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She looked at him, then the bottle. “Really are you sure?”

             
“Yes take it,” he offered generously.

             
Ignoring her shameless craving, and stinginess she guzzled down the remaining water.

             
“Now come on,” he encouraged.

             
How did he do it, she wondered. Walking along beside him, the sun bore down on them. After several more hours she collapsed. “I can't Donovan, leave me.”

             
He turned and adjusted his burden, took her bag then lifted her up to carry her in his arms. He willed each and every step. It would be so easy to lay down and give up, so why didn't he? Another unanswered question. His legs felt like rubber. He pooled his remaining strength and pressed onward.

             
The sunset offered only mild relief of the heat. He had already made up his mind he would continue walking. He could feel her arms dangle. His own arms ached, the pain burned, it only took his mind off his dieing thirst. The feelings raged a war in his mind on trying to seize total control of his thoughts.

             
He focused on her kiss, the thought was sweet, and he loved it.

             
“One more story mom, please?” he pleaded.

             
“Son I have to get up early,” she explained.

             
He frowned for she never had to go to work that early before. “Why mom? Did work call?”

             
She tucked the sheets up to his neck and while leaning kissed his cheek. “No son, I have to go to the hospital.”

             
“Why?” he questioned, seeing a tear form in her eyes.

             
“Never mind son, you just go to sleep and when I get home, I'll make you some home made fudge!”

             
He made a huge smile, “can I help?”

             
She leaned and kissed him again, “you're mom's little helper right?”

             
He eagerly nodded his head.

             
“Then go to sleep, my little helper.”

             
Blinking his eyes due to the fact sand swirled from a gust of wind. He could make out something in the distance, but what was it? He pushed on, his will, was all he had left, each step was his last. He blinked his eyes again, the object was a bit closer.

             
Her muttered words were not coherent. He looked at her, and noted her eyes fluttered a few times, then she tried lifting her head.

             
He stumbled, they fell in a crashing heap. The ground was not its usual dry parched sand, instead it was soft. Looking he saw several blades of grass, that had broken through the surface. Rolling on his side, in the distance was a huge tree, its dead branches twisted in a upward position towards the heavens, has if angered it had died. “Rachel?” he whispered in pain.

             
Partly coherent, she muttered again.

             
“I think we made it,” he cried growing optimistic.

             
“What?” she sputtered. Coming to life, she lifted her upper torso, attempting to look about. Donovan laid on the ground face down. She could smell that almost forgotten odor of rain in the air, more importantly she could hear the sounds of a babbling creek. Taking one of the empty bottles she slowly crawled her way to its bank. The creek barely flowing, with great thirst she began lapping up the water. “Donovan, water!” she cried out. She turned looking, he had not moved.

             
Feeling a bit stronger she made her way to him. Turning him, he released groans of pain, that escaped his parched lips. She tilted the bottle a little more, allowing the water to trickle into his mouth.

             
“Where did you find water?” he strained to say in a rasped voice.

             
Rachel laid beside him to rest a bit more. Bending her arm over her head, pointing towards the babbling creek. “There,” her own voice course.

             
He finally reached to his side feeling for the bottle. The ache in his arms was intense. He found her hand and held it for a moment. “I think we'll be all right now.” A rain drop landed on his forehead. He looked at the sky, the clouds were thick, has they floated by has if in a parade.

             
The tempo of the rain gradually increased. He held his mouth open to catch a few drops.

             
She loved feeling the strength of his grasp. She now felt she owned him a great deal. She remembered waking a few times through out the night being carried. “Donovan?”

             
“Yeah?”

             
“Thank you so much, I appreciate all that you endured for us both.” The feel of the cool rain was refreshing. They continued laying there for a much needed rest.

             
“These are things a friend would do right?”

             
She didn't answer. She could feel the stiffness of his arm moving trying to lift the bottle. “Let me.” Lifting up and getting on her knees, she placing the bottle to his lips she allowed him to drink a bit more. She then worked at massaging his arms and shoulders. Hearing his cries of pain, she was gentle hoping to ease out some of the pain and stiffness.

             
“I see grass and a few trees,” she replied, looking about while she continued her work. Removing the backpack away from his body wanting him to feel a bit more comfortable.

             
“What are you doing?” he asked.

             
“I want the bottles so I can fill them up, you just rest easy for now.”

             
“Hand me a weapon.” He felt around while lifting his head looking.

             
“Why?” she argued.

             
“We have to be on guard, we have no idea whats out here.”

             
She couldn't argue his request and placed one of the pulse laser rifles in his hands. “Remember you can't fire these prone.”

             
They gazed at each other for a moment. Perhaps there was something worth living for, he thought to himself.

             
She allowed herself to trace his cheek down to his lips. She leaned and kissed him lightly.

             
He responded in kind and enjoyed feeling her hair fall about his face and chest.

             
“I better get that water.” She rose up and walked to the creek and smiled to herself a moment.

