Shipwrecked - Chapter 171: Stressed (MF creampie)

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Chapter 171: Stressed

I suppose that was the night I finally, fully, accepted my role on Phoenix. Sure, I'd stepped up to be elected Chief. I'd been the primary decision-maker since the first day I came ashore and never relinquished that responsibility even when ensuring those living on the island had a fair say and even when there were older and wiser people living with me. Deep down, I didn't want anyone else to be the final arbiter of how my life might go. I suppose most everyone has that instinct but few are ever put in a position where they must execute the implicit contract with those who expect leadership and sound decisions.

The threat of Progress and its unknown intentions was personal. Beyond mere survival, Progress represented the shackling of my power, of my responsibility. Any who survived would be assimilated into the Progress model of how things must be. We would lose our identity, our home lands, our ability to self-govern and self-determine. Our nudity, our open sexuality, our acceptance of things both taboo and extraordinary, none of that would remain within our power to control. Within my power to veto or ratify. The threat was bad enough that Progress might take us from our island, from each other, might destroy what we had taken almost two-and-a-half years to build on Phoenix, but that night, another restless one for me, I understood the personal threat to my control for the very first time.

And as a result, I was doubly-determined to defend the island and my family there. Leadership, I knew, was more than just sound decisions. The most brilliant strategist will not succeed if he cannot convince others of his reasoning. A reserved, soft-spoken executive will lose out to a charismatic loudmouth even when her ideas are better and even when the results are weighed later. People gravitate towards personalities, perhaps more so than ideas. I thought I could provide a reasonable balance of both, and I planned to focus on a charismatic, energetic lead-by-example persona when I stepped out of the shelter that morning. It was vital to be seen and heard doing the things we needed to do, and to do so with overt confidence. Not arrogance, to be sure, but a decided attitude that the threat of Progress would test but not break us. That we would strain but not buckle. That we could take on the challenge without losing ourselves in the fight. Whatever sunk into my brain fully that night, what came out the other side was the leadership mask I donned a couple hours before first light.

I had the breakfast stew ready before anyone else came out to the camp fire, and not just the bubbling fish, pea, tuber, and crab soup in the cauldron, but a full baked unleavened bread platter along with a few of our canned olives, canned cheese, and canned peaches, the latter a real delicacy. It was important to me to ensure that everyone remembered the good things. Enough hard times and serious concerns were flooding everyone's thoughts that I believed it crucial to provide something worthy of immediate enjoyment. Those setting out for another hard day in the fields, overhung with thoughts of what was to come, needed a minor diversion, a breakfast which included enough delicious distraction to keep anyone from dwelling wholly on the threat of Progress.

I was immune to my own ministrations, I knew, but I had to provide for everyone else as best I could. And so, when, one-by-one and two-by-two, those in the North began to gather their breakfasts in the pre-dawn hours, I ensured each person was greeted with a smile and special hot meal. The thanks I got was nice, to be sure, and provided me just a small measure of what I needed to meet the coming challenges. If I could ensure each person on Phoenix was fully prepared to face the troubles ahead, then I could worry about myself much later. Breakfast, I had learned, went a long way towards providing the strength and stability needed for each person on Phoenix to rise to any challenges.

I could not have asked for a stronger group of people ready to join me in what was to come.

I finished my breakfast, a small bowl of stew and a small plate of olives and cheese, after several of those in the North had already set to out to work the fields. I planned to join them but was interrupted by Manu and Tok as I downed the last salty black olive, the contents of the can, like many others, palatable even if past prime.

When the others were well clear, Manu asked me, "So, are we really doing everything we need to do, Kal? I know this is new territory for all of us, but..."

"But it feels like we are unprepared," I responded.

She nodded.

"I think so," I added, "really, Manu, I'm not sure what else to do. We'll drill them over the lunch breaks, and in the evening before a meal, but... what else can we do? We'll try to reach out tonight and hope maybe someone will answer if Rebecca radios them." The teen was tied to Bailey and Gale that morning, going out to help in the field, my young wife not only looking after Rebecca but also Katie. Bailey's ability to focus and deal with both our toddler and a variety of chores amazed me every single day. I wished I could do at least half as much as Bailey did in terms of looking after Katie and Phoenix as a whole.

