The Role Play

[Malum]

Ricky would have cried if he had had any tears left. As the doors opened he walked out onto the rocky red ground. Some people were joyous, laughing and jumping up and down, others, like Ricky were gloomy, depressed. Sure, it was nice to see new landscape after so many years in a colony ship, but Ricky had liked it in the colony ship, it had been his only real home. Even before Earth was destroyed he never really had a home.

The man sighed. The last three years he and the remaining population of humanity had been wandering space in a convoy of starships. One at a time the ships had been lost. One was taken out by a comet, another by an alien raiding party, and many were lost simply because the convoy couldn't afford to power them all. The council decided who lived and who died. They were the ones who decided who got to leave Earth before the invasion.

Ricky had never actually seen Earth's destruction. He had not seen it go up in a fiery blaze like they said it would have. He was told that no one who still lives actually saw it, they only knew it wasn't there anymore because of the black void that filled the space where it had once been. A year after the aliens invaded the planet, took all its recourses, and set it ablaze from the inside out, the convoy sent out a scout to where it had once been. The scouts sent back pictures of the rocky graveyard minutes before the council cut their life support and let them die. Humanity could not afford to bring those two brave souls back.

Now only three thousand people remained. Everyone else was dead. Three thousand people from the eight billion that had lived on Earth three years ago.

Ricky was sad about Earth's destruction, sure. But he didn't mind living on the colony ships. In fact, he liked it. He knew almost everyone on his ship, he had good friends, he and all the other kids got great schooling, luxury rooms, and training in all sorts of athletic and mental skills. The council had chosen Ricky because we had been a hacker back on Earth. The best of his kind. They chose only those who would be able to someday support a colony where humanity would be reborn, to someday go off and take vengence upon the alien scum.

With a population of three thousand, it was going to take awhile.

The young man sighed and grabbed his belongings, like most of the other kids, he didn't have parents. They were left behind, too old and not skilled enough to be part of the new gene pool. The council were the eldest of humanity, the youngest being 44, the oldest being 59. Most of the colonists were soldiers or psychics or exceptionally skilled engineers and mechanics, able to keep the colony ships afloat.

Ricky was just a computer wiz. He was one of the few who were taken along. His job in the new colony was to reestablish the internet for future generations to use, as well as build and modify computers so they could teach the later generations all humanity knew. He was tasked with setting up an archive of all human knowledge. He already had the books, datapads, and other records, he just needed to put them in one, easily accessable system.

What a job.

A few days earlier the explorers had landed on this planet (which was being called New Mars by most of the colonists) and set up some rudementary shelters. This small village of shelters was dubbed The Haven.

The planet's atmosphere was thick, and always very cloudy. It rained each day for a few hours, and snowed the entire night. It was a desert, extremely hot during the days and unbearably cold during the nights. Ricky hated it, but it was suitable and had some sentient life which the exlporers had made friends with.

Ricky walked into the prefab shelter where the meeting was supposed to take place. The council had required all of the people of the community to be there. He didn't need to go to the meeting, he already knew his job and he certainly didn't want any help.

Taking his seat he looked around. Sighing Ricky wondered if they would ever be allowed onto the colony ships again. Maybe he could just live in his rather than in a stupid brick and clay house.

Most likely not, the colony ships would probably be rebuilt into buildings. The council liked to recycle. Hell, Ricky and the other colonists had been drinking and bathing and pissing into recycled water for the last three years...

The man took his seat and looked around. Everyone was sitting at a long table which encircled an arena-like platform in the middle. There was a computer consul on the platfrom, that was where the speaker would control the power point presentation from. The people were looking eagerly at projection screen at the front of the floorless room. He knew most of people. He liked most of them; not all of them, but most of them.

This entire shelter looked like plastic. The metal was thin as paper and barely sturdy enough to resist the gentle breeze this planet tended to feature all day long. The walls made annoying popping sounds as they moved with the wind.

