Chapter Text
Naked and Afraid: MFS
Introduction
A camera shot soars above forested mountains, covered with evergreens interspersed with patches of colorful deciduous trees. The leaves range from bright yellow to dark red to shades of orange. White granite breaks through on the slopes of the mountains, one summit almost entirely white rock with periodic scrub and sporadic tree cover. A deep, raspy, dramatically male voice begins narrating.
This season on Naked and Afraid XL: Four teams of three try to survive in their own backyard. Each survivalist is retired or active military. Many have been stationed in some of the world’s harshest environments; most have seen fierce combat. Almost all have attempted 21-day challenges. And for the first time ever - and unbeknownst to them - each team has a prior connection to each other. Now, they will be set loose to survive in the Appalachian Mountains of Maine for 60 days. No clothes, no food, no shelter. Each person has brought one personal item, and each team will be provided with a pot for boiling water. In addition, each team will have to choose three survival items from the four available. At the end of 60 days, they will make a grueling hike along the Appalachian Trail to reach their extraction point.
Insertion Day - September 1, 2022
10:00 AM
72℉
Team One
“I am Sarah Alder. I am a General in the United States Army; well, I suppose now I have to say I was a General in the United States Army. I have recently retired. This challenge, my sixth, is my retirement gift to myself. Once I complete this challenge, I will retire from Naked and Afraid as well.”
As the survivalist’s voice-over plays, a tan pickup truck bounces carelessly down a winding dirt road, rough-barked pines crowding the small path. In the truck bed stands the woman to whom the voice belongs. Tall, lithe, muscular, with her waist length black hair secured into a tight braid, General Sarah Alder (Ret.) stands braced against the cab of the truck.
“I’ve been in enough challenges now, as well as enough real life situations, that being naked around others just doesn’t phase me anymore.” To that point, Sarah is wearing only an army-green sports bra and cargo shorts. As the truck rolls to a stop and the confident woman hops easily over the side to the ground - showing that her feet are already bare - she launches said sports bra back towards the truck bed. She swiftly doffs her cargo shorts, also army issue, and throws a barely-there wave over her shoulder at the camera with one hand as she taps on the driver’s door to let him know she’s clear. In short order, she locates a small trail leading into the green foliage around her and begins to follow it.
On another small road, an open air Jeep kicks up a cloud of dust as it passes. In the back seat sits a woman of medium-brown skin, her shoulder length hair dark and loose, dressed in a fitted t-shirt emblazoned with a two-tone globe bisected by a depiction of a dagger backed by zig-zags of yellow lightning. Her voice-over introduction begins.
“General Petra Bellweather, Air Force Combat Weatherman. Yes, I said General. I am the highest ranking CWT, and the first woman to achieve this position. I am here to prove to my daughter that she is not the only survivalist in our family. I have been a survivor long before I brought her into this world, as have generations of Bellweathers before us.This will be my second challenge. I was medically tapped on day 20 of my previous challenge, against my strenuous objections I want it noted, due to the onset of sepsis from an infected bug bite.” The on-screen focus shifts so that General Bellweather is now looking directly into the camera, eyes clear and steady. “I will not tap this time, no matter what,” the voice-over finishes.
.
A tall woman with a mysterious smirk sits in the bed of another pick-up truck, alert and watching the landscape disappear behind them as she rests her back against the cab. Over the side she appears to be paying close attention to the various trees, bushes, brush, and other foliage they pass. “Izadora L’Amara, forensic scientist. I’m not actually in the military myself, but I do work for the military as a contractor. That’s about all I can say. Oh, um,” as the voice-over gathers itself the truck slows to a stop. “This is my first challenge. I signed up for the XL but with the right to leave at 21 days without it tanking my PSR, since it is my first time out.”
Interlude
PSR - or Primitive Survival Rating - is a number assigned to each survivalist by a panel of experts taking into consideration things such as their experience, skills, knowledge, and mental fortitude. Each survivalist has been assigned a PSR at the beginning of the challenge; however, since this will be a teams challenge each team will be assigned a Skills Metric, or XLS, which measures the likelihood they will complete the entire challenge as a team. For this team, Izadora’s decision to stay or leave at the end of 21 days will impact the XLS of the surviving members but her own PSR will not be penalized if she does leave. It will, however, be reevaluated and potentially rise significantly if she successfully completes more than 21 days.