"Hope so, but we certainly cannot expect it," Tok offered. "We should assume they will not offer us any compromise."

"Agreed," I responded, "but beyond our preparations... what more can we do?"

"Move all but those essential to the South to the North," Manu told me. "We can defend the North much easier, and those in the South are not going to last long if Progress decides to attack. Those boats they have, Kal... those alone could destroy our position South... our position, and those manning it..."

I knew Manu was right, of course. Progress could, if they desired, bombard our beach positions easily enough and leave us with no cover and no recourse but to retreat into the interior and then North up onto the island's higher ground. "I think you're right," I told her, "and I think it's time to make that call... Essentials only in the South for the next few days... We must assume the assault will come soon... I'll want you, Tok, as well as Kate and Takino to go South." I did quick math in my head, moving those South to the North in my mental list. "I'll want two others to go South, as well. Geeni and Kilba? They're pretty reliable and I've gotten to know her a bit. Yes, those five go South. I'll send everyone there now to the North except Nina, Kinnon, and Ekoh, agreed? Nine of us is the perfect number for holding the main camp but also being able to quickly retreat."

Manu nodded and Tok added, "It only makes sense, Kal. The shelters will be crowded, but we'll make do. Have those coming North bring what supplies can be carried, the perishables and whatnot."

"I'll get them underway immediately. I'll go back South after lunch. I'll send Hakee North to lead things here... I'll come back with her for the night and the attempt to contact Progress, then move South with whoever is still going there in the morning and... we'll wait. Is there anything else I can do while I'm here this morning?"

I saw Tok pull Manu in for a tight hug against his side, a touching moment for the two good friends. For just a second, the two looked vulnerable unlike I'd ever noticed before, but it passed quickly. Manu replied, "We're as ready as we can be, Kal, I agree with you. We'll ensure those sent North are ready. You should go South now instead of later, while there's still time for a round trip should we see storms against today."

"I will... thank you, you two." The three of us hugged tight a moment and I kissed Manu's lips and Tok's cheek. "I love you two, you know. Thank you, for everything. Phoenix would not be the same with you not here. I'm so happy to be your friends, you know..."

"Don't get all sappy yet," Manu told me, "we'll get through this, Kal. Then we can be sappy together."

"Deal," I replied. "Love you two."

- - -

After a few words with Kate and Gale and Bailey, I was ready to head South. I swear both Bailey and I were on the verge of tears, but each of us held back our emotions so as not to add to the concerns of those watching. I bounced Katie several times in the air, our daughter giggling and innocently, blissfully, ignorant of her parents' fears for her and the life she knew. Even the island's de facto mascot, Karana, came prancing up for a few scratches behind her ear before darting off to find Mie or Poln again. I hoped that the dog didn't threaten or chase off Sanity, Felicity's little cat, when the woman came North in a few hours. It was an encounter we'd been putting off as long as possible, but, like the one looming over the island, we had basically run out of time. I couldn't think more on the situation than that, though, with too many other concerns rumbling round in my head.

I set out with Geeni and Kilba, a few clouds in the otherwise bright-blue sky, the heat cooled only slightly by moving in to the stillness of the inner island.

- - -

On the walk, I enjoyed a rather relaxed conversation with Geeni and her nephew. She opened up to me about how she'd been so worried about coming to Phoenix and then been overwhelmed by all the new ideas in place. But she told me she'd warmed up quickly, especially when she and Kilba no longer had to hide their incestuous relationship and their desires to be open, sexually, in general. Kilba even told me he was happy on Phoenix and that he would be proud to help defend the island and the people there. He thanked me several times for the opportunity to start a new life with his aunt. It was rather heartening despite the heavy weight bearing down on my mind.

In camp, we arrived before noon and I immediately tasked Nina with organizing the train of people and supplies going North. Kylana was still in a tricky spot with her broken ankle, but the teen assured me she could make the trek with a little help from her uncle. Tila, Tika, Keekah, and Amy were to go North, taking the three little ones with them. I wished to have both my wives staying with me. It wasn't just for my comfort that I wanted them at my side but because they were tough and quick in difficult situations, not to mention that Keekah was a crack shot. We all accepted, though, that the babies needed their mothers and so they would all head up the island. Hakee was going, too, as were Felicity, with her kitten, Sanity, and Sebastian.

