the distance.

"It would be worth checking before we assume we are completely on our own out here."

Jesse Organa

 

[Jesse Organa]

Seren Gwyn

"We've checked a few, most had the same sabotage in our pods though whoever did it rushed and it wasn't a complete breakage." Guilia said it with a look. "We've been able to recover pieces from each pod but a whole not yet. Mugen said we need a good power source or something to generate it which is what the water could do over time. We can build up a capacitor to store the energy generated from the channel." Jesse looked though while she was going over it and making measures cuts to have it more manageable. "I don't know if the water will move fast enough for true hydroelectric power." She was looking at Guiliaa who needed. "Most likely it will need several along the way and at the end. Mugen is thinking about it and other means but he is more excited. Says it is like a holobook in ways and he has more ideas how to improve what we have for safety and ease."

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren listened while they spoke, leaning lightly on the shovel as her eyes moved between the fallen tree and the rough work area they had started carving out. She glanced briefly toward the direction of the camp when Guilia mentioned the pods, considering what they had managed to recover so far.

"If the sabotage was rushed, that is at least something in our favor," she said calmly. "Pieces we can repair are better than nothing at all."

She nudged a loose section of root aside with the edge of her boot while Jesse continued cutting the trunk down to manageable sections.

"Mugen may be right about the capacitor idea."

Her gaze shifted to the distant stream they had been discussing earlier.

"Even if the water is not strong enough for proper hydroelectric generation, small turbines placed along the channel could still gather energy slowly."

Seren straightened slightly, resting the shovel across her shoulder again.

"It would take time to build up enough charge, but if we store it properly, we might eventually power a transmitter."

Her expression softened just slightly at the mention of Mugen's enthusiasm.

"And if he is treating it like a holobook, that means he is thinking creatively."

She glanced between them with a small nod.

"That might be exactly what keeps us alive here."

Jesse Organa

 

[Jesse Organa]

Seren Gwyn

Jesse gave a nod of her head to that. "Yes, at least until it gets to the third act romance sub-plot. The good holobooks got to get steamy usually in the sand somehow... and sand doesn't get everywhere." She laughed at that as Guilia had spent longer cleaning sand out of her fur by the end of the night then most and then again in the morning just from sleeping where they were. The small breezes kicking some on all of them. She had finished filling aas they marked everything but were beginning to drag it to the gates so that Mugen and them could take it in and secure it. "We'll get some water and food, rest up and then go to the next one. There is a cache I made yesterday along the way."

Jesse was moving with the tree as they put it outside of the gate and motioned for Mugen who was there. She could see the other parts of the area secured while walking to one of the pods they had recovered. The interior stripped and dismantled at the door and back area. Seats use to make bedding for them to have a little comfort and the gate in there was secured but Mari had set up as Guilia opened it for there to be some food and water supplies. High up and with a pit trap below in case something broke in trying to take it. Jesse and Guilia lowering a piece of metal they could stand on while they got a few strips of meat and bladder of water. Jesse offered to Seren. "Eat and drink, we'll have the next one to go after."

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren helped guide the last length of trunk through the gate, steadying it while Jesse and Guilia maneuvered it into place. Once it was clear and Mugen had it, she stepped back and brushed the sand from her hands, letting the others take over the hauling and securing.

Jesse's joke about the holobooks drew a faint smile from her.

"If Mugen starts writing the third act while we are still trying to survive, we may need to confiscate the book," she said lightly.

She followed them toward the recovered pod, taking in the small improvements they had made. It was rough, improvised, but it worked. The seats turned into bedding; the trap below was raised up and protected. Every small change made the place feel a little less temporary.

When Jesse handed her the meat and water, Seren accepted it with a quiet nod.

"Thank you."

She took a drink first, letting the water settle the dust in her throat before eating a small piece of the meat. Her gaze moved briefly toward the gate where the tree had just been brought in.

"That one should give us plenty to work with."

She leaned lightly against the side of the pod while they rested.

"And the cache you made will make the next trip easier."

Seren took another small drink of water, then looked back toward the direction they had come from.

"After we eat, I'm ready whenever you are."

Jesse Organa

 

[Jesse Organa]

Seren Gwyn

Jesse gave a nod as she readjusted the covering for the trap placing it back up. THey had secured the gate there and made sure it was good so anything trying to get in would be able to get heard and Guilia walked the small length to check it where they were reinforcing parts of it to extend further into the water and box in a part that went to the next section of coast that wrapped around. Guilia was checking it morre as she came back and was finishing the strips of meat she had but spoke. "It will all benefit us and if they manage to bring in more pods we can use the plaating and frames to further reinforce the water sections above and below."

SHe said it and Jesse gave a nod of her head to that. Improving upon some parts of it there she could see the defensive benefit but also they were using it to filter the fish, develop as Mari liked to do with the small sandbar they exposed by sectioning off some areas, better pools that could be collected from in the morning. She knew Mari was enjoying herself, the blonde was as she said escaping on the cruise already and had met Ginger... but now she was getting to use most of her domestic skills while she cooked and cleaned for many of them. Or was sewing the patchwork clothing that they needed. The gardens in sections areas of the jungle that they had cleared would provide for them eventually.

