Survivor on the Net IX Episode 5

Episode Five continued on the next page...

Luke sat on the side of Peuco's rudely made shelter, his head hung trying to wake up from a painful night of sleep attempts. It had been brutally cold, and few people managed more than an hour. Luke sensed change in the future, and wanted a few minutes with everyone on the tribe except Lisa to talk about his plans for the future.

Lisa, luckily went off early in the morning, while the rest of the people huddled under what coverings they had. It was then that Luke made his move.

"I know, that there has been some grumbling going on, I can sense it in my bones," Luke began, "But I want you all to know that I am still loyal to the six of you above Lisa, and any member of the jury, in case of a twist. I plan on voting them out, and if not them, then Lisa. Feel free to agree or disagree with me. I hope we can still work together and be in the final six."

Some kept their mouths shut since it was their strategy as well. Others fumed at Luke, but avoided confrontation since he was immune for the next two tribal councils.

Dave knew Luke was in a strong position, and wanted to talk to him, to see where he stood and if his proposal to vote out Lisa was for real. Dave got up and sat by the fire, prodding it with a stick. Luke sat on the log next to him, removing the pot from over the fire.

"Hey," Dave began.

"Hi Dave," Luke said quickly, through a yawn. "Do you have a sec?"

"Sure?" Dave asked, a hint of question in his voice.

Luke's voice lowered since they were close to the others.

"I heard that you thought I was after you," Luke said solemnly.

Dave's eyes met Luke's.

"Can I ask by whom?" he asked.

"I'd rather not betray that person's trust," Luke said honestly.

"Well, I feel as if I have been betrayed if someone broke my confidence and told you something I may have told them," Dave explained.

"Well, I'm sorry you feel that way, but I do just want to let you know that I do not have any intentions of voting you out until it gets down to every man for himself," Luke assured.

"So there are two or three you would want to keep over me," Dave said, not reassured over his position.

"No, but at that point, what choice do we really have?" Luke asked.

"Ah, I understand," Dave said, more than likely not believing Luke's words.

Andrew and Luke found a few minutes alone early in the game, where Andrew asked Luke about an assumed alliance.

"I just want to make sure, but you, me and Andi are in an alliance, right?" Andrew asked, hesitantly.

"I think we are all in one big one, except for Lisa," Luke corrected.

"I just wanted to make sure you were with me," Andrew said.

Luke cringed, and looked at Andrew.

"I have to be honest. I don't feel as if I'm in control of the game," Luke said.

"I know," Andrew began, "David is."

"I still want Lisa gone before you, though," Luke assured, "and I'm sure we
can arrange that." With both individuals slightly more comfortable than
they were five minutes before-hand, they went back to the tent to get
away from the cold.

Whatever change was stirring deep in Argentina was about to be let loose on the very cold, very dim day thirteen. About mid-day, as if you could tell, as it was still cold and murky, Steve came into the Peuco camp, to the surprise of many of the Survivors.

"Hello team. We have averaged all of your challenge performances together and have determined that David has done the best. So - with that said, Dave will you please come with me," Steve finished.

The tribe was flustered with excitement, knowing that something was up. Dave grabbed his bag, but was told to leave it there. Putting on an extra layer of clothes, he quickly made his way to Steve and together they made the journey to the Auca Pan tribe.

Watching Dave walk away to a possible twist, Luke admitted to the rest of the tribe that he knew Dave would put him on the other tribe, just to get rid of him before the merge. As they waited long into the afternoon for news, Luke grew more and more anxious.

Auca Pan awoke completely drained, and for many of them, ready to quit. The loss of John had for all purposes put a mood around camp that they had failed as a group, and would end up merging with a disadvantage.

Marie had voted out her friend last night, and while votes didn't count, she still felt guilty as if she had betrayed him. Jacob was in the same boat. Josie, who had earlier had feelings of wanting to quit, was just looking forward to the individual part of the game, where she could work by herself. Travis was, as always, without a strategy and decided to remain that way, come hell or high water.

When the small five person tribe saw Steve and a member of Peuco coming into camp, they were surprised, at first, but then wary, as they knew something was up.

"Hello Auca Pan. We have averaged your challenge performances together and decided that Marie has done the best. Marie, will you come with me please?" Steve asked.

Marie shot a wary glance at the others, and left with Steve and David.

Both Dave and Marie were instructed not to talk before they reached their destination, but even one hundred meters away they knew that they were going somewhere nice. When they reached the setting, they saw a banquet of food. There were platters of fruit, strawberries, bananas, apples, and oranges. Also, there were pillows, blankets, and beautiful gold (plated) lanterns sitting on the table, illuminating the quickly dimming evening.

