Episode 53: Terra

Squadron Log

It's our third day here in the Farside . There are no radio signals here, no time pulse. There was one small incident involving Finn and a large plant that tried to eat him, but so far, no major casualties. We have seen no other 'people', and no creatures, aside from that plant, have attacked us.

And most of all, we have seen no sign of Cyclonis.

Although we were only a matter of moments behind her she's managed to evade us for these past three days. It's no wonder either. She has, afterall, already been here before while we're completely new to this place.

It would appear that the Farside does not consist of 'terras' like Atmosia. In fact, it's rocky terrain is similar to the wastelands, minus the magma. The land here seems to stretch on forever. I asked Aerrow to fly up as high as he could to see if there was an end to all this land- he reported that he could see no edge to it. Time is also different here. When we first came, it was nearing dawn in Atmos, but when we arrived, it was twilight. I can't tell you how much our sleep schedules are messed up.

But aside of losing track of one of the most dangerous villains to have ever lived, were all having a pretty good time. We've started re-building our rides already but it'll take a bit. Mapping this place is both a nightmare and a dream come true. A nightmare because there is simple so much of it to map but a dream because it's something I've always wanted. When I'm not mapping I'm either experimenting with some newfound crystals or scouting the area with the others. Everyone's fascinated with this place and were actually enjoying ourselves. Everyone that is, except-

"Imminent death and destruction! Thousands upon thousands of possibilities. Completely unknown dangers that will result in our absolute dooom. It could be anything! That flower, that rock, that mysterious growling noise! Aaahhah!"

Everyone except Stork.

"Actually Stork," said Junko apologetically. "That 'growling noise' is my stomach. Huh." He patted his stomach and licked his lips before asking, "When's lunch?"

Then Stork was in his face. "Don't you get it?" He said in his often panicked voice. His yellow eye twitched manically. "No ones ever charted this place before. WHO KNOWS what kinds of horrifying creatures live here? What infectious diseases? At any given moment we are susceptible and completely unaware of the possible dangers that will ultimately result in our excruciating and inescapable deaths!" He stopped to take a large intake of air.

"Then you'll just have to be the one who records it." said Aerrow handing Stork a black notebook. Stork took it but replied, "Actually Aerrow, it's quite difficult to record one's own death: especially while it's occurring."

"Not our, uh, deaths Stork." said Aerrow. "Anything dangerous. Like you said, no ones ever been here before. That makes it our duty to record any threats. Who better for the job than you?"

Stork looked down at the book in his hands and gave a nervous chuckle. "Heheh…I s'pose you're right." he began walking back towards the Condor. " On the rare chance some straying traveller should happen upon our bodies, this book may be their only chance at survival. At least-," he added in a darker tone looking back, "for a little while."

Aerrow gave an unsure half smile.

At least he'd gotten Stork to stop panicking momentarily. Then he saw Piper approach out from the corner of his eye.

"All done charting this sector?" He asked.

"Yup." She said. "And I finished an entry in our squadron log. I've been so distracted by this place I hadn't written anything. How'd you get Stork to stop panicking?"

As though on cue Stork made a loud "Ahaaa!" and snapped a photo of a rock in the brush before scribbling a note down his little black book, while muttering something incomprehensible.

The team members looked back at each other.

"I just asked Stork to make a record of anything dangerous we found so we can avoid it later on."

Piper replied with a drawn out "Uh-huh." which seemed to imply that this was both a good idea and a bad one.

"Anyways," said Aerrow. "How much longer will it take for us to reach the city?" He couldn't hide the eagerness in his voice.

"A couple more days, depending." Piper replied.

"A couple more days?" he replied sounding disappointed. "But...it's right there." He gestured with his arm behind them. Through the scare brush and past the sharp towering rock formations, was the city. Parts of it glittered and glowed brightly in the setting sun. Technically, it would take about or hour so to fly there.

"I know," said Piper. "But we need to take this slow. Mapping this place takes some time." Although it really didn't take that much time. "And besides- " she added. "We can't just rush in. We have no idea about the type of people that live there. Their customs and language could be completely different from ours."

"I know." said Aerrow, who then smiled. "Isn't it great?"

Piper looked unimpressed.

"Aerrow just think about it." She said, trying to inject some logic into the situation before his enthusiasm led to something dangerous (or more dangerous than usual anyways). "They might see us as a threat: An enemy. If we can't communicate with them, then they might attack us. With their technology we won't be able to hold our own. And what if Cyclonis is already there? She could have told them anything about us."

" All the more reason we should go then." He said placidly then looked gently at her, "Relax Piper." He put a hand on her shoulder, then added jokingly, "You're starting to sound like Stork."

"I just think we should be careful."

"And we will be." He insisted.

Just then there was a loud cry and they turned around sharply. Finn's butt was stuck in the people-eating plant again.

About twenty metres away, against the side of an outcropping sat the large plant with an even larger flower (like a Venus-fly-trap mutated with a pitcher plant). Finn's rear was securely rooted in what was the plant's mouth. He struggled unsuccessfully, then caught his squadron mates' stares.

"I swear," he said looking at Aerrow and Piper. "This time it wasn't my fault."

Junko laughed, "Looks like it came back for seconds!"

"Quit laughing Junko and just help me out!" said Finn frowning.

A bright light went off blinding Finn as Stork snapped a photo.

"Uhhmmm," he said the letting the camera hang round his neck, and scribbled into his new black book. "Carnmanges Plantus. Or" he said pointing the pen at Finn, "Flesh eating plant."

Junko held tightly to Finn's arms and tried to pull him free. For a second Finn remained stuck then POP! He and Junko went flying though the air, free from the plant's grasp. They landed with a crash. Finn sat up holding his head which he had landed on. "Why is it always me?" he muttered.

Piper looked at Aerrow, who sheepishly smiled.

"Careful huh?" was all she said.

A/N:

Ya, I'm finally posting this. Yes, I know there's already two (or more) other Other Side stories (I almost called this The Other Side too) but I've already thought a lot up for this and written some and there's no way I'm giving it up now.

EDIT 27/07/13:

I am getting back into this story and re-working a lot. Currently, I'm re-reading m own work and a lot of edits may be taking place so I may change details about the story and even modify the plot. WIP. Sorry for all and any inconvenience.