Planet Osberan. In progress
Planet Osberan. In progress
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Prequel of Osberan
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.
​
To continu...
When we arrived, we called Zohan and Ivy, but there was no answer. The kitten was still sleeping, but there was no sign of our two comrades.
In doubt, we put the game down in a safe place, then searched first in the near depths of the cave, then in the immediate vicinity. There's no evidence of Zohan and Ivy's presence, nor of combat with any creature.
Naëlys starts to panic a little, myself not feeling very reassured. I don't know how to handle it. Failing that, I suggest we take care of the cooking. We prepare a fire at the edge of the shelter. Then, with a bit of luck, we skewer the animal just above. Our friends will be home before sunset, guided by the light of our blaze.
What an error of judgement, alas, for once night falls, no one is back. The emotional shock is heavy to bear! Since we landed, everything has been complicated: no ship, no radio to contact the fleet, and even no jeeps to get around in. In any case, every time we've used technology, it's been a disaster. I wish I could have at least warned the other colonists, but I wouldn't know how to explain where we are.
- Naëlys, do you want us to return to the ship's landing site tomorrow?Perhaps another group passing through the area will have seen it, and consequently launched a search party to meet us, what do you think?
- But as for Zohan and Ivy, we're not going to abandon them!
She stares at me with moist eyes, her face marked by the fatigue of repeated ordeals.
The kitten takes advantage of the fact that I'm swallowing a piece of meat to sneak into my arms, ask to be stroked and join in the meal.As the silence deepens, I look back at her, pondering what to say in return:
- No! Of course, the ideal thing would be to leave a message on one of the stones, in plain sight, telling them that we've been dispatched to the ship, and that we'll be back to pick them up as soon as we've been rescued ourselves.
- So be it!she replies without conviction:
- Let's do it then.
Then she turns to sleep, exhausted.
I'm left alone with the animal.Wondering whether it's a male or a female, I'm so lost.I'm surprised I even ask myself this kind of question.What I find laughable in the situation is his cat-like behavior. And that he's finally a source of tranquillity, even though his companions wanted to devour me a few hours earlier.
His physical resemblance is astonishing.
I'll say. I should stop having preconceived ideas. They're not always good to follow.
Then I think back to my companions.
In the back of my mind, I hear myself saying to Ivy, I'm sorry I acted like that earlier.
Your approach was the right one, I should have seen it.
I reload the brazier before going to bed, get up and take another look around.From the heights of the cave, I cast a glance around, to see if by any chance I can locate them, or if not, if there's a fire signalling that they're still alive. But nothing, in doubt, I also check the depths of our habitat, but nothing. Nothing at all! Resigned, I tell myself that it's too late to continue the search anyway, and our group, or what's left of it, is far too fragile to do anything.
I settle down next to the fire, and the kitten approaches me once more to ask for a few caresses.He, whose parents wanted to devour me, suddenly seems so cuddly.As I lie down, he snuggles up to me.His presence lulls me to sleep.
The next morning, my new companion wakes me up by licking my nose, his unpleasant breath quickly putting me out of my dreams. It's been a long time since I've slept so well, I say to myself. I sit up, my head heavy, and when I turn it around to refamiliarize myself with my surroundings, Ivy is gone. Immediately, panic overwhelms me. I call her, but there's no answer! Once again, a member of my team has disappeared. But, as before, I can't find anything wrong, not even a message! Distraught, I look at the little animal and start talking to it:
- Have you seen anything?
By way of reply, he lowers his ears and tilts his head.
- You don't understand me, why am I talking to you?Probably exhaustion. What do you think we should do?Should we try to find him?
Without further ado, I grab what little food I've got left, throw it into a makeshift bag and make my way back down the cave without worrying too much about the dangers. I search for my three companions for more than two hours, and the more time passes, the more I lose hope of meeting them again.
Disillusioned, I return to camp believing that at least one of them might be there, but no! I'm alone, lost on a planet that doesn't want me. My last chance is to get back to the ship and hope I can get the radio working, before this damn root makes it impossible. It should be dark in three or four hours, so I'm in a hurry.
As I walk along, I come across the buggy again; it seems to have already suffered in just a few days. In doubt, I look inside to see if I have anything to salvage. Just a hazard light. I pick it up. Who knows, I might use it once at the Gull and with a bit of luck, someone will see it.
An hour before sunset, I arrive at the ship's landing zone. I'm pleasantly surprised to find that the vines appear to be completely dried out. This gives me hope for the future. The aircraft's airlocks are wide open, exposing its interior. As I approach and take a look, I'm horrified to discover that it's in a very advanced state of disrepair. I turn around the shuttle and grab a stick, with which I try to free the ship from its embrace. Besides, I'd like to make sure it's still usable. The roots disintegrate like dry twigs as soon as I touch them, then fall to dust. Once free, the hull appears scarred. I can only imagine the power with which this plant must have crushed my aircraft. I still have to climb onto the seagull and check the state of the antenna. Pitiful!
