<span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 1.45em;"><em><strong>Linco rye</strong></em></span><br/><br/><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 1em;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 1.35em;">It was quickly approaching dark now, and the thunder storm was closing in on the colonists. For that was for certainly what they were now, and Linco was worried. Oh, not about the storm. They might get a bit wet. But about the lack of food for the next day. They had rations, yeah, he had seen the piddly supply.  He also knew that the rations that were had, would go to the soldiers first, the children and elderly last, and that just didn't set right with Linc, even if it was the quote right unquote thing to do.<br/><br/>What was revving his engine now was that other than the Captain and those there women who had joined him, had gone searching for any food or another source of clean water. Well, come sundown, Linc had an agenda. His babies weren't going without food or fresh water. On one of his walks to the latrine, he had seen a steam flow into a tidal pool about a mile South of their current position. He pondered broaching the subject with Pat, but she was too caught up in the "not wanting the power" trip to listen. In fact, he was pretty sure she didn't even hear him talking to her. But that was OK. She was one of the "I got a dick too, women" that he had often run into. He didn't mind them, just didn't understand 'em. Hell, he didn't understand men who had to have their dick measured by everything they did either. If something needed to be done, just do it, or if you can't, get the right person for the job to do it, but don't stand there with your dick hanging out afterwards,so everyone can say how good a job ya did, or worse, stroke your dick for ya! Linc rolled his eyes at the thought. In his former job, he had known too many dicks like that. From what he was reading on the colonel so far, he seemed like he'd be having his dick out real soon. Linco shook his head. He still didn't understand why he had marched an established and settled basecamp with a triage-hospital center, shelter, central location, and three pods full of people with quite a few wounded, up a beach in the heat and humidity in the evening with a storm coming. If they were in danger, why not send the ablest runners to their current location, and have them all meet up at a safe location planned by the Colonel? "Ah well," Linc sighed. He could only do what he could do, and that was find them some food, and check for fresh water. Now that the rain had stopped and it was full dark, Linc set to work.<br/>He still had his black "light" suit. The only thing really that was his now. The suit, made up of a laser embossed cotton, absorbed all light that struck it. While black naturally absorbs light, his suit, which looked a lot like long underwear with attached footies, had been enhanced to make him practically impossible to be seen in the dark. The suit could absorb flashlight, and fire light sources allowing Linc time to escape detection. However, if the light source was large enough, or, *gasp* hot enough, he was in trouble. The suit absorbed the heat as well as the light.  He had to be careful not to overheat.   So, his stealth was his most important factor, and certainly would come into play this night.<br/>Linco slipped out of his tent and headed toward the latrine. He shoved the mask to his suit into his pajama pocket and put on his glasses. They too, when with a flip of a switch converted to night vision goggles, were part of his disguise. Once in the latrine, he checked to make sure no one was there with him, and knowing for sure he was alone and unwatched, he slipped out of his p.j.s and donned the rest of his disguise. Slipping out of the latrine, Linco edged around to the back of the tent. He stashed his p.j.s near the flap of the tent and waited for the first sentry to pass; then he counted to twelve, that would put both sentries an equal distance away from him. Besides, they were looking for things to come in, not out. Silently, as he was taught, Linco ran towards the forest. Earlier, he had listened to the night noises. Strange sounds broke the night air, screeches and growls and cries from unknown creatures. Some were funny and Linc had to stop himself from laughing, but some were awful sounding, fierce and loud and those were the ones that he thought of now. "Stop it man and get it together, he shook himself. Gotta feed the kids." He had been at a consistant run for about twenty-five minutes when he came to the place he thought best to keep watch. There was a clearing with a watering hole. Rimming the hole on one side were beautiful purple and yellow flowers and lush gold plants. Linc took a quick measurement of the water and found it to be fresh. Good, it would be a watering hole. Hunkering behind a tree downwind, Linco settled in to wait for animals to approach. <br/>It was fifteen minutes into his third hour when they came. Two lovely creatures. They walked like dancers, graceful and ellagent, their long necks about half the length of a giraffe arching perfectly and holding fine proud heads with huge trusting eyes. About the size of elk, but they walked on two legs. Their heads resembled that of a large horse, but their eyes were more front facing and large and doe like. Instead of long tails, they had little bunny ones, just like a ball of cotton was all. They were mostly black, but the hair on their head which was long and curly and dark blue. They did not have cloven forearms, but rather like monkey hands. but thin and long. Their arms were longer and again graceful and elegant. For a moment Linco fell in love with them. Mesmerized at their beauty he left his hiding place and walked toward the two as they drank their fill. Turning at his coming, the smaller moved over to give him room to drink. Removing his mask, he did so. Then standing, he motioned for the two to follow him. They wrinkled their little bunny noses at him. He grinned. Taking the smaller by the hand, he began to lead it away from the water hole. Neither creature resisted, but seemed content to be lead by their new friend. He lead them all the way back to the outskirts of basecamp. At the edge of the forest, Linco put his mask back on. He motioned for the dearlings, for that was what he began to call them in his head, to go ahead of him, and with complete trust they did so. They stood flapping their dumbo ears and wrinkling their noses, and looking out of huge blue eyes at the strange sight before them. Tents and shapes along the beach that had never been there before. He lead them to just outside the latrines. They really wrinkled their noses and gave him a long pensive look. Making sure again that the sentries were not close to where he was, he pulled both dearlings down for a kiss and a hug, and Linco with tears steaming down his face, stuck a long pin simultaneously into the base of the brain of both of the beautiful creatures killing them instantly and painlessly. Quickly, he removed his mask and turned his glasses back to normal, and gave a scream of dispair, "Aahhhh," he fell to his knees,"Come quickly, there is something here behind the latrines! Oh help, come quick!" Linco's tears were honest and gave true witness to the horror of what he saw.  They would not be out of place, as others would cry at the sight of the beautiful dead creatures. But, their meat was good, and one can not look a gift horse in the mouth.  And their hide was soft and material would be needed.  The children would eat for a few days at least.</span> </span>