Private Footprints in the sand

[Jesse Organa]

Seren Gwyn

Jesse was maintaining her focus on it and motioned with her head. "YOu could help with the movement, I am lifting and trying to guide it while it is underwater and barely in line of sight in incremental movements. That is a strain even with a lot of training." SHe said it as Ru came up and was floating there. Etain on the shore reeling at it close and more slowly when Ru would swim down and check and then move each plank quickly. Jesse allowing her focus to go on the ship while she was pulling it and Ru was coming back up as he adjusted and changed out bladders. New wires that could be used by him to swim. "YOu are doing good, take breaks when you need it Jesse we have all day."

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren nodded once as Jesse explained where the strain truly lay. From the surface it looked deceptively simple, but she could feel it through the Force. Guiding something that massive through water without allowing it to twist or settle back into the seabed demanded far more precision than brute strength.

"Understood."

Without another word, she knelt near the edge of the raft and closed her eyes for a brief moment. Reaching out through the Force, she found the wreck below, its outline faint but unmistakable. Rather than trying to wrestle control away from Jesse, Seren carefully layered her own effort alongside hers, applying steady pressure to help support the vessel's weight while encouraging it to remain level as it crept across the submerged planks.

"I'll take some of the load," she said quietly, her attention remaining fixed beneath the water's surface. "You continue guiding it. Two people making smaller adjustments should be smoother than one trying to compensate for everything."

The lines gave another subtle pull as the wreck shifted forward another fraction of a meter. Seren maintained the same measured pace, resisting the temptation to rush.

"We'll get it there," she said, offering Jesse a reassuring glance before returning her focus to the ship. "Slowly is still progress."

Jesse Organa

 

[Jesse Organa]

Seren Gwyn

Jesse gave a nod of her head when she could feel the strain on her body from the force lessening. Ru gave a thumbs up though while he came up and then went down more and more. He was making it into a circuit as Etain was reeling it in and keeping the movement steady. It wouldn't fall back with the wires on shor bracing it. Ru's planks were guiding and Jesse was developing a steady moment for herself. Etain using another reel to bring the raft closer to shore and guide it when Ru came up and spoke. "There is a larger incline. Give me some time to position the planks and then we can start moving it up. This one is going to be longer but it will get it closer to the surface."

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren gave Ru a crisp nod as he surfaced with the update, her attention never leaving the taut recovery lines stretched between the raft and the shore. She could almost picture the incline beneath the water now, the wreck slowly approaching the point where gravity would begin working against them instead of with them.

"Aye, Captain," she replied with a faint grin, the playful salute lasting only a heartbeat before she returned her hands to the reel. "We'll hold position until you give the word."

She shifted her footing slightly as the raft rocked beneath her, one hand resting on the brake while the other lightly tested the tension in the line. Nothing was binding, nothing was twisting. Exactly as it should be. Every few moments her eyes swept across the cables, the bladders, and the shoreline, watching for any sign that the strain was becoming uneven.

"Take your time," she called after him as he disappeared beneath the surface once more. "I'd rather spend another hour doing this properly than spend the rest of the day explaining why we dropped a ship back to the bottom."

With that, Seren settled into patient watchfulness once again, keeping the lines steady and waiting for Ru's signal before allowing the recovery to continue.

Jesse Organa

 

[Jesse Organa]

Seren Gwyn

Jesse focused her mind, her breathing going inwards and then exhaled through her nose for a moment before she was moving with it and using what she knew of waveform. It wasn't something most other jedi or force users did a selkath specialty but the principles of it was sound. You could using the force with the motion of the ocean. SHe moved with it and stood there in the raft focusing the energy with the movement, push and pull... expansion and contraction for the moment that would allow her to guide it up and maintain it as Etain was bringing in more to position them with Ru coming up while he had them in postion. "ALright it is ready."

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren felt the subtle change in the Force as Jesse settled into a steady rhythm, no longer forcing the wreck upward through raw exertion but flowing with the movement around it. The resistance became smoother, the strain less abrupt. It was an elegant technique, one Seren found herself quietly appreciating even as she remained focused on the task at hand.

When Ru surfaced and gave the signal, Seren answered with a firm nod.

"Alright. Let's bring her home."

She eased the brake on the reel a fraction at a time while simultaneously reaching through the Force once more. Rather than lifting independently, she matched Jesse's cadence, adding only enough pressure to keep the wreck level as it climbed the incline. Every adjustment was small and deliberate, allowing the planks beneath the hull to bear as much of the burden as possible while the cables and the Force shared the remainder.