It's been ripped off, to my great dismay, and put in such a state that no repair is possible.What little hope I had is slowly melting away.I let myself drift off into obscure ideas and eventually stopped paying attention to my surroundings.
In my darkest thoughts, I hear the kitten still down below. It meows insistently. He's walking in circles and seems disturbed. What does he want from me? I'm not in the mood! Then, like some kind of regular vibration, I'm brought back to reality. Could it be a large creature approaching? Doubtful, I slide over to my companion and reach out to grab him. He leaps up to snuggle up to me without the slightest hesitation. Turning my head in all directions, I look for a sheltered, unobtrusive spot, feeling each second tremors stronger than the last. My last hope. All that's left is my metal refuge, and I start to make my way towards it.
I enter with some trepidation.
It creaks all over and feels as if it's going to fall apart, but I have no choice - it's the only place I can disappear to.It's dark in there. At the far end of the hold, I spot a crate big enough for both of us to hide in.
The little animal seems to have understood what I was trying to do, because since I've been holding him, he's made no noise and lets himself be carried without resistance. Yet I can see that he's terrified. I'm flattered by the trust he's offering me, and at the same time, it doesn't reassure me at all. Alas, I don't have time to ask myself all these questions, for the vibrations are getting so dangerously close that they can be felt inside the aircraft.
A key balanced on the control console falls to the ground with a monstrous crash. I feel an icy current of stress and fear rising up inside me. So much so that I find myself praying that nothing will happen to me, having never believed in all this. This intense noise precedes a heavy silence that is by no means reassuring, and I no longer feel the slightest tremor. Has he gone? Has he stopped?
Suddenly, a frightful din echoes in my bones. Immediately, the kitten leaps from my arms, fleeing to hide behind me.
Immediately after this, once again, the quiet settles in, even more uncomfortable than the first time, unable to bear not observing anything.
I seize the moment to glance around with all due caution, trying to spot the invader!
I can't see him!
He's certainly in a blind spot. Yes, but no! He chooses this moment to slide his snout through the ramp, it's enormous. The animal is sniffing around inside! Anxious at the sight, I turn back to my little protege and discover him trembling, fearing the worst. He's so stressed that he's starting to put out his claws, his coat is swelling and he's giving off a strong smell.
I cast another furtive glance towards the airlock, just long enough to catch a glimpse of him before he retreats from the ship's entrance. His head is elongated, with two holes for nostrils. Its enormous eyes protrude from their sockets and feature an almost luminous cyan iris, the deep black pupil split in two. The fact that they're positioned on either side of the skull suggests to me that it's prey and not a predator. It's a bit of a relief, as it gives me a chance to relax and tranquilize my makeshift companion. As the animal reminds me of a cat, I naturally scratch him under the chin. To which he is positively receptive.
How crazy!
After this emotional storm, calm returns and I continue to stroke him, to the point of giving in to sleep. Alas, for both of us, there's more to come from the intruder. We're suddenly shaken. He starts banging on the hull! Why does he do that? I don't know, but the noise he makes is unbearable. My little sidekick whimpers as loud as he can. Then our assailant stops banging. Is there a connection? Actually, no, it wasn't my kitten! Just after this short interlude, I hear the cry and footsteps of a newcomer echoing through the structure. Filled with nameless fear and panic, I feel compelled to move, as far away from here as possible. I grab my boyfriend with alacrity. Although he digs his claws into my arm in fright, I don't let go. I straighten up, sneak a peek to see if I can see any of the assailants through the openings, and cautiously approach the rear of the ship. I discover to my horror that it's another intruder, and worse, this time it's definitely a predator.
His long teeth give him away. His jaw reminds me of a shortened crocodile! At the opposite end of the spectrum is his ease of walking: firmly planted on all fours, he pounces on the other monster, pushing it heavily against my makeshift habitat, where it crashes into it. It's a sign that I no longer have a choice. Thrown to the ground, I look at the scene and realize that I'm dealing with two giants who would have no trouble reducing me to dust. I glance behind me and see that what's left of my ship looks quite fragile in the face of these two creatures. They haven't seen me yet, so I take advantage of this moment to flee towards the edge of the woods, all my senses alert! This planet seems like hell to me.
The battle between the two giants rages on, as I watch my ancient ship take regular indirect hits. With each impact, it moves a little closer to its inevitable fate, a vertiginous fall from the cliff top. When the fateful moment arrives, I watch from my hiding place as the seagull capsizes and falls. When I think back, a week or so ago, we were right here, safe from a savage and bloodthirsty hunt. My last hope of rescue disappears a hundred meters below us, in a terribly thick and inhospitable forest. My solitude at this moment is absolute.
My life has totally changed in just a few days. I look back on the time that has just passed, nostalgic and sad. Just half a year ago, I was still surrounded by people on another planet. Then I was part of the management team of a fleet of a few thousand humans for five months, and now I don't exist for anyone! Except for this little being I didn't even want when he arrived.
