Chapter 10 IC: Old World, New Frontier
The recon shows the path heading directly south to be a bit steeper and variable than that following the southeast river. After some discussion it is decided to move along the river towards the southeast in spite of the longer travel distance. According to the maps it would seen the plateau in that direction would offer more potential for a base camp than the steep hillsides directly south of them.
The caravan makes decent progress through the remainder of the day, coming up about 25km from where they need to end. Camp is setup with the security scanners spaced far enough out to encompass the animals and the wagons. Over dinner it is decided to mount a recon mission first thing in the morning to discover a suitable location for the base camp before moving out. Vanyra, Zelpuz, Yuu and assistant guide volunteered, and as such the watch order was adjusted so each would be well rested come morning.
The night passed without event, a clear and cool evening that brought everyone a deep, restful sleep with the knowledge their travels would end soon and the real adventure would begin. The away team rises early with the first rays of dawn's light beginning to filter through the forest canopy. After a quick bite they head off along the river and after a couple hours it opens up into a broad mountain plateau, bracketed on the left (northwest) by a valley and ridges of ever-higher reaching mountains, and to the right a vast bowl-shaped valley. The plateau undulates with small hillocks across its width which stretches for many kilometres.
Vanyra makes a quick tree climb for a better vantage point, from on high her gaze tracks the course of the river towards it nearest point to the valley; a good 25km or so. The guide leaves a marker point on a nearby tree to mark their progress, and they set off once again. After a few hours of travel the group comes across a meadow expanding from the river on both sides for a couple hundred meters, a promising camp site if any. Vanyra and Zelpuz head off in west and south respectively, towards the bowl valley which is the target zone to ascertain the access paths. The meadow it turns out is a the crest of a ridge running up from the valley separating the one bowl into two shallower ones, and this ridge would offer a common access way to both sides while also giving a good vantage point. As a result the decision is made to setup camp at this location.
Yuu radios back to the caravan and Vanyra heads back to help guide them on the route. Yuu, Zelpuz and the guide set about conducting a more thorough investigation of the meadow. A number of hours later the caravan rolls in and disperses under the direction of the trio. Throughout the hours of aftereve the camp begins to take shape, with fixed tent structures, a latrine area, outdoor showers, storage shed, med tent, etc. being put up and stocked in order.