The lines tightened with a deep groan before inching forward another few centimeters. Seren watched each one carefully, ready to stop the instant one showed signs of taking too much strain.

"Steady..." she murmured, more to herself than anyone else. "We've got it."

Together, the wreck continued its slow climb toward the surface, not through any one person's strength, but through the quiet coordination of everyone working in unison.

Jesse Organa

 

[Jesse Organa]

Seren Gwyn

Her breathing hitched for a moment as following Ru's direction that he was ready for them to try. She moved with the waves and pulled it up... then pushed up and along the top and then back up as it expanded and contracted the waves under the water. She could feel it as it came up the incline and settled. The surface displacing a little as it was more visible and just barely below them now. The incline bringing it in more and Ru kept moving the planks as Etain and was motioning. Gulia and Mugen were on the beach with her helping as they had more tools that might be able to be used and Etain was pulling the raft in closer with Ru there continuing to move the planks it but he was able to move faster with the depth.

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren felt the resistance lessen as the wreck settled onto the newly positioned planks. Jesse's technique continued to move with the rhythm of the water rather than fighting against it, and Seren matched that cadence, lending just enough of her own strength through the Force to keep the hull level as it crept toward the shallows.

"It's coming up cleanly," she said, keeping her voice calm while easing another small length of cable through the reel before locking it again. Her eyes swept between the taut lines, the floating bladders, and Ru as he darted beneath the surface, repositioning each plank with practiced speed.

Seeing Guilia and Mugen waiting on the shoreline, she allowed herself a small smile.

"Once it reaches them, the hardest part will be behind us."

She returned her full attention to the wreck, maintaining the steady support beneath the hull. "Steady... just like that."

Jesse Organa

 

[Jesse Organa]

Seren Gwyn

Jesse continued with it and Etain's voice was what she heard. "I can see it." She said it as Ru was still moving but able to do it faster and faster for the moment. Jesse was allowing the force to guide her as she finished with all of it there. before Ru came up to the raft and relaxed for the moment. Jesse finished as the airlock hatch on the top fo the ship for emergencies and droids were there. Etain was securing it and Ru was adjusting platforms for the moment but Jesse had it when she was finally able to relax as the tension left her body. A breath coming out louder then she was expecting.

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren felt the moment the tension finally left Jesse. Through the Force, it was unmistakable, like a tightly drawn line suddenly relaxing after hours of careful control. She released her own hold on the wreck just as gradually, unwilling to let the vessel settle unevenly now that they had brought it this far.

A quiet breath escaped her as well, though nowhere near as pronounced. She looked from Jesse to the emergency hatch now resting just beneath the surface, its outline finally visible through the clear water.

"We did it," she said with a small smile, the satisfaction in her voice evident. "That was considerably more work than simply lifting it."

She glanced toward the shoreline where Etain had already secured the recovery lines and then to Ru, who had earned a moment's rest after what felt like countless dives beneath the surface.

"You two made that look much easier than it actually was." Her gaze settled on the partially exposed hatch once more. "At least now we have access. Whatever survived inside has a much better chance of still being intact."

Stepping carefully toward the edge of the raft, Seren crouched to inspect the hatch from above, resisting the temptation to force it open immediately.

"Let's catch our breath first," she suggested. "After putting this much effort into recovering the ship, I'd rather not damage it during the last five minutes because we were impatient."

Jesse Organa

 

[Jesse Organa]

Seren Gwyn

Jesse gave a nod as she crouched down in the raft and there was no rush. She helped Ru in and he was laying there as he spoke. His chest heaving up and down for the moment but worth it. "That was more then enough of a workout for the day, I like a swimmers body and being active but I am old... I just want to retire on the beach and drink fruit drinks while making it known I am applying sunscreen." Jesse laughed at that while she was there and held a leg up. "Agreed, something to drink, I might end up just lounging around if we find something good." She said t as Mugen was looking at it and swimming out as Guilia tested the stability. "You have done amazing work."

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren remained near Jesse as the raft rocked gently beneath them, finally allowing the last of her own concentration to fade. Ru's declaration earned an amused smile from her, particularly the oddly specific emphasis he placed on sunscreen. After watching how many times he had disappeared beneath the surface to reposition those planks, she certainly wasn't going to argue that he had earned the right to spend the rest of the day doing absolutely nothing strenuous.