Team Two
Six miles away, another trio is arriving one by one. With her short blond hair flying behind her, a woman stands in the middle of a truck bed. Her hands are raised up towards the sky, arms reaching to encompass everything around her,, and she appears to either be yelling or perhaps singing - loudly.
“Hey ladies and others. I’m Raelle Collar, Medic Extraordinaire. As a Special Forces Medical Sergeant, I have been in and around all types of extreme situations. I have snatched life from the jaws of death, and on occasion I’ve had defeat snatched from the jaws of victory. This is my third challenge, and my first XL.” As the voice-over continues, a drone-shot swoops around the woman standing and announcing her presence to the wilderness around her.
A fast change now to a slower moving vehicle - a pontoon boat bounces across choppy waves, heading up a small river, shale and moss lining the banks. Leaning against the back corner, long legs stretched out before her and crossed at the ankle, a peaceful looking woman reclines with her eyes closed and her face turned up towards the sparse sunlight breaking through the pine needles overhead.
Her voice-over begins with a warm laugh. “Hi! Chief Warrant Officer Tally Craven here. This is only my second challenge, and my first attempt at an XL. I’ve not tapped yet and I don’t plan to start now. My work in Special Forces has led me to living in some very primitive and extreme conditions, for pay not for fun, and we don’t get to tap out. So what am I doing here?” Another laugh, tinged with a hint of disbelief. “I don’t really know, to be honest. Just seemed like the thing to do when I was invited.” The pontoon boat carefully beaches and the redhead shucks her minimal clothing and hops over the side, taking off for a tiny trail without a backward glance.
In a sleek powerboat, a woman bearing a striking resemblance to Petra Bellweather sits neatly at attention. Feet planted firmly, knees nearly together, her hands rest in her lap. Her focus is intense, head swiveling this way and that as she takes in everything she sees, or at least tries to.
“I am Abigail Bellweather.” The voice-over starts off confident and strong, then immediately switches to a mutter. “So help me Goddess, if they introduce my mother first…” She clears her throat and starts again. “Right. Sorry. I am Abigail Bellweather. I am a Captain in the U.S. Air Force Combat Weathermen,” the view changes from Abigail’s journey upriver to one of her in uniform, “also called the Grey Berets.” She touches the beret she’s wearing. “They call us Bellweathers ‘Weather Witches’ because our family has a history of accurately predicting weather patterns, even when the latest and greatest technology says we’re wrong. My mother, the revered General Petra Bellweather, has beaten me to becoming the first female Lieutenant General Combat Weathermen,” an official Air Force photo of General and Captain Bellweather, in their dress uniforms topped off with the signature head coverings, flashes across the screen, “but mark my words. She will not be the last. I am hot on her heels, believe you me. This will be my fourth challenge, and my second XL. General Bellweather may have made it to the top of the Air Force ranks first, but I hold the Bellweather record for survivalist challenges and it’s going to stay that way.”
The powerboat sidles up to a dock. Abigail stands carefully and measuredly removes her shirt, identical to General Bellweather’s, then the camo pants and tan boots she wore on the way in. The last thing she removes is her beret, setting it on the top of her shoes to keep it clean. Showing how naturally being “at attention” comes to her, Abigail executes a perfect about-face and marches off into the wilderness before her.
