Logbook of Sub-Commander Arin, Civil Fleet Defense Regiment. Approaching Osberan. Summary of the last few weeks.

For the past month, we've been sailing towards Osberan under orders left by our admiral. At the time, he had entrusted me with the leadership of this little world because he wished to study a super nova we were to encounter on our journey. Shortly after his departure, we lost contact with his shuttle. Our instructions were to continue our expedition without waiting for them and without worrying about what might happen to them, so as not to endanger either the crew or the mission.

Apart from my deep concern at having no news of the admiral, the military armada or the land, the rest of the trip went smoothly and fortunately nothing disrupted our progress! It was important not to cause panic among the population, and it was a particularly difficult time to hide our total isolation.

We entered the zone of influence of the Tylonia-Aleya double system three weeks ago. To avoid creating a possible imbalance in the latter, we had to change our propulsion mode and fall back on conventional reactors. The next step was to send several observation probes towards the planet. Twenty-four hours after their launch, they should be able to provide us with the first high-resolution images of Osberan. With each passing day, as they got closer, they were able to glean more information, such as the presence of life on the surface, without going into detail. Others had the same mission and were to be launched from Osberan's atmosphere a little later.

 

The first probes were to search the entire planet for artificial objects. Yesterday, these probes, which remained in orbit, were able to complete their work and we received the first full scan. The first returns showed no trace of activity that could be assimilated with any kind of technology. What's more, they were able to produce a high-quality map of the continent hosting the alpha point, the origin of the signal. The information was then compiled into an orientation sphere to aid our progress on the ground.

To return to my first point, the absence of any artifacts whatsoever implies that no one has yet landed on the planet. Above all, it implies that there is no intelligent presence on the surface. This, on the other hand, is a bad omen: the second fleet isn't here. We'll just have to fend for ourselves! The question is, what happened to the others? In any case, the days, months and years to come will probably be difficult, as we're simply not as well equipped as they are to recreate a minimum level of comfort. Assuming, of course, that this is just a question of timing, although I doubt it!

In forty-eight hours, I'll be the first man to set foot on this new planet, according to the directives left by high command. This will be followed by the landing of the ships mentioned, depending on the information I transmit to them.

In the absence of contact from me, they will be instructed to bring the fleet down to within fifty kilometers of the alpha point.

 

 

We've had a few problems with the surface probes. Systematically, they stopped transmitting about twenty-four hours after their release. The geological and biological analyses we received, albeit partial, revealed that life there seems to be small-scale, with no large predators. The presence of a large aquifer confirmed just below the first underground strata was a big help in our decision. It would be able to supply our water needs for a decade.

Nevertheless, this loss of signal from our probes gives me pause, and we'll need to investigate to understand.

 

In twelve hours, we leave for Osberan, just over a thousand kilometers north of the alpha point. The sonar, sent to scan the area, has transmitted strange and unintelligible data. We're going to have to investigate before any further missions.

Starting tomorrow, I'll be testing a dynamic logbook, as I'd like to keep all the information, even if it's not important, on what's going to happen. I'll be accompanied by three people, Naëlys, Zohan and Ivy.

A brief description of each of them:

 

Naëlys is a thirty-five-year-old woman from Amundsen, just like me, and a xenozoologist. She specializes in animal behavior. We imagined that osber living beings could mimic attitudes similar to those on Earth. Her role will be to understand whether we're dealing with aggressive or pacifist beasts. I don't particularly know this woman, but she was recommended to me for this mission.

Ivy is two years younger than Naëlys and is also a xenobiologist. She graduated top of her class five years ago. Her thesis on the accelerated evolution that has taken place on Gaia over the last hundred years propelled her smoothly to her doctorate in animal biology. She's here to help us discern whether they have anything in common with terrestrial fauna, and therefore whether we can imagine domesticating them, feeding on them, or whether we should be wary of them.

Zohan, his thirty-four-year-old companion, has distinguished himself in the study of plants. His career path has earned him the position of xenobotanist. Given what we've seen from all the probe reports, he'll have his work cut out for him.

I know a little about him and his wife, his character is peculiar, but he's very good and I have every confidence in him to guarantee the success of the mission. As for her, she's always seemed very committed to everything she does.

Personally, I'd represent authority and engineering in its entirety, I didn't shine in my studies unlike the other three. But since the admiral and his second-in-command are no longer with us, my role is to replace them.

