The trees seemed to be the key to Nemesis' secret. It was clear that they played a major role as food source, as shelter from the rampant monsters as well as being the likely home of the Nemesians.
"We have to climb them", Kanata concluded as the group had gathered inside the Astra. He hated to admit it but fruit were a much safer and more reliable food source than meat. Plus, meeting the Nemesians could open new doors for them. Not only would Team B-5 be able to trade with them, they would also be the first to discover aliens. "Zack, repairing the Astra will be your priority. Meanwhile, Aries, Luca and myself will – "
"I'll go too", Ulgar interrupted. He respected Kanata as their captain but taking his eyes off Luca while being out in the woods was unimaginable to him. His vow to protect his friend imprinted in his mind, he did not care that everybody looked at him in surprise.
Charce was the first to speak to him. "To increase our chances of trading with the Nemesians, we need to appear as peaceful and friendly as possible", he explained. "We need to be careful to not intimidate them."
"He means you look too violent", Luca remarked unnecessarily.
Ulgar suppressed his anger which took a considerable effort. But shouting would only prove that he was indeed unfit to participate in this mission. "I won't draw the gun", he promised his voice oddly calm. He would not—as long as Luca was not in danger.
Kanata nodded and continued directed to Zack. "If we manage to make contact, we may not be back tonight, but we'll definitely be back tomorrow. If all goes well, we can leave Nemesis as soon as the Astra is repaired."
As the group set out, the sky was cloudy and rain was unlikely to be far. Yet Team B-5 did not have the luxury of having to wait for better weather, they needed food and the needed to continue their journey home.
"I wonder what the people of Nemesis look like", Aries wondered. In her hands, she was flipping a recording device that Zack had given her. Its purpose was to capture the Nemesian language so that the pilot could develop a translator if needed.
"Wouldn't cat ears be cute?", Luca asked and the girl nodded excitedly.
"More importantly, what food do they have?", Kanata wondered. Nemesis was broadly similar to Astra, except for its gigantic monsters, so perhaps they would have burgers, pizzas and other normal food.
They were all doomed. Ulgar failed to understand how the others could believe in the hospitality of a species they had never met. A species that lived on a planet where nearly every other living being had tried to devour them. Kanata was unarmed and Luca and Aries were as dangerous as puppies. How could they hope to survive an assault by the Nemesians?
"Are you still obsessed with killing?", Luca asked misinterpreting Ulgar's motion to check his gun.
"I'm not obsessed!" Could Luca not understand that he simply wanted him to survive this suicide mission? "What about you? Don't you think it's naïve to assume the Nemesians will just welcome us?"
"They saved me before", Luca reminded him as they were entering the woods. As soon as they had left the plain behind, the atmosphere became darker much like Luca's thoughts. Ulgar's rash actions and his tendency towards fighting would cost him eventually. "The people of Nemesis aren't bloodthirsty monsters. Seriously, what if something happens to you?"
"What if something happens to you?", Ulgar countered.
"Then you'll save me. And I'll save you from your gloominess."
Whether Luca was serious or not, his smile was too alluring to disagree. Perhaps it was true and he needed to relax. Perhaps everything would work itself out as it always had in the past. Mulling over Luca's words, he remained silent as the group walked deeper into the woods.
"They're huge!" Kanata stopped at a particularly large tree and looked upwards. Its diameter measured a good four metres but, more importantly, its bark was smooth and would give them no foothold. As with the other trees, most of its canopy was out of their sight and even the lowest branches were far too high to reach.
"Couldn't we use a ladder?", Aries asked following Kanata's gaze.
"Except we don't have one", Ulgar replied.
Luca pointed to an equally huge tree not far away. "That one looks usable."
It was a trap, Ulgar immediately assumed. They had hardly started their search, surely it was highly unlikely a random ladder would just pop up in front of them. Yet there it was. Poorly hidden between the shrubs, it was attached to the tree and made of wood of identical colour to the bark.
Luca had already started to climb. "Might as well climb up and enjoy the view."
That was exactly why that guy needed protection, Ulgar thought as the followed his friend. It was like they were back on McPa but instead of into a wormhole, Luca's curiosity would lead them into the den of the Nemesians.
The ladder ended about eight metres above ground at the intersection of two large branches. Up in the tree canopy, the atmosphere was incomparable to that on the ground. Instead of dark and hostile, the scenery was airy and bright. A completely different planet. Despite being unfamiliar with the environment, the members of Team B-5 immediately felt safe, sheltered from the dangers roaming the woodland floor.
The branch the group stood on was about a metre wide and extended far from the tree, intersecting with the branch of a neighbouring tree. Where the two trees connected, wooden planks had been placed so that it was possible to move from tree to tree without having to descend to the ground. Their tree was not the only one that was connected to another; all trees seemed to form part of the vast and complex network that seemed to extend over multiple stories. Ropes served as handrails were the branches were difficult to traverse and platforms that allowed travellers to rest had been erected around the larger trees.
"It's amazing!", Aries exclaimed. "This must be were the Nemesians live."
