The craft slowed to a stop, still several meters above the ground. Tycho, who had spent the entire time with his head tilted back feigning sleep (or actually sleeping; Jay wouldn't put it past him), jumped almost a decimeter.

Whoa! We're here already? Shaking his head, he wormed around in the seat to stare out the window. Not much out there.

The SeeDs will put down first to secure the landing field, Jiri said, grinning. Then they let us out, and we wreak some havoc!

She's a little too much like Tycho, Jay thought.

said one of the members of Squad G, rolling her eyes.

We are beginning descent, Chang said, unnecessarily. The hovercraft began sliding downward at an angle, braking just before it hit the ground. The engines cut out, and there was a slight bump as the hovercraft landed. Squads G, H, you will secure the bluffs. Move out!

Jay jumped up, waiting as squad G moved for the door. Then, with the third person cleared, he stepped outside.

The hot air hit him, rolling off the mountain. Squinting against the sudden glare, Jay put a hand on his sword. Tycho, two combat axes hanging from his belt, put a hand to his forehead to shade his eyes.

Secure the bluffs? How'n'ell are we supposed to get up there?

I think there's a pass around here somewhere, Jiri said. Anyway, move out! We'll get points subtracted if we stay here and yap!

Jaysen started walking, still staring up at the foreboding, tan cliffs. He was able to make out faint green stretches of plant-covered rich soil, and the occasional cavernlike hole. There was, in fact, a water-erosion trail they might be able to take up, if they could find the end near the base of the mountains.

he said, glancing at his friend. Can you see that trail over there?



Any idea where the near end is?

Tycho squinted along the base of the cliffs. Might be where that monster's coming from.

And where.... Jay blinked.

Then he saw it. It was a giant, purple creature with great lumbering legs and a pair of massive horns. An ember-red mane flared from it's muscular back, reflecting the light so that Jay had to squint when he saw it.

Jay said, concentrating the energies of the para-magic Scan on the monster. Mean one, too.

With a roar, the creature leapt into motion, charging at the three students. Even from a distance of a couple dozen meters, the ground shook whenever its feet collided with the ground.

What do we do, boss? Tycho asked, hand creeping toward one of his combat axes.

Right, I'm the leader. Whose idea was it to make me the leader? We're supposed to terminate the monsters, right? He unhooked the needle sword from his belt and flicked off the safety catch. With the safety off, the weapon responded to the force of his grip, and a thin half-meter blade shot out of the hilt with a little hiss. Jiri, what's your GF?

she shouted back over the thundering of the monster's feet.

Non-elemental? Most students were given elemental GFs to begin. Non-elementals were generally more powerful, and reserved for SeeDs in most cases. Well, it should work, he decided. Summon it! We'll cover you!

Jiri gave him a thumbs-up signal before closing her eyes and concentrating on summoning the Guardian Force. Jay and Tycho turned and ran to meet the onrushing monster. There was a crash as Jay's sword hit the thing's horns, and suddenly Tycho was there in the fray.

Tycho fought like a berserker, a combat axe clenched in each hand. Jaysen and Tycho were both praised in Garden for their weaponry skills, but the Behemoth was stubborn. Its many layers of redundant musculature was an effective defense, as well as strengthening its attack power manyfold. Within seconds, Jay knew that they were losing.

Tycho yelled, yanking one of his axes free as the enraged beast turned towards him. Jay, help me here!

Jay slashed at the bull's flank, carving a deep gash in the Behemoth. At least Jiri took that compatibility training with Instructor Cedi. Or was that Hahn...?

Out of the way! Jiri yelled, and Jay turned and sprinted away from the Behemoth as fast as his legs could carry him.

There was a long, low hissing, and then, with the sound of a thunderstrike, something huge shot behind him. He turned to see a twenty-meter long snake speeding towards the Behemoth like a runaway train, at the last moment ducking to one side and turning to surround the purple beast. The huge mouth opened wide, showing two wickedly sharp fangs. The Behemoth never stood a chance; within seconds, the massive mouth had closed around it. There was the sound of bones snapping. Then, with a gut-wrenching shake, Anaconda dropped the thing to the ground and faded into whatever odd netherworld from which it had come.