             
After a few minutes Donovan forced himself to get up, the pain mingled with the stiffness, however it wasn't has bad, thanks to her brief care. He finally walked to the creek, coming up beside her. He assisted her in filling the bottles.

             
Unrenowned to them was a man hidden in some shadows watching the couple with curiosity. After observing them for several minutes he quietly went on his way.

Chapter 10

             
“What are we going to do now?” she asked, while packing away the extra bottles of water.

             
“I think we deserve a rest.” He dunked his head into the water washing his face and drinking a little water at the same time. Walking to a tree, he was in awe of finally seeing some vegetation. The slow steady down pour of the rain made them both very drowsy. Unable to even remain awake, they both fell asleep, under the tree, its foliage only offered slight shelter.

             
Rachel woke from a deep sleep, looking about she relaxed her guard. There could be other dangers, but the whole thought of being well out of Alliance sector of land brought deep relief. Looking at Donovan, she shook her head again, in total disbelief he carried her all that time and distance.

             
She looked up and down the stream but saw nothing unusual. The thought of finding some real food was appealing, and perhaps more hopeful now that actual life in the form of vegetation was present.

             
Eager to get going, she walked over to Donovan. Hesitating she finally kicked his feet, “come on, lets go.”

             
Peeking up at her, the light forced him to squint up at her. “You have got to be kidding me.”

             
She squatted down beside him. “You've had your rest, lets go,” she coaxed.

             
Rising up slowly, he felt his entire body was sore, but once he started walking, it got a little easier. “We will go down stream,” he reasoned out loud.

             
She didn't protest, at this point it didn't really matter. They followed the path of the snaking watercourse. “The creek, its getting deeper,” she pointed out.

             
“That's what I was hoping for.”

             
“Why,” she asked, pushing a side a few branches from a tree, skirting her way past the low limbs.

             
“More water supply, which might mean more food from animals we could hunt.”

             
“How did you know that, if you woke up from a tube?”

             
He considered her question and it made sense, how did he know? “I don't cognize how I came to this conclusion.”

             
She saw a look of frustration on his face. “Whats wrong?”

             
“I'm tired of not knowing anything past my early childhood.”

             
She didn't know what to say to that, what could she say? Following a major bend in the creek, she spotted some berries. “Donovan, berries!” she cried out. She ran to the bushes and vines. Looking at them closer, she positively identified them. Taking a few she placed them in her mouth and chewed. Sweet liquid squirted about inside her mouth. Moaning in delight of savoring real food, she looked at him. “Come on real food!”

             
Picking a few berries, with caution he placed them in his mouth. Lifting his eyebrows in surprised delight, they were good with its sweet taste.

             
Together they enjoyed the moment of being at peace, eating the berries. He looked about, surveying the entire area. “Seems to be enough for us to forage the land.”

             
Rachel didn't stop picking berries, “I'm sick of those stupid pills anyway.”

             
“We have a good spot here. I think we will find a good location for a camp, then slowly explore the region, to see if this will make a good home.”

             
“It doesn't seem to disturbed.” Rachel moved to another bush continuing her feast.

             
After eating several handfuls Donovan then looked around to find a suitable concealed camping site.

             
“Would you relax?” she watched him looking about moving some fifty to sixty yards down the creek.

             
Donovan climbed the lazy ridge, eager to learn what it might reveal. The water cascaded down the rocky terrain. Looking he admired the larger pool of water that had carved out its place among the rocks. In the distance were more trees and some larger hills that were decorated with more trees. Apparently this place was either lightly hit by the war or it had regenerated itself. Still there could be some unknown dangers out there and the feeling prompted him to return to Rachel.

             
She was now busy placing berries in a crudely made container. “Did you find anything?” she asked.

             
“Yes, you're going to love it, I found a good place to camp.” He took her hand, eager to return.

             
“Hold on, let me secure this,” she laughed, wrapping the opening with some cloth. She admired the slow waterfall. Once in view of the pool of water, she looked at Donovan with a smile. “This is perfect!”

             
Finding a alcove of rocks and trees he laid out the sleeping back and stored the gear that wasn't immediately required.

             
“You know animals will gather here if they live around here.”

             
Donovan realized she was right, taking her by the hand they crawled into their shelter. “Your right,” he whispered. “We better observe a while.”

             
“You know its quite possible we are the first to find this. Donovan we might be the only ones here.”

             
“We will soon learn, even besides, wouldn't meat from a animal be better then those berries?” he countered.

             
Fatigue overtook the couple has both fell asleep. The light rain did nothing to disturb their slumber, both wrapped in the sleeping bag.

             
Donovan woke up then promptly realizing he was cuddling her. Just has quick he realized she was looking back at him. Neither protested the embrace, their face's changing into soft smiles.

             
They sat up, watching the predawn. The pink soft rays came over the top of the eastern clouds.