It left six of us total in the South camp once the group heading North got underway: Me, Nina, Ekoh, Kinnon, Geeni, and Kilba. I was heading back North before dusk to listen in on the attempted contact with Progress, then, in the morning at first light, assuming no reprieve from those threatening us, Takino, Tok, and Kate would join me on the trip back South where we would hunker and await our fate.

The watch schedule in the South was going to be vital. We had to ensure we maintained active scouting of the surrounding waters. I needed Nina as sharp as possible to lead our defense, when it came to that, and I wouldn't be taking part in the night shifts for similar reasons.

In the sweaty heat of midday, work stopped in the South while those left ate a meal together. The six of us ate fresh steamed crab and clams and a rich miso-like soup made from fish, tubers, and several types of greens, peas, and beans. The delicacies we enjoyed as part of our normal diet never did fail to delight me. We ate like kings and queens despite our remote, primitive situation.

I had returned to my standard nudity in the South camp, and Nina, Ekoh, and Kinnon were just as naked. After a little bit of getting settled into their shelter, even Geeni and Kilba joined us, though Geeni looked a little embarrassed by her nakedness. When no one mentioned it or made a scene, she became visibly more comfortable, as did her nephew.

My stomach was unsettled from my nerves being on edge. And, despite my footwear, I had stubbed a toe on the walk South and was more than a little worried that it might be broken. I'd yet to mention it to Kinnon. There were more important matters to deal with, so I grounded myself as best I could in order to ignore the radiating pain in my foot. It didn't help with the tension in my head or the knots in my stomach to deal with physical discomfort on top of everything.

I leaned in towards the end of our lunch and said, "So we need to get the assignments set and get everyone in rhythm. Geeni, Kilba, can you take the night watches for now?"

The woman nodded, "Of course, of course."

"Good. And anyone working during daylight hours spends much, much more time scanning the horizon." I sipped the soup broth and quickly chewed a delicious chunk of fish meat. "Break often. Right now, our food situation is quite solid, and repairs and wood are lower priority with fewer here, so it's more important that you take several long looks every hour to check for boats. Use the binocs if you're close by. The most vital thing right now is to see them coming, okay? I don't care if it turns out to be a mirage-like illusion, you alarm the rest of us at anything that looks like a boat out there."

The feedback was light and receptive until Nina asked, "What if they don't come by sea, Kal?"

"Err... what?"

She frowned. "They used to have a few helicopters... back when I was in Tahiti... Not many, mind you, but a half-dozen or so which were operational... they could come in by air..."

"Fuck sake," I grumbled, my stomach rippling and twisting, "you're just now telling me this?"

Nina pursed her lips, "Easy, Kal... I forgot about them... I didn't mean to..."

"Forgot?" I exclaimed. "Nina, we have no plans for helicopters!" I growled in frustration, practically spitting my words at the woman.

"Then we'll make plans. Fuck, I'm sorry, Kal! It wasn't intentional."

"Sorry might get people killed, Nina," I replied coldly. "You being sorry isn't going to save anyone now!"

She rose to her feet, visibly angry, started to reply but then stormed off towards the main shelter.

"Kal," Geeni's voice was calm and even, "that was pretty mean, how you treated her..."

I let out a couple of breaths and realized that I was incredibly on edge, shaking with frustration. "Goddamnit..." I muttered. "You're right. I'm sorry, everyone. That was not okay, what just happened. I'll go talk to her..."

"Kal," Kinnon said, stopping me after I'd risen to my feet, "give her five minutes, okay? She's... she's dealing with something right now..."

"Dealing with something? What?"

Kinnon frowned lightly, then tilted her head, "Cramps, mostly... pre-menstrual..."

"Oh..."

"Not saying that wasn't completely your fault, just so you know," Kinnon told me bluntly, "but you going charging in to apologize without giving her a minute to cool off might not end well..."

"Fair enough," I groaned audibly when I took a step towards the shelter I shared with my wives and children.

