Vacation (prt2) Arrival Archeological Site

Posted on Sun May 15th, 2011 @ 1:44pm by Samanthia Akiashiro

Mission: Shore Leave - Archa IV
Location: Archa IV :: Archeological Digs.

Samanthia woke up, stretching out in the warm soft bed of the house, looking over next to her. She blinked as if last night was a dream. She could feel the hang over from having to much to drink. But the rest? All she remembered was the fireworks and the booze. It wasn't the hard liquor, but beer. She sighed and flopped back in bed, taking stock of herself.

She was fine and finally rolled out of bed to the slight throbbing of a headache. She scowled and moved to the bathroom and took a nice shower to clear out the cobwebs and gotten dress in a simple knee length skirt and halter.

She moved through the house to the kitchen and began to prep her breakfast, spying several brochures on various sights about the planet that Ben had left the night before along with a note.

Picking you up at ten and pack an overnight bag. We'll hit the Archa Caverns first as that is the farthest out.
Ben.

Samanthia blinked and shook her head, ~~Wow..that must've been one serious party!~~ She scampered back through the house, eating scrambled eggs on toast with bacon, to change and pack for the trip. She enjoyed the fireworks and companionship of Ben.

She glanced at the brochure for the Archa Caverns and packed a simple bright yellow sweat shirt that read "Fleet Academy Surf Team" where she could get to it quickly and madesure things were neat and orderly as some of the others were coming down to the planet to stay while the upheavel at the SB-332 went on.

Soon she was packed and ready to go. She moved gracefully to wait for Ben on the porch, to watch what was happening. Traffic, following a major celibration, was sparce but would pick up as the day progressed along. It seamed that their Independance celibrations would last several more days with a daily night time fireworks display. She smiled at that. But it would sure be noisy for that brief hour or two.

She watched a vehicle pull up to the curb before her house and ben climbed out, looking up at her. She stood up, grabbing her carry-all and headed on down the steps to the vehicle as Ben came around and opened the door to the vehicle for her. "Good! We can beat the morning rush!" Closing the door behind her, once she was settled in her seat. "Toss your carry-all in the back. It'll be fine." As Ben pulled onto the road gaining speed up to the posted limit.

Samanthia tossed her carry all in the behind the seat amongst the other stuff of Ben's. "I thought I packed heavily..." turning to face the front view."

"I am carrying supplies to the Archeological digs, That is why I had you pack an overnight bag, cause with this side trip, our travel time is gonna be longer." Ben explained as he drove to the expressway that lead away from the ocean. "The camp needed the extra supplies which I loaded up this morning. We'll arrive at the Archa Caves in the evening, relax over night at their lodgings for guests, then spend the day tramping through the caverns. Then the following day return to the city."

Samanthia smiled, as she was enjoying the trip alot. And saving her some Archa currency that she didn't have to spend on a rental. Plus she gets to see the often archeological site that's been on the local news. "Is this site we're going to, has the newly discovered catacombs?" glancing at Ben. ~~He's so much like Nick! Carefree and living on the edge...~~ popped in her mind, making her look away out the side window.

Ben eyes widen and nodded, "Yeah, How did you know that?" Keeping the vehicle steady as they cruised into the desolete countryside.

"I heard it on the locals news, between weather reports," Samanthia smiled as she looked around atthe thriving planet. Liking the way Ben smiled and he was so expressionable.

"I thought you offworlders only like to watch fleet news." Ben spoke, glancing at Samanthia, liking the way sunlight made her hair shine with a blue streak. He never seen anything like that before. Her skin nicely tanned and healthy.

Samanthia laughed softly, "I like to know what is going on localy, so I know what is going on and not feel like a total idiot. If asked to join in a conversation. I can contribute with an informed personal perspective." Lowering the window to take in the scent of nature. It was a beautiful day.

Ben slowed the vehicle down, seeing that she was in no rush to get anyplace soon. He liked this offworlder woman alot. Not like the others who were abit impatience or sat there like they was going to the gallows as civilization fell farther and farther behind them. "Good to hear," He nodded. "Even we get the fleet news to to be included the universe's happenings."

They fell into a companionable silence for the next few hours, listening to the music from the radio, occasional news broadcast. Coming up on a roadside service station, cafe, and store, pulled in to fuel the vehicle up ansd stretched muscles time.

Samanthia moved with easy grace through the place, enjoying the what she was seeing and frowned abit as there was very little foods and drinks that catered to humans from offworld. She looked at the dates on them and frowned. Alot of stuff was out of date. She went ahead and made the purchase, hoping she doesn't get sick from it.

Soon they was on road again, Both nibbling on the food they bought. After several miles, Ben exited the high speed road and cut across the countryside, following the pevious tracks and now a somewhat graded road with dust billowing up behind them.

"This is something you sure dont see on any tours!" Samanthia spoke loudly to be heard over the creaks and rocks pounding the undercarrage of the vehicle.

Ben laughed, "You're first Off-Worlder to see the new site.!" He yelled back, steering the vehicle to bring it back under control of the slight fishtailing motion after rounding a curve.

The trail/road began to dip down into a lush verdant valley with a spot lit up over on the other side. Soon they was amongst the towering trees that provided a twilight atmosphere with shafts of sunlight hitting the ground through the breaks in the over head folige.

After a few hours of overcoming various obsticles along the route to the site, they pulled into the site and pulled up against several prefabricated buildings. When Ben turned off the vehicle's engine, a soft whine of the generators could be heard that provided power to the site.

Samanthia and Ben climbed out of the vehicle and moved to one of the building that was clearing marked "Office" and everyone needed to check in here before proceeding farther onto the site. She looked around, taking in the vibrant colors of the surrounding forest and then to the section of face of a cliff that had recently collapsed, exposing a building face in full relief that had been carved into the side of the cliffs, reaching up several stories up the side of the cliff.

She paused briefly, looking it over as her heart quickened at the site. "Sammy?" Came Ben's voice intruding, breaking the spell. She turned, quickly caught up to him and entered the office with him, hearing the good natured ribbing on his choice of travel companions.

She presented her ID when asked for it, letting the man at the counter run his checks and handing it back to her, "How long you plan to stay?" From the Clerk.

"As long as Ben does. He's driving as I am along for the ride." Samanthia smiles softly at the gentleman, being honest.

"Several hours, then we are heading over to Archa Caverns." Ben spoke getting his visiter's tag as she did also. "If it possible, can we take a look at the newest find here?"

"Let me check with Professer Hiedleberg," one of the clerks pick up the phone and dialed a few numbers. She spoke quietly for a few moments and nodding as she listened. "Ben, our supply guy, with guest would like to see the newest find."

The clerk listened for a few seconds and then hung up, "Go to building 45," then pointed to a map that showed the layout of the site. "He'll meet you there as he has some paperwork to review."

"Thank you, Sir," Samanthia spoke with warmth of friendship and a soft smile, getting one in return and a muttered, "no problem, glad to help," from him as they left together with visiter's passes.

They both got in Ben's truck and drove through the compound to the designated building. Once there, both got out of the vehicle and went into Building 45 and met with Professer Hiedleberg.

TBC...