Interlude
This season, the four teams have been dropped off on opposite sides of their extraction hike. From their starting points on the south side of Old Speck Mountain in the Mahoosuc Mountain Range, they will spend the first 20 days in their small teams. On day 21, instead of making their way to extraction, each team will make their way to the first of two merges at a new camp indicated on their maps. Teams 1 and 2, beginning their challenge on the southwest face of Old Speck, will follow their maps to their combined site. Teams 3 and 4, located on the southeast side of Old Speck, will make their way to their own shared site. They will remain in these two newly merged teams for the next 19 days. But that is still not the end of their journeys. On Day 40 they must combine their team maps to make two new, larger maps. This will take them to the final survival location, on the north side of Old Speck Mountain. This mega team will spend the last 20 days in their final location before moving out together. At this point the combination of all of the teams’ maps will give them the extraction journey which will, at times, run nearly parallel with the Appalachian Trail. The team will have to make their way across the Grafton Notch and over Bear Creek where their extraction vehicles will be waiting. But first, they must find each other and then their initial survival locations.
Team Three
Short, dark, curly hair moves slightly in the wind as the next survivalist sits casually in the back of a dirty, white truck. A drone camera soars along behind her, then catches up and begins to circle the woman. “Libba Swythe, Captain in the Army Rangers. As a sniper, I have extensive training and experience in stealth, tracking, and patience. And I never miss my mark.” The camera stops head-on to the Captain, her dark eyes alert and shining with determination. “And my mark is Extraction Day, day 60. And also General. I will be the first General Swythe.”
A tall man rides comfortably on the back of an ATV as it bumps its way down a barely-there path. Though his loose clothing gives no clues as to his build, other than tall, the easy way he sways along with the ATV and absorbs the rough journey indicates a peace and ease that is rare. “Hello. My name is Adil. I am first-generation American and first-generation military. I come from a long line of peaceful educators and researchers. Our homeland was destroyed when my sister and I were children, and we sought refuge here in the States. I joined the Army as a linguist and translator in order to afford putting both myself and my sister through higher education, while keeping myself in a non-combat role.” As the ATV slows and stops, the man steps off to one side. Item by item he removes first his tan leather flip-flops and then his linen shirt and pants, folding each and placing them in a saddle bag. He stands to his full height, the very clear back and leg muscles that are now revealed not necessarily what one would associate with a linguist, then raises his hands above his head. After a moment’s pause, he brings his hands together in front of himself as the camera pans around to show his countenance - peaceful, contemplative, and anything but afraid. With a few deep breaths, Adil nods once to himself and takes off into the wilds that await him.
In a small powerboat, a dark-skinned woman with her hair braided close around the sides and top of her head sits casually - but something about her belies that casualness and tells anyone closely watching her that she is far more alert than she looks. Her dark sunglasses make it impossible to know whether her eyes are open or closed; regardless, she is clearly paying close attention to the world around her.
“I am coming back for my fourth challenge. I’m Major Anacostia Quartermaine. I currently serve in Army Intelligence; my previous assignment was as a Drill Sergeant. Between training future generations of soldiers how to survive, and applying those skills myself in intelligence-gathering missions, there’s not much I haven’t done or seen. Both of my parents were Army Infantry, and my adoptive mother is a retired General who is also an experienced survivalist and veteran of several challenges herself. Every day I set out to make each of my three parents proud, and to serve my country in the best way I can. For the next 60 days, that means representing my parents and the Army in this challenge and walking out with my head held high on Extraction day.
Interlude
The survivalists have only been told that this is a military challenge, in which all participants will be service members. They have not been told that they will be in this challenge with former colleagues, family, or unit mates. Each of the four teams have previously been stationed together for training or long-term assignments. There are two mother/daughter relationships across the teams: the Bellweathers, and Sarah Alder and her adopted daughter Ana Quartermaine. In certain circles within the Army, Bellweathers and Swythes are known to be the modern-day Hatfields and McCoys; for reasons unknown, they are nearly sworn enemies. And the fourth team… Team four is out for redemption, each in their own ways.
Team Four
A deep, sonorous voice begins speaking as a black truck makes its way towards the camera, the person in the back still but a small speck.