"Hurting, Kal?" Kinnon asked.

"It's nothing."

"Nothing?" she said. "Nothing isn't you trying to avoid putting pressure on that foot..."

"It's nothing," I repeated.

"Kal, your feet are the only thing which move you around, you know. If we need to run..."

I spat, "I'll be fine." I realized I was getting worked up again. Jesus, I needed Bailey right then and felt even more frustrated to not have the chance to let her sooth my mind. "Gah... I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm just..." I took a deep breath. "I'm not having a great day, it seems. I'm sorry, Kinnon. Really."

She nodded as if she understood, "Lot of that going around." She leaned in and kissed my cheek. "We need you to keep your head, Kal. I think you know that."

"I do... I do."

I don't know where she'd been holding it but her flask was in her hand and Kinnon took a quick nip then offered it to me. I ignored that bubbling concern and shook my head, "I suppose... if you are up for it, maybe take a look at my toe? And... I suppose I wouldn't turn down some pain reliever. Not the opiates, something less mentally debilitating, if you please."

Kinnon nodded, took one more sip, then put a hand on my arm, "Come up to the clinic," she told me, having adopted that term for the shelter we used for medical issues, "but first, I think Nina's had enough time for you to go to her and apologize."

"Understood... I'll go to her."

"Kal?" Kinnon added. "One more thing..." She paused, looking out at the waters to our South, "Whatever happens... Thank you for everything. I've come to love it here, you know, and I recognize a big part of that is thanks to you. Not you alone, obviously, but you do good work here and you care about people. Go apologize to Nina, she'll understand, I know, but... just know that I appreciate the burdens you face. We all face them, too, but you carry the rest of us to some degree."

"Thanks, Kinnon," I replied, "that really does mean a lot to me..."

She pressed her lips to mine, lingering just a moment, the briny flesh salty and rough from the sun-beach life we lived. "Love you, Kal."

"I love you, too..."

"Go to her... then come see me about that toe..."

"I'm on my way."

I swallowed the water left in my cup and headed towards where Nina had disappeared into the common shelter. Ducking inside, I saw no sign of her, so I listened a moment, realizing she was in one of the attached toilets when I heard a faint trickling sound from that direction. I waited until she returned to speak. "I'm sorry, Nina. I'm sorry," I told her before I said something else which made things worse. "Really, I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Kal," she said, looking a little miserable, "things are just tense right now. I get it... I'm sorry I never mentioned the choppers... I should have."

I shook my head, "It doesn't much matter right now. We'll adjust our plans here and let the North know when I head there in a few hours. What's there to do, really? If they come in by air... there's no plans which will really help us, right?"

Nina shrugged, crossing her arms over her lovely deep-tanned breasts, "Not much, really. Mostly, we just move to whichever strong point makes the most sense based on where they try to come down... otherwise... we lose the advantage of the North cliffs, they jump right past that one... nothing much else to do but... but..."

"Get to the cave..."

"Pretty much..."

"I hate that plan."

"We all do," she replied, stepping closer to me.

I hugged the woman and she melted against me. For long moments, we were silent as I rubbed her lower back, something she'd always appreciated when her cramps were at their worst.

"Kal?" she said after long minutes of quietness.

"Yeah?"

"I need you... Just a few minutes... I need you inside me right now..."

I almost explained about my toes but decided to put one less burden on the young woman's plate, "Yeah... there's time... there's time..."

We began to kiss and I slowly moved us to a nearby mattress, careful to avoid putting any extra pressure on my toe. Nina's body was covered with sweat, as was mine, but that was normal on Phoenix. We got used to it. The way our bodies felt sticky and wet, the taste of musky brine when we kissed or licked each other. Nina slid down when I was on my back and teased my cock to life, drawing it up with her fingers and gentle pressure from her lips.

She wasn't much interested in foreplay, though, and in less than a minute, Nina crawled over me, straddling my hips, her feet down and knees bent forward, then I felt the wet heat of the woman's cunt slide down my penis. "Ohhhhhh..." I breathed.

"Yes, Kal... Mmmm... I do miss this... Mmmm... you know... I get to spend... Mmmm... So little time... Ohh... Ohh... with you anymore... Mmmm..."

