Page 48 of Crocodile Tears
“My turn for what?”
I gesture toward her while continuing to organize our supplies.“Crocodilian shifting capabilities.You’ve demonstrated enhanced strength and jaw force, but I’m curious about other combat applications.”
She considers this while examining the jungle canopy.“Enhanced swimming capabilities, obviously.I have improved lung capacity for extended underwater operations, and of course, the crocodilian jaw strength you’ve witnessed.Also, enhanced temperature regulation and improved healing rates.”
“Temperature regulation?Isn’t that unusual for a cold-blooded shifter?”
She demonstrates by shifting her skin temperature slightly.“Crocodilians are more efficient at thermoregulation than most people realize.It’s useful for avoiding thermal detection or maintaining optimal body temperature in challenging environments.”
“That’s remarkably practical for tactical situations.”The conversation is surreal but oddly enlightening.Some people exchange information about hobbies or interests.We’re discussing biological fundamentals, but it feels deeply personal.
“Most reptilian adaptations have practical applications once you understand the underlying biology.”
I finish organizing our emergency supplies while processing this information about her capabilities.The combination of her scientific expertise and enhanced shifter abilities makes her significantly more tactically useful than I initially assessed.
“We should establish a temporary camp here,” I say while checking our remaining daylight.“Plan our route to the extraction point and wait for optimal movement conditions.”
Becci examines our surroundings with obvious approval.“I concur.It has a good defensive position, multiple escape routes, access to water, and sufficient canopy cover to avoid aerial detection.”
“You’re analyzing our campsite like a tactical assessment.”I beam at her with pride I can’t contain.
She grins while helping me organize equipment.“I’m applying scientific methodology to survival situations.Same analytical approach, different application.”
I begin teaching her basic survival skills while she approaches each lesson like laboratory protocols.When I demonstrate shelter construction, she takes detailed mental notes and suggests efficiency improvements that actually work better than my military training.
“The traditional lean-to design creates unnecessary heat loss through the back wall,” she observes while helping me arrange branches.“If we modify the angle to create thermal reflection, we can improve heat retention by approximately thirty percent.”
I adjust the shelter design according to her calculations.“That’s actually a significant improvement.”
“Physics applies to survival situations just like everything else.”
In return, Becci identifies edible plants and creates an improvised water filtration system using materials from my emergency kit combined with natural resources she’s found in the jungle.Her scientific approach to survival proves superior to my standard military equipment in several areas.
“Activated charcoal from this burned wood, combined with sand filtration and these specific plant fibers, creates water purification that’s more effective than your standard tablets,” she explains while demonstrating her improvised system.
I test the filtered water and find it cleaner than anything my military training produced.“Where did you learn wilderness survival techniques?”
“I didn’t.I’m applying principles of chemistry and biology to environmental challenges.”She continues refining her filtration system with obvious satisfaction.“The specific techniques are new, but the underlying science is familiar.”
Our teamwork feels natural, each filling gaps in the other’s knowledge.I provide tactical security and basic survival framework while she applies scientific principles to optimize our efficiency and safety.
As daylight fades and we settle into our improvised camp, the jungle sounds are surprisingly comforting rather than threatening.Her presence transforms what should be a high-stress tactical situation into something that feels almost normal.
“Tell me about growing up as a reptile shifter,” she says while we arrange our sleeping area for shared warmth.
The request catches me by surprise.Most people either avoid the topic entirely or approach it with uncomfortable curiosity about exotic experiences.“What do you want to know?”
She settles beside me as darkness deepens around our camp.“What was it like being the only reptile shifter in your community?”
I consider how to explain experiences that shaped my entire worldview.“Isolating.Most shifter communities are dominated by mammals—wolves, cats, and bears.Reptilian shifters are rare enough that most people don’t know how to relate to us.”
“Different how?”
“Different everything.Social structures, communication patterns, relationship dynamics, and even basic comfort needs.”I adjust our shared blanket while explaining.“Mammalian shifters tend toward pack mentalities and warm social connections.Reptilian shifters are more solitary by nature and process social situations differently.”
Becci listens with the focused attention she applies to scientific lectures.“Is that why you chose military service?”
“Military service provided structure and purpose without requiring emotional intimacy that didn’t come naturally.”I find myself explaining motivations I’ve never articulated before.“Also, tactical training utilized my natural capabilities in ways that felt productive rather than isolating.”
