Unveiling Nature's Secrets.

Chapter 4.

After discussions on the petrifying gas came to a satisfying conclusion, Calvin, without any

introduction, took the initiative to stair the conversation back on track by giving his updates

and discoveries found by the people he governed.

"Our scientific experts have made some intriguing observations about the composition of the

soil. The Pedologist, who studies soils, noted that the soil is remarkably fertile. It appears

vibrant, with colours ranging from black to gold and grey. What's interesting is that the usual

microorganisms responsible for soil health are absent. This indicates the existence of distinct

biogeochemical processes or undiscovered mechanisms that govern soil fertility on this alien

planet.

The Botanists made an interesting discovery when they compared the stratification and

arrangement of the soil layers. They found that it resembled a magnified version of adipose

tissue, which is similar to the complex cellular structures found in living organisms. This

unexpected similarity between plant physiology and soil composition opens up numerous

possibilities for studying the connections between plants and the terrestrial environment.

However, the Geologist raised a concern regarding further excavation. The site has indications

of being volcanic, and digging deeper could potentially lead to encountering pockets of gas

that are highly toxic or flammable. It is crucial that we proceed with caution and prioritize the

safety of our personnel, taking into account the volcanic nature of the site and the associated

risks.

These extraordinary findings underscore the need for rigorous scientific investigation and

specialized equipment to comprehend the intricacies of this alien environment. They present

unprecedented opportunities for scientific discovery and could provide invaluable insights into

the unique geology, biology, and chemistry of this unexplored world."

Gemski: Wow, that's pretty amazing. Timmon from team Uno is also a geologist and mentioned

that this might be a volcano, and the legitimacy of it being dormant might be false if we're

going by Earth standards.

Joe: Did he really say all that?

Gemski: More or less, he did.

Harry: In light of the discoveries, we, the council, need more insight into what happened during

the forest exploration into the west and north forests. We heard a lot about what happened in

the north but nothing about what happened in the west. Not one person is saying a word, and

these meetings are so we can share and keep our groups informed.

Joe: Well.

Before Joe could say another word, Tara said, "Ladies first, sir." This made Joe furious, but he

couldn't give her the satisfaction of a reaction.

Lady Vee: It was God. That's what happened. That's what we saw. His handy work and his

wonderful sign to us, his people. We are so blessed to here! The best of that humanity had to

offer was giving a new start on a new planet, and the glory or the Lord has made itself known.Vladimir: Is that all? There is no way in your God's name that what you just said is all that you

plan to say! With all due respect, are you perhaps overlooking rationality and embracing

ignorance? Are you stupid?

Joe: Watch your fucking language, dude.

Once again, before Joe could finish his statement, Tara interrupted.

"Do you three think you are kings or something? Don't let the power go to your head! In reality,

you have none. All 30 of us govern over 100 individuals. You 3 are the faces of that union but

don't get it fucked up that your appointed position makes you better or higher than us.

Your God this, your God that! Is he the selfish one or are you? If you are the ambassador of

your God then why ain't you sharing the blessed gospel? Is it a respect thing?

Respect is given from birth, and you three have lost my respect. Let me make this clear. My

Fucking Respect Is Hard To Earn Once Lost! So please stop playing these games with big

people. We are not asking for your social security number or password to your neural link; we

just need an account of what happened; that information could give us clues to understanding

this alien environment."

Vladimir: Well said, Tara. The knowledge you possess is not your personal possession. It

belongs to the survival of the human race on this alien planet. If there is power or divinity at

play, that knowledge rightfully belongs to all of us. We were brought here alongside you and

your men, so it stands to reason that we, too, could be considered His chosen people. If the

information can't be shared, then why are we here? Who are we doing this for? What's the

point?

Lady Vee: Fine! You're right. My apologies. That was a real dickish move. I won't tell you about

our encounter with God, but I'll tell you this. There's a higher power that protects us from

danger within the surrounding forest, and it speaks to us. It showed us what death would be

like if we couldn't acknowledge its heavenly power.