“My name is M. Just M. You can call me Gunny if you want. I’m a Marine Gunnery Sergeant. I started out in the Army, but my career course changed when I met Sarah Alder. She was a Lieutenant General at the time and I became her aide-de-camp. She took me under her wing, saw something in me that not even my family had understood. Somehow, General Alder knew that the Army wasn’t quite what I was looking for. I’m nonbinary, and the Marines weren’t exactly eager to open their ranks at the time. But the General and her daughter, who quickly became my best friend, wholeheartedly supported me. Their help and acceptance allowed me to pursue what I really wanted; they saw me through the steps of applying to the Corps and transferring. Though our assignments over recent years have made it impossible to meet up, we stay in touch. I’ve seen both of them on the show, of course, and I know how supportive they were for my first appearance on the Amazon challenge; especially when I walked out alone on Day 21. I’ve learned a lot about surviving and thriving from both of them.” The truck has come much closer now, revealing a tall, slim, white person with a shaven head and strong features.
The last two survivalists sit on the back bench of an open air SUV. They sit on opposite ends of the bench, each looking out over their doors, not saying a word. One is a white man with brown hair, close-cut, with an arrogant smirk playing across his features. The other man has darker skin and hair, possibly of Middle-Eastern descent. Though he too is silent, his silence has an air of contemplation and self-reflection.
“My name is Gregorio Shellbark.” The voice is calm, self-assured, and measured. Under the voice-over, the camera focuses on the second man. “I am third-generation American and third-generation Army. I serve as a weapons specialist. This is my second challenge. On the first one, a fans-and-favorites challenge, I had to tap out early for medical reasons. I’m here to prove that I can go all the way to extraction.”
Another voice-over starts. This voice is smooth, charming, and sleek. “Hey everyone! The one and only Gerit Buttonwood here, at your service.” The camera pulls in tight on the white man with his arrogant smirk. “I’m here to get justice for my beloved wife, Hilary. My darling wife was medically tapped after receiving a serious injury,” the screen shows a flashback to Hilary’s challenge, where she broke down into tears after a minor sunburn on her forearm drove her to the brink and she demanded to be taken out of the challenge. “Have no fear, after following doctor’s orders to a T she is now well. But I am here to show Mother Nature who’s boss. I’ve been in the Army Reserves alongside my Hilary for nearly ten years now; I have complete confidence in my ability to see this all the way through to the end.”
Interlude
Each team has been assigned an XLS, a way to measure the likelihood they will make it through extraction together.
Team One, consisting of two Generals and one forensic scientist consultant, has many years of experience and leadership on their side. Alder herself is a fan favorite, having successfully completed a number of both regular and XL challenges without ever tapping out. However, this is Izadora’s first challenge and Petra’s second. Their inexperience in this type of challenge, along with two headstrong Generals who are used to being in charge of the situations around them, could prove difficult.
Still, their initial XLS is set pretty high at 54%.
Team Two consists of three women who, while overall younger than Team One, are each successful and accomplished in their own rights. The combination of a built-in medic in Raelle Collar, a “Weather Witch” as Abigail calls herself, and Tally Craven’s experience with Special Forces makes them a formidable team; however, overconfidence often has a price. Their XLS, though still high, sits slightly below Team One at 48%.
Team Three’s XLS is set squarely in the middle, at 51%. Adil’s peaceful ways could help to maintain a calm environment, but they could also prove to be a hindrance in a survival situation - or to a fellow survivalist’s mindset. Libba’s experience with tracking and stalking a target bodes well for keeping food on their table, but will her sniper skills transfer to weapons other than firearms? And Anacostia Quartermaine’s experience, commitment, and seriousness could help pull the team through to the end - but will she prove to be too serious and alienate her teammates?
Team Four’s XLS, according to our panel of experts, proved tricky to set. M’s determination has already brought them into a career they never imagined they could have, as well as completing a 21 day challenge after their partner tapped early. But will that same determination allow M to let teammates help out, or will they be so determined to prove themself that they alienate their team? Gregorio tends to be an easygoing participant most of the time, but on his previous challenge he showed that he does indeed have a strong backbone and will jump in to help out when needed. But he was medically tapped, therefore not completing the challenge. And finally, Gerit Buttonwood. His time in the Reserves has given him some survival skills, but will his determination to complete this challenge in his wife’s name be enough to see him through the times to come? Ultimately, Team Four’s XLS is set at 40% owing in part to the fact that only one of the three have completed a challenge while another is beginning his first challenge today.
