Do what you can (fake the rest)

Agnes had been just sort of chilling in her tent, casually running over most of the info they had learned from the algae, when she first heard the buzzing.  It was the Emergency Alert- Agnes froze. What was happening- had something gone wrong with the mission? It had sounded routine enough, but she’d been one of the few Exoplanet team members left behind, which meant something had to be horribly wrong if they couldn’t handle it on their own. She ran towards the sound.

Ben had thought it better to hang around the Clayton landing sight when the giant group had left for SAND’s animal stock. Tensions where still high, and he didn’t like the idea of being where he wasn’t wanted. He only heard the alarms as a dull whirl, not thinking much of it. It struck him- that wasn’t coming from a machine in the hull. It was far off and only getting louder. He rushed out, heading straight to the fray of the other camp. Everyone running, panicked. He started to feel the rush of dread sinking in.“Hey, you.” He turned to the closest person, the mouse-y woman looking just as frazzled as he felt. “What is that? What’s going on.” 

It’s not every day that you find yourself on a foreign planet, at the mercy of a star straight out of a science fiction novel, surrounded by strange plants and fauna that make the reality of how far from home you are seem that much more real. Unless, of course, you’re on an exploratory mission for the good of mankind and have actually been on said planet for more days than you care to count. Especially given that, you know, in Happy’s case he actually kind of preferred this space adventure to Earth. Too many people on Earth, too much polution, way too big a focus on capitalism. Which leads to, of course - “So, when’re we gonna ditch the Claytonians?“

Ben looked around him, before facing the guy again. Was he talking to him?

“I dunno, you tell me.” Ben looked on expectantly. Keeping his shoulders relaxed even if he felt guarded about the whole situation. The guy didn’t look like he was picking for a fight. And even if he was, Ben thought he could take a few swings from a skinny guy before it escalated too quickly.

Markus walked into the entertainment area. It was the first chance he had since he got back to have some time to himself. Someones music was playing off of some small speakers  “Nice, finally got some tunes here.” he said doing a little dance. “What is that i’m hearing?”

Ben quirked his head, trying to place the tune. Not a song he could name but the song- “I dunno. Sounds kinda jazz. Funky even. Dare say....R&B?” It definitely had a rhythm to it. Ben started jamming along with the guy, getting into it.

It was important as a leader to need time-off from a responsibility that ran through all hours of the day. It meant time to relax came few and far between. One-on-one time with each person was always important for the camp site’s harmony. As such, approaching another Providencia resident wasn’t too uncommon for Naima, just for small talk. Every conversation mattered to her. “Have you walked around the forest, westwards from here?” Naima’s voice was warm to seem pleasant. “It’s really a sigh you can’t miss. I’m about to go again myself now. Care to join?” 

Since landing with the Clayton mission Ben began to understand the SAND crew was openly hostile. Readily suspicious and even resentful at their unexpected arrival, especially with the missing supplies fiasco all over the camps. He’d feel the same if he were left in the same position. Ben made a point to be more openly polite, especially with the SAND commander pleasantly extending the olive branch first.

The commander held herself with dignity, Ben felt the need to stand straighter in her presence. “I haven’t,” he started conversationally. “Seemed safer to stay close to camp considering-” Ben waved his hand vaguely in the air, “everything.” Still he smiled his most disarming grin, the but hanging in the air. “But I haven’t been on the planet as long as you all, Commander. Who am I to say no to a sightseeing opportunity.”