"I think lounging on a beach with a fruit drink sounds perfectly reasonable after that," she agreed, settling back slightly as she looked toward the partially surfaced vessel. "Although I'm beginning to suspect we have very different ideas about retirement if announcing your sunscreen application is an important part of yours."

Jesse's suggestion sounded equally appealing, and Seren gave a small nod. "If we find anything worth drinking in there, I'll happily join you." After the effort they had just put into recovering the vessel, sitting somewhere comfortable and doing very little for an hour sounded increasingly attractive. "Preferably after we determine how old it is. I'm adventurous, but I do have limits."

Her attention shifted toward Mugen as he swam out while Guilia tested the stability of what they had recovered. Seren stayed near Jesse and Ru for the moment, taking the opportunity to catch her breath alongside them while watching the others continue their work. After everything it had taken to move the ship, seeing it finally within reach of the shore brought a satisfying sense of accomplishment.

"Guilia's right," Seren added warmly, looking around at the others. "We did rather well." A playful smile appeared as her attention returned to the recovered vessel. "Now we just have to hope all that effort recovered something more exciting than several compartments full of wet socks."

Jesse Organa

 

[Jesse Organa]

Seren Gwyn

Ru was laughing at that. "Maybe but it is important it says leave me alone I am a tourist and don't know anything." He laughed again though while Jesse was checking on more of it. Guilia getting her chance for more of it as she stood on the ship and looked out. "We might have to search it tomorrow but we have managed to have reinforce areas of the camp. More so with Ginger and Mari who have been transplanting sections of tree and vine. We have an exterior wall that is better reinforced and we are narrowing points of entry. If something wants to try and attack again at night they are going to be seen a lot earlier and have to come at more focused and narrow points."

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren laughed softly at Ru's explanation, conceding the point with a small tilt of her head. "I suppose loudly announcing that you have no idea where you are or what you're doing is one way to discourage people from asking you for help." Though given everything they had managed since being stranded here, she suspected none of them could convincingly claim ignorance anymore.

Her attention shifted toward Guilia as she spoke from atop the recovered ship. Searching the vessel could certainly wait until tomorrow. They had already expended more than enough energy getting it this close to shore, and whatever waited inside was unlikely to disappear overnight. "I'm curious what we'll find in there, but I'm perfectly happy leaving that particular mystery until morning."

The improvements Guilia described sounded promising, especially after the attack they had endured. Between the reinforced walls and the work Ginger and Mari had done with the vegetation, the camp was becoming considerably more defensible than the collection of shelters they had started with. "Narrowing the approaches should help considerably. Especially if Mugen gets those fire channels he was talking about working the way he wants them."

Seren glanced toward the shoreline and then back at the vessel they had spent so much effort recovering, a satisfied smile touching her features. Every day seemed to leave them with something they had not possessed the morning before, whether that was stronger defenses, better tools, more food, or simply another lesson learned about surviving here. "For now, I think getting this back was enough accomplishment for one day." Her smile became slightly more playful as she looked toward Jesse and Ru. "I believe someone mentioned fruit drinks and lounging around. I'm beginning to think that was the wisest suggestion anyone has made today."

Jesse Organa

 

[Jesse Organa]

Seren Gwyn

There were nods all around aas they were moving and ensuring everything was secured again. Then reinforced there once and twice. it would have layers of redundancies upon it so nothing would easily sabotage it while Mugen was bringing one of the droid heads and he adjusted the small part of it. "I managed to get the rylith somewhaat working. it won't hold enough of a charge to power equipment but it can power a sensor for several hours and when the sun it is out will recharge. it can watch the beach. Guilia grabbed the raft as Etain was there and she led the way back with Mugen showing the narrowed approach. The trees they had transplanted laid out and woven along the sides and stacked higherr so it was another layer of wall with a door passage that they could use to get around the wall and an open gap. Spears set up so they could stab from above and below. Groves in the sand made with some brush and stone in lines.

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren followed the others back toward camp, taking in each improvement with quiet appreciation. What had once been an open clearing was steadily becoming something far more defensible. The woven trees narrowed the approaches, the layered walls forced any attacker into predictable paths, and even the grooves cut into the sand spoke of careful planning rather than hurried improvisation.

"It's coming together rather nicely," she observed, pausing beside one of the transplanted sections. "If something decides to test our defenses again, it won't have nearly as easy a time reaching us."

Mugen's announcement drew her attention to the repaired droid head. Seren smiled as he explained the Rylith's limited capabilities. It might not power larger equipment, but a watchful set of electronic eyes overlooking the beach was a valuable addition.