Joe: "Speak for yourself. I didn't meet God out their."

Tara: "Sir, save the talking for when it's your turn to talk. I know you won't like any interruption

when its your turn."

Lady Vee: "The west was where we found our bounty. Six miles in, we discovered an Eden

unlike anything we had ever seen before.The air was thick with the scent of blooming flowers,

drawing us in like a siren's song. Before we knew it, we were running full clip towards the

source, our hearts pounding with excitement. As we ventured deeper into the lush landscape,

that was when we saw it, we saw it," she continued, her voice soft with reverence. "A tree

unlike any we had ever seen before, adorned with strange-looking fruits that glistened in the

sunlight. It's fruit were triangular in shape and had a blue colour. And nearby, another tree

bearing fruits resembling mangoes, their vibrant colours a feast for the eyes."

"And then," Lady Vee's voice softened with reverence, "came Issa. A woman of quiet wisdom

and unwavering strength, her presence, though unassuming, became a pillar of our journey. In

a setting devoid of modern technology, Issa's keen insights and gentle guidance led us through

the unfamiliar terrain of discovery."

With her remarkable knowledge of plants and their medicinal properties, she became an

invaluable asset to our expedition. Issa's expertise shone through at every turn. Her keen eye

and intuitive understanding of the flora around us guided our exploration, ensuring that we

could safely navigate the wilderness and make the most of our discoveries. Though she may

not seek the spotlight, Issa's quiet leadership and unwavering dedication did not go unnoticed.

In her own humble way, she became the heart of our expedition.Data gathering in the west forest.

"The leaves feel supple and smooth," Issa remarked, her voice carrying a note of cautious

optimism. "And there's a slight earthy scent. These initial observations indicate that the plant

could be promising, but we must proceed cautiously."

With deliberate care, Issa plucked a single leaf and raised it to her lips. She paused, savouring

the moment as she connected with the plant on a deeper level. She closed her eyes once

again, allowing her taste buds to assess the leaf's flavour.

"The taste is mild, with no immediate signs of bitterness or astringency," Issa noted after a

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

moment of contemplation. "This is encouraging, but we need to ensure its safety further."

To cleanse the leaf of any potential toxins, Issa scooped up a handful of water jell from a mud

pot she had on her person. She used the semi-solid substance to carefully wash the leaf,

gently massaging away any impurities.

Then, with a precise movement, she placed the leaf on her tongue once more, this time

chewing it slowly, letting her senses guide her assessment.

"I sense no adverse effects or discomfort," she announced, her tone steady and assured. "This

plant may indeed be safe for consumption. However, we must remain vigilant and observe for

any delayed reactions or unusual sensations."

The team watched intently, their faith in Issa's expertise growing with each meticulous step she

took. From word of mouth, they had heard that she possessed a deep understanding of

nature's secrets, and her ability to resist toxins and discern edible plants from potential

dangers was invaluable in this untamed environment.

"Based on my evaluation," Issa concluded, her gaze sweeping over the attentive faces of her

companions, "I believe we can include this plant in our food sources. However, it's crucial that

we continue to monitor our bodies and communicate any unusual symptoms. We must

remember that each person's tolerance and reaction to certain plants may vary."

This part is a little hard to describe, and it was where things started to change for the worse

before God intervened.

All 50 of us indulged in getting our bellies filled, first by the fruit trees that seemed native to

Earth. Then later, we built up enough courage and curiosity to try the native fruits of this planet,

after Issa tested, and then we saved their seeds for farming.

As we got deeper into this fruit garden, all 50 of us paused in our tracks, breaking into a cold

sweat. The overall feeling was fear, but what we saw was equally stunning with a beauty that

could have also stopped us. In what could be described as the centre of this fruit forest, there

was a tree that might have been surrounded and covered by over 6000 different fruit trees. All

gathered together in layers forming a spiralling cone to the top.

