The word had spread quickly, as it always does in confined spaces where fear lingers like stale air. People were brainstorming and debating, their voices loud in some corners and hushed in others. Everyone had ideas—some practical, others desperate—but the underlying current was the same: survival.
Gemski, who was tasked to handle the exploration team, decided to gather some people from the 30 groups in hopes they would volunteer for the first exploration team. "Volunteers was the problematic word here." Which sane person would even want to volunteer for this? Only fools and the crazies might, but then again, in life, we do need crazy people. They were some of the driving factors that pushed humanity to the edge countless times, and each time, we humans have survived the end and evolved stronger and more capable than ever.
Gemski spent most of the early morning watching people, observing who carried themselves like they had a purpose and who kept their heads down, hoping to avoid attention. Looking at their bodies, it was alarming how some of them moved at first, but at the same time, everyone seemed healthy and fit with a good, reliable body. Trying to gage their capabilities based on body language was also ridiculous, but from his experience, it was effective in spotting talent, and he would be lying if he said all these people didn't have talent, it was starting to look scary as he noticed the dormant monsters in waiting among all the capable people.
By the time the sun was finally above the peaks of the surrounding mountains, Gemski had gathered 300 or so people near the edge of the forest. He stood on a bolder, his voice loud but raw, worn down from the talking and yelling he had done all morning.
"Alright, listen up! I'm looking for a team to head out there," he gestured to the dense trees, "and figure out what the hell we're dealing with. Water, food, terrain, information on creatures— whatever you can find and carry, we need it. But make no mistake—this isn't some walk in the park. It's dangerous. Unknown. You'll be risking your lives."
A murmur rippled through the crowd. Most faces stayed blank, eyes darting anywhere but toward Gemski. A few exchanged whispers, heads shaking.
Gemski sighed, running a hand through his sweat-matted hair. "Look, I get it. None of us want to die, but we've got no choice. We can't just sit here and wait for someone else to save us. Whoever steps up for this will be the first humans in history to explore an alien planet. That's something, right?"
He let the silence hang. It wasn't working.
"Heroes," he said, quieter but sharper. "That's what you'll be. And maybe that's not worth much now, but someday, it might be the only thing anyone remembers about us. And if thats not a big enough incentive for you, think about it like this. Knowledge is power, so information here more than anywhere else will be currency. Information can literally become a second chance for those who will die without it. The more information you have, the more value you have, and if you have value, then you have status. So if being a hero isn't what you want to be then fine, but don't you want the ability to increase you're odds at surviving to one day find a way to return back to Earth? Step forward or raise your hands if you're in. If you want to make a difference then to day is the day. Right here! Right now!"
That's madness," someone muttered, a man clutching a woman's hand. "We don't even know what's out there. You haven't even heard His voice; live like we have. How dear you trespass on the holy land. I think we should wait. Patience is a virtue we should all exercise."
"And you think starving here is better for us? We need food. I'm sure there are over 2000 persons in this field right now and all I see is grass and trees. Someone has to go out and find food. If not one of us, then it'll be someone at some point. I ain't a fucking cow. I don't do grass. We all need to find a source of food." Snapped another voice, younger, angrier. "If none of you don't go, we're dead anyways!"
"If you want to die, then go on your own, kid," someone retorted sharply. "These so-called generals and council members have secured a way to avoid danger by concealing their cowardice behind a facade of authority. Why didn’t any of them volunteer? Like this one before us said, we’ll be risking our lives!"
The younger man's face flushed, and he looked away. "I didn't say me… but someone has to."
"What's the point of sending only five?" A woman, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, voiced what many were thinking. "They'll be torn apart out there. Why not a larger group?"
"Exactly," murmured another man nearby, shaking his head. "We're sending them to die. That's all this is. A ploy to get the others to fall in line. Its all fear tactics. This is proof of their cowardice in action again!"
"Better five persons, than all of us, all I know is, I'm not gonna be one." someone said grimly. A silence fell. The logic was cold, brutal, and irrefutable.
A voice cracked from somewhere in the crowd. "They might find something. Water, maybe. Or food. Who knows, they could even find a clue as to why we are all here in the first place." It was a thin thread of hope, but it caught on.
"They could even run into intelligence," someone else added hesitantly.
Another murmured, "It's not just for them—but for the survival of us. For everyone."