"To think this was here", Ulgar added as impressed but more cautious. Since their arrival on Nemesis, he had always heard sounds from above but had dismissed them as animal noises. Now the black-haired teen knew it had been the Nemesians watching them, probably laughing at their misery.
"But it doesn't look like anyone actually lives here", Kanata observed. There were no houses, even higher up in the trees nothing indicated that anyone had settled here.
Luca pointed towards the next tree, eager to explore. "We'll find them if we just follow the paths. All this… it must lead to somewhere."
"What if I fall?", Aries asked, hesitantly looking towards the understorey. It would not be a pleasant experience should they lose their balance. In all likelihood, death would await them.
In response to the girl's question, Kanata held out his hand. "You'll be fine, I promise."
Aries blushed but slid her hand into that of her captain. "Thank you", she whispered and followed him onto the branch network.
Ulgar wondered whether he should offer his hand to Luca. But the purple-haired teen was not a girl and neither did he appear scared. On the contrary, his excitement was written all over his face.
"I know you won't admit you're afraid."
Before Ulgar could react, Luca had grabbed his hand. "I'm not afraid!" Yet he closed his fingers around Luca's. Warm and gentle, the other's hand felt like it had always belonged into his. All his life he had been missing something without knowing, had been lost despite knowing his location. Luca was soft and cheerful, the light that brightened his darkness. His hands were like a precious gift to him and Ulgar felt the overwhelming urge to never let go of it.
As they crossed over to the next tree, Luca wondered where his courage had come from. His heart rate was rising and with every step, it was harder to concentrate on his footsteps. Ulgar's handgrip was firm, almost protective and Luca was glad that the other was walking in front of him, rendering him unable to see the redness in his face.
Their walk was awkward and silent. Crossing from tree to tree via the skilfully designed network, the group finally stopped as they reached a large platform built in between two trees growing next to each other. The only branch leading away from it extended over a river and connected to another tree growing on the opposite side.
"We haven't met anyone", Aries said, breaking the silence as Kanata had let go of her hand. "Why would they be avoiding us?" The current of the nearby river was strong enough to nearly drown out her voice.
"Maybe they're shy?", Luca offered. Ulgar was still holding his hand and seemed to have no intention to move, making him feel even more awkward in front of Kanata's and Aries' eyes. He wondered what the other was thinking, but his facial expression was unreadable.
With his free hand, the black-haired teen pointed across the river. "Perhaps they're on the other side." The trees on the opposite riverbank were darker, their leaves almost black. Although there was no immediate sign of danger, their aura was more mysterious, almost as if the trees were hiding a secret. However, the bridge crossing the river made by the two intersecting branches seemed far from stable, swaying in the wind with the wild current of the river below.
"Let's explore the other areas first", Kanata suggested. The branches above the river were only about half a metre wide and the potential benefits of traversing them did not merit the associated risks.
Black leaves, Luca realised. So far, his attempts in creating a black dye for Ulgar's clothes had been unsuccessful. While Nemesis overall was a dark planet, nothing seemed to be of black colour. Except for those leaves. "I'll just have quick look", he said reluctantly letting go of his friend's hand.
"Luca!", Ulgar called out but the other had already started to cross. Again, his curiosity seemed to know no boundaries.
Preoccupied with Luca's actions, Aries sudden scream startled him. With the river drowning out most sounds, the Nemesians had had ample opportunity to ambush them. How careless he had been! Aliens. And there were right in front of them. Like Kanata and Aries, the shock paralysed him.
The Nemesians looked astonishingly human-like with slim statures and pale skin. Their eyes were eerily clear, crystal blue and focused on them. In their hands were spear-like weapons made from animal bones. Simple just like their clothing obviously made of Horfant skin. They did not appear to have come in friendly purposes, even Kanata and Aries could tell.
"It's a trap!", Luca shouted. Another group of Nemesians approached from the other side of the river and started to cross the bridge with unexpected ease.
Ulgar had no choice but to leave Kanata to deal with the Nemesians on the platform and readied his gun to help Luca. However, with the purple-haired teen being in his line of sight, he could not pull the trigger. "Get back here!", he shouted.
"If you wanna protect me, I think now is a good time", Luca shouted back. The bridge suddenly seemed narrower than before and was now moving under the footsteps of the Nemesians as well as due to the wind. Just keeping his balance was a challenge, never mind moving. The Nemesians with their cat-like elegance had a clear advantage and the pointy end of their spears urged him to move backward fast.
Ulgar reached out his hand, ready to grab Luca as, without warning, the wind picked up. The bridge dangerously swayed in the wind causing even the Nemesians to halt. He saw the shock in Luca's eyes as he failed to keep in balance. As Luca fell, Ulgar's face went pale. On Nemesis, even the water was their enemy and they stood no chance against its acidity.
Without a second thought, Ulgar jumped. The Nemesians, the water, nothing mattered but Luca.
I'm so looking forward to next chapter as it's my favourite part and the only bit that I had actually planned from the start.
By the way, is anyone still reading this? O.o