The Teams Meet Up
12:00 PM
71 ℉
Team One
A camera follows Sarah Alder as she walks confidently, her sure-footed stride never breaking even as she steps carefully over thick tree roots and weaves through large rocks lining the small game trail she follows, the edges crowded by leafy brush and bushes. She approaches a small clearing surrounded on all sides by tall, thick pine trees and still-green brush. Breaking through into the clearing soon after is Petra Bellweather.
“Bellweather,” Sarah greets her. Her tone is neither warm nor cold; not welcoming nor judgemental but merely factual. “I guess you’re my partner again.”
“Alder.” Petra’s greeting nearly exactly matches Sarah’s in tone. “So it would seem.” Before either can say anything, they turn to a rustling and see another woman push through the trees.
“Sarah? Is that you, Sarah?” The curious voice breaks through the foliage moments before the equally curious woman it belongs to.
“Izadora! What a delight to see you here,” Sarah greets, immediately reaching out for a warrior’s handshake with the newcomer. This time her tone is warm, welcoming, and clearly pleased.
“Please, let’s not pretend your vouching for me didn’t have anything to do with it,” Izadora smirks as she returns the greeting, clasping Sarah at the elbow with their forearms together.
“I would have if they’d asked me, Iza, but this one wasn’t me,” Sarah assures her.
“Nor was it me,” Petra interjects, tired of being ignored. “A pleasure to see you, Izadora, as always. I believe our chances have increased significantly with your presence.” While not quite as warm or familiar as Sarah’s greeting, Petra is nevertheless sincere and welcoming
Izadora turns to Petra as she speaks, ending the handshake with Sarah only to extend the same courtesy to the Lieutenant General. “General Bellweather, a privilege to meet you again.” Bellweather nods gracefully in return as they shake hands.
“Clearly they undersold the ‘reunion’ aspect of this challenge,” Sarah observes, somewhat wryly. “It is more than a simple military challenge.”
“Clearly,” Bellweather agrees, something not quite identifiable in her voice. “Well, let’s get on with it, shall we? I believe I see our bags ahead.” She points to one of the many fir trees around them, three burlap bags hanging on different branches. The women turn and walk to the tree, each pulling down a bag and opening it. “I have brought my great-grandmother’s hygrometer, handmade and passed down through our generations. This will help us to keep track of potential storms or dry spells and plan accordingly.”
Sarah nods her appreciation - the tension which is clear between Sarah Alder and Petra Bellweather is also clearly not enough to prevent them respecting each other. She opens her own bag and speaks. “I have paracord for my item.” Sarah briefly holds a neatly bundled length before tucking it back into her bag. “Izadora, what do you have?”
“Mortar and pestle.” Izadora holds a smooth, beautifully multi-colored bowl with a rod in it. The bowl has 2 notches in the lip directly across from each other. Both the bowl and the rod are a swirl of browns, tans, white, off-white, grey, black, and a touch of silver. “I can grind bugs, berries, flowers, fish bones…”
Interlude
Izadora L’Amara, forensic scientist with specialties in mycology - or mushrooms and the mycelial network - and entomology, has chosen as her survival item something we’ve not seen before on this show. Mortar and pestle have been used since the dawn of tools to grind, mix, and powder all manner of items. Izadora’s mortar and pestle are both made of agate, making them uniquely suited for a situation in which bacteria and cross contamination are high risks. She begins her first challenge by showing that she clearly thinks outside the box - but will that be help or hindrance?
With their personal items revealed, it is now time for the team to select three additional survival items to bring with them. They are each provided with a survival knife, and each team is also given a pot for boiling water.
Team One Continued
Sarah directs their attention to a deadwood log near their tree. “Okay, here are the items we have to choose from. Everyone has a knife, right?” Both Petra and Izadora check their bags and offer confirming nods. “Very well. The items we have here are,”
Petra, again not willing to sit back and be silent, starts to list the items. “Bow and arrow. Excellent for hunting game, but they can be bulky. Fishing line and hooks, we definitely need those. Fire starter, and, lastly, paracord. We have that covered, is there any reason we’d need more paracord instead of one of the others?” Despite cutting Sarah off, Petra does look to her respectfully for her opinion, as well as taking in Izadora who speaks next.