"But five people… What's the chance they even make it back?"
A deep voice cut through the chatter. "The chance isn't zero." All eyes turned toward a man named Ben, his face pale but resolute. He stepped forward. "I'll go."
The murmurs rose louder this time, but Gemski's raised hand silenced them.
"That's one," Gemski said, locking eyes with Ben. "Who else? We don't have time for this back and fort right now."
A wiry-toned man near the front stepped forward, his voice steady despite the fear etched on his face. "I've got no one here waiting for me. Everyone I love is on Earth. And I'll never see them again, so, I'll go. What's the worst that can happen?"
"That's two." Gemski nodded, his gaze sweeping the crowd.
"I'll go too," a woman said, her voice trembling but firm. She tightly gripped a branch in her hands, her knuckles white. "Better than sitting here waiting to die."
"That's three."
A long pause followed, the crowd restless. Then, a deep breath broke the silence. "Me too," a tall, broad-shouldered man said, stepping out of the throng. His face was grim, his eyes hard. "I'm not much use here, anyway, but I love a good fight, especially when the odds are low."
"That's four." Gemski waited, but no one else moved. He spoke again, quieter this time. "One more. Come on guys. That's all we need."
A tense, suffocating silence followed, broken only by the distant cries of some unseen creature deep in the jungle.
Finally, from the back, a younger voice spoke up. "Alright. I'll do it." The crowd turned to see a simple, average-looking man, no older than 22, stepping forward. His face was pale, but his chin was set in defiance. "If no one else will, I will."
Gemski stared at him for a long moment, his jaw tightening. "You sure, man? What’s your name? I know I said this is hero time, and i'm looking for volunteers, but you specifically don't have to go. This is life and death. And you seem like the type to die from an allergic reaction to high levels of oxygen."
The man nodded. "I know what I look like. I don't know what your intentions are for stopping me from going on this expedition. Especially since no one else seems to be willing, and you need people. But if you are looking for a punchline, you won't find it here. We don't sell that here, but what I do have are a very particular set of skills. Skills I have acquired over a very long career. If I’m unable to display them to day, I will tomorrow. Remember the name Max.”
"Fine. Whatever! That's five volunteers." Gemski's voice carried an edge of finality. Just then, other hands began shooting up into the air as others got excited. He looked back at the crowd. A dozen volunteers all of a sudden. "What the fuck people! I don't have time for this! Fucking figure it out. The council needs a capable team for scouting potentials in the forest, and you already know the task at hand. The rest of you whose hands are down, will head back over to where the others are, and we will do our part to contribute to our over all survival. We will build fires if we can, and fortify the surroundings to some capacity, but more than anything else, we will labour and gather resources, all while praying that the five we send into the forest will make it back in one piece. And if they don't…" His voice faltered for a fraction of a second, then hardened with his expressions. "Then we go to Plan B."
As the words left Gemski's mouth, those gathered stood in silence with their fist clenched, as they felt the intention in the tone; only the hustle and bustle of the other settlers in the distance could be heard by the expedition group, as well as the sounds of nature. No one asked what Plan B was, and they showed no sign of wanting to know.
"Alright, you've got a few hours to grab whatever you can find. Sticks, stones. I don't fucking know. We came here with nothing, but if you need the time to make some weapons, tools, and whatever you think might keep you alive, then do it within the time frame. There is no guarantee that with all your preparations, things will work, but it's better than doing nothing.
We'll meet back here in an hour, and by then, make sure you've decided who will be a part of the expedition team. And again! Five people! That's it. Any more, and you'll slow each other down, burn through energy too fast, and make it easier to get picked off. You need to figure out who's going, who's leading, and make sure the five of you can work together out there. Talk it out. This isn't a popularity contest—it's survival. Choose wisely."
With that, he stepped back, leaving the group to face the daunting task of sorting themselves. Meanwhile, the volunteers—around 17 in all—gathered in a loose circle a short distance from the larger crowd now dispersing. They eyed one another cautiously, some standing with arms crossed, others nervously shifting their weight. They didn't know each other, only that they were about to risk their lives for a chance—just a chance—at finding water and food for themselves, for the human race. The weight of that reality hung in the air, thick and oppressive.
