Title: Surrender
Chapter:4
Author: squeezynz@free.net.nz
Universe: Land of the Giants
Rating: PG, Adventure
Archive: Sure, just advise, please
Spoilers: Hardly
Feedback: craved
Disclaimer: all belongs to IA and actors...

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Valerie was having a nightmare. She was running away from a Giant, but she wasn't making any headway, her head hurt and pounded in rhythm with her feet, now the Giant was reaching for her and she twisted away, only to fall into a glowing red river of lava. Valerie screamed and reached out for anything to stop her fall, all she felt was the Giants hand closing over her. She screamed again.

Mark was awake before her first scream faded, then Valerie's arm thrashed and hit him hard on the chest. Mark grunted in pain, attempting to calm her by holding her hands still and talking to her.

" Valerie, its all right, your safe with me....open your eyes Val, please, come on, your safe." Mark talked quietly to her, trying to calm her down. He felt her forehead, which was burning hot. Valerie's breath came in short gasps as she tried to flee her dream. She cried out again.

Shuri had also been jolted awake up by Valerie's cry, and he turned the flame up on the cabin's lamp before coming over to the table to see what was wrong. Valerie had subsided, lapsing into an uneasy sleep. Mark looked up at Shuri with a worried expression. Shuri could see that Valerie's face, under the bruises, had an unnatural flush.

" Mark " Shuri whispered. " Is there anything I can do ?"

" I really don't know, she's burning up, and still won't open her eyes, I don't know what to do for her." Mark had dipped the cloth in the cap of water and now sponged Valerie's face, which seemed to help as Valerie stopped twisting and turning as the water cooled her off.

" Mark, I can't really help much, but my wife is a nurse, maybe she could help her....would you consider coming home with me and letting her tend your friend ?"

" I....I" Mark hesitated, then took one look at Valerie's flushed face and his decision was made."Okay.....we'll go with you. But Shuri, do you think your wife will want to help us ?" Mark's face conveyed his deep concern, about Valerie and their need for urgent help.

" I'm sure she will, I should mention that I also have a daughter, Kel who would love to meet you, and your companion, when she's feeling better. Both my 'girls' would want to help." Shuri felt sure that would be the truth.

Mark looked briefly back towards the ship, knowing that Steve and Dan would hear every word. " What will you do with the ship ?"

" I could take it with me, if you want...it'll fit in my car without any problems, I can cover is up on the back seat, with you both inside if that would work." Shuri looked thoughtful. " Or I have a fishing basket that might be more comfortable for you and your friend to travel in, I can line it with more clothes to avoid any hard knocks, plus I can carry that easily myself, and be even more careful."

Mark looked as though he was considering the proposal, but inside he was jubilant, if he could just get Shuri to put the ship outside, then Steve and Dan had a real chance of getting the Windsifter flight-worthy.

" The basket sounds like the best idea, could you put the ship outside, and hide it until you bring us back ?" Mark thought he might be pushing his luck, but again Shuri was eager to be helpful.

" Sure, I can do that....might be the best idea anyway, in case my buddy Grae comes by. Wouldn't want him to find it and take it away, I can come back here later and collect it, if need be." Shuri turned away and went into the back room. Mark heard what sounded like a cupboard being opened, then Shuri came back with two suitcases which he started to fill with the clothes in the bureau.

Mark turned back to Valerie and checked her temperature. She seemed to have slipped back into a deep sleep, " At least she's calm now." thought Mark. He left Valerie and went over to the ship, climbing the stairs and going inside. Shuri was distracted with his packing, so now was the best time to talk to Steve and Dan. They met him in the cabin after he shut the inner door.

" You hear everything ?" asked Mark.

" Yes, we did....if there's anyway you can get Shuri to give you his address before you get into the basket, it would atleast give us an idea where you'll be." said Steve. Dan was looking better after his sleep. His head wound had stopped bleeding but still looked very sore.

" How's your head, Dan ?" queried Mark. Dan looked up and gave Mark a small smile.

" The drums aren't beating quite so loudly...but I could sure murder a giant sized aspirin." Dan grinned weakly.

" I'll see what I can do...if his wife is a nurse, she just may have an aspirin...or the Giant equivalent." grinned Mark. His smile faded as his thought's turned to Valerie's condition.

" I didn't really have a choice Steve, Valerie is burning up and delirious. The wife might have something to help her...I have to take that chance." he looked at Steve, daring him to refute his decision.

" I realise that Mark, I'd make the same decision, if it was me. At least you've guaranteed us the best chance of getting the ship into the air. Now all we need is a sunny day to recharge the batteries."

" I'll do what I can...I'd better get back to Valerie, Shuri will wonder what's taking me so long....pass that backpack Dan, I'll take some provisions with me...better pass me that rope too, best to be prepared.....wish us luck." with that, Mark stuffed the rope into the back, hoisted it onto his shoulder, raised his hand in farewell and stepped back into the corridor and out of the ship. Steve and Dan looked at each other. " Mark will need more than luck if he gets into trouble." said Dan.