The dense cluster of trees obstructed our view of their individual trunks, creating the illusion of

a single massive tree from a distance. Their uniform appearance had a cone-shaped tree with a

piece at the top that extended then curved over onto itself. This feature differentiated the main

tree in the centre from the smaller trees surrounding it. At the very top of this central tree, there

was a solitary white fruit.With every passing moment, we looked at the tree and got closer, intensifying the feeling that

our lives hung precariously in the balance. The air grew heavy with unexplained darkness, an

omen of the lurking danger that awaited us.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, I knew that swift action was essential to preserve the lives

of our companions. With a voice tinged with urgency, I commanded everyone to hastily gather

whatever supplies they could salvage and evacuate without delay. The weight of our collective

survival rested upon my shoulders, and it was abundantly clear that lingering any longer in that

treacherous place would undoubtedly expose us to an unfathomable and fatal faith.

As we readied ourselves to depart, gathering the fruits, vines, roots, leaves and seeds together,

a sense of trepidation took hold, intensified by the realization that we were disoriented and

unable to find the path leading us back to our original location.

Panic began to seep into our minds as we frantically searched for familiar landmarks or any

semblance of a recognizable trail.

As we searched for a sign amidst the dense foliage, an unexpected obstacle emerged,

shrouded in mystery. It wasn't clear if they had always been there, lurking among the lush

forest, but amidst the towering fruit trees stood an abundance of large, sunflowers. Their

vibrant hues contrasted sharply against the verdant backdrop.

As we approached, the flowers swayed gently in the breeze, their petals unfurling to reveal a

mesmerizing display of yellow colours and aromas. Yet, as we prepared to navigate between

the flowers and the fruit-laden trees, a sense of unease crept over us.

Suddenly, it was as if a windless breeze swept through the clearing, causing the flowers to stir

and sway in a synchronized dance. Their movements were hypnotic, almost sentient as if they

were alive and aware of our presence. With each undulating motion, they seemed to draw

closer, their petals brushing against us with an unsettling intimacy.

Fear gnawed at the edges of our minds as we realized the truth: these flowers were no ordinary

flora. There was something darker, something sinister, lurking, waiting to ensnare unsuspecting

prey. And as the flowers danced around, that feeling of being trapped was growing.

Issa was very curious about the appearance of these new plants, which we somehow didn't

notice until now. Slowly moving toward it with a stretched-out spear in hand. Unlike most she

was roughly 7 feet from the nearest sunny flower, it suddenly surged forward with an alarming

speed at Issa. It was as if an invisible force propelled not just one but all the flowers near her

and anyone unfortunate enough to be in the surrounding area.

This sudden behaviour from the sunflowers added a new element of danger to our situation. It

became evident that they posed a threat to our safety. We needed to remain cautious and alert

as we navigated through this unfamiliar environment, ensuring that we stayed together and

avoided close proximity to these rushing sunflowers. The best case would be wiping them out

and preventing them from stumbling onto the settlement. The worst cases could be that we

destroy them without realizing we created an environment that would birth new problems, or

perhaps these sunny flowers might manage to kill us all right here, never to be heard from

again.

Vladimir: What? The plants? Were they really moving? Holy cannoli!

Lady Vee: Indeed, time was of the essence, and we needed to move swiftly. No one needed to

tell Issa what was next. She was the fastest person moving through the forest away from the

sunny flowers, tapping and snapping everyone in her path out of their disbelief trans. It soon

became apparent that the sunny flowers were not our only adversaries. Again, Issa was the

first to notice and react so swiftly that she made a 360 slide with her hands in the air. As we

were forced to halt our retreat, Issa told us she smelt small traces of spicy pollen around andthat we should prepare for a confrontation. Quickly drawing our weapons, we braced ourselves

for battle.