 

Day "one" of Osberan exploration. This is it! The crew and I gather in the hangar to face our companion, the little ship "The Seagull". Full of enthusiasm, we're also very stressed at the thought of setting foot on this new world.

- Before we embark, I'd like to take the liberty of giving you a brief preliminary briefing:

Here's the program. Descend to Osberan Beta Point with this ship in front of you. Our shuttle has been prepared to allow us to set up a secure camp on the planet. We'll have food and water for five days. We don't know what we'll run into! We don't even know if we'll find food and drinkable water, in case we need more. It's a difficult mission, so if you're thinking of going back, now's the time! After that, it'll be too late.

- It's OK with us, we've already discussed it together before coming and we won't give up our place. Not for any reason! To have the honor of setting foot on a new world first is just an immeasurable privilege.

- That's exactly what I wanted to hear, so let's go! Let's get going! We board the aircraft and, once inside, we recap our objectives in a little more detail.

We enter the little shuttle in absolute silence, with only the sound of our footsteps on the metal floor echoing in our ears.

- First of all, we have to finish putting on the suits and make sure they're operational. After that, I'll take command, and you three strap yourselves in. Naëlys Come next to me, you'll be my co-pilot. You've been trained for that. As for you two, I'm sorry, but you'll have to make do with the cargo hold, as there are two safe seats for you.

- Thanks for the rough comfort, if I return all that, it'll be nice with the helmet. Zohan exit

- No, I trust you.

 

Now we're in place, I'm starting the ship. Here are the five main stages:

Descent to Osberan

Finding a safe landing place and disembarking.

Build a secure camp for the four of us.

Exploration of the surrounding area.

And finally sampling and analyzing the water, taking fruit, small animals and insects for edibility studies.

- I warn you that the descent is going to be difficult, guys! Readings indicate that the atmosphere is thicker than on Gaia. So expect it to be very hot, and we're going to experience a lot of turbulence. There's no need to talk to me unless it's a real emergency, I need to concentrate. Anyway, it's going to be very noisy.

The descent was, in fact, quite violent, and I had to manage five minutes of big problems. Fortunately, Naëlys helped me a lot, but more than once the penetration angles had to be adjusted to limit overheating, and judging by the sensors, the shuttle didn't like it:

- That's it, guys, we're going to land, I've just located a point in this dial. Objective, the outskirts of this forest. However, I don't intend to get too close! The idea is to take advantage of natural protection, while keeping a fairly open view of the horizon. Zohan? Ivy? All's well back there.

- Not really, no breakage, but I'm not likely to eat for a few hours, you've really shaken us up!

- I did what I could, but it wasn't easy, Naëlys is a witness, and the preset parameters weren't right.

- Mwah! I'd say you didn't want us to discover the fruit before you. But okay, you get to taste everything first. Ivy's vengeful gaze spoke volumes about her thoughts at that moment.

Zohan retorted.

- Apart from that, let us out so we can go and vomit in peace!

- Wait a couple more minutes, I'd like the external sensors on the hull to come back and make sure we're safe.

 

- After traveling billions of kilometers, we could end up on a planet without being able to breathe. Reassure me, they wouldn't dare do that to us over there!

- I'm sure they wouldn't, but there's nothing to stop us...

"Manual opening of the access hatch.

- Hey, Zohan! You're not well! What did you do that for?

- If I'm going to die of asphyxiation, I'd rather not know, so screw the protocols.

"End of analysis: atmosphere compatible with human physiognomy, presence of no recognized dangerous agents. Macro-detail of air composition: nitrogen, seventy-five percent! Oxygen, twenty-three percent! Carbon dioxide zero, half a percent! Ozone, argon, neon, helium, traces."

- You see, we weren't risking anything anyway!

- That's no reason, at least we could have made this decision together.

- Look, I apologize, but if we're going to move forward, we'll probably have to make some shortcuts on the protocols. We're not in known territory, don't forget.

Once outside, we'll discover pure air, the likes of which we've never had the pleasure of enjoying on earth. What a delight! And all those smells.

Situation: as expected, the surroundings are clear, with the edge of the forest some 50 metres away. The plateau we're standing on offers us a three-hundred-and-sixty-degree panorama. On the other side of the ship, a large cliff gives us natural protection against any animal invasion.

The plants are very different from what we had on Earth. In reality and in books.