“I can’t think of anything. Looks like Sare has a pretty good bundle of it there.”
“I concur,” Sarah concurs. “Bow, fire starter, and fishing gear. Works for me. Okay, who has the map?”
They all reach into their bags, somewhat performatively for the camera, and Petra pulls it out of hers. “I have it.” As the other two women move to stand behind Petra, one at each shoulder, and look at the map Petra draws her finger along a line. “Looks like this is the route to our initial site. We’ll need to be wary of bears,” she taps a cartoonish bear figure on the map, “but we may have a good hunting ground nearby if we play this right.”
“But wait,” Izadora chimes in. “I see our first site, and I see the first merge point, but isn’t extraction usually on the maps too?”
Interlude
Team One has just figured out the major navigational twist - or at least the first part of it. Each team only has one quarter of the final map they will need to make it to extraction. Undeterred, Petra folds the map into her bag and the three set off to find their home for the next twenty days.
Team Two
Dark, muscular legs come into view first, walking away from the camera and carefully navigating through the underbrush as the view pans up to an equally muscular butt, back, and shoulders. Abigail Bellweather makes her way to the meeting point. She nears a smooth winterberry bush, its brown-gray branches laden with three burlap bags, and turns her head quickly first to the left and then to the right. From the left emerges the blond woman, slightly shorter but just as naked. On her right side, Tally steps up to the bush with a broad smile on her face.
“No way! We’re together again?” Tally says as she spreads her arms out to bring the other two into a naked three-way hug, none of them at all awkward in doing so.
“Bellweather Unit Forever, ladies!” Abigail says with great enthusiasm.
“At least you’re not calling me Shitbird,” Raelle jokes from within the hug, to which Abigail’s reply is swift.
“The day is young, Shitbird.” The three women laugh easily, clearly comfortable with each other.
Tally is the first to pull back, though she keeps her hands on the bare shoulders of the other two. “This is so cool. I can’t believe I get to do this challenge with you two.”
“We’re gonna kick ass, just like always,” Abigail assures. She turns to the bush and grabs a bag, opening it. “I’ve brought my hygrometer,”
Raelle leans over to look at it. “Is that the one we made together in Basic?”
“It damn sure is; I carry Sekhmet with me everywhere I go.”
Interlude, Abigail
Abigail faces the camera, standing alone among green brush and colorful leaves. “What is Sekhmet? It’s the name we gave ourselves in Boot Camp. I should actually clarify that it wasn’t boot camp or basic training like you’re probably thinking. It was a cross-training program that brought specialists from different military branches together to increase cohesiveness. There was a group of us that got on very well, mostly women but not all, and we adopted Sekhmet as our sort of matron - if you will - goddess.”
Team Two Continued
Raelle and Tally share small smiles with Abigail, clearly sharing memories of their past. Raelle is the next to speak. “I brought,” with a dramatic pause that, judging by the eyerolls of her teammates, is unnecessary but not unexpected, “duct tape! A medic’s best friend.”
Though the voice speaking is Raelle’s, the camera has shifted to show Abigail and Tally mouthing along as though they have heard this many times before.
“You and your damn duct tape, Shitbird,” Abigail starts.
“Tell that to the gash that isn’t in your calf thanks to me and my damn duct tape, after you ripped it open on barbed wire.” Abigail glances from Raelle to the camera and rolls her eyes again, not bothering to hide her easy smile. “Yeah, yeah.”
With a chuckle, Tally moves things along. “Binoculars, of course.” She lifts a moderately sized pair out of her bag. “Good for seeing what’s around, obviously, but in a pinch they can help start a fire.”
