“Show me the furs. I want to see them.”
He realized that he would deny her nothing.
Chapter 21
Mara
“Welcome viewers to the players campsite. As you can see, the tents are up, the fire is going, and night has fallen. This means that the next challenge in the Galactic Survivor Games is a night challenge!”The Game Master announced.
The hologram with the audience viewers watching clapped and yelled out their pleasure.
All the players stood with their partners in the circle that the GSG technicians had made at the campsite. As soon as the sun set, the technicians rushed to get the players in place and ready for the camera drones.
Mara, for once, was warm. The thinner skin fur that Vaelor had hunted for her was better than any thermal underwear she had ever owned. And the thicker fur coat was so soft. She had the impulse to get naked and roll all over it. But then the technicians called everyone to the campfire.
The Game Master continued his monologue.
“This challenge is called, Black Out. The players must travel five miles north across a region of the ice planet known as the Obsidian Veil during the height of the nocturnal cycle. On this part of the planet, the atmosphere at night creates a Black-Out effect where even the three moons provide zero visibility. The terrain is a labyrinth of jagged ice pillars and sudden drops. It will be easy to get lost, turned upside down.”
“If the players do not make it through the Obsidian Veil, they will be disqualified. They have to keep moving or they could end up frozen in place.”
Great, if she stopped to pee, she would end up a half-naked popsicle. Mara did not want that broadcast all over the galaxy. Atleast it wasn’t another timed challenge, so she would be able to keep her thin fur on.
The Game Master raised his hand.“Players. On your mark. Get set. Go!”
A buzzer blasted, the challenge began.
As other players rushed forward, Vaelor and Mara waited. Vaelor had his eyes closed and inhaled deeply.
“Do you have it?” Mara asked in a soft voice.
He opened his eyes. “Yes.”
When he reached for her hand, she didn’t hesitate. She put her hand in his and trusted that he knew the right direction to go. Then they took three steps into darkness.
They didn’t run like the others did. She was grateful when they had taken time to let Vaelor use his senses to determine the correct direction. She couldn’t see the other players, but she could hear several of them tripping and becoming disoriented.
“Damn! I can’t see anything!” someone yelled out. It sounded like Blaine.
Vaelor jerked her back just as another form fell right in front of them. No telling who that was. He adjusted their path and pulled her forward.
“Are we still going north?” she asked.
“Yes. Watch your step, there’s broken ice underneath us.”
Just as he warned her, her boot stepped on a broken piece and started to slide. He used his grip on her hand and kept her from falling.
“This is going to be interesting,” she commented.
He snorted. “You are understating it a bit. But we haven’t gotten to the worst part of the challenge yet.”
“How do you know?” she asked.
“From watching the Galactic Survivor Game visuals.”
“How did you manage that? Your planet is a sub class, right?” That was what the Galactic Nations referred to unrecognized planets and civilizations with less technology.
“It is. But we had visitors, mostly deadly ones.”