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren finished the last of the water Jesse had given her and set the empty bladder aside while the others moved about the small, secured area. Her eyes followed Guilia along the line of the gate, where the reinforcement stretched toward the water, studying how the structure curved and boxed in the shoreline.

She leaned lightly against the edge of the pod for a moment, watching the tide move against the barriers they had built.

"The more structure we recover from the pods, the stronger that section will become," she said thoughtfully. "Especially if the frames can be anchored into the seabed."

Her gaze shifted toward the sandbar where Mari had been working the shallower pools.

"Mari's pools will help as well."

There was a faint hint of approval in her voice.

"If the fish start using them regularly, we will have a steady supply without needing to hunt every day."

Seren glanced back toward the jungle where the cleared patches were beginning to take shape.

"And if the gardens take hold, that will give us something more reliable than scavenging."

She brushed a bit of sand from her hands and straightened slightly.

"Everything we build now makes the next week easier."

Her eyes moved briefly toward Jesse.

"You all have done a lot in a short time."

Jesse Organa

 

[Jesse Organa]

Seren Gwyn

"We Seren, you are as much a part of this little group of survivors as anyone..." She said it with a smile on her face as she was finishing up and Guilia looked at the blue hair woman. "We are all in this together, unless there is a reason you don't think yourself among us?" She didn't go further with that instead walking with her attention on more of it. "We'll have a lot more once we have a steady foundation which isn't exactly what we should want but we can do a lot with it and with hulls and reinforcements embedded enough. Storms will be a little easier. We know from the lines how far the waves gets after breaking over some of the smaller islands so we can protect some of our stuff from them and if I can convince him we can look at some fo the stronger trees near here." She was pointing up with a look at it. "If we can bridge them and make a platform it would give us a way to at least observe and scout some of the areas from higher up in case arkley's come arround."

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren listened as they spoke, finishing the last of the water Jesse had handed her before passing the empty bladder back. Her eyes followed Guilia's gesture upward toward the taller trees, their canopies swaying slowly in the warm coastal breeze.

She considered it for a moment, studying the height and the distance between the trunks.

"Those would give a good vantage point," she said thoughtfully. "Higher ground means we see trouble long before it reaches the shoreline."

Her gaze shifted back toward the partially reinforced channel and the gate they had been working on earlier.

"If the storms get worse, having eyes up there would help us decide what to secure first. Nets, stores, the gate… all of it."

Seren brushed a bit of sand from her hands as she stepped a little closer to where the others stood.

"And if arkley come around again, we would at least know where they're moving before they reach the camp."

She glanced between them, calm but practical.

"We would just need to make sure whatever platform goes up there is strong enough to hold someone safely. The last thing we need is losing a lookout because a branch decides to give up."

Jesse Organa

 

[Jesse Organa]

Seren Gwyn

Guilia looked at her while she was walking with a nod. "That would be the plan, strongest trees with branches cut where needed and the platform. It works for cathar villages and I know a few things that we would be able to do." SHe had ideas as she was setting it more up in her mind. Jesse was moving with the axe and the shovel as they went towards the second tree with Guilia grabbing the second cache on a sled that they would be able to take with them once they had the tree and she looked around. Jesse taking the shovel this time as Guilia grabbed the axe and started to swing into the truck with more power. Jesse pushed down and into the dirt as she was working to get in and under it with the roots.

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren walked with them toward the second tree, brushing a bit of sand from her hands as she watched Guilia take the axe and begin cutting into the trunk. The sound of steel biting into wood echoed softly through the trees while Jesse worked the shovel down into the roots.

She paused for a moment, studying the way the tree leaned and the direction it might fall once the roots gave way.

"That one should drop clean if the roots loosen enough on this side," she said, gesturing lightly toward where Jesse was digging. "If it goes toward the open ground, it will be easier to section and haul back."

Her eyes lifted briefly toward the canopy above them, imagining the structure Guilia had described.

"If the platform goes up there, we might also be able to lash two of the trunks together for stability," she added thoughtfully. "Less sway when the wind picks up."

Seren stepped forward, then planted the shovel in the soil beside Jesse to help pry more dirt away from the thick roots.

"And if we're going to use it as a lookout," she continued calmly, "it might help to leave one branch intact near the top. Something to anchor a rope ladder or a pulley."

She pressed the shovel deeper into the dirt, levering up a clump of roots.

"Would make hauling supplies up there a lot easier than climbing with them."

Jesse Organa

 

[Jesse Organa]

Seren Gwyn

Guilia was agreeing with that as Jesse continued to dig and pry. The large cathar chopping into the trunk quickly as she finished and positioned it another moment... then she moving with a nod before pushing it and pulling it with the roots higher and higher. Jesse joining her as she focused the force into her limbs... breathing in and then outwards before pulling with the sand to get it to start toppling. Jesse was still working at it and dug down more to loosen roots as it was going over and she looked up. "We'll be able to plan it out but we have to get there first. Just like when building anything." She was preparing climbing out of the hole as she started to refill it with sand and taking any roots, branches or even shells they could use to crrrush up.

