Land Down Under (KJDarKnight & Treasure)

He gave her a nod before ordering everyone into position keeping those they had come to rescue in the middle, then he headed off through the woods. They could only hope they wouldn't come across any more trouble along the way as they ran

--

It was a couple hours before Pepper was able to get a break from work and come up. Still in her grease stained work clothes when she arrived. She had tried to wipe her face and hands clean but there was a distinct line around her eyes where her goggles sat. Her job was was hard work and dirty. She knocked, breathless and anxious about whatever news he had to share
 
Everyone was silent, focused on running. Lynna didn't have much left in her to run, but it was run or die. Running sounded better. Badru even helped Quefo with Misty, the big fellow easily able to bare the weight of two. Taking turns with Quefo meant they both could last longer.

~

Gray smiled when he spotted Pepper and waved. "The other Crew has found them!" he signed, his hands moving fast. "They are coming home, all of them. They will be here by tonight. There are injured parties, but only one death."
 
Pepper felt tears sting her eyes, they were coming home. safe, injured but safe but then he mentioned a death "Who...who didn't make it?" she asked, with how happy he was she guessed not her brother but she had to know for certain
 
"I am afraid Scott did not make it," Gray told her. "I do not know the details, but it seems they were attacked. Scott did not make it and others were injured, but they have been found and are on their way home."
 
Pepper nodded, still anxious of course but more than excited to hear her brother was coming home. she wiped the tears, smearing grime across her cheeks. She might of hugged him then but her clothes were filthy and would stain his "Thank you Gray... I..." she didn't really know what to say "Has anyone told Scott's wife?"
 
Gray shook his head. "I only just confirmed the information from a secondary source and the authorities said they would let her know." He looked her over then smiled and opened his arms to her. Filthy or not, she needed a hug, and he was happy to offer one to her.
 
Pepper hesitated still but stepped forward and hugged him anyway, she did need it, the last few days had been hell worrying about about her brother "Thank you for telling me" She said softly, pulling back after a moment "you will send a runner when they arrive?"
 
Gray nodded in assurance. "You will know. I think the whole town intends to show up and greet them. They also mentioned something about meeting new friends. Perhaps someone from a crew that has been labled as missing."
 
she nodded again, not sure it was a good idea for the entire town to be there with them injured and needing medical care but that hardly mattered, her brother was coming home "I need to get back to work but I should be off in time... can I have Peter brought up here after school so he can be here, save some time for me to get up here"
 
"Good. Now go, shoo! Do not lose work because of me," Gray urged her gently. "I am happy he is coming home. Very happy."
 
with the wet terrain it ended up taking the crew longer to get back than expected, the mud was slick and made even walking hard let alone running. Most who had come to great them ended up going home leaving mostly family and close friends plus the medical team waiting to receive their patients.

Pepper was there with Peter of course and Scott's family, wife and daughter as well as his parents. There didn't seem to be anyone waiting for Misty, her parents were dead and she had no other family and evidently no friends who cared enough to wait, except Gray of course
 
Gray stood near Pepper, looking a little uncomfortable out of his shack, but he waited to see Lynna and Misty. He did not have many friends, and he cherished the ones he did have. He edged closer to the shadows, blinking in the lights of the city.

Lynna stopped at the entrance to the elevator. "Here is where we part ways," she told Quefo. "Thank you for your help, and Badru. Thank you."
Badru, himself, showed no signs of putting down Misty or Mathias.
 
Quefo looked up at Badru and translated what she said

"Surely you can provide shelter for a night and food for all they have done" one of the rescue crew spoke up, seemed unfair to send them away into the night.
 
Lynna hesitated. Being the one to make these calls was hard! "Um... I guess so, I'm just worried how the others will react," she admitted. "Quefo, if you want to, you and your mother and Badru are welcome to come down and stay with us."
 
Quefp translated again, getting nods he looked back at her "safe place to rest be good yes for one night" he said "we tired need good sleep" he didn't see an issue. Mathias had come to their village before
 
"Alright, then, let's get our people down," Lynna said. "We need to get them help. Injured ones first, then everyone else." She helped move Mathias in then let Badru go in with Misty and all but shoved Jonah in after. They'd be off the lift first and right into the hands of the medics. The Top Dwellers were hurried in next, and finally everyone else.
 
Pepper waited anxiously near the lift doors when she saw the light come on, she of course gave the medical team space but she wanted to see her brother. Peter was just as anxious. Mathias was the first to arrive, the medical team quick to rush in and get him on to a proper gernie and wheel him out, if not for the faint rise and fall of his chest and raspy breaths, it would be easy to think he was dead, so pale and motionless.

Misty of course looked tiny and frail in the big top dwellers arms, she groaned softly and blinked a little but her fever was so high she wasn't really aware of what was happening
 
Gray patted Pepper's shoulder gently when Mathias rolled past them. He would be fine. He had to be. At least he had a better chance here with the medics. Then he saw Misty, and he froze. He hurried forward, barely glancing at the giant as he reached up to touch Misty's forehead. She was so hot! He urged the big man in, biting his lip.
 
Mathias offered him a smile before she went after the medics who were taking Mathias away, she would need to fill in the medical team about any conditions he had and such like

a second gernie was rolled out for Misty "Put her here" the gestured to the giant, trying not to stare and focus on the task at hand
 
Badru stared at them for a moment, his dark eyes deep as pools of tar. Then he slowly moved forward and laid her carefully on the gernie. His big hands looked like shovels as he laid her down.

Gray watched with anxious eyes then looked as Lynna walked in. She was here too! He reached out to her and gripped her arm lightly. Lynna looked at him. The next thing either of them realized, she was sobbing on his shoulder.
 
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