"Greetings, everyone," the council member said. He looked around as the crowd filed in. There weren't enough seats for everyone at the circular table, many had to sit in the plastic chairs and wooden crates that had been hauled in by the forward team.

When all 3,221 colonists had arrived the council member began. "It has been a long, difficult struggle for us weary travelers, but things are finally looking up as we settle here today. The Haven will take work to build, and each of you has the necessary skills to help us accomplish this. Some of you are great leaders, shepards of men. Others are powerful hunters, able to withstand the harshness of the land away from our village. Some of your are experts on alien lifeforms, and will help us negotiate with the sentient beings we have already made contact with. And some of you..."

are baby makers, Ricky thought. The councilman went on for a time, praising the community for all they had done and droning about the lose of Earth. It was ten minutes after he had begun his speech (which was inspiring to some, boring to others) when he finally got to the point.

"The forward team has set up enough shelters for each family to use. We have limited shelters so you are required to live with at least one other person. There are two sizes of shelters. The smaller ones are for 2-4 people and the larger ones are for 4-8 people. The inspection team will come around tonight at 9:00 local time to make sure you are in the properly sized shelter. Make sure you are in your shelter at this time so you can be registered.

"The council has taken the liberty of downloading all the information you require for your individual jobs to your computers and datapads. You will recieve updated goals daily and will also have goals which you are required to complete over a certain time span. Each community member is required to check up and complete these goals daily before moving on to other activities.

"Today your only goal is to locate and claim a shelter. Tomorrow you may rest as well. But the day after the work will begin. Remember, one person can change the entire community. Vigilance. Responsibility. Brotherhood."

Ricky left the tent along with everyone else in search of a shelter. Carrying all of his posessions in a heavty bag around his shoulder he trekked the rocky landscape. The Haven was located on a plain near an oasis. For miles all one could see was endless desert all around, except for one, massive outcrop of rocks in the distance. That was where the natives lived. It was stricktly off limits to leave the boundary of the Haven without a password. Ricky scratched at the skin on the back of his left hand, where the council had placed a tracker. Everyone had one. It was part of the Brotherhood pillar of the community.

The smaller shelters were simple, 100x50 rectangles made of thick, strong metal. There was a consul by the wooden door. Ricky put his hand on the scanner, confirming that this was the shelter he wanted. It was near the town center and the main office, but also close to the oasis. The perfect spot.

The scanner recognized and confirmed Ricky's handprint. He now officially owned this shelter. That information was being uploaded to the central database. The census at 9:00 the councilman spoke of was only to confirm what the technology already knew.

The wooden door clicked open. Ricky walked inside. There was no floor, but a power generator with dozens to in and out ports for computers, datapads, or whatever else the inhabitence wanted to plug in.

Near the generator was a control panel. The heating, cooling, security, and other controls were activated from there. A small, simple monitor asked Ricky how many rooms he would like in his shelter.

He selected two. He didn't plan on sharing with more than one person.

A laser wall appeared in the middle of the shelter. It was thickened so one couldn't see through. A consol came from the wall on either side of the laser, displaying a simple red button. The on/off switch. Ricky knew that another door had already been created on the other side of the laser. The system was simple, but allowed for maximum privacy.

Except for the secuirty cameras the council had placed in each shelter.

Luckily the showers didn't have cameras in them, as far as Ricky knew. Though he still felt a little uncomfortable showering among females.

"Brotherhood and all that," he mumbled, dropping down his bag. He would have to go get his matress from the colony ship if he wanted to sleep comfortably tonight.

Ricky checked his watch. It was 5:34 pm and the ships were only a short walk away. He shut and locked his shelter, hoping to find one of his buddies to share it with soon.

((Before posting, you must read this: ooskaboards.proboards77.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=roleplay&thread=1187723683&page=1))

[diamondtiger]

Bella was bored of the meeting, but the inside of the cool shelter was much better than the blistering outdoors. Luckily it was raining when she finally got out. Though that wasn't good for the laptop that they had given her to do school work on. Nor was it good for her black hair that liked getting frizzy when it was wet. So it was both good and bad when the rain ended two minutes later. The ground wasnt even wet. She had already gotten a shelter before the meeting had started. It was only about five minutes away. She didn't have a roommate yet, because nobody had asked her.