             
Rachel watched him stand and stretch,“you do not seem as sore as yesterday.”

             
“I do feel better,” he said offering his hand, helping her up. “We'll get something to eat then follow the stream up current and see if we find anything.” Walking to the waters edge, they each took sips of cool water, before feasting on the berries.

             
Realizing she forgot the berries, she returned and kindly offered him to be first. They had barely consumed their first handful, when they saw two men appear. They were average height, and their tanned tough looking skin gave indication they were in the sun a lot.

             
“Donovan!” she whispered nervously. She could not help but notice the bow and arrows they were armed with.

             
He looked them over. Donovan could sense they were also being scrutinized. “Relax Rachel, I think they might be friendly.”

             
The two strangers had long black hair, and dark eyes, other then the missile weapons they also had stone head axes. The men stopped about thirty yards away on the far side of the creek.

             
“Hello?” said Donovan finally speaking first.

             
The two men took several more steps closer then stopped. “Hello,” replied the older one. “You look dressed like the people from up north?” he then commented.

             
“We are from sector seven, but we are not part of the alliance, in fact we fled because of them.” Donovan explained.

             
“This is Donovan, I'm Rachel,” she spoke hoping to make some new friends.

             
The two men again came closer, this time stopping a few feet from the couple. “I'm Ashwin, this is Bali,” replied the older man. “Why do you flee from your own land?”

             
“The alliance is very evil, and the countryside is filled with broken gangs still set on destroying anyone not alined for their own personal causes,” said Rachel.

             
“You must have strong medicine to cross such a treacherous desert,” said Bali.

             
“I don't know if we have strong medicine, we just want to live somewhere in peace and harmony.” Donovan hoped to project peaceful intentions.

             
Ashwin, gave a discipline smile, and gesturing with his hand, “the water flows free for all to drink.”

             
“And food?” Donovan asked.

             
“We hunt only food that is needed, like the land, the animals need peace to replace numbers, and heal.”

             
“Are there any dangers we should know about?” Rachel questioned. She began relaxing, for the two men were gentle and quite friendly. She could sense they were powerful warriors, their faces showed pride and no fear.

             
“There are some raiders and savages, but they are to our south and east.” Ashwin, showed his eagerness to maybe learn from the couple, of any news they might possess

             
Rachel then pulled out her container of berries, “please will you join us, for breakfast?”

             
“We thank you,” said Ashwin. The two men sat facing the couple. Everyone took a meager amount of berries.

             
Rachel gestured for them to take more.

             
Ashwin declined, “we will guide you to our small village, where some of us, might barter with any goods you might desire to trade.”

             
Donovan nodded with gratitude, “we do not have much, and one of our main items is broken.”

             
“We have several specialist who might can repair your items. We do have a few possessions of advanced technologies, but for the most part we rely on what we grow, hunt and make with our hands.” Ashwin explained proudly.

             
The two warriors then walked to the creek and took turns getting a drink of cool water. Rachel and Donovan quenched their thirst has well, then gathered their things

             
The four made their way slowly along a small path. The trip took about a hour, when they came upon a horseshoe shape indention in the rocks, making for a good strong defensive position.

             
Ashwin stopped and turned, facing the couple. “I must warn you, you will be checked upon arriving at the entrance of our village.”

             
“Checked for what?” Rachel questioned.

             
Ashwin, noticed the concerned expression growing on the faces of their new found friends. “To make sure you're true blood.”

             
Rachel and Donovan looked at each other, “what happens if someone isn't a true blood?”

             
“They are not allowed to stay, that should not be a problem, with you two, correct?”

             
“I'm not a true blood,” Donovan admitted.

             
“But your not hostile,” Ashwin replied quickly.

             
Donovan sat on a rock. “Listen I'm not from this time period. My parents had placed me in a pod that sustained me for over eight hundred years. They were advanced doctors taken and forced by the alliance to work for them. They staged my death so I would not be taken away has a child. I have no recollection of anything beyond my six or seventh year has a child. I have no ties with the Alliance or any other form of hostile Bio-Cyber Robotics life form.”

             
Ashwin was not yet convinced, looked at Rachel, “What about you?”

             
I'm a red unit, or in your words a true blood, I was being chased by alliance for execution, when Donovan here rescued me from them.”

             
The ever quiet Bali, gestured towards the village, “I will talk to the council.”

             
Ashwin nodded his approval about Bali's idea. Ashwin then motioned for one of the guards to come forward.

             
Donovan grew suspicious and took several steps away. “What are you up to?” he questioned.

             
“We just prick your fingers to see the color of your blood.” Ashwin revealed.

             
“Relax Donovan,” Rachel coaxed him, lifting her hand without hesitation. The guard quickly pricked her finger and several droplets of red blood streaked across her finger. “You've had issues with synthetic humanoids?”

             
Ashwin nodded, looking at Donovan, “some of the raiders are not true blood, and they infiltrated our village killing a few of our people.”