The sun rose, slowly illuminating the purple canopy. It seemed exceptionally bright today, not a cloud in the sky. The forest wasn't as eerie as it normally was. Lana, Kyle, Levalis and Dobin emerged from the cave alone.
After they finished their breakfast, Levalis informed them this was a very dangerous mission and only the strongest of them should go. Lana agreed to select a few and leave those remaining behind in the forest where the rest of the panteri could protect them.
The group of four stopped outside the dome. The humans walked inside to discuss things, discovering everyone finishing up breakfast.
"Good morning, everyone!" Lana said, trying to be cheerful.
Her son was still out hunting, and this trip would take days. She couldn't help but worry.
"This portion is going to take us a few days to get to. Levalis said it's very dangerous and to take only a few people. Based on that, I thought we should discuss it."
It was quite cramped in there since there wasn't room to put up the lab. Lana was fine with that since they were splitting up. She would use the lab for her portion of the party.
Kai was the first to speak, "Lana, I'm a bit concerned about you taking the word of monsters. How do you know they don't mean to entrap you?"
Lana smiled politely, "did he have to give me his son to raise, a total stranger? He's putting himself out there following his gut. Putting his trust in something I can't see. I think he deserves trust from us in return."
Kai sighed, "then I insist on going with you. Sergeant Rage will stay with those that remain. I think they should head back to that tree of yours."
Lana shook her head, "the panteri will protect them. Stay here so it will be easier on them."
"I thought this forest was dangerous?" Almin asked.
"It is but there are dangers out there as well. This planet…. It's different. I can't put a finger on it yet. I just… don't want everyone wandering around. Who wants to come with me to check this out?" She sounded tired and a bit confused.
"Lana, I thought the point of this mission was for all of us to gain experience. How can we do that if we stay back?" Paul asked, trying to convince her not to split the party.
"I second that," Jessy said. "The killing always starts after the party splits up in horror movies."
Lana chuckled, "this is real life."
Her face turned somber. "I know you are all strong or you wouldn't be here. We aren't going to see a monster or even a Walker. I do want a scanner brought with us. Paul, I'd like you to come, as well as you, Kattie. I also want Karlen or Chekof for this one. It's up to the two of you."
"Actually, I think I should stay behind and Jessy should go instead of me. That way one of the leaders is here to help the others," Paul spoke up.
Lana nodded as she saw the huge smile spread across Jessy's face. Soon, Kyle, Lana, Dobin, Kattie, Jessy, Chekof, Kai, and Sam were ready to leave. Lana left a week's worth of food behind for the rest of the team.
Outside, Levalis insisted she ride on his back. On her right side was her brother while her husband stood at her left. Behind Dobin was Chekof and Sam. Behind Kyle was Kattie and Jessy. Kai Tanaka walked behind Levalis.
Lana looked to make sure everyone was in formation and nodded, "we are ready, Levalis. Let's see how close we can get."
'I still think this is foolhardy, but I will do as you ask.' Levalis said as he began his trek, making sure to walk slow enough for the humans to keep up. It felt like he was walking with Kent to him since the pace was slow.
"Thank you. I need to know what we're up against." She had a thoughtful expression on her face.
What could possibly make these cats turn back, what's so powerful on this planet? She thought to herself.
As promised, there were no encounters for the rest of the day. About thirty minutes after they left the forest, they put up the lab to rest in. They were in a desert. Hot. Dry. Desolate. They didn't even see any cacti.
The stark contrast was not wasted on the party. Under normal circumstances, the change in terrain was gradual. This felt more like someone carved a line. On one side was ancient forest topped in purple. On the other side, a stark reminder of the Death Valley of old. The ground was hard. The sky was a blinding blue, especially after emerging from the shade of the forest. There were no clouds. It was just an endless sea where sandy brown met ocean blue.
Inside, Kyle allowed Blaine to come out for a while. He set up the chairs from Lana's tree back at the base. Since they folded out into a bed, the other three team members would also have a bed. The teacher had his own bedroll.
Lana and Kyle were both missing Kent, but Blaine helped them both through it.
There was no growing food here, but there was still plenty in her bracelet as well as water. She needed to set up a kitchen outside to cook, though. It was hot standing over the stove. She had some means to cook in her lab, but it was meant for less people. It was faster to do it this way.
Not long later, everyone was fed. She had food for Kent and offered some to Levalis. He politely refused. He would need to eat in two days. "I eat every three days as do the rest of my people. We are on rotation, so each gets fed but on different days."
Lana nodded, "I see. I can feed you if we are not back in time for the hunt you'd get fed on."
She didn't stay up talking to her friends. Instead, she went to her little room and put blankets on her bed. She made sure everyone else had blankets and pillows then climbed into her own bed. She faced the wall and hugged a pillow to her chest.
Behind her, the bed depressed and she knew Blaine was joining her. She felt arms wrap around her and the tears started to fall.
"He's just a baby and I'm not there to protect him. It's my job as his mother," she softly sobbed.
"Lana," she heard the love and tenderness in his voice and she started to relax. "Do you trust Levalis?"
She nodded without saying a word.
"Levalis chose Rosalie, correct?"
She heard the positivity in his voice and wanted to feel it, but it just wasn't there. She sighed and nodded again.
"If you trust him and he trusts her, shouldn't you trust her as well? She'' his aunt after all. She'll keep him safe."
"What if the scimmia attack? It's just the two of them hunting."
She rolled over and buried her head in his chest. Kyle switched out and held her close. "I was against it, but I understood your reasoning. Our son does need to learn how to hunt and his aunt is more qualified than we are. I need you to hold onto that fact. Okay? She lives here. She knows the safe places, and she has Kent who can get her into the treehouse for additional safety if need be."
Kyle refused to allow his wife to beat herself up for her decision, so he removed everything that needed to be removed to put a smile on her face and make her relax enough to sleep. He allowed Blaine to get in there once he was done but he was really looking forward to the day Blaine would have his own body and his own girl.