When she got inside it was a comfortable temperature. She put down the laptop, and opened it up, making sure she hadn't gotten any new messages.

Once she was sure there weren't any messages she left the laptop. She went into the small bathroom that was between the two bedrooms. She took a ponytail off her wrist and brushed out her hair for a minute before putting it in a low ponytail.

Then she went walking around, wondering if she would find someone that would be her roommate, and that wouldn't bother her.

[Rafter 169]

Alex sat around a small radio transmitter that was set up about 30km from the village. He and two other Security members were there. One was from the Bismarck Regiment, another from Canada.

As the speech finished Alex shook his head.

"All this talk of Brotherhood etc...it makes me sick"

There were nods from both of them, both his age. The Canadian Richard was shorter, about 5,7 with dark hair and eyes, Myles was about Alexs height, with brown eyes and blackish hair, all the same build almost, except Richard seemed to eat more of the luxury items then anyone else.

Richard: "Tell me about it, theyre a bunch of despots"

"Exactly, but I guess its what we need for now"

Richard: "What are you suggesting?" He looked up at him as he was taking the transmitter apart.

Alex was taken aback,

"Oh hell no Rich I was thinking anything like that!" He laughed "Jesus you'll have me shot"

Myles: "Well looking around at this place..."

Alex smiled. It was true, a barren unforgiving wasteland.

"Lets get this packed away, I heard we have to get shelters sorted out"

Richard: "I allready have one so if you want when we get back I'll drop the report in at Regiment"

Alex nodded a thanks before helping fold up the legs of the transmitter while Richard held the top still.

Myles: "Nothing left, except footprints"

"Good, I dont want them breathing down my neck becuase I left a sweet wrapper that could of been recycled" He tapped his magasine dump pounch that hung off his webbing. It was full of rubbish.

Placing the folded up transmitter down onto the sled that was atached to the small all terrain vehicle, Alex opned it and sat in the drivers compartment. Richard the Weapons System and Myles sat in the passenger section. The flimsy roof had been pulled over the small vehicle, rain had fell about a half hour earlier.

Switching the engine on, Alex headed for home.

Upon arriving back at the village, he noticed how many people were looking for the shelters, a few guards waved them into the small area wired off the Secuirty use. Getting out he chucked a data pad to Richard and mouthed his thanks before leaving through a small security gate and out into the dusty cracked streets looking for somewhere to berth. Myles came with but he soon lost him in the crowd.
He wandered towards the town centre where one of very few two story buildings was situated.

[yuri]

Riso stepped out of the colony ship for the first time, and almost as soon as his boot struck the soil, as if on cue, the rain began, quite in an all-at-once fashion, though not heavily. He'd been in the colony ship until then assisting in the packing up of much equipment that has been unpacked and in use during the long journey to their new world, he looked over the sprawling village appraisingly "Hot Damn, we work fast" he noted, he frowned belligerently though at the endless desert "Oh great, I heard it was a desert, but damn" he shrugged and strode on, he needed to choose a domicile, and what with his assistance in the Colony ship, he doubted there were any choice buildings left, he looked around, trying to guess where the research labs would be set up, it wasn't on the agenda yet, as it wasn't exactly priority one next to survival, he consulted his data pad, which held map of how large each shelter was and which were taken, most of them, by now, were shaded yellow, denoting that they had been claimed, others were Red, showing no more room, he noticed though, that not many four - eight berth homes had been claimed, and he hatched somewhat of a scheme in his mind, he put the data pad away and walked briskly on, getting quite soaked in the rain, but enjoying it as he guessed it was a rare occurrence, and any reprieve from the harsh desert sun was golden for a man in his position.