As we stood quietly and vigilant, waiting for an opportunity to change our luck, the sunny

flowers, just like spring traps, sprang up, dusting their pollen, then abruptly fell backwards to

the ground as if a powerful gust of wind pushed them back.

As the sunny flower stalk fell backwards to the ground, a shocking revelation unfolded before

our eyes. Hidden among the sunny flowers were enormous centipedes, crawling and slithering,

camouflaged within the vibrant petals, leaves and fruit skins that covered the floor.

The discovery caught us off guard, as no one could have anticipated the presence of such

colossal creatures lurking amidst the sunny flowers all along. This unforeseen twist in our

encounter added a new layer of danger and complexity to the situation, demanding that we

remain vigilant and adapt our strategy accordingly.

The situation became increasingly perplexing as it was difficult to discern whether the bugs

were manipulating the plants or if the plants themselves controlled the bugs. As an onlooker,

the flowers seem to be rooted on the backs of the centipede, with their crusted roots

seemingly embedded within its exoskeleton.

Just as I was about to give the signal to clear a path ahead, some shouted, "Let's run this way.

They ain't that many in this direction", and the voice was right. Most of the bugs in that area,

now known to be the southwest area, had no interest. The Sunny Flower Bugs were more

concerned about the fruit trees than us. In response, I decided that going in that direction

could become problematic if they assumed that we were after their food source. So, I decided

to set our course north to avoid dealing with them later.

But the moment I pointed out the direction back to the settlement, I, along with some others,

realized that we had no idea where we were and knew that we were lost.

The Sunny Flower Centipedes, which we started referring to as "Flow-pede", weren't waiting

on us to finalize our plans. We were still somewhat surrounded, and the one opening in the

ambush pointed in the direction that they all were heading.

Forced to run back towards the fruit tree forest area with haste, I noticed that there were spots

in the flow-pede defence that we could attack and break away from this trap. As we darted

from side to side, swiftly dodging the bushes, trees and low-hanging branches, during the

dash, I was blindsided and almost lost an eye to an axe that was sticking out of a tree. If it

wasn't for Issa, I could have been the liability that would have caused people to lose their lives.

We quickly deviated from the path where the menacing flow-pede lurked. Stealing another

glance over my shoulder. I saw that more of the flow-pede continued their pursuit while the rest

appeared engrossed in tending to the ground and the trees.

My vision strained to comprehend the peculiar sight, witnessing the bugs secreting an

enigmatic fluid onto the trees. However, the details of this memory remain elusive, and I cannot

be certain of its accuracy.

The forest canopy above flickered and swirled, casting beams of lights that pulsated like the

lights at a raging house party. Yet, with each passing moment, a looming sense of danger

gripped our minds. In a haunting response, the forest surrendered to deepening darkness,

draping everything in a malevolent shroud. However, this darkness affected only a select few

among us, leaving others untouched to see the light. When I shared my observations with

Harry after I returned, he suggested it could be a temporary obstruction. Yet, an instinctual

knowing resided within me, reassuring me that it was far more profound. It was a divine

intervention, an extraordinary occurrence that transcended the boundaries of our

understanding. The unmistakable presence of God manifested in the form of an angel,

materializing before our very eyes with an astounding swiftness, sent to guide and protect us inour time of peril. The winds and the trees whispered the arrival of God's messenger, and we felt

its power.

Joe: So you saw an angel? Or a native creature.

Gemski: It's weird that interaction with what could have been nothing is bringing forth this

many feelings about the presence of the most high and the legitimacy of his sign.

Lady Vee: I can't answer questions that the most high hasn't given me the answers to.

However, while we were down bad, just as despair threatened to consume us, a stroke of

fortune shone upon us. I remembered something. It was stupid of me not to realize it sooner,

but one of our companions, when he laid eyes on the overwhelming abundant fruit trees,

during his excitement, he rushed to remove all the tools, carry-ons and weapons weighing him

down, and the first thing he discarded was his weapon. With the force of the throw, he

embedded his stone axe into the tree ahead of him, leaving the handle point in the direction we

entered the forest.