" Well that's what we're here for. Lets try and secure as much of this loose stuff as possible, before Shuri moves the ship again." Steve clapped Dan on the shoulder, then turned and started picking up the boxes and blankets scattered around the cabin. It would be dawn soon, and their best chance yet at getting the Windsifter to fly.

Mark sat next to Valerie, sponging her forehead as she sleep. Her flushed face clashed horribly with the rapidly blooming bruises, Mark was glad Valerie couldn't see her face, she would be horrified to see the rainbow colours marring her usually pretty face. Mark didn't consider Valerie vain, but he wouldn't wish those bruises on his worst enemy, they looked angry and painful, he was glad, in a way, that Valerie wasn't aware of her injuries.

Shuri had been going in and out of the cabin, packing boxes of provisions to take back home with him, he had left the fishing basket on the table, together with a stack of soft clothing to line the interior. The sky was just starting to lighten outside when he carried the last of the boxes out to the car, then came and stood next to the table.

" I've packed the car up, just you to get sorted out now." Shuri took some of the clothes and folded them into the bottom of the basket.

" Do you trust me to carry her into the basket ?" asked Shuri.

" I have to...can you pick up the t-shirt with her on it, that would jar her the least." queried Mark.

Shuri nodded his head, then carefully slid his hand under the t-shirt with Valerie cradled in it. He successfully carried her into the basket and then turned back to Mark.

" Your turn, Mark."

" Where exactly are we going...where is your home ?" asked Mark.

" Oh...well I live in the South district, near the harbour." answered Shuri. Mark hoped that would be sufficient for Steve to home in on.

Shuri put his hand down flat on the table and Mark climbed on, sitting in his palm. A short ride later and Mark was settled next to Valerie in the basket. Shuri handed Mark the water and backpack, which Mark stowed among the folds of the clothes. Finally he pulled the lid of the basket over them and secured the toggle on the front. He carefully lifted the basket by its strap and swung it out over the floor and then quickly walked out of the cabin and placed the basket on the front seat of the car. The sun was just rising, creating a spectacular sunrise. Shuri went back into the cabin one last time, to turn off the lanterns, secure the windows, check the fire was completely doused and pick up the ship and carry it outside. He put it down, briefly, while he locked the front door of the hut, then he picked up the ship and carried it around the side of the cabin. He pushed the craft under a thick bush, heaping up loose leaves and twigs mixed with dirt over the recently cleaned exterior. When he had finished, it looked like a mound of dry leaves, good enough for the short time it would be there, or so he thought.

Shuri got back to the car, started the motor and backed out, turning to drive back up the rutted track, taking his two precious passengers home to his family.

Inside the Windsifter, Steve and Dan let go of the cargo netting that had prevented them from being too battered by the jerky ride to their hiding place. They waited until it appeared all quiet outside, then went into the corridor to open the front hatch. A shower of dirt and leaves cascaded in on them, but stopped quickly. Looking up, Steve could see blue sky through the branches of the sheltering bush. So far, fortune had smiled on them, now to the task of recharging those solar batteries.

" Dan, lets get to work....you get the circuits ready, and I'll get on top and clear the solar panels hatchway. Listen for my signal, then activate the panel lifters." instructed Steve. Dan turned and went into the cockpit, while Steve gathered what he'd need to get onto the top of the spaceship.

In the basket Mark felt the vibrations of the car, he checked his watch, trying to gauge how long the trip would take. Shuri had the radio on, listening to the latest news and weather forecast. Valerie was turning her head back and forth on her makeshift pillow, Mark soaked the cloth and wiped the sheen of sweat off her face. Valerie moaned and turned into Marks hand, seeking the cool cloth. Mark gently smoothed her hair away, then grasped her hand, trying to sooth her. This car ride couldn't end soon enough for him.

Steve had managed to climb the bush and crawl along a branch until he was directly over the ship, then he dropped down and walked over to the solar panels hatch. Using his captains key, he unlocked the hatch and pulled back the shutter. He reached for his radio and thumbed the switch. " Ready to activate the lifters, Dan ?"

" Ready Steve, stand clear." said Dan.

Steve stood and watched as the solar panels rose up, out of the hull, expanding to their full span and rotating towards the strongest source of sunlight. Under the bush the light was dappled, Steve knew that it might take a bit longer but eventually the solar batteries would recharge fully, given time and continuous sunlight. Steve clambered down once he was sure the panels were deployed to their fullest. He joined Dan in the cockpit to monitor the systems as they came back online.

" No word from Mark yet...do you want me to try calling him ?" asked Dan.

" Not yet....he'll have only just arrived if he had to go to the South district....we canvassed that area when we helped that deaf boy with Marks hearing aide...if necessary, Barry and Fitzhugh could check out the area later." Steve suggested.

" I guess all we can do is wait......so....what's for breakfast ?"