I thrust up into Nina's pussy each time she brought her ass down against me. "I miss you, too... And... I miss doing this with you... Ohhhhhh..."

We slapped our bodies together for a minute or so, Nina shifting a little on her feet, then twisting at an angle, continuing to slide her cunt up and down my erect cock. "This feels so good, Kal... So good..."

I spotted movement in one of the connecting hallways and saw Kinnon grinning at us. I knew she and Nina had grown very close in the previous weeks, with Hakee as well, and I wondered, at times, how the closer couples and triples in our camps would handle the occasional tryst outside those relationships. Generally, it was not only acceptable but expected. Kinnon's grin confirmed her feelings and she nodded once before turning to walk back towards the clinic.

"I love you so much, Nina..." Thrust... Thrust... Throb. "You feel so fucking good right now..."

"Mmm... Mmmm... I'm gonna cum... I'm gonna cum on your cock, Kal... That's what you want, right? Mmmm... You want me to... Mmmm... Mmmm... Cum on you?"

"God yes... Let go, Nina," I breathed, very close to release myself, "and I'm gonna fill you up..."

She shuddered, "Oh, God... Yes... Cum in me, Kal... I want it... Mmm... Mmm... Cum in me... Ohhhhhh... Ohhhhh..."

Nina started to tremble in a way which told me she was about to crash into orgasm. She bucked and rolled her hips and I felt her cunt clench tightly. I pressed myself deep into her vagina, the heat inside Nina's body drawing out my climax. She orgasmed with her hands pressed down hard on my chest as she rode me in rapid jerking rolls, "Ohhhh... Yesssss... Ohh... Cum in me, Kal... Cum in me! Ohhhhh..."

I was right with her, letting go and letting her grasping hole milk out my semen. "Fuck... Cumming! Cumming! Ohhhhhhhhh..." I ejaculated in thick, tight spurts, creaming Nina's pussy, our combined juices running down my shaft as she began to slow. The last couple of spurts were right against her cervix as her cunt clenched and held me fast when we slowed to a stop and kissed, sweaty and sated, for long minutes.

She finally let out a long breath, "I needed that, Kal. Not just for the cramps... but for... for..."

"Whatever happens, Nina," I cut her off, "I love you. I love you so much. We'll get through this, I promise."

The young woman squeezed me with her arms, her thighs, and her slippery vagina in one combined action. "I hope you're right, Kal... I love you, too. No matter what... I love you, always..."

"I'm sorry again, really sorry... I lost my temper and it wasn't okay."

"I forgive you, Kal. It's fine. Just... just remember that we're counting on you, okay? We need you to be the one keeping a level head when the rest of us are losing it..."

"I know," I replied, kissing her cheek and neck, more of my cum slowly slipping out of her pussy as my cock softened, "I won't forget again."

She smiled at me, rested her head on my chest just a moment before rising quickly and telling me, "A lot to do. I will get right to it."

- - -

"Definitely broken, at least as much as I can say so without an x-ray," Kinnon told me after giving me a rather painful examination of my left big toe. "I'd tell you to stay off it for a few days, but I know that's not gonna happen."

"Definitely not gonna happen," I agreed after wincing from her manipulation.

"Suggest something stronger than ibuprofen for a day or two for the pain."

I shook my head, "Don't want anything that will make me foggy. I can deal with the pain. But, uh, some ibuprofen would be nice. Got any ice packs?"

Kinnon grinned, "Sure, I'll just go check the freezer."

I chuckled, "One day, that's gonna be possible, when we get past this current trouble..."

Kinnon paused and looked at me fondly, "I like that you said 'when' and not 'if,' Kal. Keep doing that, okay? It helps me... helps all of us... not focus on the bad outcomes... at least a little."

"I'll do my best."

"Nina seems a lot more comfortable after you two copulated," Kinnon said.

"Do you get off using clinical words like 'copulated,' Kinnon?" I laughed.

She shrugged, "You might be surprised how turned on I get by clinical terms. Penis. Vagina. Clitoris. Ohhh, I feel a little tingly already."

