As the echos of the screech dissipated among the trees, the unsettling tension that hong around was heavy with fear, so much so if one was to look clearly, one could see a slight shimmer in the air, a distortion of emotions and imagination some would say.

Standing at the entrance of their secured refuge, they watched as small and big creatures native to the planet ran by at top speeds. unconcerned that they were standing around. The way they looked weaving among the trees was all a blur, but their sizes varied, and it left the onlookers speechless as the ground rumbled in the animal's rampage. Green blurs, blue blurs, black blurs and reds. All ran by their little C shaped camping spot.

Timmon and Mr Major exchanged a glance, their eyes mirroring the shared dread that hung heavily in the air. The echoes of the screech continued to resonate, casting an ever-deepening pall of foreboding over their already precarious situation.

Mr. Major squinted into the shadows. "What the fuck was that?"

Tobi: Forest shit.

Ben, ever analytical, chimed in, "From the sound of the screech and the volume, it could be from the bird family, perhaps a truck-sized one."

"A truck size? So this planet has dinosaurs, too?" Mr. Major mused, his tone laced with both wonder and trepidation.

Timmon, grappling with exhaustion, interjected, "Why are they flying around at night though? Something doesn't feel right."

Ben: "What doesn't feel right? Does it feel alien to you, Mr. Leader?"

"Listen, I can't begin to tell you how tired I am," Timmon confessed. "I have no idea if I got enough sleep, and this crazy, chizzled body of mine is so sore I'm not even sure what to do with it. I’m still learning what it means to be this fit. I can't even imagine how Tobi must be feeling right now. We need to relocate. These animals are not going to run forever.”

Ben: "What's the point? We might as well stay here. With a monster like what you’re suggesting lurking over this crater forest, the others back in the open field settlement have no way of defending against it. We might not have anywhere to return to if you think about it a little. Let's just give up and give in.”

Mr Major: "Birds are ruthless creatures, and to be that big, as Ben suggested, it's a problem. Just imagine for a second if it were to breach the forest canopy to forage for food."

"I don't think it's trying to land or hunt in this area," Timmon analyzed. "The sound is traveling and echoing in a weird way. I can even hear remnants within the trees."

"The trees? Are you talking about the same trees with carbon fibre within?" Ben sought to clarify.

"Whatever this is, after it jolted the forest alive, the animals might be even more on edge, and the wolves might even return," Timmon explained. "I think we should wait around here for a bit, but we shouldn't stay too long in case the animals decide to come back to the area or turf.

Mr. Major nodded approvingly. "That's a pretty good idea. With the small opening, it's safe to use as a shelter and easy to defend if anything tries to get in. And if we can mask our smell, anything that could track us would be lead here and not follow the team as we move forward."

Ben, grappling with the harsh reality of their situation, couldn't help but lament, "That's a gross idea. This is a gross existence. I miss my wife and husband. Why me, Lord? Why not Tobi alone?"

In the stillness that followed the terrifying screech, the chaotic stampede of forest creatures and their talk among themselves, an even heavier silence enveloped the team. It was during this haunting pause that a stark realization descended upon them like an icy shroud—they were utterly alone in this strange and transformed world. The protective presence of the wolves, which had offered some comfort and security, had vanished into the obscurity of the night, leaving the team to grapple with a profound sense of isolation. The team had been oblivious to the teeming life surrounding them, but even more disheartening was the fact that all the potential game, their source of sustenance, had bolted to another part of the forest.

Panic intertwined with confusion, weaving a tapestry of fear and uncertainty that clung to them like a suffocating mask.

While they waited out the passing aerial creature, its screeches echoing ominously under the forest canopy in the distance, Mr Major sprang into action.

Gathering rocks along with the sticks, and vines, Scott gathered he set about building a fire that he was you tired to set up, this beacon of warmth and hope in this alien wilderness was something he should have done sooner. But if he had, those fleeing animals might have payed them some attention. Some attention is worse than no attention in a dangerous forest like the one they found themselves in. As his deft hands moved swiftly, braiding vines around stones, his mind was on his sons safety and the possibility of returning to him in one piece. In this moment of danger and death, he couldn’t help but wonder if his parents and siblings felt this way in the end.

As the fire crackled to life, Mr Major thoughts now focused on their next steps. His first concern was the wolves. "If they run into us again," he pondered aloud, "they might have new tactics. It's clear they've realized they underestimated us humans, and they won't make that mistake again. Another encounter with them would be the death of us, and they'd attack without hesitation. I'm sure of it. We no longer have the slime produced by the Spunny eggs; and the slime on the close and on Tobi are all dried up, plus we still don't know its exact effects on the wolves."