"You can talk now," Steve said quickly as he took a seat on the other side of the table, as did Stephanie.

Marie, quick to hug Dave, introduced herself as "Marie from Pennsylvania" and Dave jumped at the opportunity to say he was also from PA.

"In addiction to this layout, you have two beds for the night, private of course, both overlooking the lake. You have a warm shower, and you will be served a morning breakfast. And, since you all smell like those alpacas," Steve began, grimacing, "shampoo."

"Your schedule for the rest of the night, is simply to talk. Get to know each other, the tribes, and yes, you do need to talk about your opposing tribes as it will aide you tomorrow," Steve said.

Both Marie and David, in the middle of settling on the pillows, grimaced, knowing that the game was still on and it was about to drastically change.

Later in the night, Marie was talking about Auca Pan.

"Josie, she's a cool chica. Jacob is cool too, he can rhyme,"
Marie said with a laugh, and a bite of a banana.

"Travis is from Pittsburgh, and Chad is pretty nice too,"
she continued.

David began talking about Peuco, carefully picking details.

"Andi is really really bright. Andrew is very very... energetic,
and is pretty fun to talk to. Hmm. Lisa is a sweetheart and a
mother, she teachs? Nichole is someone who goes to school
and teaches. Luke works on PCs and technical stuff," Dave
paused thinking of the other tribe members.

"And Adam is a young student that works and goes to school,"
he explained. "OH! And Valerie was a student that got really
sick."

Marie leaned back and laughed. "Better than the people on Auca."

"You don't like Auca," Dave jumped.

"Oh, no. Auca is cool. We all sit around singing porno songs. Bow chika bow wow," Marie mocked.

They continued to talk late into the night, and retired to their bed, after a shower a piece and enough fruit to kill a small child.

The next morning, both Marie and David awoke to Steve's voice asking them to get up. There were fruit salads sitting in front of their pillows, so they both sat at them, in their beddings and ate, listening to Steve, who sat in front of them.

"I hope the two of you weren't selective with information last night, because you are about to pair your tribe members up," Steve paused watching confusion come up on Marie and David's faces.

"The two of you are already a pair. You must pair one Auca Pan member with one Peuco member. Also, since there are seven Peuco members, one group will have two Peuco members in it," Steve explained.

With that, Steve dropped little name plates on the table, and the two began moving them around.

"Who was that porno guy?" Dave asked.

"Travis," Marie answered.

"Let's put him with Nichole, she's the youngest girl Peuco offers," Dave said with a laugh.

"Lisa sounds a bit like Josie, how about teaming them?" Marie asked.

"Ok, Adam and Chad are both four letters," Dave suggested.

"Adam and Jacob are both young?" Marie asked.

"Ok then, Adam and Jacob, and then Luke and Chad," Dave confirmed. "That leaves Andi and Andrew together."

Once done, they looked up and asked what the pairs were for.

"First, let me clarify the pairs:

Luke and Chad;
Travis and Nichole;
Marie and David;
Andrew and Andi;
Adam and Jacob;
and Lisa and Josie"

They nodded.

Dave voiced his idea that each three pairs would be a tribe. Marie thought the first name in a pair would be a tribe.

With that, Steve put a small box on the table and asked them to open it.

Marie faked a cry, and asked "what happens if we refuse?"

With a laugh, both Dave and Marie opened the box and gasped seeing twelve red buffs with the word MELIPAL on the fabric.

The both jumped up, taking a buff for themselves.

"Before you get too excited, let me explain the rules of the merge," Steve interupted.

The word "rules" in Survivor was a very rare one, but carried a lot of weight.

"For the next three day periods, the voting is not the same. Your performance at challenges will determine a lot. No two periods will be the same. All challenges will be partner oriented. During one period, one person will be alone, since there will be an odd number when the numbers are at 11. And finally, you may not vote for your partner at TC," Steve finished.

"Well, I like Marie, that isn't a problem," Dave laughed.

"For this three day period, the immunity challenge will determine who has immunity and who doesn't, like always. However, ten people will be immune. The last team in the challenge will be the only one without immunity," Steve explained, and with that they both dropped their jaw, surprised, and a bit nervous.

"Last night we randomly drew for the camp you would share, and Peuco was picked. Meaning, Marie you need to head back to Auca Pan, tell them to pack up, and move to Peuco. David, you can go to Peuco and prepare them for the merge. Oh, and by the way, Melipal is the Paguchen word for "Southern Cross." Congrats on the merge," Steve said with a clap.

~ EPISODE FIVE ~

"Dazed by the Maze"

When Dave reached Peuco, he frantically told everyone to meet at the campfire.