I laughed again and shook my head, "I get the point. Next time you get in the mood to spend some time with me... I'll keep that in mind...

"You do that... But, yeah, Nina needed that, I think."

"Sex is usually good for cramps, I'm sure you know that."

"I do," Kinnon responded, wiping a thick row of sweat from her dark forehead, "but I meant the intimacy with you. Nina has an appetite, she does, not just for me and Hakee, but you, too. With all the woman in your ersatz harem vying for your attention, she doesn't get a chance too often. Don't forget about her, Kal. She often talks fondly about the days when it was just you and her and Kate."

"Those were good times," I replied.

"I'm sure they were, and I know you aren't going back to them. None of us are, for good or ill, but she still thinks of you as one of her important lovers, okay?"

I nodded, "I know... I feel guilty, often, that I can't commit enough time to all the people who deserve attention."

"You will never be able to, Kal. Stop believing you can do such things. Just remember there are many here who desire your company, sexual or otherwise. Hell, I think of you as one of my very closest friends, you know," Kinnon told me, reaching for her flask and stopping inches from her lips. "I'm still working on it," she told me as I watched her hesitate to take a drink, "it isn't easy..."

"You're doing great, Kinnon. No one expects you to cold turkey things. You already drink much, much less than the first weeks here... right?" I hoped I was on target. I'd been rather distracted over the previous days, noticing the woman's flask out when she treated Kylana's broken ankle but I hoped the statement I made was accurate.

"True... and, yeah, I'm feeling like I need it less than before, but... sometimes," Kinnon drew the flask up and flipped the top open, letting a little splash of alcohol coat her tongue before closing it again, "sometimes I just need to believe I can go there if I really need to..."

"I understand, and its okay. So long as you're alert and ready to deal with emergencies... You do what you need to do..."

Kinnon sat the flask aside and wrapped her arms around my shoulders, "If we make it through the days ahead... I think I would love an evening spent with you again, Kal. You know I sometimes get a little tingle for a guy, every now and then, but around you... that tingle gets a lot harder to miss."

"I'm humbled," I grinned.

"You should be," she kissed my cheek, "my pussy doesn't usually want cock anywhere near it, but... your cock... well... It's really you, Kal. Your cock is just a small part of why I enjoy your company... You get us through this, okay? Then we'll enjoy some time together. Hell, maybe even try out something like what the four of us did some time back... I'm sure you remember that?"

I shuddered and smiled, memories of sharing intimacy with Hakee, Nina, and Kinnon a few weeks earlier. It had been an incredibly wonderful experience which the three had shared with me after coming to terms with Kinnon's involvement with the couple. "Oh, I do... I could go for some more of that when this is settled."

Kinnon kissed me gently once more, the smell of Tok's rough alcohol on her breath, and said, "Do your best to stay off the toe, when you can..." then the woman turned and headed out of the shelter, her dark flesh shimmering with sweat, Kinnon's lovely curvy buttocks swaying back and forth in way which gave me yet another reason to try to survive the coming days.

I took a deep breath, a list of necessary tasks forming in my head, then followed her out into the blinding sunlight a few hours before I needed to head back North.

- - -

Geeni and Kilba napped all afternoon and into the early evening since they were going to have to pull long nights together on watch. I, along with Nina, Kinnon, and Ekoh, rushed around the camp, cutting down on clutter and ensuring we had backpacks ready to go should we need to retreat North. We all hated the point in the day where we triple-checked the available weapons and made certain we could access them quickly and in multiple locations. I was very glad we'd taken all the children North. Some of the rifles and pistols were positioned in places which would have been quite dangerous for little kids.

All too quickly, it was time for me to go North. I packed up a heavy sack with as many supplies as I could, including a great deal of our medical stores. It would be the last scheduled trip North for a few days, so we wanted to make sure we had everything needed in the most protected location from that point on. After an early supper of fish, clam, crab, tuber, and pea stew, I donned travel clothes, chewed the protective leaves, then headed into the trees with a heavy pack.