A more sinister thought then crept into his mind. "The dried-up slime could attract other Spunnies in the area or some other creature that might find Spunny eggs delicious." It was a chilling possibility.

Once Mr Major voiced his suggestion to the abandonment of the tainted garment plan, to avoid potential tracking by Spunnies or unfamiliar creatures, the team reached a consensus: discarding the clothing a few minutes away from their location would be the wise move to make.

Meanwhile, Tobi found himself lost in a whirlwind of uncertainty amidst the group's predicament. Questions swirled in his mind like autumn leaves caught in a tempest. Did he have a place in their desperate struggle, or would he be discarded along with the tainted garments? The wolves, the Spunny creatures, and the other unknown threats lurking in this alien forest weighed heavily on everyone's minds. Tobi understood that his mere presence was a burden, a source of disappointment and an added layer of risk for his comrades.

Yet, despite the odds and the shadow of danger looming over them, Tobi couldn't bring himself to abandon the team. The primal instinct for survival burned fiercely within him, an unquenchable desire to see another day, to see another sunny sky in this bewildering new world. His longing to explore this alien realm, a dream nurtured since childhood while watching ancient Discovery shows and animated classics, was a fire that refused to be extinguished. He had wished for this adventure for over 17 years, and now that it had come true, it was both a blessing and a curse. The irony was not lost on him; here he was, facing the possibility of demise due to one of his favourite foods: eggs. It was a cruel twist of fate that left him questioning whether he was the protagonist in this surreal story or the unwitting pawn in some divine cosmic joke. Tobi's willpower remained unbroken, a testament to his determination, even as his emaciated form seemed on the brink of dissolution, with muscles hanging on by a thread and skin pulled taut, the fragile barrier holding his body together.

As the team scoured the area for small animals, plants, and fruit, time seemed to blur into an indistinct continuum. Dehydration was beginning to take its toll, their bodies slowly betraying the effects of their ordeal. They trudged through the cool, misty forest, seeking water and a peaceful spot to rest and recharge, the mysterious world around them shrouded in uncertainty.

On the online shows back on Earth, in the comfort of their previous lives, survival and nature programs always emphasized the primal checklist: find water, kindle fire, erect a shelter, and secure food. Yet, they rarely touched on the challenge of locating abundant water sources within a jungle's depths. Discovering water was not the challenge; instead, it was amassing enough in one go that proved nearly impossible. Water lurked like a well-kept secret throughout the forest, nestled in the creases and crevices of leaves and rocks, gathered in tiny, elusive pools. And then there was the conundrum of purification. The rock bowls they carved to use as pots would crack under the heat of boiling "(all the rock options they tried Timmon was against using,)" and the leaves they tried to use broke as they tried to handle them. Aware that the forest held lethal secrets, the team chose to gamble, reckoning that, at best, they could bolster their gut biome by taking a risk on life.

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Surprisingly, the un-purified water seemed to clash with Tobi, reacting poorly with the slime that might or might not be poisoning him. Each sip of the tainted water left him bewilderingly intoxicated, his movements growing even more erratic as they continued their journey through the forest.

Tobi grappled with a conflicting impulse, torn between shedding his damp clothes and the lurking Spunnies, fearful that nudity might render him defenceless and yet aware that staying clothed could still lead the Spunnies to them. Vigilance urged him to strip down, but his body resisted, an internal struggle that cast doubt on his abilities and weighed heavily on his conscience. He feared his own fears were hindering their progress, a nagging worry that without his timidity, they could find their way back or stumble upon sustenance.

While walking behind the group, Tobi's mind became a turbulent sea, wrestling with elusive thoughts. He felt an incessant inkling that the wolves were lingering in the shadows, not the entire pack, just a few solitary hunters patiently biding their time at a cautious distance. However, conveying this to others proved a challenge. The words that escaped his lips were jumbled, fragmented, and unintelligible.

Recognizing Tobi's unease and unwavering determination to persevere, the team adjusted their pace. They understood Tobi's struggle and didn't mind him tagging along. The forest was an intimidating entity, a fact they could all agree on. Yet, in Tobi's case, his journey through the woods was marked by the unfortunate reality of his contamination. Their group journey provided a semblance of safety in numbers. They let Tobi remain close, striking a delicate balance: near enough to shield him from potential assailants, yet far enough to avoid inadvertent contact. They carefully maintained distance, ensuring they were not in the trajectory of slime splatters as low-hanging branches swung and swayed in their path.

