As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows over the clearing, the sculptures around them seemed to cast long, shadowy figures, each one more lifelike than the last. The presence of the Fern Panther continued to circle the perimeter, blending seamlessly with the foliage, making the team more aware that they had to act quicker before darkness fell completely.
Mr Major took the lead, his military training kicking in. "Alright, team. We need to come up with a plan to get out of here safely. We can't stay put forever, and we can't fight that thing head-on with just sticks and fruit. We need a strategy.”
Ben nodded, looking thoughtful. "The Fern Panther hasn't come into the rest point, which means it's either afraid of the sculptures or there's something about this area it doesn't like. We need to use that to our advantage.”
Timmon chimed in, "What if we create a diversion? We could use some of these sculptures to set a trap or at least distract it long enough for us to make a break for it.”
Mr` Major's eyes lit up with approval. "Good thinking. We need to move quietly and quickly.
Here's the plan:
Create a Disturbance: We gather some of the smaller sculptures and place them at the edge of the rest point opposite from where we plan to exit. We can use the fruits to create noise and movement, making it look like there's activity.
Set a Trap: We sharpen our sticks even more and place them in a concealed manner around the diversion point. If the panther investigates, it could step on them and be momentarily hindered.
Ben and Timmon listened intently, nodding as Mr Major outlined the plan.
Ben then spoke up, "And if it does notice us? You know, cats are known for their patience and their violent streaks. This one might just be biding its time. And I don't like the idea of wasting food. Starving was not a great experience.”
Mr Major's face grew stern. "If it notices us, we stick together and use our sticks to fend it off. I've dealt with enough big cats in training to know they can strike without warning. We can't let our guard down, not for a second.”
Timmon sighed and leaned back against a statue. "Great. So we're sitting ducks here, with nothing but fruit and pointy sticks. What's our plan if it decides to attack? And why the fuck is the navel training with big cats? That seems like a waste of taxpayers money.”
Mr Major's eyes scanned the perimeter. "First, we stay calm. Panic is the enemy here. We rest in shifts, two of us always awake to keep watch. If it does come at us, aim for the eyes and nose—most sensitive spots on any predator.”
Timmon: The enemy is the big-ass green cat, not panic itself. When I panic, my muscles remember it can't act to survive, even when my mind is distracted.
Ben shook his head, and frustration was evident. "That's not going to work. If that cat gets curious about us or aggressive towards us, we're done for. This isn't just any cat—it's a creature from another planet. We don't know its capabilities or behaviour patterns. It could be more dangerous than anything we've encountered before.”
Timmon looked uneasy. "And if we start moving things around to set traps, we might just make it more curious. It could stick around longer, and we can't afford to stay put for too long.”
Mr Major frowned, considering Ben's point. "Alright, you're right. We need a plan that minimizes our risk. Moving around too much could draw its attention, and we can't outfight it if it decides to come for us. But we can't just sit here forever. We need a plan that gets us out of this clearing without drawing it in.”
Ben sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Cats are natural predators. They stalk, they wait, and they strike with precision. And this one is bigger, smarter, and more patient. Our best bet is to find a way to escape without provoking it.”
Timmon nodded. "So, what do we do?”
Mr Major thought for a moment, then spoke. "Alright, let's think this through. Moving out of here without some kind of defence is risky. We need to consider our options carefully. We need to use the fact that it won't enter the rest point to our advantage. If it's avoiding this area, there must be a reason. Maybe there's something about these sculptures or this space that it fears or respects.”
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Ben looked at the sculptures, studying them intently. "These statues—whoever or whatever made them—might have known about the creatures here. They could be a deterrent. If we can figure out why the panther avoids this place, we might be able to use that knowledge to our advantage. If the statues really are the deterrent, then we should make a barrier. Something like this happened when Tobi was infected by the Spunny's egg slime. If we can create a potable space, then maybe we can walk out of here.
Mr Major: "You're right, Ben, but we can't waste time and resources building a barrier, or making the sculptures portable. We need to be on the move, but we need weapons—something to keep the Fern Panther at a distance if it decides to attack. Creating a small area of deterrent to move in, whats going to stop the cat from swiping at us? boxing us out of the space? With this clearing the cat would have to come inside of it to attack us but with a small area its safer for it to attack without whatever impacting its entire body."
Timmon: "We have these sharp sticks, but they're not enough. We need something with more range. Maybe we can use the environment to our advantage.”
Mr Major: "Good thinking, Timmon. Let's gather materials to make spears and perhaps some makeshift slingshots. Bows are too complex and time-consuming. We need something quick and effective.”
Timmon: "We could try, but making those quietly and effectively is another matter. If we make too much noise, we might provoke the panther.”
Mr Major: "Right. And even if we make them, we don't know if they'll be effective against this creature. Its fur might be tougher than anything we're used to, like the Snider's body.”
