The Second Stash

The trail of dusty brown soil and pebbles turned into untrimmed weeds and boulders as it disappeared, meaning the rest of the path was never traversed, or hasn't been in years. Dawning hiking boots, Ranger 4 easily scaled the uneven layer of rocks that now lay on the tree cleared path, keeping his original pace. It wouldn't be long until they'd comb the forest. He had to find shelter.

His park ranger map on his tac pad was updated in real time for positions of employees and potential threats. However, given his current predicament, he opted to conserve the energy and used his slightly outdated printed map. The terrain didn't change, only newer structures might not be listed. He knew northwest of his original location was an old structure, but he couldn't tell what the structure was, only that it existed for hundreds of years and had been converted into an emergency supply and vehicle storage. Squinting at the map, he wondered what vehicles could possibly be stored there if no permanent roads connected to it. Maybe the roads were long gone too, eroded and reclaimed by nature, much like the trail he currently was on.

Rocket fire echoed off the mountains, the original sounds coming from the city that bordered the regional park and laid mostly in a valley. Having been a soldier before, he was unfazed, however if it drew closer, he would be in trouble. No one knew he was still on park grounds with the exception of his fellow rangers, however he had reason to believe they had all been eradicated at HQ. His radio had been silent since Two Leeves Outpost.

He came to the top of the trail, the unknown structure finally in view.

"...a barn?" He panted while shielding his eyes from the hazy sun, approaching it with curiousness, but still cautious. His knowledge of this planet was sparse, but farming was very common back on Earth, and barns would litter the country sides for animals, care items and equipment to upkeep the farms. Who would put a barn on a mountain?

"One mystery for later." He muttered again, looking for an entrance to the deteriorating building. He wasn't sure how much time he had before another air raid would begin.

Walking around the back, he found some fraying boards out of place and inspected the damage. He suspected vandals at most, but perhaps even a medium-sized, half intelligent animal could've broken in if they were desperate enough. Removing his hiking bag, he shoved it through the hole first before his large frame, turning on his headlamp once inside.

Slats were missing from the roof, but not enough that it would pose a problem of exposure. It appeared that most of the old barn's contents remained untouched, much like the first abandoned outpost he found on his journey north to the region border.

As he shone his light around, he soon realized how much stuff was actually here - vehicles were included in that mental list, but they were old snow plows and all terrain vehicles. "Most likely to find lost hikers or plow service roads." He commented aloud, wanting to hear his voice echo inside the ancient chamber. Stored along the back and left side of the barn were palettes upon palettes of covered materials, and having a peek under a tarp yielded wide eyes from Ranger 4.

"Holy...shit." It was pounds and pounds of non-perishable food, and not the dehydrated or protein shake gunk he was given in the military. It was cases of nuts, dried fruit, jerky, plant seeds, wheat, corn, items one would need to survive. And it was a treasure trove all for him.

He revised his survival strategy after taking in more of his whereabouts, the cool darkness of the barn making it unnecessary to build a fire, at least for now. Still rather paranoid, he kept most of his essentials close together in case he needed to make a quick getaway, opting to leave his survival kit within his hiking bag. He rooted through the supplies, trying to see if there's other equipment hidden among the tarps and bags.

Ranger 4's trained ears perked up when he heard a low growl under a truck. Turning his head and shining his light, he noticed two glowing eyes in the darkness, peering into his soul. He slowly moved his body to face the unknown creature, slightly crouching to show he was friendly.

"Hungry?" He asked, realizing he was holding a container of jerky. He placed it down on the ground a couple feet in front of him, hoping the creature would attack the can and not him.

The creature crept out of its hiding space, coming into the light. It was a larger cat species, Ranger 4 equated its similarities to Earth's puma or cougar with its larger body and its feline movement. The fur was tainted coal, mangled with clumps of grime and perhaps oil from it hiding under vehicles for warmth and shelter. He could see the shoulders move on the creature as it carefully approached and he noticed it.

A bloated belly.

"Mamma all alone? Must be scary, huh." Ranger 4 talked quietly, letting the creature eat the canned food while observing, seeing if he could spot any signs of her mate around. The creature seemed to relax after eating half the can, and Ranger 4 took this chance to thoroughly comb the barn for traces and tracks. Another bomb was faintly heard, being the constant reminder of how he could not be found here. He was done with war. He couldn't go through it again, on either side.

Coming up empty, he began unpacking and making a little fort for himself up on the loft. He wanted to give the creature her space, especially when it came time for her to give birth. Using some hay and a tarp, he created a makeshift bed and blanket, not surprisingly being more comfortable than the mossy undergrowth of the forest. Gazing up through some of the open slats on the old barn's weathered roof, he prayed it could last him through the rest of the scrimmage for power.