Chapter 2: Mother Earth of Dishonesty

Despite the recent explosion, the Forest seemed untouched. None of the plants had scorch marks and were as green as ever. Everything was as if the explosion never occurred. All of the gates leading to different parts of the forest were also undamaged. As the two Rangers would soon find out, things were not as peaceful as they seemed. As they appeared at a teleporter, they checked their supplies.

"So, what kinda heat are you packin'?" asked the RAcast.

"Oh, not much," Galactica said modestly. "I decided to keep it simple and just take a basic handgun."

"Well, mine has a bit of an extra kick for the Native animals around here," T-65 said taking his chance to brag. He didn't get a chance to outshine her often because she was a full 3 experience levels above his 7. As hunters become more experienced they gain access to a wider range of supplies. In this case, Galactica could have used a better gun because of her superior accuracy. Despite the fact that RAcaseals are naturally more accurate, her higher level was due to her age. She had joined the Hunters' Guild before T-65, training in VR missions. This also meant that her Mag had already evolved into Kalki, a twin unit that protected both her left and right side. A Mag can best be defined as a sort of satellite-like pet that a person gets when they become a hunter. It adds its power to the hunter. When its master deals or takes damage, it collects energy. After its first evolution, the Mag can charge a Photon Blast—powerful summon spells whose effects vary.

"In that case," said Galactica, "I'll let you do most of the fighting, while I collect the samples."

"Then let's get started," T-65 said enthusiastically. Galactica then started collecting a sample and stored it in small container. They then went through a gate that led to another section. As soon as they entered the new area, several creatures burrowed from underground ahead of them. Their faces were similar to those of bears with the exception that their noses were more like horns. They had large, sharp claws and were brown in color. They stood on their hind legs at a height taller than Galactica yet shorter than T-65. Once they were fully out the ground, they let out a simultaneous roar and slowly lurched toward the surprised androids.

"This must be the welcoming party," T-65 said with a grin as he aimed and fired his gun. Galactica also commenced firing her handgun. The creatures only grunted from the sting of photon bullets. They seemed intent on reaching the two. Soon, they cried in pain, as they were felled, one-by- one. They melted into the ground from the heat of photon energy.

"That wasn't so hard," said T-65 as the last one was killed. He spoke too soon. Immediately a trio of scaly, green wolves jumped out of the bushes. Of course, the androids opened fire on them as well. The wolves, although more agile than the previous animals, did not last as long. As they died with an agonized roar, a loud mechanical boom sounded.

"That must be the next gate unlocking," Galactica said as she collected another dirt sample.

"Hey, GA!" T-65 yelled a short distance away. "I found some supply boxes. I think they were left behind by the first Pioneer ship." He then blasted them open with one shot each.

"You're right," Galactica said walking over. "Do you see anything good?"

"Let's see," he replied. "A Saber, a Frame, a Cane...Nope, nothing really worth pickin' up."

"Oh well," Galactica said, a little disappointed. "Let's move on." As they proceeded through the gate, more of the same animals appeared. As they finished them off easily enough, several new creatures seemed to fall from above. They were short, yellow birds with small wings and a pair of antennae sticking out of their heads. Like the other animals, they too seemed drawn to the androids.

"I remember these from the data files," said Galactica smiling. "These are Rag Rappies. So cute."

"Uh, yeah...sure," replied T-65 as he aimed at one them.

"Don't!" Galactica shouted. "They're harmless. They're one of the friendliest animals around." She then walked up to one and tried to pet it.

"I don't think that's such a good idea," T-65 warned. Before Galactica could touch the Rag Rappy, it pecked at her hand.

"Ow!" she said, recoiling. The bird then pecked at her leg. "Ouch! Cut it out!" She then backed away from it and shot it. By this time, the Rappies had gotten somewhat close to them. But T-65 had already begun shooting. The birds were quickly defeated. Then, another gate unlocked.

"Harmless, huh?" T-65 mocked her as he looked through the supply boxes. "Mom did say that the animals were ferocious, remember?" Galactica chose not to reply.

The next area was larger and had a small stream running through it. It also had a pack of wolves waiting. One of them, a more bluish wolf, started circling the androids, leading the other wolves. The blue wolf was also the first to die from the gunshots. All of the other wolves immediately stopped in place and howled, mourning their fallen leader. Red and blue sparkles started to surround them as they resumed their circling.

"What did they just do?" T-65 asked, confused as he resumed shooting. However, after one shot each wolf expired.

"I believe they have cast some sort of spell," Galactica said edging over to the stream while shooting. She was trying to get a better view around a bend. She spotted a red teleporter. This would lead them to an entirely new area of the Forest, presumably near Central Dome. But before she could tell her brother, another wave of enemies appeared. Most seemed similar to the first creature they encountered, except that they were bigger and were yellowish. The pair soon found out that they were also stronger. The others were far more bizarre. Being lowered from the sky by large flying insects was what appeared to be a large bulbous plant with three thick stalks. After it finally landed, all of the insects flew inside of a hole on top of it. Then a number of them flew back out. All the while, T-65 and Galactica had been concentrating on the yellow animals. They couldn't help but notice the odd thing.

"What is that?!" Galactica asked somewhat panicked.

"Heck if I know!" replied T-65. They continued to shoot the approaching yellow animals. Unbeknownst to them, the mosquito-like bugs flying around were sneaking just out of their vision. The insects then proceeded to use their large barbed stingers.

"Ow," said T-65 as he felt slight pain in his shoulder. "What was that?" Before it could sting him again, he blew it to pieces.

"They're coming from that...thing!" Galactica said as she switched targets to the flying annoyances. "You concentrate on the yellow animals. I'll take care of the pests." Soon all of the yellow creatures were gone. But as the insects were destroyed, the now confirmed nest kept spewing more out. While Galactica remained focused on the bugs, the RAcast started shooting the nest. Soon, it stopped emitting the pests and Galactica also began shooting it. It's stalks, which were its only means of support, gave out and it fell over. Since it was still moving, they continued to shoot until it burst into flames and disintegrated.

"Well, that was a pain," T-65 said as he consumed a healing item called a Monomate. Galactica decided to collect some sediment from the stream.

"Not hard enough, huh?" she mocked him. "This teleporter should take us near Central Dome. One more sample should be enough." They then entered the teleporter and proceeded to the second part of the Forest.