This impromptu marker became a beacon of hope, guiding our uncertain path and providing a

semblance of direction amidst the disorienting forest.

Miraculously, it was in that critical moment that fate intervened, leading us to an unexpected

encounter with Joe's team. They, too, had found themselves entangled within the sinister grasp

of the southwest forest. In the midst of the fraught situation, our meeting held the potential to

escalate into conflict and strife, fueled by fear and confusion.

Yet, against all odds, circumstances played out differently, allowing us to come together and

share our experiences.

Tara: So, along with food and drinkable fluids, we stand a chance of survival? Love to hear it.

That's certainly encouraging to hear, knowing that we have a source of fresh wild food and the

drinkable fluid the large jell plant produces under the HQ. We can focus on distributing the

goods and finding ways to be efficient.

Head Chef Issa's resourcefulness will surely boost morale and nourishment in this challenging

environment, which demands ingenuity and adaptability.

Lady Vee: Absolutely, Tara. It's reassuring to know that we're not solely reliant on basic

provisions. With Chef Issa's preparations, we have a chance to savour familiar tastes and

enhance our meals, providing a sense of comfort amidst the unfamiliarity.

Joe: Now, if I may interject and tell our story. Our exploration into the forest took an

unexpected turn when we stumbled upon a variety of animals. Horses, cows, pigs, goats, and

even peculiar creatures resembling a fusion between a lobster and dolphins captured our

attention. The prospect of bringing these animals back to our settlement held promise.

However, as we ventured forth to capture them, we soon found ourselves facing a new threat.`

We are still not one hundred per cent sure as of yet, but it seemed like at least one of the

predators of the forest, which we happened to face, looked like black-armoured bugs that had

suddenly appeared with a thud, which resembled a stag beetle. These creatures were colossal

in size, comparable to a small pony. Their elongated midsection allowed them to flex and stand

upright on their rear legs, giving them a menacing presence. We dubbed them the Bab Stars

due to their star-shaped mouths, which added to their fearsome image.

Overcoming their speed and discovering their weak spots proved to be our greatest

challenges. However, through observation and teamwork, we managed to take down three Bab

Stars and even a wild boar before retreating. It was a valuable experience, providing both

sustenance and battle proficiency. Based on our encounter, it seems that the north forest holds

promising hunting opportunities and the chance to further hone our combat skills.Tara: Something doesn't quite add up here. You mentioned encountering multiple animals that

you killed for food, but your team only returned with two portions of meat. Why the

discrepancy?

Joe: It's true that we didn't bring back as much meat as initially expected. Our journey back to

the settlement was hindered by a pack of red wolves. They posed a threat not only to the meat

but also to our wounded companions. Faced with a difficult choice, we had to prioritize the

safety of our group. It was either abandoning the meat, risking further harm by venturing

deeper into the forest or engaging with the winged wolves directly. Ultimately, we decided to let

go of the meat and ensure the well-being of our team.

Additionally, I'd like to note that the red wolves we encountered appeared to be drenched in

water when they approached us. And they had wings! Although I don't want to raise false

hopes, this observation leads me to believe there may be a water source nearby that we could

tap into. However, until we develop better tools, weapons and strategy, I think we should keep

the forest restrictions the same for a bit longer.

Harry: Alright, everyone. We have covered a lot of ground today, but there's still more to

discuss. Let's reconvene next week at the same time to continue our meeting.

Vladimir: I hope this won't be a problem, Aki, but let me close things out. Thank you all for

finding the time to join us on day 7. Your presence and input are greatly appreciated, and a

special thanks to the Generals; you didn't have to be in attendance, and I personally want to

shout out all the hard work and organization you guys have been putting forward to manage

the construction of this settlement. It's a settlement that needs a name, by the way, but let's

save that for another day.