However, among the 17 persons gathered, there was a man who was taking this entire situation on in an entirely different light. For him, this wasn't his first time being thrown into an unfamiliar and unbearable reality. If this were the end goal, the final stop before returning back to his previous life on Earth, then he would find a way.
Among the crowd observing this debacle stood Timmon Colt, the very man who had journeyed through stars. And now, it's me, Timmon, taking over the telling. This is the chronicle of my life, a saga that spans from Earth to the far reaches of space and now to this unknown new world. As I watched the others, their silence weighing heavy in the air, I knew it was up to me to break it. "Look," I started, turning to face the group, my voice slicing through the quiet, "we're not going to get anywhere just standing here.”
Returning to the third-person narrative:
Timmon's words seemed to jolt the group into action. As they all exchanged looks. “I know most of you don't actually want to go into the forest; you guys only volunteered just to show face. I can tell that some of you are physically strong, but then again, I can also tell that some of you only look strong, and your not familiar with your body and strength, if I'm correct in saying this, it could just be the changes some of us got after arriving here. I know none of you want to address it, or admit it, but thats exactly why we need to talk about these things. I'm serious about going on this expedition, and I need to know that I have good support with me. Respectfully all of you who actually think that they can go out into the forest and survive please come forward. I’m already hungry and I would rather be anywhere else but around a crowd of people.
Tobi: [rolling his eyes, stepping forward with his arms crossed] “Oh you think we're only here to show face? Really? You think I'm here to play pretend, Gestment was it? And who made you leader and delegator of this little discussion? I don't know about the rest of them, but I'm serious about this. If you're looking for support, I'm your guy. I can carry my weight—and probably yours too, Also, speaking of showing face. Are you famous? Your name sounds familiar, and your face also looks familiar. Like for real, yesterday I'm sure I saw someone like you on my stream cast."
Ben: [smirking slightly, leaning casually against a tree] "Alright, no need to flex Mr. Muscles. But I also agree with Mr Talkative's point. Some of these folks are quieter than a graveyard, and that's not exactly confidence-inspiring. I'm here because I know plants, food, and survival basics. I'm been camping before, so I know a thing or two. If you want someone who won't keel over the first time something snaps a twig around us, you can count on me ish. I'm not your average outside guy, but i'm smart, and I adapt well to my surroundings when push comes to shove. I can hold my own. Plus I’m dressed for the occasion. Look at my feet. You see these shoes? I'm gonna be fast as fuck among those trees.”
Scott: [raising a hand hesitantly] "Uh, look, I might not be a specialist like you guys, but I've got skills. I've done my fair share of hiking and camping. I was a top boy scout as a kid, and I'm the closet thing to a hunter. Plus I know how to improvise. I wouldn't have volunteered if I wasn't serious. Yes, my hands didn't come up with the first five, but my fears have dulled quite a bit, and I'm fully in gear to explore."
Mr. Major: [his voice steady, cutting through the chatter] "Gestment was it? You're right to want to know who you can rely on. If you're looking for commitment, you've got mine. But let's skip the part where we point fingers at who might be faking. If anyone's unsure, this is their chance to step back—no judgment. The best time to explore is in the early morning before the forest is fully awake. The early bird catches the worm they say, so lets get to catching. And if I'm being honest, we are already late, judging from the shadow casting into this cratered ecosystem, the sun is already up, so it safe to say morning has broken beyond the mountains, but its better to be moderately late than super late."
[As his words lingered, Mr. Major scanned the group with a calm, assessing gaze, his words hanging heavily in the tense silence as his thoughts lingered even harder on the mountains. "If they could secure a path to get to the ridge of the volcanos crater, they could definitely progress on a path back to Earth. Whatever happens, he promised himself not to die till then.]
Timmon: "In order to join humanity's first exploratory team, I need to know what each of us has observed since arriving on this proclaimed alien planet. What do you guys and gals bring to the table? Also, yes, in my second life, I went by the name Colt Gestment, but now I go by the name Timmon Colt, or you can call me T.G. for short.
At the mention of his name a few voices pierced the general murmur of the crowd. One voice tinged with surprise, whispered, "So he came over too?" Another, darker, almost a growl, muttered, "The hunt continues." A third, laced with a hint of menace, added, "He’s still running."
