Forest Falls Civilian Settlement - October 12, 2019
The Reese boys were having the time of their lives. Which was to say they weren't dead, they were getting stuff done and they were doing it together. Lieutenant Reese had had his own unit for a little over a month now and there hadn't been much time for breathers. There were civilians to direct to safety, Skynet targets to demolish and tech to recover for Resistance use. Derek had been given the chance to pick most of his own people, one of which included Private Reese. Kyle had been as surprised as anyone that he'd been reassigned. It was a good thing, because he was able to be with Derek and watch his back. On a more somber note, it meant that the chance of Portalocity starting services here again was slim.
Derek getting to pick and choose meant two things, and the men in the unit knew it. It meant Connor trusted the older Reese and it meant they were damned good at what they did. Even the people who were assigned instead of chosen learned fast how to pick up the slack. You didn't last long in Reese's unit if you couldn't keep up with the pack. If the machines didn't get you, your own people would make it absolutely clear where you had to improve on your skills.
Every so often, the unit had a chance to slow down for a day or two on the way to another mission. Sometimes they had to hunker down in terrible conditions. Forest Falls was about as close to a quiet woodland getaway as you could find these days. There weren't many civilian settlements that spent even half their time above ground, but Forest Falls was one of them. They used a cave system for protection, heavily fortified against attack, but the machines had yet to find them here amongst the trees. They had some time to see the sky, to breathe the cleanest air most of them had ever breathed and to live. Living wasn't easy these days.
Virginia
Kyle had directed them here for their stopover on their way east. They were welcomed with open arms - literally in Kyle's case as Virginia, the woman who had looked after Star during their time in Skynet's custody, didn't hesitate in squeezing him tightly.
weetinyreese
Kyle was surprised, but pleased to see her in good health. When she let go, he pulled back, looking sheepish in front of the rest of his unit. "It's good to see you too."
Virginia
"You've grown," Virginia noted with a warm smile. Those were hard to come by. "Much taller."
weetinyreese
"I've been eating my vegetables." They shared the joke based on how they met. "How're things?" He glanced around. The unit had spread out, cautious about their surroundings and the cover the trees provided. The locals were recognizable by how much more comfortable they were.
Virginia
"We haven't had any activity in three months," Virginia assured him. "There are sensors, scouts and snipers for miles around. We're doing fine."
weetinyreese
"Star?"
Virginia
"She should be on her way home now."
weetinyreese
Home, Kyle thought. This had been Star's home for a while now. Kyle had joined the Resistance, but Star wasn't old enough to stick around forever. When it was safe enough, she'd been moved to a civilian settlement with Virginia until she was old enough to join up. He hated leaving her, especially after all they'd been through together, but there were things to get done. "Is she still angry with me?"
Virginia
"She was never angry with you," Virginia assured Kyle, placing a hand on his shoulder. "She was angry at not being able to stay with you. We all have to make sacrifices. She understands that."
weetinyreese
Kyle thought about saying something about that, but thought better of it. There was no point arguing. "Did she start talking?"
Virginia
Virginia shook her head. "I don't think she's ever felt the need to. She communicates in her own way. You'd be proud of her, Kyle. She's become quite the upstanding member of society. She taught the other children - and some of the adults - how to hunt and trap. She's still our best provider, and our best scout. She knew the machines were coming on two occasions, before we could see or hear them."
weetinyreese
He managed a small smile. "Yeah. She does that."
Virginia
"There she is," Virginia said quietly, nodding past Kyle's shoulder. "I'll leave you two to catch up."
weetinyreese
Kyle turned and saw a girl he barely recognized. She was taller too, lanky and way too grown up for 11. "Star," he called and walked towards her.
Star
Star hadn't missed the new people in the settlement, but wasn't expecting her name called or to see Kyle there. She handed the skinned rabbits to Estelle, who gave her a questioning look about the new guy. She shrugged and gave a reassuring nod, stopping where she was so Kyle could come to her.
weetinyreese
He stopped a few paces away, torn between how much relief he was feeling at seeing someone he'd missed so much and the uncertainty about how she would react. It had felt like forever since he'd used the sign language they'd developed. The language he had with George was different and didn't flow as well. 'Hi,' he signed. Funnily enough, it was lot like a wave.
Star
She took a few moments to look at him. Kyle was taller. He looked older. Was that stubble? 'Hi,' she signed back. 'You?'
weetinyreese
'Good.' He followed it up with a nod. 'Good?'
Star
'Good. Here why?'
weetinyreese
Kyle signaled that they were on the move and with numbers and directions pointed out where they were going. 'Stop here. See you.'
Star
'Walk?' She wasn't comfortable with the way Estelle and Fred were watching from near the well.
weetinyreese
He nodded and followed her lead, around the back of the caves where they weren't too far away but had some privacy. Derek had caught his eye on the way, leading Kyle to give a reassuring nod. Derek trusted him more now. "Virginia told me you're their best hunter," Kyle said once they were away from the rest.
Star
Star shrugged and nodded, giving a small embarrased smile. 'Learned good,' she signed.
weetinyreese
"Yeah, you did. Do you like it here?"
Star
There were a few moments of hesitation before she nodded. 'Good. Safe.' She paused again, then added, 'happy. People good. Your people?'
weetinyreese
"They're good too." He switched into signals. 'See man leader?' When Star nodded, he continued. "Brother. That's Derek." 'Resistance action group. Together fight machine.'
Star
Any animosity Kyle might have assumed she had was gone. The smile said it all.
weetinyreese
"Yeah, me too." There was so much more he wanted to tell her, about Fandom and Marcus being there and the unit and what they'd been doing. Their relationship was never based on words though, so he let it go. "What have you been hunting?"
Star
An hour passed before they rejoined the community, Derek watching carefully. Star threw Kyle an amused glance, then nodded hello to Derek before going to retrieve her rabbits.
Derek
"You do what you needed to?" Derek asked when Kyle stopped beside him. They'd needed a place to stop along the way. Giving Kyle a chance to see Star was only a bonus.
weetinyreese
Kyle looked over at his brother and nodded, satisfied. "I thought she hated me for leaving her."
Derek
"She doesn't."
weetinyreese
"No," Kyle agreed. "She doesn't. How did you know?"
Derek
"You said you were close," Derek said with a shrug. "Like she was your sister."
weetinyreese
"Yeah, she is."
Derek
"Then she couldn't hate you for doing what you had to do. I wouldn't." He looked around. "It's getting dark. Tell Sutter to set up a rotation. We'll leave as soon as the sun's up."