A Traveler's Log
by Kakashidiot

Jungles of Emeril

On the toxic planet I called Uggly, I am confronted with a nice surprise. Usually toxic planets annoy me. The constant worry regarding exosuit integrity wears on your mind, and the damage to your ship, while minimal, bears some thought. Often the fauna – if there are any to be found – are twisted, predatory dinosaur-types, and the hissing of devouring rain begins to burn into your psyche.

I can't help but begin my rant once again.

Start log.

When we all committed to the life of Traveler, did we expect this? This humdrum existence can wear on you if you let it, but in the end, isn't this what we signed up for? Who promised that life in space would be fraught with action and adventure? Who promised that there would be surprises around every corner? The Traveler commits to putting one foot in front of the other day by day. No more.

End log.

Emeril, most often hidden within the ground, was, on Uggly, congregated in small groves of twos and threes, dotting the hillside. What a surprise. A delightful surprise, this time. I slipped and squelched my way across the purple mud of the soil to the closest cluster and began to mine the precious material.

Looking this way and that to see where the Sentinels might be, I kept mining until the grove was gone. Transferring the materials to the ship took time, but in the end, every precious unit of emeril was safely stowed.

No signs of predatory animals. No familiar whirring and clicking Sentinels.

It's too good to be true, I thought.

I hoist myself into my cockpit, recharge my ship's shielding, and watch the rain fall. It looks like any other kind of rain, but when each droplet hits the broad leaves of the planet's twisted jungle, there is a faint hiss and a release of gas.

As the sun sets, the toxic rainstorm lets up a little, and a fog creeps down from the nearby mountain range to swallow the groves of emeril and broadleaf trees.

Start log.

Life is a cycle. The same things happen day in and day out, but it's good to stay hopeful. Something might surprise you. You have to be ready.

End log.


If you enjoyed this, let me know~!

-KI