Jiri appeared, backing away from the crumpled corpse as it too faded out of existence. Smiling excitedly at the two boys, she waved.

I think it's dead, she called.

I'll say! Tycho called back. Man! And I got stuck with Tri-Point!

Jay stared for a moment at the depression in the ground which had been occupied by the Behemoth's mangled form, then motioned toward the cliff where the beast had emerged. Let's get going, he said. Umm... be ready for another one of those things. There might be more.

Tycho said, pulling out a cloth and wiping the blades of his axes. Jay did the same with his needle sword before flipping on the safety and watching the blade snap back into the handle. Jiri, who hadn't struck a single physical blow during the fight, watched and waited impatiently.

As he put away the sword, Jaysen started walking towards the trail. For once in his life he was glad for the off-white uniforms; loosefitting and cool, the material also reflected most of the heat bouncing off the mountains. And it was hot out; there was a reason this was one of the more barren parts of Esthar.

Stepping onto the darker brown soil of the foothills, Jay looked at the trail. It was full two meters wide, with a shallow trickle of water flowing down as well. Dipping his boot in to test the surface, he was relieved that it wasn't slick with algae or some other substance. Up we go, he muttered to himself.

This is Squad G, checking in, someone said over the radio. Squad H, can you read?

Loud and clear, Jay responded into the tiny mic clipped to his collar. Now we contact Squad I, who contacts Squad J, who contacts Squad A. After a time, if A doesn't hear from J, they contact every team down the line until they figure out who's in trouble. First-year mission etiquette and protocol. Ookay... This is Squad H, checking in. Squad I, can you read?

There was a moment's pause, and a boy's voice came over the intercom.

Loud and clear.

Well, that's over with — for what, a half-hour? Less? How long is this mission? Almost slipping on a water-polished rock he hadn't seen before, Jay quietly cursed and grabbed for a protruding slab of sandstone. Pulling himself up, he made his way up the river again.

After several minutes of the exercise, he finally stepped off onto a ridge and almost tripped on a huge bone. It was a leg bone; that much was obvious, but from what Jay didn't know. Repressing a shudder as he saw bits and pieces of animals scattered around the ledge, he glanced at a cave a bit higher up.

Search for a nest of monsters, he thought. Yay. God, this place stinks. Rotting Carcass is not one of my favorite aromas.

Tell me we're not eating lunch here, Tycho quipped as he climbed up behind Jay. For once, I may lose my appetite.

Is that even possible? Jay asked dryly.

No. So how about that cave?

Jay paused. We probably shouldn't charge right in, he thought. Um...We'll scout around down here a bit first. See if you can see anything like...clues or something..

Sir, yes, sir! Tycho snapped officially, and sprinted off.

Jiri said, leaped over the rivulet, and began to scan the ledge on that side. Jay, sighing, followed Tycho. Watching the ground for tracks, drag marks, or anything that would tell him where the monsters were, Jay made his way along the ridge. Other than the carcasses and a few claw marks, however, it was conspicuously empty.

There ain't anything here, Tycho called. A lot of death and decay, but not much else.

Doesn't help much, Jay said. We need to find a nest. What does a nest look like?

Hey, what kind of nest are we looking for? Jiri asked over the intercom. Jay almost jumped out of his boots. Do different monsters have different nests?

Like Tycho would say: How'n'ell should I know?' I don't think there's anything here, Jay replied. The tracks I've found look pretty old, and all of this stuff is in advanced stages of decay. I think.

You think? Jiri called, coming into hailing range.

Parasitology and tracking were not my favorite subjects, okay? he said, cupping a hand over the mic. He didn't want to lose points by griping about school. he said, removing his hand. As has been suggested, he nodded to Tycho, who bowed melodramatically, we are going to search the cave for signs of inhabitation. Due to the lack of an easier entrance, we will make use of the Float para-magic and go one at a time. I'll go first, and secure the area. See what the SeeDs think of that, he thought, grabbing a protruding rock spur and pulling himself up. Though all we'll probably find up there is a few lizards and a lot of dust.