As he approached one of the larger domiciles, he glanced around again, the area was fairly quiet and away from both the colony ships and the town center, away from everything in fact, he palmed the console and it read both his ident-chip and his DNA, and the light blinked in conformation, he was now one of the possible eight claimants to the structure, as soon as he had done that, he hurled his briefcase in the door and turned to run, his plan was to try to be the only claimant to this structure by being no-where to be found, hopefully no-one would want to be his roomie without asking him in person, maybe even, the average person wouldn't even be able to find out it was his domicile at all and just not claim it in case they then had to share it with some kind of jerk, it was true that the Council had said one must at least live with one other person, but as long as everyone was settled in somewhere, he was sure they wouldn't split hairs over one shelter claimed only by him, anyway, he needed a place to put all his stuff.

He'd chosen the plain to sequester himself, surely, on a day where it wasn't required to work, everyone would be relaxing, surely, no-one would think to look for the albino in the one place with an absolute lack of shade, thankfully, the forward party that had brought the equipment for the irrigation down had set up the scanner too, so Riso could confirm that he was at work with the system, even thought the minimal two hours weren't applied to today. Since no-one had done anything regarding the irrigation yet, other than bring it down to the plain, there was no shortage of things he could do, for now, though, he busied himself with marking out where the pipes would go, using the posts and bright string provided, it was a job he could do well, for as a scientist, he had a data pad, and could work from the plan stored on there, rather than more old-fashioned measuring, he just hoped it was enough not to be found for the rest of the day, though he did stand out something fierce, as the only person out in the field.

[rafter169]

Alex buried his chin into his jacket, trying to gather some warmth, the temperature had started to fall with the rain. He reached into his stash pocket and had alookat his pad. There were afew shelters, all 8 man near the outskirt of the village. He figured anywhere was better then nowhere and he walked over the muddy road and started walking to the colony ship, there were afew security staff milling around with consuls. Alex flashed his ID and took the ramp up to the loading area. There were large shipping crates coming up on lifts from the belly of the ship, other smaller ones were allready sitting on transports.

The area was mostly quiet, a few restless people wee walking about. He took a small lift to the habitat zone and grabbed his gear out of storage room. It had all been apcked away with his valuables and personnel effects before his mission down on the surface today. Grabbing it, and putting it over his shoulder, he left the ship and looked for a shelter.

[Malum]

Ricky trudged along the hard, muddy terrain. The rain was barely falling today, this was disappointing to Ricky, who had wanted more than anything else to see the rain once they reached the desolate planet.

The thick, standard issue combat boots that Ricky wore slopped through the mud as he approached the colony ship he had previously taken up residence in, before New Mars was discovered. His boots tracked mud onto the sleek, grated metal of the steps which led to the colonist housing aboard the massive ship. He knocked them against the doorway before he entered the wide, windy hallways.

The man's old room was not too far from the exit of the ship. He placed his palm on the scanner and stepped back as the door jutted toward him, and then slid up into the wall, taking its sweet time to do so. Ricky had shared his room with a young boy who was also involved in computer work. He didn't know the boy very well, since he spent most of his time away from the congested little room, but he had been a nice kid... before he was killed in a pirate raid.

Ricky pulled the plug on his mattress, sitting on it to force the air out faster. Once all the air had spewed out he rolled it up, grabbed the pump, and left his room for the last time.

He saw other colonists doing the same as he was, after all, everything that wasn't taken from the ships was being recycled, and the prefab shelters didn't come with mattresses.

The rain had begun to drizzle to a stop as Ricky exited the colony ship, but the temperature was still low enough to make him shiver. He wore a t-shirt with a "Save Earth: Recycle" logo on it. He wasn't one for dark humor or wearing his heart on his sleeve, but he found this shirt particularly funny, and wore it occasionally. Along with this shirt he wore a pair of hardy, good old fashion blue jeans.

5:52 his watch said. He still hadn't found a roommate either.

Ricky headed back for his shelter, looking around for any of his friends, when he saw a strange sight, there was a strange man in a lab coat working on the irrigation system, it appeared. This was strange because the citizens had the rest of today and all of tomorrow to relax, there were not required to work until the day after.