Interlude
Tally Craven is called The Knower by many of her comrades in arms, for her uncanny abilities to plot safe passage through hostile territory, among other things. While unconventional, her signature binoculars come as no surprise to those who know her. A hygrometer, duct tape, and binoculars. Certainly one of the most unusual collections of survival items we’ve seen. As their three additional items, this team has selected the bow and arrows, fishing line and hooks, and paracord.
Team Three
A lone man stands contemplating the only tree taller than he is in the immediate area - it would seem from the sparse greenery, shorter and more barren trunks, and occasional char marks that there was a fire here in the not-too-distant past. Whether it was a controlled burn or a wildfire remains a mystery. On the white branches before him hang three burlap bags. He turns as he hears shuffling among the treeline beyond the fireline.
“Another naked person!” Libba greets. “You must be my partner for this challenge - wait, you look familiar. Have we met?”
“Adil, is that you?” Anacostia enters the frame and immediately recognizes him. He clearly recognizes her as well, respectfully dipping his head towards her in a not-quite bow.
“Adil, that name sounds so familiar. Sorry, how rude of me. I am Libba Swythe. Hello Sergeant Quartermaine.” She directs this last towards Anacostia.
“Swythe, you look well. Good to see you. It’s actually Major now, I’m not a drill sergeant anymore. But Anacostia, or just Ana, is fine.”
“Libba, then, Ana.” As Team One did before them, Anacostia and Libba formally greet each other with a warrior’s handshake, hand clasping elbow and forearms pressed together. Adil remains standing, peacefully detached but always observing.
“Libba,” Ana says as she turns to the lone man among them, “you most likely have met or at least heard of Adil. He is an accomplished and highly skilled interpreter who has helped negotiate a number of cease-fires, truces, holiday pauses, and even assisted with treaties.
“Right! Right, yes. I have worked with you. You were attached to our company for a time, several years ago.”
“I was, yes. It was an honor to work with such a capable company.” As he speaks, Adil holds out his hand and greets Libba with a warrior’s handshake, a move which would have surprised her had she not worked with him previously. He reaches behind himself, removing each bag from the beech tree and handing one each to the women with him. “I have brought a spade as my item.”
“I have paracord,” Ana shows her item before placing it back into her bag.
“And I have my handmade bow set,” Libba walks to the side of the tree, where her items lean.
Interlude, Libba
Libba is kneeling, sat easily back on her heels, as she speaks alone to a camera. “As a sniper, it is crucial that my weapon be carefully crafted and maintained to my own specifications. I started bow hunting as a child, going on excursions with my parents. They taught me to make my own weapons from a young age. This bow is very carefully weighted and balanced, and these arrows have been painstakingly crafted. But as beautiful as it is, this is no show weapon. I use it regularly.”
Team Three Continued
“We don’t need the paracord,” Ana says as she turns to the four items laid out on the ground for them to choose from. “But do we need two bows?”
“We don’t know what the hunting will be like,” Libba points out. “It might be good to have two of us out there, that is, if Adil doesn’t mind staying back and guarding the site.”
“It would be my honor to maintain our homestead once it is established, Libba. If we can find a river or pond, I can also keep watch over passive lines,” as he says this, Adil picks up the fishing line and hooks and places them in his bag, then the fire starter. “And I will do my best to ensure we have a fire going at all times.”
“We will all pitch in, Adil,” Ana assures.
“Absolutely,” Libba agrees, lightly clapping Adil on the back of his bare shoulder as she ties her deerskin quiver to the strap of her burlap sack and settles them so the quiver sits at her side, bow grasped in one hand.
Ana picks up the pot, identical to the ones issued to the other teams, and tucks it into her bag. She is the first to comment on the other item everyone has been issued. “I think it’s a bit warm yet to wear the pelts.” She tucks hers into her bag with the other items, Adil and Libba nodding and following suit.
Interlude
Although the current temperature is a comfortable 75 degrees, the nights can easily drop into the forties in September. Each survivalist has been provided with a fur pelt to help prevent hypothermia from setting in during the approaching cold weather. For now, though, and with their hike to the first site ahead of them, it is still plenty warm.
