RoustWriter: Blog

This week with Arlene and Jeff:

...Turning, she stared for a second, her heart already beginning to thump in her chest. "Morales," she screamed as she started forward.

"Stop!" she heard his muffled voice call out.

"What?"

"Don't come any nearer. Stay back," she heard the voice say as she, nevertheless, crept forward a few more feet, now realizing that he had somehow fallen into a hole.

"Are you all right?" she frantically called out.

"Yeah - I think so. The snow must have broken my fall. I'm just shook up some and maybe sprained my shoulder, I think."

"Can you get out?"

"Not… so far," he said after a moment, his voice sounding strained. "When I try to climb out, the snow just caves in on top of me."...

Have a goodun;

Roust

This week with Arlene and Jeff:

...Jasmine moved to snuggle closer to her husband as they continued to crouch behind the deadfall and bushes. "I think," she said with a chuckle, "that two very important members of this hunt just left to move the buffalo away so we can begin skinning and field dressing our kill."

A while later, there was a faint, wavering howl in the distance. "Shit," Morales muttered, "I know who made that howl, but if it were night, it would still make the hair want to stand up on the back of my neck."

The buffalo, obviously hearing, immediately reacted with the two largest bulls pawing and snorting as they turned to stare down the plains while the rest of the herd was becoming restless.

A few seconds later, there was an answering howl, the sound slightly different. That did it as far as the herd was concerned. They began to move away, in no hurry yet, but obviously moving from the danger - all but the two largest bulls who waited, facing the sound, obviously on full alert.

A few minutes later, the herd had moved a couple of hundred yards and were starting to clear the snow away in order to graze when the howls came again - this time a lot closer. That was all it took. The herd was on the move now, not just ambling along, but moving away with determination.

When the herd was well away, Morales came to his feet. "I'll go cut his throat to start him bleeding if you'll bring the case."

"Sure, Hon," she responded.

Morales turned to hurry toward the downed buffalo as Jasmine started for the case that they had left twenty-five yards or so back in the woods. There was a startled, "What the hel…" from Morales, then silence.

Jasmine looked back over her shoulder to ask her husband what he had started to say, but there was no Morales, just an expanse of white a mile or so wide that extended to her right and left as far as the eye could see...

Have a goodun;

Roust

This week with Arlene and Jeff:

...After choosing a sapling about three inches in diameter, Morales had cut the ridgepole roughly eight feet long, then cut the supports, notching one end of each for the ridgepole to rest on. A few minutes later, he had the ridgepole and its supports back at the campsite. Everything was on a slight slope, and there were numerous bushes between the two areas, but he planned to cut some of the undergrowth out of the way while returning for the saplings.

By the time he and Lobo had gotten back, Jasmine and Lila were almost finished clearing an area for the lean-to. As they came into sight, Morales stopped to stare. Jasmine was industriously working with the snow shovel, while Lila was beside her digging frantically, the snow arching out behind her as if the wolf had a snowblower between her legs.

I told Lila to stay and help Jasmine. What I really meant was for Lila to stay and protect her, but I suppose Lila took it literally. Even with those big feet, though, I never expected her to be able to move snow like that.

As they neared, Lobo whined and went on ahead to Lick a panting Lila.

When Morales had dropped the ridgepole and its supports, Jasmine stood to rest her back. "Wow. You two really moved some snow while I was gone," he complimented.

Jasmine reached to put her hand on Lila's head. "I had some excellent help," she returned with a smile. "Think what we've cleared is big enough for our shelter? We're going to clear an area in front for the fire, next."...

Have a goodun;

Roust

This week with Arlene and Jeff:

...The First blew on his stim, took a sip, then suddenly asked, "If you had to choose only two of the females, are there any who stand out in your mind?"

The Second stood stunned, "Sir, they are just females and are only here for our relief…"

"Then you have no preferences?"

"Sir, you are certainly aware that…"

"Damn policy. I asked you a question."

"Sir, we are not…" At the First Officer's glare, "Uh, yes, Sir. There are two that I favor above the others."

"Start a list and make damn sure that every bridge officer vows to keep his mouth shut before you ask, but make a list, nonetheless."

The Second stood frozen for a moment, knowing that, while aboard ship, any preference to a particular female was forbidden - had been by tradition for as long as their spacefaring history existed. Females were used for relaxation, and when at home, also used to bear young. They were given anti-gestation drugs before they were assigned to a ship, and the drugs would not be nullified until they returned to their home planet.

"Be discreet," the First warned.

"Yes, Sir," the Second said. "Anything else, Sir?"

"Not just now," the First returned, his mind obviously elsewhere...

Have a goodun;

Roust

This week with Arlene and Jeff:

...Back on the bridge, the First Officer gave the primary bridge crew the highlights of the meeting.

The Science Officer caught the First's eye, and at his nod, activated a program. "We can talk freely now, Sir."

The Second Officer spoke before the First had time to. "This could be a trap, Sir. I am going with you. You need someone to watch your back."

"No," the First said after a moment to think. "I certainly appreciate your offer, but I need you here - all of you."

The Science Officer finally had a chance to speak. "I have devised a way to override the main airlock controls to the flight deck as well as the other airlocks in the Paladin area. If you are killed, I will space the whole Paladin fleet."...

Have a goodun;

Roust