Another Chapter
Copyright © 2001
by
Scott Wanex

"Another day filled with sunshine and joy!"  She stepped into the bright light, naked, and felt the sun caressing her body.  A soft breeze ruffled her long, almost white hair.  That tickled her and make her jump and brush her hair back.  "Damn, my hair is getting dry."  She went back into her shelter, rummaged through her toiletries and poured an oily liquid into her palm.  She brushed her hair, smoothing the oil through it, producing a gentle sheen.  She held the brush in the sun and looked at it with a sour expression on her face.  It was not looking good.  It was wearing out and she was going to have replace it.

A lot of things needed replacement or resupplying.  It had been at least six months since she'd done any serious laying in of provisions.  Many times, she could get what she needed from the mutie colony, but for obvious reasons, they moved a lot and she couldn't always find them.  She could go into town and get what she needed there.  Her cash supply was good.  About six months ago, she'd gone with the muties to get provisions.  She was the one the went into the city and arranged for the delivery of the needed merchandise to a drop point.  They'd been very generous with cash payment to her and she still had most of the money she'd taken from the body of the mutie hunter that made the mistake of tracking her.

"I am not in the mood to walk five days," she grumbled.  Bringing what she purchased back would be no fun, too.  "I really need to find Tulf and do some trading."  Finding Tulf was not going to be easy.  She lived near the crown of one of the tallest buttes in the area.  A trip to the crown and she could see for miles.  She knew her area for miles and it was likely she'd be able to spot a sign of them.  If they were in the area.  The problem was getting to them.  If they were moving, by the time she got to where they were, they'd be gone.  She could try to signal them with a reflector, but that was unlikely to work and it could attract attention to herself.  She was very fond of the technological marvel in which she lived.  Losing it to government forces, even if she escaped, would be a complete disaster.  Muties survive by being inconspicuous - and clever.

The penetrating but low sound of the gravshaft intruder alert sounded. She grabbed the heavy rifle she'd "liberated" from the mutie hunger and ran to the console.  Heaving a huge sigh of relief, she saw the image of Tulf on the screen.  She touched the <ascend> spot and ran, without the rifle, to meet him.  His feet has just touched the landing pad when she ran forward and hugged him.  "Hi, big guy!  It's sure nice to see you again.  I was just thinking of you!  Do you think I was doing the teep thing again," she asked laughing.

Tulf grinned and shook his head.  "Miff Lefa, you dreff ok?"

Lecia realized, that lost in thought and then surprised by the intrusion alert, she had not put on any clothing.  She squeaked and ran inside and quickly stepped into her shorts and shrugged on the vest.  Tulf, although he was like an uncle to her, was still male and was subject to normal male urges.  If it weren't for her dark tan, she would have been a blazing red.  As it was, she was simply a bit darker than normal.
 

Still writing..................