Tobi: [shrugs, his expression confident.] "So what I've observed since walking around on an alien planet? Did you guys hear me? We are on an alien planet. Those people back on Earth could never imagine this to be a reality. Still nothing from you guys? Damn. Whatever! As you can see, I'm handsome and fit. And to get a body like mine, one needs to be aware of the state and condition of their body at all times. Whenever get to a new location, i ground myself and practice my breath control. The air around here is thin, so yeah, we're high up to the best of my knowledge. It reminds me of my training days. And it makes sense with those mountains around us. That means endurance is gonna matter more than brute strength. Lucky for you, that's my wheelhouse. I can keep us moving, carry what we need, get help, and fight if it comes to that. However, the only fighting I'll be doing is against fatigue. The air is only going to get thinner the higher we go, unless something alien happens to us, to prevent its effects. Maybe the laws of science have changed around here or whatever."
Ben: [nodding as he speaks, his tone thoughtful] "The vegetation's dense, greener than anything I've seen. That means water's gotta be close. The ecosystem is alive and thriving, but it's alien Like Mr. Leg Muscles said. Now what I bring, is my knowledge—I can help us figure out what's most likely safe to eat, what's most likely to be used for medicinal purposes, and what's most likely to kill us just by a simple touch. Not to mention, if we get lucky, I might be able to map out how this place works biologically. Its a stretch yes, mainly because nothing can be done within a day, and to make matters worst we still have no technology to rely on. If only God had a microscope hidden under a rock with my name on it. However, having me on the team would help us stay on task of not risking our lives. I won't be the type to consider the murder of life like the silent hunters around here probably would. I'm pro-life after all. I rather study and observe, than to kill out of fear. Balance is not mine to keep, its mine to observe."
Scott: [shifting uncomfortably, but speaking up] "Well, I noticed the ground is kinda soft, damp in places. If I had to guess, we're standing on some kind of volcanic top soil—it's rich in minerals, but it feels lifeless to some degree while at the same time feeling like one big life form. Again, I'm no expert. I'm just an average joe with a gut feeling and a decent intuition. I can't give you scientific answers like the others, but I know how to use my instincts. If we need to build something or rig up tools on the fly, I'm your guy. I've been tinkering my whole life. I can make rope, and I've started a friction fire once or twice in life."
Mr. Major: [His tone calm and steady as he speaks] "Scott sounds more capable each time he opens his mouth. I'm starting to become a fan. For my part, I've been watching the 16 of you gathered here, studying your body languages, studying your glares. Some of you are real killers, and not just figuratively, I can tell those who walk with death daily as I happen to be one on that journey, I can tell when an untrained group of people are trying their best to suppress their capabilities, but I can also tell that most of you are scared, and thats understandable, it's obviously clear that most of you still haven't taken this situation we're it seriously yet. Fear and denial can cloud judgment. Skills and the judgment to execute should be the metrics we use to measure success. I honestly think that all this talking, is wasting time. What I bring comes from my experience, and with that comes clarity under pressure. I know how to move tactically among the trees, even in unfamiliar territory. If there's danger, I'll mostly see it before it sees us on most occasions. I'll be one of the reliable anchors to keep us from wondering."
[The group fell quiet for a moment, the weight of Timmon's question sinking in as each person reflected on what their contribution could be.]
Timmon: "What do the rest of you bring to the table? Is it a secret, or the rest of you don't plan on sharing since you don't plan on going on the mission?
Even if you don't want to go into the forest, at most, give us a fighting chance by sharing. What you know could help us, no matter how small of a contribution it is. I'm not an expert in this area, but for the hunters around us, I'm gonna need more of an input. Out of curiosity, have any of you heard the low howls in the distance like i've been hearing? I can tell that some of you are bounty hunters by trade, I've seen a few of your faces before, sadly never in person."
There were some soft murmur among the crowd as he continued. "Maybe actual animal hunters among us too, but like Mr Major, I can tell a dangerous person when I see one. I've had my fair share of encounters due to how I grew up in my first life and how things ended in my second. But in this life, I want to
B145: "You keep talking about what do we bring to the table. What the fuck do you bring to this table besides questions and animal sounds you’ve noticed? Are you on a spectrum?”
Timmon: "Okay, listen up, my skills are based on understanding rocks. At this time my other skills are useless. Not worth mentioning without access to electricity. I'm somewhat of a geologist. I know my way around minerals, stones, rocks those kinds of materials.”
