“We’re looking for a couple new people. A woman and her kid. Seen ‘em?”

Gerrin had repeated that question to several people that afternoon, usually resulting in the same answer: “I don’t know nothin’”. With no way to track their missing crewmembers, he, Reilly and Doc had no choice but to keep asking. The process was getting tedious. Finally, after questioning a dozen people, one man responded. “Yeah. They took off this morning into the thickets. Looked like they were heading for the hills”.

“Just ran?” Doc asked.

“Yup. Happens now and then, but I didn’t say nothin’”.

“Thanks”. Turning back to Doc and Reilly, Gerrin said “Well, now we know which way they were heading.”

“And you think we’ll be able to find them with just that?”

“It’s a start”. Gerrin looked toward the low-lying hills and pulled out a small two-way radio, pressing the “talk” button. “Loomie, you there?”

Loomie’s voice came back “Right here, cap’n. Whatcha need?”

“Do a quick heat scan on the hills to the west and see if you pick up anything unusual.”

“Right. Give me a couple minutes”. The line went dead. As they waited Reilly voiced his thoughts. “All right, suppose Loomie can track them. What then?”

“Then we get to them ASAP”, Gerrin answered.

“Just like that?”

Gerrin nodded “Just like that”.

“They may have company”, Doc mused.

“That’s why you have the bag and we have the guns”.

Gerrin’s comm unit beeped. “I got something” Loomie chimed. “Looks like several contacts, northwest of your position, 285 degrees, maybe five clicks”.

“Got it. Good work.” Gerrin checked his compass and turned in the direction quoted him. “Let’s go. We’re burning daylight”. He started toward the hills.

Reilly and Doc looked at each other. Gerrin turned toward them. “Move” he ordered.

Doc raised an eyebrow. “Move?”

Gerrin rolled his eyes. “Move, please”, he offered.

Doc stared at him for a second before shrugging “Well, that’ll do”.

* * * * *

The sun was growing low in the sky as Anna an