Vigilance, I suppose, Ricky thought.

He continued on to his new home, scanned his palm, and threw his mattress in. He shut to door behind him and sat upon a rock that was conveniently placed right outside his shelter. Granted it wasn't very comfortable, but it would do.

There he waited for someone to come along to share his shelter with. He just hoped he could get someone normal...

[rafter169]

Alex followed the map on his pad, his boots squelching in the red mud of the planet. Often his boot would sink slightly, and he would have to pull it out with some force.

There was still an unforgiveable chill in the air. It was becoming evening, and a few torches that hung over shelters began to flicker on. Many of the larger street lights were still been unpacked or fabricated. yet they were all unfinished seeing as everyone had the next day and a quarter off.
He noticed someone sitting on a rock be a shelter stairing out across would become the farmlands. Alex followed his gaze to see someone in a lab coat setting up markers.

Alex squelched over to he guy on the rock.

"Hey, nice weather huh?"

<Ricky reply>

He laughed,

"Yeah will take some getting use to. What is that guy doing over there?" He said gesturing with a nod.

<Ricky reply>

"Mad if you ask me, but it has to be done" He looked at the door of the shelter, rain running off the roof and spalshing in small pools formed by boot prints."Room for one more?"

<Ricky reply>

[Malum]

Ricky looked up at the man who had spoken. He was young, probably around Ricky's own age. Ricky recognized him as a security guard. He had never conversed with the man, but he didn't seem to be the unfriendly type.

He had said something about the weather.

"Yeah, you wouldn't think it would be colder down here than on a journey through space," Ricky replied.

They guy laughed. And nodded to the man in the field. Ricky grinned a little, the Haven already had the makings of a village idiot and they hadn't even been here one night. "I guess he's pretty determined to get that water running."

Ricky's grin disappeared when the man inquired about staying with him. It was one thing to talk to a security guard, it was another thing to live with one, no matter how friendly they seemed.

On one hand, if he let they guy in he might spy on him for the council, try to arrest him for some silly thing, or annoy the hell out of Ricky with all his talk about Brotherhood and Respect. But on the other hand, if Ricky didn't let him stay, he could report him for disrespect or lack of brotherhood.

He really had no choice in the matter, so he put on a fake smile and said, "Yeah, sure! I've been waiting for someone to ask. I couldn't find any of my buddies, they probably all moved in somewhere else without me. I'd be glad to have you."

<Alex Reply>

"Hey, do you want any help moving in? I'll bet you've got some stuff left on the colony ship."

<Alex Reply>

[rafter169]

"Yeah, sure! I've been waiting for someone to ask. I couldn't find any of my buddies, they probably all moved in somewhere else without me. I'd be glad to have you."

Alex noticed something about the young mans demannour and he let a grin creep onto his face. He thought of something and then thought he would wait.

"Thankyou, its much appreciated, the rest of my scout team went and got berthed all over the place, I guess they don't want us living together" He shrgged the bag over his shoulder up a bit to be more comfortable.

Alex walked over to the pannel and put his hand on it, it registerd him and the door opened to reveal a largish room with a laser divide.

"Hey, do you want any help moving in? I'll bet you've got some stuff left on the colony ship."

Alex dropped the kit bag and stretched.

"Yeah that would be nice, but everythings in there. All my kit so to speak is at the security section. I don't really want to go over there though"

<Ricky reply>

Alex figred he had nothing to loose, he had noticed the mans fear and fake smile earlier.

"Why?" He sat down on his kit bag, vaguely awareof the drone of the rain on the ceiling. "Security do my nut in, we got drafted into them when the Military was dissolved after that batard pirate incident a year ago" He sniffed "I cant stand the party line" He got up and shrugged.

"Names Alex Hood" He proffered a hand.

<Ricky reply>

"A pleasure to meet you Ricky!" he said with a smile. "Now is this bloody wall really nescersary?" He said laughing as he took out his blow up mattress and chucked it over to one corner. The shelter was medium-ish sized. Coudl take 5 a t asqueeze he thought but four quite comfortably.