The moment Timmon mentioned stones, he felt the uneasiness around him and heard the soft whispers of people saying “SS-26 stone” While another said “It’s really him”. It was only for a moment, but Timmon lost his composure when the idea that his problems from Earth had come over to this planet with him. Refusing to pause longer than he should, It was dumb to think that they wouldn’t know. Especially due to what was happening before they all arrived on the planet. Timmon continued.
"This place has a few big mysteries from the jump, and from what piece of information Tobi and Ben both observed, it confirms what I've been thinking since I've arrived. We are, in fact, living in a thriving ecosystem self sustaining within a dormant volcano at high altitudes. From what I understand about Earth, water should collect at the centre of a crater like this—especially one surrounded by ice-capped volcanic walls. Looking around, the symmetry of the crater’s rim tells me this spot should hold a lake. But there’s nothing. No water, no basin, just forest. Which means... the lake we’re expecting isn’t missing—it’s hiding. Somewhere deeper in the forest. Now, this is all speculation at this point, but maybe the water was diverted elsewhere, or it has found its way underground. We won't know until we see the evidence. We just need to find a solid trail to any possible water sources out there, and we might find enough life to reward us with food and other resources.
Sodium: [fidgeting nervously, finally speaking up.] "I… I'm not much of anything special, okay? At least I don't think so. I worked construction back home. And as a family business and a hobby I did a lot of black smithing, following an old family tradition. Not to brag, but I’m fucking good at what I do. I know how to spot and gather useful minerals, and I’m good at building tools, but out here? Without equipment, I'm not sure how useful that is for this mission. I would love to help, but I only bring willingness to the table."
Tobi: [cutting in sharply.] "Then why are you even here talking? You said a whole bunch of nothing. Look, no offence, but we don't need extra bodies just tagging along for a joyride. Go and kick some rocks, start a fire or two. If you want to contribute by making some tools with your skills. I'm sure you can find what you need if you start looking for it. If not now then set up the infrastructure for later, just prepare for it. Like that dude Scott said. The damp ground is rich in minerals, go and mine some, and see what your capable of in this new but temporary reality."
Ken: [defensive, crossing their arms.] "Hey, not everyone's here to play hero like you, Tobi. I can track. I'm a hunter by trade. Spent years as a guide for hunters back home. And yeah to Mr Many names over there. When I regain my consciousness, I heard those so called howls. They sound the closes to wolves howls but this isn't Earth so it could be something completely different. However, I just don't see the point of bringing up the sound of wild life if we can't do anything about it right now. It's just going to introduce unnecessary stress and fear. If we don't have weapons and traps, its pointless to search for top tier food. Let's just gather, and put the hunting on the back burner. And focus on plants and bugs. It could be the safest thing to eat, farm, and gather."
Ben: [tilting his head thoughtfully.] "It's not about what we can't do—it's about what we need to be ready for. If there are predators out there, they'll smell us before we see them. We're already at a disadvantage. We just need to face the music. Like I said before, I'm now lacking in skills, but I won't be for long. I'll find a way to survive, either physically or in memory, my name and contribution will live on. Believe it."
Scott: [his voice soft but resolute.] "Then we need to think like prey. Thats our clear solution. Quiet, careful, deliberate. We'll make sure to leave a trail we can follow back here, and stick close together. If we scatter, we're done for. Lets make sure that when we run, all roads leads back here. Our home away from home."
Mr. Major: [nodding in agreement, his tone steady.] "Exactly. Timmon's right—this forest is the key to everything. Food, water, and answers about this place. We're not here to fight nature. We're here to survive it. That means we need everyone contributing their best, no dead weight."
Lockjaw: [sighing heavily, finally stepping forward.] "Fine. I'll share. I'm a butcher, and I'm not much use without tools or animals to cut up, but if we find anything out there, I can handle it. Doesn't mean I'm thrilled about walking into the unknown. I don't know if you noticed, but unlike you sculpted beef built people, I'm built to eat. Look at me! If I got out there with my size I'll be a one time decoy. I feel incredible, regardless of my size, but I can't go out there, I don't have the confidence yet. Mentally, this isn't my moment. Plus, I also heard the wolves. And from my knowledge, they only howl for a few reasons. The most concerning types of howls are territory warnings, communication, alarm and identification. These wolves are active with other competitive wolves."