We'll be waiting down here, Tycho said unnecessarily. Jaysen grunted an affirmative, and kept pulling himself up hand-over-hand.

After a few minutes, he already regretted it. I should have had Tycho do this, he thought. He's the one who always rock-climbs in the Rec Room. Though whoever thinks of this as recreation needs toget hit upside the head.

Hey, not bad! Tycho called from below. You missed a foothold there, though.

Jaysen exclaimed as what he had thought to be a deeply embedded stone came out in his hand. Almost there....

Digging his fingers into the cool dirt of the cave ledge, Jay hauled himself up. Taking a moment to catch his breath and dust off his uniform, he peered into the cave to see if he could make out anything. It was dark inside — the entire ridge was in shadow. He couldn't see for more than about a meter inside.

Like I thought, nothing but lizards, he called, watching a skink run out of the rivulet to sun itself on a rock. Come on up. There's shade up here, and we can explore the cave.

Then all of us go in together? Tycho called from below. Good. I'm not going in there without backup. Dark musty caves are not on my list of favorite places.

Mine, either, Jiri called.

Jaysen moved over to the stream, scaring the tiny lizard away. Taking a moment to dip his headband in the cold water, he tied it to his forehead again. The cool water felt good running down his face.

Oh, so that's why you wanted to come up first, Tycho said, reaching the ledge much more quickly than Jay had expected. Come on, let's go.

Hey! Wait for me! Jiri called. Jaysen winced; forgetting a team member had to take off a few points. Waiting as Jiri hauled herself up onto the ledge, he turned back to the cave. Tycho, in true speilunking fashion, had taken out his palm light and clipped it to his headband. Jaysen, shrugging, followed suit.

The cave was dark and rocky, with nothing more dangerous presenting itself than a tiny lizard clinging to the walls as they proceeded inward. Exactly as Jaysen had expected. This is a waste of time, Jay thought, but nonetheless decided to keep going. What better place for lots of monsters than a dark, musty cave? They must be deeper in.

His mic crackled, and an indistinguishable noise came out. Oh, damn! he exclaimed out loud. Back to the entrance!

The three set out at a run, and were back in only a few seconds. ...I repeat, the voice said, now audible over the static. This is Squad G, checking in. Squad H, do you read?

We read, Jay said quickly. We've found a cave on top of a cliff; we're gonna check it out.



Jay kept his voice perfectly calm as he checked in with Squad I, but inwardly, he felt as if he had fallen right back off the cliff. Two mistakes already — that he had caught. He was going to fail; he knew it.

Let's go, he said to the others.

The farther in they got, the greater the number of animal bones became. And the fewer the small lizards. Once Jay noticed this, his first thought was that they were getting close to a lot of the monsters. But then, shouldn't he be seeing more animals?

Nonetheless, he pushed forward. He had one way left to become a SeeD, and that was to find a nest of monsters and eliminate it. And since he had taken a considerable risk going in the cave, he had better find something in there.

They had long lost sight of the entrance by the time the tunnel they had been following opened up into a large natural chamber. Judging by the size of the stalactites hanging from the cieling, it had been around for a very long time. And judging by the animal bones lining the floor, it had gotten a lot of use in that time.

Jiri said, eying the carcass of what could still be recognized as a Torama.

Well, we found the monsters, Tycho said.

Be nice if some of them were still alive, Jay replied, but his mind was racing. This didn't look right.

So what do we do now? Jiri asked.

Most of these monsters have been dead a long time, Jay said. That Torama looks like it was killed recently. Now it doesn't make sense that all of the monsters would be gone at the same time, unless something forced them out, or.... He scanned the cavern again with renewed apprehension, calling on his GF and his SeeD training to enhance his senses.

Or what? Jiri demanded.

You thinking this isn't a nest after all? Tycho asked.

There was a low rumbling growl from the center of the cavern. Jay saw that what he had taken to be a patch of irregular rock was now moving, rising menacingly out of a depression that he had not before seen.

Not exactly, Jaysen said, slowly backing towards the entrance and drawing his blade. I'm thinking we found the wrong kind of nest.