Ava was keeping up nicely, determined not to fall behind. For some reason, she felt like she had a lot to prove. The completion of spotter training had earned her the kind of praise she was used to obtaining as a masters student and aspiring scientist. She didn’t want to fall out of favor for something as trivial as poor endurance. The trek to the nesting site was long, and the uneven terrains they traveled were challenging to move through. As she looked to the commander, she could see that his focus was unwavering. He was completely in his element as he effortlessly and efficiently navigated through the trees and small elevations, light on his feet with soundless footfalls. She tried to match his steps and recreate the way he moved, but his years of training had fine-tuned his stealth. Even the other members of the unit had perfected it. Quietly, once they reached the nesting site before the front lines, they peeled off, finding their own little perches to lay in wait. It was only when the commander had nudged her that she realized that their numbers had dwindled significantly.<br/><br/>He gestured to the left, and without hesitation she moved along with the few who had chosen that direction as well. They quickly found place, hoisting themselves up into the trees where their ghillie suits would blend into the branches and leaves to conceal them. Ava did the same. She pulled herself up, climbing from branch to branch till she found a sturdy limb comfortable and strong enough to support her weight. Settling in, she heard the commander’s voice in her ear and confirmed her location in sequence with the unit according to her exact location. She let out a breath, then rested her back against the trunk of the tree. For hours she was alert, able to adequately survey her zone like a hawk. As she suspected, it was an easy task. The silence was thick, and she knew that if a parasite was approaching—or one of the infected—she would hear the clumsy footsteps well before they reached her zone. It was almost tempting to let her ears do all the work, but she wouldn’t allow herself to get complacent. Really, she didn’t even feel comfortable with the idea of sleeping.<br/><br/>The sun was beginning to set beyond the horizon, making the forest dark and cold. In her ear, she heard the first set of soldiers announce their sleep shift, coordinating with others in their vicinity to observe their zone. It amazed her that anyone could truly rest. Balancing on the limb of her tree, she feared that in getting too comfortable she would find herself on the ground, in the brush and embarrassed amongst her peers. Because of that, she was among the last to get some sleep. For four hours she simply relaxed, taking the opportunity to rest her hands, which held her firearm at the ready in anticipation of a threat. When he shift was over, the light of dawn was beginning to trickle through the canopy of trees. It was a new day, and a long one that consisted of the same unending quiet that threatened to drive her mad. With more days ahead, she was about to get nice and acquainted with the waiting game.