Tobi: [with a sarcastic edge.] " You're a butcher, huh? Guess that's… something. You guys are sharing unnecessary information like if this is a meet and greet. Who can make a gun out of sticks and stones? Make fire from fruit? Something exciting. All these old people skills you guys and gals have. From the looks of it, none of you are over thirty five. Except for that one scary looking guy over there. He looks old as shit."
Timmon: "Speaking of eating and ignoring whatever Tobi has to say. When it comes to colourful shit within the forest, let's follow Earth's rules and stay away. Better safe than sorry. Poisoning is not something we want above all things. However, if we come across seeds and berries, we should try to gather samples. I don't know what eating vegetation from the alien forest might do to our bodies, and introducing alien proteins could be harmful in the long run at best. It should be the last result. But I'm also concerned about what our being here will do to the ecosystem. We are invasive creatures that might introduce plages on the life forms. Modifying landscapes, sediments and redistribution of elements. And what if we come across intelligent life forms?"
Tobi: [leaning forward slightly, his voice sharp and direct.] "Alright, Timmon, you're spiralling, but you've got a point. If we're gonna do this, we need to lock it down. Who's in, who's out, and who's calling the shots? No more dancing around it."
Ben: [smirking as he shoots a glance at Tobi.] "Relax, Mr. Legs. No one's dancing but you. It's beginning to look like you want the position of group leader, and giving that position to someone who's bait doesn't sit well with me. Why are you even here again? All of us got legs, so we can already do what you can do. All fun and jokes but are you sure you're not volunteering to be bait, bro?"
Scott: [snickering, chiming in quickly.] "You guys know what they say about empty pots, they make the most noise. If we need a decoy, we'll just smear Tobi in blood and send him running off into the forest. I'm sure the wildlife would love a protein-packed snack."
Tobi: [rolling his eyes but trying to suppress a grin.] "Ha-ha. Real funny, guys. But thats pretty dark, especially since this is basically a suicide mission. You'll be crying for my help when something's chasing you. And let the record show that even if I were to be used as a distraction. I would be a fucking good distraction."
Mr. Major: [deadpan, with a subtle edge of humour.] "You're assuming you'll outrun whatever's chasing you, Tobi. I see through your facade. I give it five minutes before you trip over your own ego. You are a little scaredy cat. Anything longer than that, and your qualified for me to watch over you on this mission."
Assad: [grinning slyly, leaning back against a tree.] "Five minutes? You're being generous. My bet's on three. Those calves aren't doing him any favours if he doesn't have any upper body strength with it. Shit, even my calves are bigger than his. I wish we had money, then things would really get interesting with this on going bet."
Sodium: [chuckled slightly.] "Betting on weather Tobi, can get away? Seems like a fun bet, but lets bet on weather or not humanities mad men will make it back alive. If they manage that, I'll make each of them a weapon when I figure out how to gather the materials around here effectively."
Tobi: [throwing his hands up, mock exasperated.] "Alright, alright, I get it! Let's all gang up on the athlete. Real mature, guys."
Ben: [laughing, gesturing toward the group] "Oh, we're just warming up. If you're gonna be the self-proclaimed superhero, you've gotta take the heat. Part of the job." Scott: [grinning as he shrugs] "Yeah, and if you're as fast as you say, Tobi, you can just run ahead. Maybe scout for us while we take it slow. You know, give us a chance to survive while you 'distract' the forest predators."
Mr. Major: [Finally cutting through the laughter, his tone is more serious but still carrying a hint of amusement.] "Enough. Tobi's coming, and for better or worse, we'll probably need his speed. But if he gets himself heavily injured or killed being overconfident, we're not dragging his body back. And that goes for anyone else who wants to go into the forest. We can not afford to get injured. We all die if we do. Is that a reasonable deal?"
Tobi: [grinning despite himself, shaking his head.] "Deal. You guys suck by the way."
Ben: [laughing as he turns to Timmon, his tone shifting to a more serious edge.] "Alright, Timmon. Back to business. I'm in. You seem like you got the brains to find the water, and I'll handle figuring out what's safe to eat or avoid, plants, and animal wise. But leadership? That's on you or Mr. Major."
Scott: [nodding, his tone more grounded] "Same here. I'll help however I can, I'll probably be more useful as a scout than Tobi would, but I'm no leader. I'm in for the mission if no one else wants to go."