<Ricky>

[Malum]

"Why don't you want to go to the secuirty section?" Ricky asked. Maybe this guy wasn't so bad afterall. Not that Ricky thought security people were bad.

The guy told him he had been drafted. This wasn't anything new. The council tended to force whoever they pleased to do any job they pleased. Afterall, the council knew everyone's talents better than the people themselves, they had hand picked them in the first place.

In any case, this made Ricky immensly more comfortable. He didn't even flinch when the man offered his hand and introduced himself as Alek Hood. Ricky, who had been standing since he followed Alek into the shelter, took his hand and shook it weakly, "I'm Ricky, Ricky Trimm."

He had always been made fun of for his last name. He was a skinny guy and the name fit him. Thankfully Alek didn't comment on it. In fact, he was very polite.

"Now is this bloody wall really nescersary?" Alek asked Ricky with a laugh. Ricky laughed himself, to be polite. He didn't really care much, but he had thought his roommate would when he put it up.

"Naw, I just didn't want to seem nosey," Ricky said, going over to the controls and shutting down the laser wall. The home suddenly seemed much larger.

"You know of anyone else who might join us?" he honestly didn't want any additionally people living with him, but he was a passive guy.

<Alek Reply>

[rafter169]

Alex shrugged.

"Not a clue mate" He sat down on the floor which seemed to be covered in a few tiles but mostly red dirt from the planets surface. He grabbed his bag and pulled it over to him, looking through it he found a few photo frames, a large one was of him in dress uniform on his passing out parade in Hannover in Germany. He looked at it fondly for a moment before palcing it with the others. He didnt have much in the way of clothing. A few dirty garbs for when he was labouring, a spare uniform, and boots. Waterproofs, toileteries, towels, underwear, a few other things here and there.

He looked around the shelter, there were holes everywhere on the walls so you could customise shelving, work benches etc. He noticed there was allready a number of desks and stools in the room. A small table and a smallish stove. A vent in centre of the roof was atmosphere control.

Alex opened up his wash kit and found his comb, he gave his hair a quick brush through and took of his camouflage smock and lay it out to dry. He wore black boots and cargo trousers, and a black teeshirt underneath with a serial number printed onthe left chest.

"Think we should sit outside and head hunt a little bit? Would pay to have one or two more with us. It would be a bit suspicious jsut me and you"

<Ricky reply>

[Malum]

As Alek unpacked Ricky claimed an area near the door and stove to sleep in. It was all dirt but he had a blanket to lay down under his air matress. The council had thoroughly gone over what life would be like in the Haven before they set off, so Ricky had saved his blanket for three years, knowing he would be happy to have it someday.

Going through his own junk, he noticed that he really didn't have enough supplies. For the most part, he had lived off of the ship's supplied materials on their long voyage. It was strange to be without them now, almost like he had come of age and left the shelter of his parent's house all over again, going out into the harsh, unforgiving world.

Ricky decided he would have to pick up a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, and a few extra pairs of socks at the supply depot tomorrow. Or today. It didn't really matter.

"Think we should sit outside and head hunt a little bit? Would pay to have one or two more with us. It would be a bit suspicious jsut me and you" Ricky turned to Alek and nodded.

"Yeah, the enforcers tend to think people are up to no good when they keep to themselves." he had to agree with Alex. He shouldn't have gotten his hopes up beforehand. There was no avoiding a big crowd of roommates.

<Alex Reply>

"What do you say we take a walk down to the Supply Depot, I need to pick up a few things. We can search for people without shelters on the way."

<Alex Reply>

[rafter169]

"Yeah, the enforcers tend to think people are up to no good when they keep to themselves."

Alex checked his air mattress over and lifted the nozzle, and blew deep into it.

"Enforcers arn't that bad" He took a breath and blew again "Some of them are however, I have to work with some of them"

The Air Matress began to inflateslightly but it was going to take some time.

"What do you say we take a walk down to the Supply Depot, I need to pick up a few things. We can search for people without shelters on the way."