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren stepped back a little as the tree finally began to give way, the slow groan of wood and roots pulling free from the sand filling the air. She watched the two of them work for a moment, the effort it took to pry the trunk higher and loosen the last stubborn roots.

When Jesse climbed out of the hole and began filling it back in, Seren tilted her head slightly, thoughtful.

"Wouldn't using the Force accomplish some of this much faster?" she asked, glancing between them and the half-uprooted tree.

Her tone wasn't critical, only curious.

"I mean… loosening the roots, shifting the sand, even guiding the trunk when it falls. Seems like it would make the work a little easier."

She stepped closer again, nudging a bit of sand into the hole with the side of her boot.

"Not saying we shouldn't still do the planning and building the right way," she added calmly. "Just wondering if we could save some of the effort where it helps."

Jesse Organa

 

[Jesse Organa]

Seren Gwyn

Jesse looked at her and gave a look. "How many people here aside from you and me use the force?" She said it more curious though. "Let alone are trained?" She kept the look while motioning to the shovel Seren had as she was filling in the hole. The branches and sticks that were big enough going on the cache sled with a look. "The force can help but if it is just you and me doing it we'll be able to finish the tasts quickly, without tiring as much sure but then we'd be wondering around trying to figure out what to do. We might be able to try and force call but if the ones who sabotaged the ship are near it could just as quickly alert them we are still alive if they are looking forr or waiting for someone to try and make outside contact."

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren listened without interrupting, continuing to shovel sand back into the hole while Jesse spoke. The steady rhythm of the work gave her time to consider the point being made. When Jesse finished, Seren pressed the shovel into the sand once more before stepping back and resting her hands on the handle.

"That's fair," she admitted after a moment.

Her eyes moved briefly over the small group working nearby, taking in the others hauling branches and loading the sled.

"If it's only the two of us using the Force, it doesn't make much sense to do everything that way," she said calmly. "The rest of the group still needs to be able to do the same work whether we're standing here or not."

She nudged a bit more sand into the hole with her boot, leveling it out.

"And you're right about the signal risk," she added. "If whoever sabotaged the ship is still watching the area, anything unusual might draw attention we don't want."

Seren glanced toward the fallen tree and the branches already stacked on the sled.

"Better everyone learns how to do it the hard way first," she said with a faint shrug. "Then if the Force helps later, it's just a bonus instead of something we depend on."

She picked the shovel back up again.

"Besides," she added lightly, "it's probably not a bad idea to keep our heads down until we know who's actually out there."

Jesse Organa

 

[Jesse Organa]

Seren Gwyn

Jesse gave Serena a nod of her head to Seren as the other woman got the jist of it. There was a nice balance and plus if they really needed it then they could use it. They were also using it for sensing and passively to detect if there was a threat or at least she was so there was that and finishing up she and Guilia had plenty as they started to take the rest back towards the camp. Clearing ways here she could see it more of a straight path and they would have to likely almost sweep debris out of the way to construct but if it came better then worth it. The fencing was the most important part after all and tree lines or barricades and platforms that they would be able to use.

THe sounds of Ginger and Mari as they were bringing in things and moving parts of the pod from the beach and water to be between the trees gave Jesse a look as Guilia motioned and she went over to help them. Ginger holding the panels and they secured it in the dirt with some rocks and tree on either side while Mai was testing it and charging at it to build up force as she impacted and the trees held the panel of pod steady. Marsi rubbed her shoulder but she was moving with a grin on her face. "Better, we got a few other pieces secured with the stone to make the entryway more narrow seaside." She laughed though as Jesse could see the movement and they had compartments filled with fruits and other things they had found.

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren followed behind them at an unhurried pace, the sled and gathered branches dragging softly over the sand and broken shells beneath their feet. Her eyes moved constantly, not in nervousness but in quiet observation, cataloging the shape of the work they were building piece by piece.

By the time they reached the camp, the sound of activity had already grown louder. Ginger and Mari were working near the trees, hauling sections of the salvaged pod into position while Guilia moved to help secure the panels.

Seren slowed slightly as she watched Mari test the barrier.

The charge into the reinforced panel sent a dull thud echoing between the trees. The structure held firm, the wood and metal flexing just enough before settling back into place. When Mari rubbed her shoulder and grinned, Seren's lips curved faintly in quiet approval.

"That will hold," she said calmly, stepping closer to examine the way the panel had been wedged between the trunks and reinforced with stone. Her fingers brushed lightly along the metal plating, feeling the vibration left from the impact.

"Narrowing the entrance was a good decision. Anything larger coming through will have to slow down first."

Her gaze shifted briefly toward the shoreline where the waves broke against the rocks, then back toward the growing structure of their barricade.

"And slowing things down gives us time."

She straightened, looking over the rest of the materials they had brought in.

"Once the fencing is finished we can reinforce the approach with debris and smaller barriers. It will not stop everything, but it will force anything coming through to move exactly where we want it."

Her eyes drifted toward the fruit compartments they had collected, the faintest hint of relief appearing in her expression.

"And food besides."

A quiet smile touched her lips.

"For a group of survivors building shelter from broken pods and driftwood, we are doing surprisingly well."

Jesse Organa