Darwin's Quest: The Search for the Ultimate Survivor by Jonathan P. Brazee Page B

Mike was smart, but his weakness in the gravity was a hindrance. Would the viewers care?
    Tall Paul was the only guy who may not have much of a fan base. He didn’t perform poorly, but he seemed to be along for the ride. Maybe I could beat him in a vote, maybe not. It was better for me just not to get killed again if I wanted to win this.
    By then, the rest of the cast had joined us around the fire. The smoke seemed to follow me, getting into my eyes wherever I moved, so I just gave up and lay down, trying to stay under it. I didn’t say much as people chatted. Both Ratt and Yash seemed to be trying to oneupsmanship each other with better stories, and that was entertaining. If we couldn’t have holos, this was the next best thing.
    It has been a long day, and the adrenaline rush with the Hell Pig might have taken more out of me than I thought. My thoughts wandered toward huge Hell Pig pork chops as I drifted off to sleep .

 
    Chapter 9
     
    “I think something’s up. It’s morning already, and still nothing.”
    I opened my eyes to see Lindadawn talking quietly to Borlinga and Mike in the faint dawn light. The rest of the cast were still sleeping scattered around the camp. I sat up and rubbed my eyes. My bladder was complaining, so I go up and went to the toilet. Coming back, I contemplated trying to fall back to sleep, but it didn’t seem worth it. I splashed some water from the spigot onto my face, wet my hands to try to get my armpits a little cleaner, then joined the other three at the firepit.
    Tearing off a piece of smoked deer, I started chewing on it. It tasted pretty good. I tore my piece in half, then half again, giving the other three a small piece of their own.
    “Does anyone remember if it ever took until the next day for someone to rejoin the game?” asked Lindadawn.
    “Never. I’m sure of it, “stated Mike. Borlinga agreed.
    “Every season has something, has a kicker. I just wonder what this one will be.” Mike seemed upset that he didn’t know what was going on.
    As the dawn brightened up the sky, and the camp became lighter, I listened with one ear as I looked about at the others. Hamlin and Joda were asleep against the rock wall, Hamlin spooning her with his arm over and around her front. Joda was married back on Earth, and Hamlin, while divorced, had four kids. While sleeping closely was no big deal, I wondered if their families would see that and if that would have any ramifications. Not my business, though.
    Something looked odd above them, and it took me a moment to figure it out in the dim light. Then I realized what it was. The challenge drawer was open. We hadn’t heard any theme music, and the light was not on, but the drawer was definitely open. I left the firepit and walked over. I had to step between Joda and Hamlin’s legs, eliciting a sleepy snarl from him, but I ignored him and reached inside the drawer. Sure enough, there was a message there. I pulled it out and read it.
     
Paranthropus boisei and Homo hablis started making tools over 2.5 million years ago. Can you do less? Follow the marked trail to the flint beds, and if you have the same skills as our early ancestors, life will be much easier for you.
 
    “What is it?” Lindadawn called out.
    I walked back over to them. “I think you need to read this.” I handed over the message.
    She read it, her face furrowing in confusion. “But we haven’t had our returnee yet. And why no revelation music?” She handed the message to Mike, Borlinga crowding to look over her shoulder.
    “I think we need to wake everyone up,” she said. “Everyone, get up! Time to get up!” she shouted out. Alfhid and Ratt were sleeping by the edge of the firepit, and she nudged them with her foot. “Come one, get up,” she told them in an only slightly lowered voice. “Corter, Mike, help me get everyone up.”
    We went around waking everyone, ignoring the grumbling and requests for “just five more minutes.” Eventually, everyone