<USS Avalon> Day three:...as darkness approaches...

Nerves began to fray quickly as the day progressed, with everyone snapping and 
barkind at one another. All grew quiet, though, as evening approached and the 
twin suns began to sink slowly in the south. 
 
"Okay, everyone to your posts." Mac called, drawing his phaser and taking up 
his position near the entrance. 
 
"Mac, we got a problem," Rae's voice sounded behind him. He turned to see her 
frowning over the spot where most of the provisions had been. 
 
"Son of a bitch," he muttered, charging there. "whose missing?"
 
Rae rattled off the names of the six missing crewmen, including the one who'd 
threaten to draw on Mac earlier. 
 
"How the hell did they get away without anyone seeing them?" Mac demanded.
 
Rae shrugged sullenly. "Had to have been when we were settling the wounded back 
in and gathering wood and tinder for the fires. Castinon was supposed to be 
bringing those in while Lechuga set up...oh shit..." she ran inside quickly, 
then swore a blue streak. "The lights. Mac, they took the lights."
 
"Okay...wood. We need more. Everyone who can move get all you can carry and get 
back here quickly," Mac ordered, refusing to be deterred. 
 
"We're not going after them? Mac, they've got the food...the water...the 
goddamn lights!" Rae pressed angrily.
 
"No telling how big a head start they got. We've been hours at our tasks. Who 
knows how long ago they left." He looked at her gently. "I don't want anyone 
heading out after them in the dark, got it?" 
 
"I've got great night vision, Mac, I could..."
 
"Get yourself killed on a fools errand? No thanks. Get more wood and get 
inside." When Rae opened her mouth to argue, Mac added,"that's an order, 
Lieutenant."
 
It didn't take long to realize as the suns sank further out of sight that the 
fires wouldn't be enough. Even at the roaring highest there was no escaping the 
shadows that they cast...
 
(to be continued)

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