For a few moments, I simply lost all contact with reality, no longer paying attention to the battle going on right in front of me. Fortunately, the kitten came to wake me up with its paw. Watching him, I realize that he's all I've got left, and I find myself talking to him:
What am I going to call you? Since it's just the two of us. I stare at him with a look mixed with sadness and, strangely enough, hope - am I coming to terms with my situation, probably? Out loud, I say:
- What do you think of Orbe?
I'm sure he doesn't understand me, but his nod leads me to believe he's reacting positively to this choice. I laugh:
- Let's go with that! I'll call you Orbe from now on.
Strangely enough, this act, however insignificant, arouses in me a touch of joy, even satisfaction. I don't know whether it's loneliness or madness, but he's still a lifeline for my spirit, and it's only natural that I should cling to him.
I take one last look at this battle of the titans, the prey seems to be in a bad way, which is the signal for me not to ask for more.
- Let's go, Orb! We're off!
By the time I've turned around, I've hit a pebble that rolls in front of me. I check that neither of the monsters has heard anything. Once reassured, I look back to discover Orbe toying with what looks like a rather shiny metal ball. Attracted, I cast a furtive glance and immediately recognize my sphere of information. I quickly tell him:
- No, Orb, please don't damage it. Even if it's no longer of any use to me, I want to keep it.
He stares at me, snout in the air! I seize this moment of inattention on his part to grab the object and put it back in my bag. An act he doesn't take too kindly to, as he begs me for the ball and tries to climb up my legs.
Without paying any further attention to his behavior, I set off and say loudly:
- Let's head for the cave!
On the way, we both take the opportunity to fill our stomachs. As far as I'm concerned, I make do with a few fruits, while my companion is more interested in a few crunchy creepy-crawlies. He even manages to grab a flying lizard. Which he devours in two fangs!
After a long two-hour walk, I'm back at the cave. I was hoping to find someone, but no, no one, nothing has moved since the morning I left.
I've been wandering this strange planet for months now. As if no one missed me, no team seemed to want to find me. And anyway, they couldn't have found me, I don't even have a beacon anymore. I've got nothing left of my past, apart from this sphere I don't dare start. My former companions have simply disappeared, and now I've resigned myself to living alone with Orbe. In fact, I'm really lucky to have him with me. Without him, I'd never have lasted this long. He's grown up a lot and is a great help to me on the hunt, but he also alerts me to dangers, so I just hope he never gets the urge to devour me. I notice his huge fangs every day, and they're rather worrying.
Looking back, I realize that everything is strange here. The creatures are dangerous, but not only that, the plants are not to be outdone. I'm not being crazy when I say this, but I can see that they're looking at me as a potential meal.
At first, it was difficult. As the days are longer than on Gaia, the sleep cycle is particularly disrupted. Fortunately, I feel that my body has gradually adapted to the new environment, except for the weight of things! Everything is heavier and more burdensome to carry, and every action is more tiring than on Gaia. I myself feel more massive, as if I were eating too much, and I know that's not the case.
On Gaia, I could easily run continuously for two to three hours, but since I've been here, I've been struggling to manage an hour and a half. But in fact, all this is normal, as the seagull notified us when we arrived that gravity on Osberan is twenty percent stronger than on Earth.
I'm not feeling sorry for myself - it's much rosier than I could have hoped for when all my companions disappeared. I just wish I hadn't stayed on my own; I'm sure life here would have been much more pleasant.
I'm not feeling sorry for myself, it's much rosier than I could have hoped for when all my companions disappeared. I just wish I hadn't stayed on my own; I'm sure life here would have been a lot more pleasant.
Tonight I decided to turn the page for good. I set up my new home in the cave I discovered this very morning. I've given up all hope of finding anyone else. Either the other expeditions ended up in a similar situation to mine, or they assumed that my ship had been destroyed. No one from my team was still alive, or perhaps they'd given up on the idea of settling here?
I watch Orbe approach me. I hope all is well, because he looks stressed! He turns in circles, meows as he looks at me and rubs up against me, I get the feeling he wants to tell me something. Now he's tugging at my sleeve. Bad luck for him, because at first I make it clear that I won't do it, I'm just feeling a bit tired. Still, he insists. So I finally decide to follow him, as I seem to hear an unpleasant noise coming from deep inside the cave. No! It can't be! It was too good to be true, I'd stumbled into the lair of a creature that didn't seem to appreciate my presence, that's why Orbe was acting the way she was. I discover it, it's big and black. Its deep-blue eyes stare at me, frightening me! I realize that the slightest false move and I won't give up my life. But! And Orbe! I turn around in all directions, but can't see him:
- Orbe? Orbe? Where are you?
I'm still looking for him in the recesses of the cave, but I can't take my eyes off my attacker.
He's long gone, probably frightened, and I can't blame him when I look at what's in front of me. I just think I should have followed him as soon as he asked me to, I should have trusted him. I try to back away. I hope he doesn't take my movements as an aggression.