After hours of meticulous exploration, Timmon suddenly halted, his sharp clap of hands capturing the team's attention. He took a moment to express his gratitude and commend them for their unwavering trust amid the disorientation and uncertainty that shrouded their mission. Despite the perceived failure, Timmon's determination to find sustenance and water remained unswayed. He drew connections between the alien environment and Earth, referencing Mr. Major's earlier observation about the forest's resemblance to trees found in South America and Africa. This glimmer of familiarity ignited hope within him, suggesting that tree-based sustenance, akin to familiar fruits from their homeland, might exist here. Perhaps the trees had adapted over time, evolving to yield their bounty higher in the canopy. Climbing these towering giants in search of sustenance was no small feat, with some of the trees reaching a minimum height of 30 meters.

Timmon infused his team with renewed determination, emphasizing the need to push forward through the forest, unravelling its mysteries step by step. As he spoke, Tobi's uncontrollable coughing fit disrupted the moment, almost as if timed by an eerie force. Though irritation simmered beneath the surface of his leadership, he remained composed, ready to assist Tobi. However, the team held him back, their actions suggesting a different strategy or a cautious approach.

Ben's watchful eye had noticed the telltale signs of Tobi's deteriorating condition – the discolouration in his eyes and the cracks marring his skin. Concerned for Tobi's well-being and aware of the absence of medical facilities in this alien world, even though it was common sense to stay away from Tobi, he made sure to urge everyone to avoid physical contact with him, citing the potential risk of transmitting the unknown alien illnesses was getting even higher by travelling with him. However, Ben was primarily concerned about the possibility of airborne contamination affecting them.

Time had become an elusive concept within the light and darken periods of the forest. Since the jarring bird screech had jolted them from their slumber, Mr Major attempted to keep track of time.

He counted the hours diligently, but after twelve hours had passed, the forest's unchanging, shadowy landscape still felt like it had been merely two or perhaps six days. Who really knew that at this point?

As they pressed on with their search, periodic calls and intermittent nap breaks further distorted their perception of time. After a seemingly endless twenty hours in the dark forest, he reluctantly abandoned the futile effort of counting the minutes and hours that slipped away.

Ben: "Where is the sun? Why won't the canopy open up and share the sunlight? Don't plants need sunlight? How will the little bushes and plants survive down here on the forest floor?"

Mr Major: "How long has it been since we came here? I'm sure sixteen hours have passed already, and people at the settlement must be thinking that the five of us are dead. I've been trying my best to keep track of time while awake, so that's an additional twenty hours. I think we've gone a full day at most in this forest."

Tobi: "Send help?"

Ben: "Shut up, Tobi. They probably won't send help. We are lost. They do not know where we are, or where we are going. They do not have the tools, equipment, or skills for a rescue mission."

Mr Major: "He's right. This is real. Earlier, we talked about the good old days, but those are the past. We are lost in a forest on a planet that humans have no idea exists, lost in the universe."

Scott: "This really isn't a vacation that we can easily return from. We are as good as dead. What gives us the right to think we could escape from our faith?"

Tobi, coughing his lungs up, struggled once again, saying, "So? No whispering in the forest bushes? We're done with that? Fuck stealth and caution?”

Mr Major: “Dude! Shut up. Ain't you dying? Blood is running from your eyes and ears.”

Timmon: "Listen up, guys. I understand the fear and uncertainty we're facing. It's easy to give in to despair, but we cannot afford to lose hope. We've faced challenges before.

Do you not remember those fucking wolves? Or the ugly ass Spunnies we just dealt with? How about avoiding the stampeding animals caused by the screech moments ago?

Those were alien creatures first of and, lastly, they are wild and dangerous animals. We survived that, and to be honest, we shouldn't have, but this won't be the last time we will be placed in situations like that. We've overcome this bitch once, and if we stick together and do our best, we might still die, but it will be together. We're a team, and we need to act like one to at least show this forest that we humans ain't no pushovers.”

Mr Major: "Timmon's right. We've been through tough situations before, and we found a way. We need to stay focused, keep our wits about us, and work together to find a way out of this forest.”

Tobi: "But how?

Scott: Exactly. We're surrounded by darkness, disoriented, and have no supplies.”

Ben: "We need a better plan. We need to figure out where we're going, how we're going to sustain ourselves, taking chances with these nuts and berries and waiting for the set traps to actually work and capture some meat. I wish one of you were gay. Gay people always know how to find meat. To be honest, the meat usually comes to them, But with all seriousness, how will we signal for help when the time comes? Who would see it, and who would come to the rescue?"

Scott: "Yo, why are you like this? You’re the gayest of us all. Literally! And that fact isn’t even important to survival! Plus I'm actually getting sick and tired of hearing you talk like this. Sex this, dick that. Does your personality exist around profanity` and perversions?