"First off, we merged," Dave dropped the bombshell and let them all react in their own way. Some cheered, some nervously bit their fingers.

"But, and it's a big but, we had to pair people up. Adam, I put you with Jacob. You are both in the same age group," David explained.

Adam nodded, wanting to know what the pairs were about.

Dave told everyone who was in their tribe, and had a sympathetic sorry for Andi when he told her she was with Andrew.

"Basically, the team that loses the challenge is the only team without immunity, so Andi and Andrew? As long as you do not lose, we'll be fine," Dave finished, and the tribe rounded up their personal stuff and made room for the coming of Auca Pan.

On the way back to Auca Pan, Marie explained her feelings.

"This could really work for us. I love it! As long as the only Peuco team loses, we should be set. That probably won't happen, but if so, that would kick butt. We can do this, I hope. I think with this set up, I will make merge. I love my partner Dave, and I think we can do well in these challenges. I'm happy, that John left and Josie stayed also; his temper tantrums were really pathetic. Josie is a good girl, and she can help this team."

The members of Auca Pan were not surprised, and quickly gathered their material and set out to go to Peuco. The key thing on all of their minds was the challenge the next day, and getting Andrew and Andi to lose.

When the two tribes met for the first time, the mood was very high. Lisa and Josie were the most social, making loud introductions, and being social with everyone. Others got to know specific people, with one-on-one chats. However, the game was on everyone's mind and it didn't take long for people to break up and begin talking about it.

Nichole and David made their way to the lake to check fishing traps, hoping for a nice dinner for the new tribe and began talking about the situation.

"Jacob was really ditzy," Nichole began, "Not really knowing we were "merged", so I'm hoping he isn't much competition. And he's matched with Adam."

"A match in Heaven," Dave joked.

Lisa and Dave also talked about pairs, later in the day.

"I hope Josie is a good player," Lisa said nervously, "I wish you had put me with Jacob. I like him."

"I think Marie put you two together," he said.

"Oh."

"Can I ask you what you think about voting tribal lines?" Dave asked curiously.

"As long as everyone does that, I'm ok with it," Lisa admitted.

While tribes merged, old frustration remained.

"Lisa doesn't talk to anyone, and I can't get anything out of her," Nichole admitted in confession.

Nichole and Travis attempted to have a conversation, with Travis acting suspicious, and playful with his "secret government agent" role. However, Nichole wasn't as playful as some people on Auca Pan, and walked away from the conversation with a sour taste in her mouth, quite confused about what in the world she just talked about with him.

Chad and Adam found themselves alone later in the night as well, and Chad proposed an alliance.

"Don't blame me for being skeptical," Adam began, "But why should I trust you?"

"Let me say this," Chad began, "I came into the game late, and ended up making enemies with Marie. I heard she was trying to get me out, but I got immunity from Hadley."

"How did she try to take you out?" Adam asked.

"By putting me with Luke, and then asking him to lose," Chad explained. "It didn't work though, Luke wants to do well.

Adam went to Luke a few minutes later to talk about what Chad had mentioned.

"If we vote an Auca Pan member off," Adam suggested, "I want it to be Marie."

"That's impossible, she is immune," Luke claimed.

"Oh."

"It may be Dave from our tribe, to be the first to go," Luke explained. "I have a feeling
he may have sold us out to Marie."

"I could see that happening," Adam said quietly.

Andi and Adam sat down for a small chat before going to bed in a very cramped situation.

"Are you happy with how things are going?" Adam asked.

"Yeah, I think they are going well. I think we are still in the majority with this pairing nonsense," Andi suggested.

"Who do you think should go first from their team? I'm leaning towards Marie," Adam said.

"I know she's strong," he continued.

"And, what about our group?" Adam asked.

"Sometimes, I see Dave there, sometimes not," Andi said.

"Personally, I see you, Nichole, Luke and Dave," Adam said.

"The only two for sure are Nichole and Luke," Andi admitted.

"I don't see you guys letting me anywhere near the final four," Adam said, sighing slightly.

"Well, if we were to watch each other's backs, maybe we both could," Andi suggested.

"Great," Adam said, immediately enlightened. "We need to keep an eye on Dave; that is the key to all of this."

The Melipal Tribe Comes Together

Merger Unexpectedly Occurs

MELIPAL PAIRS
Luke and Chad;
Travis and Nichole;
Marie and David;
Andrew and Andi;
Adam and Jacob;
and Lisa and Josie.

Who's Really in Control at Peuco?

The Two
Competitors
Meet

Adam takes Action to Stay Alive