An Era of Charming Tales: The Rebellion (Aster Charming +) Return to the Jungle #1

Aster had been hearing some mysterious chatter.

It seemed to indicate that there had been a crash on the windward side of the island, deep in the thick of the jungle.

Troubled by what he heard yet unable to confirm his suspicions, he relayed what he had learned to HQ.

He was comforted by the fact that now the investigation would be in their hands.

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A few days later General Grunt himself showed up at their barracks.

“Warrant Officer Charming, he growled, “we have a problem.

That chatter about a crash that you overheard has been confirmed.

A very valuable cargo plane went down in the jungle.

The last transmission we got from them said that they were having technical difficulties from an unknown source and that they were going down.

We strongly suspect that forces loyal to Queen K are behind this nefarious act.

We need a volunteer to go in and attempt to locate the crash site.  We must ascertain the disposition of the crew and cargo.

I cannot tell you how important that cargo is.  If it gets into the wrong hands’ rebel forces will be in serious jeopardy.

Whoever you choose to accept this mission will need to be able to work covertly and all alone.

We have set up a safe house with needed equipment for the soldier to operate out of.

I am not going to lie to you. This could be very dangerous.”

Astor quickly volunteered and assured the General that he could handle the situation.

The General sternly shook his head, “No, Warrant Officer Charming, you are needed here with your troops. This would have to be a volunteer from your platoon.”

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Later that day Aster mustered the troops and informed them of the mission.

He concluded, “Not only could this be dangerous but you will be alone out there. Only one can go in.”

After a moment of awkward silence, Caiden stepped forward.

“I will go, Sir.”

Everyone was a little stunned.  Caiden is a well-liked member of the platoon, but to be dreadfully honest, he was seen .. um … more like the Shaggy of their Scooby Squad.

Aster grasped for a reason to reject him as a candidate.

Nothing came to him.

The truth was that Caiden was a perfect candidate.

He could hide in plain sight.

Even dressed in his uniform, soldier was not the first word that popped into your mind when you saw him.

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Caiden was briefed on the project and then he was dropped into the safe house predawn that next morning.

Caiden looked around.

Home sweet home!

It is sure not much to look at, he thought.  But he was a soldier and he’d make do.

a/n Don’t forget … those of you who are new readers or “old” readers that have forgotten … Caiden is the little brother of Bruno.

Both were raised in an underground cave while they were still under enchantment from Evella’s past relatives. 

He is not overly fussy about his lodging (well unless someone was sleeping in his bed but that is a different story altogether) 

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First things first!

It had been a long trip coming up out of Strangerville Valley to get here.

As he washed his hands, Caiden took a long hard look at himself in the mirror.

Truth be told he was feeling a little trepidatious about this mission.

“You can do this,“ he looked himself square in the eye and gave himself a good pep-talk.

He would need to do this a few times during this mission.

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Morning PT … hooah!  That is good soldiering Caiden!

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There was so much to do. The tasks that he had to accomplish felt overwhelming. He knew he would have to organize himself so the very first thing he did

(even before eating and for Kayden that says a lot)

he sat down and made a checklist.

He knew his platoon mates and HQ were counting on him and he wanted to make sure nothing slipped past.

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The breakfast of champions!

Beanie Weenies!  Mama Bear’s famous recipe!

Some good old comfort food was in order.

Beanie weenies for Breakfast …

Beanie Weenies for lunch …

and Beanie Weenies for dinner.

It was at dinner he discovered he was NOT alone.

The interloper was interested in his mama’s famous beanie weenies too.

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“Hey fella,” Caiden cooed, “I got a little snack for you.”

a/n No mice were harmed in the making of the blog. 

It seems “little fella” is quite adept at removing snacks from instruments of death. 

SO FAR anyway

but the battle rages on.

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Much to Caiden’s delight, the morning perimeter check netted him more than just peace of mind.

MMM banana pudding would be a nice treat should he tire of Beanie Weenies.

a/n Now who could imagine such a thing as that happening?  They have obviously NOT tasted Momma Bears famous Beanie Weenies.

Ever the rock hound, Caiden found some sparkly crystals that he might use to barter with the locals.

This looks suspicious.  Caiden will return later with tools and check to see if anything pertinent can be uncovered.

Finding the alien fruit that was on his tasking list, he planted it with hopes of a nice crop.

This fruit was said to have strange power and could be used to control others when the need arose.

Remembering his encounter with the mother plant, Caiden was very careful with this fruit.

He did not even want to touch it let alone eat it.

Safehouse equipment was atrocious.

Caiden found that what did not need major repairs …

or serious system updates …

was insufferably slow and temperamental.

The cumbersome video equipment took a good amount of coddling and cajoling before it finally, with a few clanks and whirs, rattled to life.

All of the equipment difficulties paled in comparison to the Weather Machine.

It is an unwieldy beast.

And very dangerous to operate!

UGH! ALL that AND it rained!

Weather machine will be his most daunting learning curve.

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The day was not all business.

Dude, I am not sure darts is your game.

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Ever the good soldier, Caiden studies his regs and manuals.

He needs to know them inside and out.

So he studies …

and studies …

and studies!

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When you have had a long hard day, a little fire dancing will fix what ails you.

Good for you!

All work and no play makes Caiden a very dull boy!

 

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An Era of Charming Tales: The Rebellion (Aster Charming) Table of Contents

 

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Credits

Thank you SimDoughnut for a fab mini challenge.  I have been enjoying it (well the reading part neither I nor Caiden enjoy all that much lol).  I look forward to advancing in the investigation!

Mission Briefing #1 Challenge tasking list:

Familiarize yourself with the Safe House.

Check your Camera Equipment by Adjusting and Operating the Video Camera

Check your Computer by Researching something on the Mayhem Portable Computer.

Locate and read the book “Avoiding the Watchful Eye”

Locate the Listening Post and Purchase 5 Bugs

Use the Dr. June Weather Device to maintain Sunny Skies at all times.

Locate the Bizarre Fruit and plant it. Whatever you do, don’t eat it.

Purchase and Read the Book Mischief Volume One: What’s Fumy What’s Illegal

Purchase and Read the Book Gardening Volume One: Water, Light, and Dirt

Get Charisma Skill to level 5 (use mirror, research on computer, and books)

Get Dancing Skill to Level 3 (dancing to the radio)

Get Fitness to Level 2 (jog, do sit-ups, use training bot)

Practice playing Darts

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Selvadorada Safe House  Gallery link

Return to the Jungle – welcome

To learn more click here:

 

https://simdoughnut.tumblr.com/post/183388864748/mission-briefing-1-welcome-to-the-jungle-several