"Several hours is better than none," she said encouragingly. "Especially if it keeps recharging itself. Even a little advance warning is enough to make a difference."

As the others continued looking over the perimeter, Seren knelt beside one of the newly woven sections of wall where a few vines had begun to loosen from being transplanted. She threaded them back into place, tightening them around the surrounding branches before testing the tension with both hands. Satisfied, she moved a few steps farther along, repeating the process anywhere she found a gap.

It was simple work compared to recovering the ship, but no less worthwhile.

"If we're reinforcing things," she said as she worked another vine into the growing barrier, "we may as well make sure nothing comes loose before the next storm decides to test our craftsmanship."

Jesse Organa

 

[Jesse Organa]

Seren Gwyn

Jesse gave a nod as she was moving and the pathway that they had made was nice. The lifepod doors opened into their camp more then enough she saw as Mugen was securing part of it and Guilia sealing the door when they were done. The outer gates that they had made gave it a reinforced edge. Enough so that they would be able to check on some more areas of the "The walls will need additional reinforcement but if it can be set up the way I am planning. Tomorrow Guilia and me can transplant some more trees. Using them like a buffer and interlocking the roots in the dirt while sections are woven between the standing trees. It will make it more time consuming then helpful to try and dismantle. Have that around and as the main means of defense while from above the platforms are able to look down."

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren followed Mugen's explanation with an appreciative nod as her eyes traced the route from the newly recovered lifepod through the reinforced entrance and toward the woven perimeter. It was becoming easier to imagine the camp as something permanent rather than a collection of hastily assembled shelters. Every improvement built upon the last, each layer making the next one stronger.

"Interlocking the roots should make it much harder to create a breach," she said thoughtfully, picturing the living barrier taking shape. "Especially if anyone trying to get through has to stop and cut their way in while we're watching from above."

She walked over to one of the newly finished woven sections, pressing a hand lightly against the branches to test their firmness. They still had plenty of work ahead of them, but compared to where they had started, the difference was remarkable.

"I'd be happy to help transplant more tomorrow," she offered. "The more of the wall we can make living instead of simply stacked, the better. Living roots should only become stronger as they settle in."

Her gaze drifted toward the elevated platforms that overlooked the narrowed approach before returning to the camp itself. Between the recovered lifepod, the reinforced walls, the lookout positions, and Mugen's sensor watching the beach, they were slowly turning survival into something much more sustainable.

"It's satisfying," she admitted with a small smile. "A few days ago we were reacting to whatever the island threw at us. Now it feels like we're finally getting ahead of it."

Jesse Organa

 

[Jesse Organa]

Seren Gwyn

Jesse was looking at her while she moved and gave a nod of her head. "We've had nearly a month, you don't do that and wait for something to come and then work to rush trying to fix or fortify things. Much better to fortify and build it up as needed and when it is needed." She said it while Mugen was there and they were checking on all of it. With a wider grin appearing on her face though when she entered the camp where Mari and Ginger were. more food cooking but there was more. The walls had more polished mirrors reflecting the light back down and around so it illuminated the camp itself but the light wasn't going higher and higher up. A weaved netting was there with polished strips. "Impressive."

 

[Seren Gwyn]

Seren slowed as she stepped through the entrance, her gaze naturally following Jesse's explanation before drifting around the camp itself. It made perfect sense. Every improvement they had made over the past month had bought them a little more time, a little more safety, and a little less desperation whenever the island inevitably presented its next challenge.

"I'd much rather spend a quiet afternoon improving our defenses than a frantic evening wishing we had." She smiled faintly. "Planning ahead is far less exhausting."

Her attention was immediately drawn upward as she entered the camp proper. The polished mirrors caught the remaining daylight and redirected it through the interior, while the woven strips broke it apart into softer reflections. Instead of a bright beacon reaching into the sky, the light remained where it was useful, bathing the camp in a warm glow without advertising their position.

Seren stopped for a moment to admire it.

"That is clever." She looked between the mirrors and the netting overhead, watching how the reflected light spread evenly across the camp. "It gives us enough light to work without announcing ourselves to everything on the island."

She caught sight of Mari and Ginger near the cooking food and smiled.

"Every time I think we've reached a comfortable camp, someone finds another way to improve it." Her eyes wandered around the settlement once more, taking in the walls, the platforms, the recovered lifepod, and now the carefully controlled lighting. "It's starting to feel less like somewhere we're surviving...and more like somewhere we've built together."

Jesse Organa