[h2][center][color=aba000]KRISS MAUSER[/color][/center][/h2]
[center][i]LOCATION: NEW RIVER[/i][/center]
[center][i]TIME: WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON[/i][/center]

"Right, you're good to go. I'll be around. Lemme know whe-"

The man at the marina docks was cut off as Kriss gunned the engines, backing the rescue vessel into the river and making a hard turn. There was a moment of silence as the boat shifted out of reverse, but it was drowned out almost immediately by Kriss throttling forwards. The twin turbo diesel motors churned through the waters, launching them out into the river well beyond shouting distance. The marina worker scowled, muttering an insult under his breath as he returned to his station to finish a sandwich. He had no problem helping the SCVRS launch their boat. He was a retired crew member himself. But that was no excuse to be rude. With a last grumble, he sat down in his desk chair and placed his boots on his desk.

The radio at his desk crackled to life.

[color=aba000]"Copy that. We'll be back before sundown. Over."[/color]

"Keep them life jackets on. Station out," he replied, sliding his radio away to make room for a can of soda. Kids these days.

The boat cruised along the shoreline. Allison had taken a seat up front, diagonal to Kriss's command position. She looked over the miniature screen and wired radios at her station. She had a lovely aerial view of her position on the river, but the buttons and pads were completely foreign. At least the radio handsets resembled the ones in the ambulance. At least one of them connected to the receiver at the squad building. She had, as instructed, left her phone in the cab of the truck, so this would be her only means of communication to the rest of the world.

"Command to boat one, what is your status, over?" a familiar voice called through the speakers. Ally looked back at Kriss.

"Can I answer it? It's the large button on the side of the handset, right?" Allison yelled. The diesel jet motors were far louder than she had expected, and, at full speed, it was impossible to communicate without shouting.

Kriss nodded. Allison snapped the handset from its clip and held it up to her mouth.

"We're doing great! We're on the river right now. I dunno exactly where, Kriss hasn't taught me what all these buttons do yet. Over!"

"Come on Kriss, I expected more from you, over," Snap replied, pretending to sound disappointed. Kriss picked up his own handset, choosing to ignore the scolding.

[color=aba000]"We're heading down to Costa Bridge. The water is a bit more shallow there. Over."[/color]

"Ally, you wearing a life jacket? Over," Snap called. Allison patted the heavy orange zip-up jacket and nodded, forgetting for a moment that Snap couldn't see her. Slapping a palm to her head, she clicked the radio back on.

"Yes, Snap, I am wearing a life jacket, and so is Kriss. I think we'll be okay. Over!"

"Sounds good to me. Keep me informed. Command out." 

Before long the boat slowed to a crawl. Kriss listened to the engines hum for a moment, then switched them off. He motioned for Ally to get up and follow him to the back of the boat. She jumped up, then immediately sat back down, her hands clutching the seat.

"Whoa. I think I'm gonna need a minute."

Kriss nodded. Standing on a boat in the water is a completely new experience, and this was her first time out on the water. Using the other seats and handrails, she made her way to the back, hanging onto a guide rail. She released the rail, trying to steady herself on her feet, then fell back against the rail. Kriss waited patiently as she adjusted her feet and released the rail again. He gave her some pointers, but ultimately she figured it out on her own. The instant she was comfortable he began training.

[color=aba000]"Let's start off with inventory again. Where are the First Aid kits?"[/color]