CHAPTER 61: INTO THE WILD

Nightfall came swiftly on Planet Rhino, the moon barely illuminating the dense canopy above. Ahce moved cautiously through the forest, every footstep deliberate, every rustle of leaves analyzed.

The forest was alive in ways that made her pulse quicken, bioluminescent vines pulsed faintly, casting ghostly green and violet light across the moss-covered ground, while distant howls and screeches echoed from hidden depths. Predators of all shapes and sizes could be watching.

She knew she needed rest. Her muscles ached from the long trek, her pack felt heavier than usual, and sleep was essential to maintain alertness. But the usual tactics, camping on the forest floor, setting traps, or making a fire, were fraught with danger here. Any flame would send ripples of light and heat through the undergrowth, potentially attracting creatures she couldn’t yet identify.

Ahce crouched behind a thick cluster of roots and scanned the area. She noticed a towering tree nearby, its trunk wide enough for her to wrap her arms around, its lower branches sturdy and numerous. The canopy above promised some cover, and the height would give her an advantage if anything approached.

Climbing was risky. One misstep could injure her. But it was safer than the alternatives. She tested a few handholds, her muscles straining, then hoisted herself upward, using every ounce of her trained strength. Once she reached a large branch about ten meters above the ground, she settled herself carefully, balancing her pack against the trunk.

The wind rustled the leaves above her, carrying the forest’s strange, damp scent. Her drone hovered quietly nearby, its soft blue light scanning the forest floor, a silent sentinel in the darkness. The noises of unseen creatures echoed through the trees.

The scraping of claws against bark, the distant roar of something large moving between the shadows, the whisper of wings flapping through the canopy. Ahce wrapped herself in a thermal blanket from her pack, her hands checking her weapons and tools one last time.

She knew she couldn’t fully relax, but at least she had some measure of security. From her perch, she could see movement below, small bioluminescent insects flitting through the air, occasionally joined by larger shapes gliding silently among the trees. None seemed to notice her yet, and she hoped they wouldn’t.

Her mind drifted briefly, memories of home and her brothers flickering in the darkness. Alexander’s steady guidance. Amiel’s calm caution. Even the faint echo of Arthur’s hand reaching for hers, a past she couldn’t forget. It all collided in her thoughts, sharp and unreal against the alien forest surrounding her.

Ahce exhaled slowly, letting the tension seep out of her shoulders. She adjusted her pack so that her essential tools were within reach, then closed her eyes for the first time since the drop pod landed. The hum of the forest and the gentle vibrations through the tree trunk were oddly soothing, though the forest itself seemed aware of her presence.

Sleep came in fits and starts, a light, alert state that allowed her to react instantly if danger approached. Her training, her instincts, her years of martial arts and interstellar combat prepared her for moments like this. She wasn’t safe, but she was ready.

High above the forest floor, perched like a silent observer among the branches, Ahce felt the strange, tentative thrill of surviving in a wild world so alien and vast. Tonight she rested, but tomorrow, the real challenges of Planet Rhino awaited.

It’s great to be safe and alive.

The first light of Rhino’s sun filtered through the canopy, painting the forest floor in shifting patterns of green and gold. Ahce stretched her stiff limbs, her body humming with the remnants of yesterday’s climb.

She scanned the surroundings from her tree perch, noting the forest’s constant, subtle motion. Leaves trembling as if whispering secrets, vines swaying, and the occasional shimmer of a creature darting between shadows.

Her immediate priority was water and safety. She needed a reliable, shallow source she could access easily, but also a spot high enough to avoid the flooding that came with Rhino’s sudden seasonal storms.

The forest’s ecosystem was unpredictable. She had already sensed the weather’s capriciousness. Clouds would gather without warning, thickening and darkening the sky in moments before vanishing just as quickly. A dry patch could transform into a torrent in minutes.

Ahce descended the tree with the careful grace of a trained warrior. Each landing was measured, and each branch and root was tested for stability. Her pack felt lighter now that her body had adjusted to the climb, though the mental calculation of escape routes and environmental hazards weighed heavily on her.

Following the soft gurgle of water, she moved cautiously through the undergrowth. Shallow streams meandered through the forest, their water crystal clear but alive with strange, luminous microorganisms that glowed faintly in the shade.

She knelt by one shallow bend, testing the flow with a hand, and smiled faintly. This spot could serve as a temporary source, though she would need to monitor the level and potential flooding during the rains.

Ahce scanned the surrounding terrain. She needed elevated ground, preferably with a natural overhang or dense foliage for shelter. A ridge a few meters from the stream caught her attention. Its base was solid rock, sloping gently to the water, but high enough that even a sudden flood would leave her safe. Vines hung down like curtains, offering concealment and a sense of privacy.

But Rhino’s weather was mercurial. Sunlight warmed her back one moment, only to be replaced by a sudden gust of wind that chilled her to the bone. Ahce instinctively ducked under a large fern frond as a shower of light rain fell, pattering against the forest floor.

Within minutes, the sun returned, evaporating the drops and leaving a faint mist hovering above the soil. She realized she would have to factor the weather into every movement, every decision, and every place she considered safe.

Ahce crouched beside the stream, inspecting the soil for signs of recent flooding. She dug lightly with her hands, feeling the difference between dry earth and saturated patches. She also noted the locations of sturdy trees and rocky outcrops, potential perches if she needed to escape predators or rising water.