Sunday - October 19th, 2121:

Having scrounged through the pit I fell into, there was nothing besides dirt and minute flora. The flora blanketed the ground in a greenish hue with hints of violet, nothing like the grassy plains I knew from my days on Earth. Reaching into it, I could feel a subtle vibration coursing through my glove.

It was insignificant, but I still wondered what it would be like to feel it against my raw flesh. Would it be akin to the gnawing of insects— or something else entirely?

All around, the sights were novel and strange. I explored the area, gradually expanding the radius in which I operated. Nothing was attacking me, which was the only relief I had while searching. Despite this, I still had to be careful and quiet. I had learned the hard way what would happen if the environment got startled into action.

Walking north— or what should have been north, at least. The overarching jungle of bioluminescent fungi appeared before my visor once more. This time, I came up to one of the stalks carefully. My breath stalled inside my helmet as I caressed it. It was the same— the subtle vibration that tingled against my glove— like the tenuous breath of life that pervaded all creation.

Just like before, they began migrating before my eyes. This time, not of my own doing but because of a shrill yowl that cut through the air.

At that moment— I saw it— with its elongated furry form and plant-like growths that merged with its ears into some hybrid antennae. It closely resembled martens. Yet, it was different. Blatantly so. It was far more massive for one, closely resembling wildcats and not the tiny creatures it physically mirrored. Second was the plant elements that permeated its body. Its verdant ears oozed a misty residue that wafted toward the fungi— halting their migration in its tracks.

The creature pounced onto one of the stalks closest to it— biting into it in ravaging chunks. My heart pounded against my chest at the sight. The beast was relentless and vicious. It offered the fungi no chance— the clear differential between predator and prey. And I did not want to become the next prey.

I slowly took a step back. But the 'martens' ears perked up, and it turned its head toward me, with chunks of bioluminescent plant goo still dripping down its maw.

Its bestial eyes froze my heart with fright. My life flashed before my eyes, for I did not know how to deal with it. Martens were solitary creatures if I compared it to the version I remembered. There shouldn't be a pack of them nearby as a lone comfort. They usually ate small critters— which, in this case, didn't seem to match. But maybe the fungi was a small critter to it? I wanted to run, but my legs did not wish to move.

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I was lucky.

The strange hybrid turned its head back toward the stalk lying at its feet, bit into it, and ran off.

I survived, but at what cost? The creature had left, but would it stalk me in the back, waiting for me to let my guard down? Did it consider me a threat or prey? Something that it could come back for whenever it got hungry?

My steps quietly thudded against the padded greens and violets that blanketed the ground. There was something visceral about it— a silence that dug into the depths of my mind— the tension taut as a bowstring on the verge of snapping.

I walked for forty minutes— if my SmartScreen could even be trusted. The hues shifted as dull blues took control of the area. Strangely shaped trees became the only contrast as they spread across the field. As I looked up, the sky came through their canopy— nor the Earthen sky I was familiar with, no. Clouds streaked across with minute waves. They covered the sky, hiding the world from the sun, moon, and stars.

It was a kaleidoscopic array of color— dull, yet powerful.

Seeing the sky brought a pang of pain to my heart. My breathing became hoarse as I lowered my head and continued walking with no purpose or destination in sight. Worse was the twitch in my stomach, jolting through my insides. It gurgled and roared— an untamed beast galloping in my gut.

Accursed hunger. The downfall of humanity.

I continued until I found a sheltered outcrop. The most normal-looking piece of Earth thus far. A single stone lay to the side, large and flat. I slowly prodded it with my hand, but nothing happened. I took a seat, careful but firm. After several moments, I breathed out with relief.

My hands reached toward my helmet. I had to try. I pressed the scanner again, my final hope, before testing the waters the hard way.

'Unidentified Access - Report to Orion Command'

'Access Terminated - Unknown Anomaly - Report - Report - Report -'

My hand dropped, and my head drooped. That's that, then.

I lifted my hands, running my fingers across the latches that kept the dome fastened, and unlatched them. With both hands on the helmet, I pulled up slowly. As it reached past my mouth, I felt the Earthen air enter my lungs, and—

Immediately, I retched.