- - -

Tension in the North was palpable. Not only were the shelters and storage buildings overcrowded, but the reality of our situation had fully kicked in. I saw fears and worry in many eyes, and I put on my leadership mask, ensuring each person got an individual assurance about our future. I made certain to show none of my worry and instead, only cool confidence. If it worked, it wasn't clear as darkness fell over the island not long after I arrived.

I went into the shelter where we had the radio warmed up and waiting for our attempted contact. With me were Tok, Manu, Kate, Bailey, and Rebecca. I was not to speak in order to not give them any notion that I was on the island. We knew I was a person of interest and a reason for Progress to come to Phoenix. Perhaps, we hoped, we might convince them I was dead or otherwise not on the island.

Kate would be the one to attempt the contact. We didn't fully want to give away our capture of Rebecca, so we would attempt multiple contact points over a range of frequencies which included the one the young spy had used to communicate with her handlers, hoping that was obscure enough a method to prevent them from knowing Rebecca's role in our contact.

For half-an-hour, we slid along the range of frequencies, each time, Kate attempted contact with statements like, "Please come in, Progress United. We are attempting to contact Progress United. Please come in, Progress United."

Nothing but static greeted her.

A stutter on a frequency near the one Rebecca used turned out to be a false hope as Kate tried repeatedly to get an answer on that one. After another period of time, the frequency was changed and the outreach began again.

An hour had passed and we started back at the beginning. It was frustrating, and given that we'd had little hope to begin with for our attempted contact, the lack of any response only confirmed what was destined to happen.

Another hour passed and it was clear we were not going to be answered. "That's it, I'm calling it." I told them.

A few sleepy, frustrated nods were the responses. Tok flipped off the radio. "We tried, that's all we can do."

Kate sat back in her chair, sweating topless in the heat of the early night, "We don't even know that anyone even monitors their radios. From what Rebecca's told us, Progress might not even be all that strong these days."

The teen had revealed a few things about the conditions she saw while in the custody of Progress United, and the picture she painted was rather different from the one Kate and I knew from our time in Tahiti. It sounded like the group might be losing its edge and its technological advantages, though, we thought, Rebecca was likely not held in Tahiti, so her observations might well have been that of an outpost, not the main society's home base. It was hard to draw too many conclusions from those observations, and I said so to those listening around the silent radio.

We sent a quick, coded message to those in the South, letting them know the results of our attempted conversation with Progress. We used a subset of Hahonokoan slang to pass messages between the camps, hoping that it was different enough from what Progress or the potential Uhonamonan listeners understood to be comprehensible. Manu and Tok both knew it by heart, and we'd taught it to Ekoh over the previous weeks, the man having an invaluable gift for languages.

"I suppose we should get sleep," I yawned. "Who's on watch tonight?"

"Mie and Poln have first shift," Manu replied, "Ranice and Abuella have the middle, and the twins the last."

Nodding and yawning again, "Let's keep that rotation, I want the leadership fresh and on normal routine schedules until this is past."

Manu put a hand on my arm, "No offense, Kal, but we've got that all covered..."

I stopped my rebuttal, realizing I was stepping on toes. Sure, I was in charge from the top, but I'd delegated such responsibilities long ago. Manu or Hakee or Tok, many others, were perfectly capable of figuring out such details. I supposed I wanted to reinforce the point that we needed to be a tightly-controlled group ready to respond to any challenge, but I'd already emphasized that to the point of tedium, and it was now time to accept that the North was out of my hands come the next morning. "Thanks," I said finally, "I appreciate that. I trust you, Manu. All of you. We'll get through this, all of us. I'm ready for some sleep," I told them, knowing it would not come easily.

Despite my statement, my mind was not about to rest. I almost went over, for the third time, the adjustments needed should Progress arrive by helicopter, but I knew everyone had already let that sink in. There was no point bringing it up yet again.

I saw Manu shuffling Rebecca over to one of the nearby mattresses, the girl looking like she was doing better than days before. Bailey took my hand, saying, "Ready?"

"Yes." Turning back to those in the room, I said, "Thanks, everyone. You are doing everything you can right now. Keep taking deep breaths and supporting each other. We'll get through this together, just like we always do."

"Like we always do," Kate confirmed as she took my other hand, the three of us walking on trembling legs towards where we would all fail to find much sleep that night.