Alex applied the nozzle and looked over at Ricky by the stove where he had set up shop.

"Maybe, I think as soon as the rain started people went to shelter, think there will be somea bout, so sure. I doubt anyone will be there though, everyones got the day off" He rolled onto his side and picked through his bag pulling out an issue waterproof jacket he had got while still at Earth. He noticed Rickys blanket and sighed.

"I should of bloody thought of that" He laughed. "You got much credit? I think I might get a blanket"

<Ricky reply>

"Not allot, a small balance, whenever troopers were killed we hoarded their credits instead of putting them back into the system. Thats how I managed to save up for another pair of boots"

He got up and followed him to the door.

[Malum]

Alex didn't seem to keen to the idea of going out into the rain. But it wasn't so bad anymore. Still, Ricky wondered if he was right, maybe there wouldn't be anyone at the Supply Depot. On the other hand those who wanted extra prestige went in for all jobs at any time. Either way, it was a short walk, and the curfew was three hours off.

"I should of bloody thought of that" Alex was eying his blanket. "You got much credit? I think I might get a blanket"

"I've got enough. I never did any of the jobs on the colony ships, besides the occasionally lunch duty. But I did most of the work in setting up the Community Database. So I never really needed to do any of those menial tasks. What have you got?"

When Alex told Ricky how he had saved extra credit any remaining fears about his new roommate's standing were dispelled. If someone was willing to steal from the system, they certainly wouldn't report their roomie for any small misdemeanor, at least not the kind Ricky would ever commit. He wasn't a big time rule breaker, but he took more than his share of food once in awhile, and tended to work on other tasks besides council-assigned ones.

With new confidence Ricky led the way to the Supply Depot. The rain had almost completely stopped, though it was still very cold. He instantly wished he had brought his blanket.

When they arrived at the Supply Depot Ricky was disappointed to see there was no one there. He had really been looking forward to using his own bar of soap that night, rather than the ones left in the showers. That was just nasty.

"Shoot, I guess we'll have to wait until tomorrow. I was really hoping to avoid the shower soap..."

<Alex Reply>

Ricky grinned. "I'm something of a germ freak. Just the thought of all those little organisms... it creeps me out, man. But anyway, I think I'll go shower up while we have time. I'll try to recruit some roomies while I'm at it. I always seem to meet nice people in the showers. Kind of like how you tend to make conversation with people while at the urinal. It just makes things more comfortable as opposed to silently pissing..."

<Alex Reply>

He realized he was talking a lot and shut his mouth. His mother had always scolded him for being annoying.

[yuri]

Riso was quite aware he was being watched by a few pairs of eyes as he idly worked the afternoon away, though as long no-one came up with the offer of being a roommate; an offer he couldn't refuse, in good stead, he was content, the rain and cloud continued, giving him a further reprieve from worrying about the sun. As the time grew closer and closer to his goal of going unnoticed until curfew, he looked out across the field, and was surprised at how much he had actually gotten done, the locations for all the pipes, and almost all the west irrigation ditches were marked, all in only a few hours of minimal labor by humanity's chief weapons scientist.

He looked over to his domicile, which he could just see, and checked his data pad, it was still claimed only by him, and with only an hour left until curfew, he prayed it would remain like that, then he'd have a spacious office, just like that, and without really breaking any rules, in fact, he'd earn extra credits and favor by working on his first day, not that he needed the money, he'd been given a considerable reward by the council for indirectly saving the colony ships by identifying the firing impeller patterns of the pirate ships when they were attacked, so, he mused, he more than deserved a private home. Besides, who the hell would want to live with Whitey, anyway, no-one, he hoped, though he supposed he could live with sharing his home with some of the women clearly chosen for their.... favorable physical attributes, yes, he could see them pillow fighting now, he could.

He realized after a moment into that private little vision that he was daydreaming, he shook his head and chided himself, walking a few meters on and driving another post into the ground, before securing the colored string to it and making sure it was exactly positioned. Not long now...