Here, a not inconsiderable proportion of them are purple and blue, which is quite a change of scenery. The ground is covered with a kind of green and reddish moss, and looks nothing like the grass we had on Gaia.

The flowers come in all sizes, and on the whole, much bigger than where we came from. The smallest I can see from my vantage point is already at least fifteen centimetres across, and as soon as I have time, I'll add a few sketches to illustrate and preserve all this.

 

The strength of these scents is what disturbs me most. Pleasant, but a little too heady. It knocks you out.

- The luminosity is disturbing, don't you think, very intense and slightly tinged with red. Probably due to the star Tylonia.

"Result of spectral analysis, high level of ultraviolet present up to seven percent of radiation received on the ground. Type A predominates. Significant presence of Category B radiation! Total absence of Type C ultraviolet!

Very possible origin of harmful source: Aleya sun! Conclusion, moderate risk".

Careful, guys, I'd advise you not to stare at the white star, as it appears to be very irradiant. Take a look at the readings.

 

- Do we need to protect ourselves?

- After the measuring device, no, we're going to tan quite a bit. Don't worry, it's well below lethal levels.

- And now that all these points have been secured, what do we do? Can we get to work?

- Zohan, I get the impression that you like danger, so why don't you check the outskirts of the forest and stay out of it for the time being? But make sure we're safe by keeping an eye on it, and I'll set up camp around the shuttle with Naëlys,

Ivy adds at this point:

- What about me?

- Stay in support of Zohan, don't get too close to him in case we need to intervene. Ideally, you should stand back so you can see the big picture. And if anything seems foreign, don't hesitate to sound the alarm.

- Am I to understand that you don't trust me?

Zohan threw back at him, a little annoyed.

- Don't get me wrong, if I didn't, I wouldn't be giving you the most important mission. There are four of us and I'd like all four of us to leave! After these words, each of us set to work.

Naëlys had to set up the barrier that would alert us to any unwanted visitors. In other words, four fairly large poles capable of electrocuting any intruder. Not lethal, of course, but enough to ring any creature of our size. Considering that this was critical to our survival, I helped her prepare the holes and fix them. The system is simple and effective. We all have to carry a receiver which allows us to go between two beacons without any risk. On the other hand, if you were to lose it, you'd feel an electric shock as you passed through. So be careful!

 

While she was busy digging for the posts, I had the privilege of defining our latrines. A rather unappetizing operation, but essential for our long-term comfort.

It's time for a status report: it's taken us a good two hours to set up the camp, and so far nothing out of the ordinary. A few quirky little creatures did show up, but fortunately none of them behaved aggressively. I was surprised to see that they didn't seem bothered by our presence.

On another note, my first scientific observation concerns gravity! It's stronger than on Earth, and you can feel it! Or maybe it's because we've just spent six months in space, and our training wasn't enough to keep us there. Either way, I'm exhausted. For tonight, we have what we need, we can rest and I'm not unhappy about it.

- Zohan, take the opportunity to finish your watch and gather some wood, we'll need to light a fire, it's going to be a cool evening.

Tylonia is already below the horizon. Aleya's brightness, which seemed so dangerous this morning, seems so insignificant now. Even without looking directly at her, her glow is so faint, it's not even comparable to that of the moon from earth.

Lastly, I notice a sort of halo around the sun! It disturbs me a little, acting like a thick fog.

If the three of you are ready, join me on the edge of the cliff and enjoy the scenery. It's really magnificent from this vantage point. Do you realize that in the past, on Gaia, we could enjoy this kind of panorama? What a shame! I hope we won't make the same mistakes here.

- You seem very inspired, dear friend.

 

 

At our feet, some rather large creatures. They look a lot like giraffes, more massive than the one we knew on earth. We watch as they move rapidly away from the edge of the forest below.

All of a sudden! From the undergrowth, another one, difficult to describe, swooped down on the slowest giant in the group! The latter didn't stand a chance. The predator used its tail, a sort of enormous whip, to immobilize the prey by entangling its hind legs. I watch in horror as I talk to my companions. Before us, the unfortunate creature has been put to death. After a mighty roar, smaller versions of the hunter came running, reminding us despite the violence of the scene that this is only the natural cycle.

 

 It was with great relief that we realized we were out of range. Our position has kept us safe, or so it seems, although deep down we're not at all reassured for the evening.

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