If it is! Please just do your little magic dick summoning trick real quick for us and secure the protein we all need. We need that shit. Like the Major said. Help us help you.

Personally, Timmon’s thought process seem to be aligned with my own when it come to survival out here. All we need to do is watch out for each other. Its something my dad always said. We can't afford to lose anyone except maybe Tobi. He's probably a zombie or something. He's already dead.”

Timmon: “Jokes aside. Let's start by gathering more materials that might help us signal for help, and to survive long enough to see the sun at most. This much darkness can not be healthy for the body and mind; I can already feel it. The darkness has been …. it has been fucking with me.” In that moment Timmon wanted to say that his mind was the thing being fucked with, before realizing that he was their leader, their compass. Admitting that his judgement could not be trusted would have caused him to give up command. He was the only one capable of finding the water source. He was the only one capable of fulfilling the task at hand. Only him, not Mr Major, not anyone else among them, just him. Then again, what was wrong about giving up control. This was all but a team effort. Even if he was the second fiddle, his knowledge and input would still be valid. His contribution would still be the same. As his mind wondered, his inner voice’s inner voice said smoothly and softly, “why not give in and give up all control this one time?”

Mr Major’s firm agreeing pulled Timmon’s attention back to the precent as he replied.

"Don't just say, let's get materials like we haven't been doing that this entire time. Let's make a map of our surroundings. I'm pretty sure somewhere among these tall and wide apartment-size trees, I've spotted a birch tree somewhere, and I'm pretty sure in the military, we learned that the bark of that tree had been used on many occasions throughout human history to inscribe messages and record data. In our case, we can use it to mark any notable landmarks or signs that could guide us. Even if it's just a map of this area.

I've been watching our dear leader when ever we take breaks doing calculation and writing in the dirt whenever he's not digging up rocks trying to locate the water or whatever, and I'm not sure how he's been keeping notes, or how effective and efficient it is, but if it's all mental, we won't be able to trust it completely.”

Timmon: That makes sense to me. But then there's the problem of writing tools.

Mr Major: Let's not jump too far ahead. We can scribe on things for now, then worry about ink and graphite later this carbon stick should be able to get the job done.

Ben: "We can take turns keeping watch while the others rest. Safety in shifts, let's do it right this time around. However, I'm not taking watch first.”

Tobi, who was clawing and pulling at his throat, said, "Openings. Clearings. Investigate. A way out.”

Ben: “I'm amazed you can still talk, Tobi. It looks like it's painful to think. Let alone form words to push out of your mouth. Look at you, there's a big ass vein running across your face from hairline to neck. I didn't even know veins like that existed in the face. You need a doctor.”

Mr Major: They don't. I think his body is failing him and is somehow changing to handle the trauma. That's my best guess.

Scott: "Let's stay positive and focused. We'll get through this. Not to jinx us or anything, but we've been doing fine so far; lets just do the best we can to the best of our abilities, and I'm sure we can do this. Plus, Timmon and Mr Major's eyes for spotting the Earth-like trees and plants will definitely be our saving grace.”

Ben: “Hey! Come and kiss my ass with recognition as well. I also can identify plants from Earth. Remember, I was the one who gave that fact about heart-shaped leaves? I'm that guy. Don’t forget it.”

Scott: “How about you go and identify a healthy relationship? I've never known a polyamorous relationship to work.”

Ben, with a curious smile on his face, replied saying. Oh, Scott, I didn't know you cared that much about me and my life to have an opinion about it. Plus, where did you hear that from? I don't recall telling you about it. Why are you in my business? Do you want some dick? Come here, boy. Be a good boy, and get over here. I have a treat for you. Come on. Don't be shy. Who's a good boy? Lemme rub your tummy. I see how hard you've been working. All that scouting, and now it has led you to this bone. Come on! I got some protein for you.”

Scott, fuming with rage, held his tongue as the others gave a little laugh. Even Tobi, who was in pain, couldn't help himself.

As the night enshrouding the forest, the small fire crackled and popped, its flames casting a warm, reassuring glow amidst the shadows. Around it, the members of Team Uno sat in a silent, reflective huddle, each lost in their thoughts. The fire, with its flickering light, was a beacon in the darkness, a symbol of the fragile yet persistent hope that burned within their hearts.

In the quiet of the forest, under a sky veiled by the canopy above, the team found a momentary respite from the relentless challenges they had faced. The trials of the day had tested their resolve, pushing them to the brink, yet here they were, together, alive, and determined to see another dawn.