Mr. Major: [his voice steady, his gaze shifting between Timmon and the group] "I'll lead if that's what the team wants. I've got the experience, and I'll make sure we stay alive. But if you think you can do it, Timmon, speak up now."
A woman named Nia raised her hands in surrender.] "Yeah, I've changed my mind. Not me. I'll stay back and help here. I'm a hardworking woman, but leadership? Nah, I'll pass."
Ben: [grinning.] “Well, Lady. I don’t think anyone was thinking about you as a leader. The team is a all boys team. Just how we like it. Right Timmon? You are stepping up to lead right?, Or are we handing the more than capable Major the crown? Or just maybe we'll just give it to Tobi! He's got the ego for it."
Tobi: [groaning, waving a hand dismissively] "Leave me out of this! I'll be doing all the heavy lifting with my knees. Anymore responsibilities, and my dick would be dragging on the floor."
[The group laughed; the tension briefly eases before all eyes turn to Timmon, waiting for his decision.]
A few hours later.
The team stood at the forest's edge, with Gemski and a few other people who tagged along to witness their new history in the making. The air was heavy with anticipation, armed with determination, and most importantly, as a secret weapon. They had Tobi's carves.
Gemski looked them over, his eyes hard but not unkind. "Timmon," he said, nodding to the man who had been unanimously chosen as the leader during the group's brief discussions. You've got the floor. Say what you need, then get going."
Timmon stepped forward; he had spent the morning since their arrival and discussion studying the immediate and the sky, trying to piece together what little he could.
"First off," he began, his voice steady despite the weight of the moment, "I said this earlier, and i'll say it again. I think we might be in a dormant volcano ecosystem. With high altitude, dense forest, rich soil. And for any thriving ecosystem there has to be water. This is all based on my Earthly standards clearly, we are about to venture into the unknown, but I believe that there is water somewhere in these forest—there has to be, or these trees wouldn't be here. My guess is there's a river or a lake hidden deeper within the forest. But here's the thing: I don't think this place is safe."
He paused, scanning the team. "If there's water, there's life. And if there's life, it might not be friendly. We've already heard sounds out there—howls, maybe. Could be wolves, could be something worse. So, rule number one: don't get separated. Rule number two: if it looks pretty or colourful, don't touch it. Assume it's poisonous until proven otherwise. Rule number three: keep your eyes open. If you see something off, say something. No heroes, no lone wolves. We stick together, or we die. No man gets left behind. There will be times when the forest will test us but be understanding and make sure to support each other."
The team nodded, their faces grim.
Timmon continued, "We'll head East first—toward the hills. It will be hard to navigate in the forest and keep a straight path, mainly due to the natural drift the human body has in conjunction to the rotating planet. However, if we get glimpses through the canopy from time to time we could keep that land mark in mind. And when its time to return we can use the mountain wall in the west as a returning land mark. Heading toward the mountain should give us a good vantage point to map the area eventually, but theirs no way we'll make it there in a day, but with our markers it should make it faster to travel if we get a trail going. So after we enter the forest, and feel things out, we can decide how far we will search before turning back. The goal is 4 hours in, and four hours back. If we don't make it back in that time frame, double the expected time, assuming that their will be complications along the way. Anything after that, consider us dead, and a lesson to the others that this forest was more than we all expected."
Gemski clapped him on the shoulder. "I was a little skeptical at first, seeing the people you didn't pick among the 17 volunteers, but clearly the team I'm looking at seems promising. Also i'm hearing a good plan. You've got this men. And clearly your, a thinker team leader. Timmon, was it? I don't know how you guys would feel about this, but being the first to do it, I want your team name to be Uno. It's a little lame, but to me its fun to say. Don't die before you return with the information. We need it. Food. Water. And a pathway. So we're counting on you. Come back alive at all cost. Whatever it takes."
As team Uno stepped into the forest, the shadows swallowed them whole, and Gemski watched them go, his voice carrying after them. "Stay sharp, you bastards. Life's funny, but it's damn precious. Don't waste a single second of it. See you five in a hot sixteen, work will be waiting for you guys when you return. Don't use that as an excuse not to come back.”
Giving a final glance as they crossed the threshold of the forest, team Uno disappeared through the bushes they had to push through.
What are you most worried about for the exploration team?