Ben: "We know cats are natural predators. They stalk, they wait, and they strike with precision. This one is bigger, smarter, and more patient. If we do decide to make weapons, we need to do it quietly and efficiently. Sticks and stones can be useful if we use them right. And with some help, we can make some traps on the go if we start running; I just need to make the needed preparations.”
They silently gathered materials within the rest point, fashioning simple spears and sharpening stones with quiet efficiency. The mood was thick with tension; every rustle in the forest made them flinch and cast anxious glances toward the elusive Fern Panther. It circled the clearing, vanishing into the foliage only to reappear minutes later, its presence a constant, haunting reminder of the danger they faced.
Ben: "Why hasn't it attacked yet? It's just watching us. I knew it we're already caught up in its interest. We should move as soon as we're ready. Stay low, stay quiet, and use the shadows to our advantage."
Mr Major: "Alright, team. We have our spears and stones. We move quietly and stick together. If the panther follows, we use our weapons to keep it at bay and head for the nearest cover.”
Ben: "Let's hope we're not just running into another danger.”
Timmon: "We running into the forest thats the biggest danger there is. We have to take the risk. Staying here isn't an option the sculptures are giving me a bad feeling and that damn green cat knows something. Its seen things. Look at the scars on its face. I can tell its experience so fighting that wouldn't be easy.”
Mr Major: "Again, just remember, if the Fern Panther does come at us, aim for the eyes and nose—the most sensitive spots on any predator, even if it's their most guarded area.
As Ben said earlier, cats are designed for hunting, and close combat is a death sentence. Our best bet is to avoid confrontation altogether, but if it comes to it, we need to be smart and strategic. Stay alert and aware, try to feel its presence, look for tracks, scat, scratch marks on trees, and definitely look for fern leaves. Even if it's not, the cat being in that area would be sure of death. Make sure to move quietly and avoid sudden movements. Splitting up is death, and we must try to find open areas to give ourselves space and time to see it and react.
Timmon: Well, I'll be dammed. I guess the taxpayer's money was being put to good use.
Ben: Whatever the situation is, I don't want to fight it unless I really have to. I would rather run than see these wonderful creatures die, in all honesty.
Mr Major: Well, keep this defensive strategy in mind. "If it gets too close, we need to make ourselves look bigger. Stand tall, raise our arms, and use our weapons to appear larger. Predators are less likely to attack something that seems bigger and more threatening.”
Timmon: Now I'm questioning if the taxpayer's money was put to good use again. Isn't intimidation and pretending how you get yourself killed? Why not play dead? Intimidation might cause the animal to get more aggressive.
Mr Major: Cats play with their food, and that's all I'll say on the matter. Don't stare directly into its eyes. It can be seen as a challenge. Keep it in your peripheral vision, and stay aware of its movements. It might work better if it knows it has been spotted. It would hesitate to make its attack later rather than sooner, assuming it's a trap or something. Ben, if Tobi was here, this would be his only rule to follow, but since you seem like the most likely person who might choose this part, I'll say this to you only once. Never run from a big cat. It triggers their chase instinct. If we need to move, we back away slowly while facing the cat. Running makes us prey. And prey, no matter how small or big they are, die.
Timmon: Damn, man. Anything else before we try to sneak away from a cat?
Mr Major: If it attacks, we use our spears and stones with precision. Aim for the eyes and nose. We need to inflict enough pain to deter it. Protect your neck, throat, and head. These are the areas a big cat will go for. Use your arms to shield these areas and keep your weapon ready. If it comes to a fight, we need to fight back aggressively. Make as much noise as possible, and use everything we have. We can't win in a fight, but we might be able to scare it off or invite more predators to the fight, which could help us escape.
Ben: Where was this veteran nave seal when we entered into the forest?
Mr Major: "The taxpayers were giving enough for use to cover Alien Beast Combat 101. I wouldn't even begin knowing how to battle a Snider or the horned bear in a confined space. Don't even get me started on the Spunnies and the Bees. I still think about how they came together to form the hand of a creature to drop things on us. Imagine if it was during the day and they wanted to fight for real? How could I fight that?
Remember, our goal is to avoid a fight at all costs. But if it comes to it, we need to be smart and strategic and use everything we've got. This isn't just about surviving the encounter with the cat—we need to survive the forest and whatever else is out there. Stay alert, stay together, and we'll get through this.”
Timmon: "From the direction of the sun setting and where the shadows were being cast then, the settlement should be northwest from here. The next rest point should be to the north. If we follow the path and visit all the rest points, it should take us five days to return as planned. Walking from the crater wall to here only took half a day, but this was the closest rest point to us. The others are spaced far and in between.”
Mr Major: "Five days is a long time with that panther on our tail. We need to be sure we're ready for whatever comes next. And we will rest every 3 hours. I can at least keep track of time that long without losing focus."