Team Four
Two men walk down an uneven, narrow path, closed in on both sides by tall grass and low lying limbs. The man in front walks quickly - and loudly - making no effort to employ stealth or take in his surroundings. The second man, Gregorio, periodically shakes his head at the man in front of him but manages to keep pace with much less disturbance. They arrive at a thicket of holly, where their third teammate awaits their arrival. They look concerned, as though wondering what is crashing through the forest around them. They look equally annoyed and relieved to find that it is only their team coming to join them.
“Hey Mi-” before Gerit can finish speaking, M cuts him off.
“It’s just M, Gerit. Just M.”
“M! Damn it’s good to see you, my friend!” Gregorio’s greeting is sincere and warm, offering a hug but waiting for M’s acceptance or refusal.
M returns the hug and greeting just as warmly. “You too, GG. You too. Gerit,” they turn to him, M and Gregorio both, offering a fist bump. It goes horribly, awkwardly awry as Gerit tries to turn it into a warrior’s handshake with first one, then the other, and fails miserably in both cases. Eventually, all three just drop their arms and turn to their burlap bags. “Right. Let’s see what we have, shall we?”
Gerit quickly points to a clearly handhewn bow and a set of five arrows, tipped with bone arrowheads. The arrowheads are on display, arrows stored in the clearly brand new leather quiver - upside down. As he slings both over his shoulders, one on each, he explains. “I made this bow and these arrows myself! I’ve spent the last month practicing with it.”
“Yeah? What have you brought down?” M asks curiously.
“Oh, no I haven’t killed anything yet. I’ve been taking it out shooting at targets.” His chest puffs up. “Bullseye every time, this past week!” He might as well be a cock crowing, for all the self-assuredness in his voice.
There’s a beat of utter silence from the others. Finally, “Well,” Gregorio clears his throat and reaches into his bag, “I’ve also brought something handmade. This,” he pulls out a knife, considerably smaller than the ones issued to everyone, “came with my family when they emigrated to the States. It was forged by my grandfather’s grandmother at her home forge. Well, part of it is.” He holds the blade up to the camera, showing a damascus pattern. “The knife made it across to the States, but time did take its toll eventually. I forged it into this new blade when I was in high school, and gave it this micarta handle. I carry it with me everywhere I go, now, and because it’s smaller it’s more versatile than the machetes we’re issued.”
M looks the blade over appreciatively, impressed but not surprised. “Haven’t seen this old thing in a while, GG. I’m glad you have it with you. I’ve brought a fire starter.” They hold it up briefly before placing it back in their bag. Looking at the stack of items nearby for them to choose from, they continue. “So I vote we bring the bow & arrows, fishing line and hooks, and the paracord.”
“But I’ve already got the bow,” Gerit argues.
“Two hunters are better than one in survival,” Gregorio says, tucking the provided pelt into his bag along with the fishing equipment, as M hoists the bow and arrow with one hand and stows the paracord with the other.
“Yeah, yeah, of course,” Gerit says wisely. He puts his pelt on and starts to walk down a path.
“Where ya goin’, bro?” Gregorio asks.
“We’ve got our gear, time to make camp, right?”
“I can’t speak for the Army Reserves, but in the Marine Corps we tend to look at maps and have a plan before heading into the unknown,” M suggests.
Gerit turns around, the quiver nearly toppling off his shoulder as he does. “Yep, yeah. Of course. You got the map?”
“No.” “Nope, not me.” The answers are simultaneous.
Interlude - M
The effort M is expending to remain neutral is evident in their clenched jaw, as they begin to speak to the camera. “Yeah, I know who Gerit is. We’ve crossed paths when his rotation is on at the armory. Plus his wife Hilary was my partner on my last challenge. She… got an injury and asked to be medically tapped at the end of the first week, so I’ve heard all about him. I have the utmost respect for Reservists, let me be extremely clear about that. Those experiences notwithstanding.” The on-screen image shifts from M’s solo exposition back to where the three survivalists huddle around the map and come to a conclusion. Gregorio takes the lead - in the polar opposite direction of where Gerit had been headed - and their first team hike is underway.