After discussions on the petrifying gas came to a satisfying conclusion, Calvin, without any introduction, took the initiative to steer the conversation back on track by giving his updates and discoveries found by experts currently at the hole.

  “I know we’ve been going on about all the weird and fascinating things the ground’s been doing, both in this meeting and around the settlement. So, staying on theme, let me share what our so-called scientific experts have been telling me. Turns out, they’ve made some interesting observations about the soil.

  One pedologist—yeah, for those who don’t know, that’s a fancy term for someone who studies dirt—pointed out that the soil here is remarkably fertile. Vibrant, even, with colours ranging from black to gold to gray. Pretty stuff, if you actually bother to look down. Personally, I think it’s a waste of an education, but hey, that’s just me. Anyway, what’s really odd is that the usual microorganisms that keep soil healthy on Earth are completely missing. This means there’s some other biogeochemical process or an entirely new mechanism at work here, keeping the soil fertile. Wild, right? Or maybe just nerd talk—take it as you will.

  But wait, there’s more. The botanists noticed something really interesting when they studied the soil’s structure. They said it resembles magnified adipose tissue—yeah, like the cellular structures in living organisms. Now, I won’t pretend to know why that’s cool, but apparently, it’s a big deal. It might even help us figure out the connection between the soil and the plants that grow here. I’ll leave it to the botanists to nerd out over that one.

  Now, for the bad news: the geologist has a word of caution. They think the site shows signs of being volcanic. If we dig any deeper, we might hit pockets of gas that could be toxic or even flammable. Remember that petrification gas we encountered? Yeah, we got lucky that was the only one. We need to tread carefully and prioritize safety when dealing with this stuff.

  What does all this mean? Thanks for asking nobody. You guys are so invested in what I have to say. Anyways. Basically, we’ve stumbled onto a goldmine of weird science, and we’re not equipped to fully understand it yet. These discoveries highlight just how alien this environment really is. With the right tools and proper investigation, we could uncover groundbreaking insights into the geology, biology, and chemistry of this planet. But let’s not blow ourselves up in the process, okay?”

  Gemski: “Wow, that’s pretty fascinating. Timmon from Team Uno, who’s also a geologist, mentioned that this might actually be an active volcano. By Earth standards, the idea of it being dormant could be completely wrong.”

  Joe: “Did he really say all that?”

  Gemski: “Well… more or less. I think.”

  Aki: “So in the long run, this might not be the best place to settle. One gas pocket could wipe us all out.”

  Joe: “So are we just going to ignore the trees? They didn’t just start growing last week. Some of these trees around us are twice my age. I think this bad boy is pretty dormant, but looks can be deceiving, I guess."

  Harry: “As interesting and important as that is, we need to focus on medical concerns. We’ve heard plenty about the north expedition, but no one’s saying a word about the west. These meetings are supposed to keep all our groups informed.”

  Joe: “Well—”

  Before Joe could finish, Tara interrupted sharply. “Ladies first, sir.”

  Joe clenched his jaw, clearly annoyed but refusing to give her the satisfaction of a reaction. He knew exactly what she and Raven were both doing and wasn’t about to play their game.

  Lady Vee: “It was God. That’s what happened. Just like Adam and Eve, who were blessed with a new life and a new world, so were we. What we saw was His handiwork, His divine sign to us, His chosen people. We saw the tree of good and evil like they did, in a garden of edible jewels. We are blessed to be here! The best of humanity, given a new start on a new planet. The glory of the Lord has made itself known to us. That’s what happened in the west. We were tested, and we were shown a side. Humanity needed food, and God provided. We needed to protect ourselves, and he granted us three divine tools from nature, from his messenger.”

  Vladimir: “Is that seriously all you’ve got? There is no way—no way in your God’s name—that’s all you plan to say. With all due respect, are you just ignoring rationality here? Or are you just being stupid, Vee?”

  Joe: “Watch your fucking language, dude—”

  Once again, before Joe could finish, Tara cut in.

  Tara: “Do you three think you’re kings or something? Don’t let the power go to your heads. In reality, you have none. All thirty of us govern over ninety-nine individuals, and you three are no exception. You’re just the faces of that union. Don’t get it twisted—your appointed position doesn’t make you better or higher than any of us.

  And you, Lady Vee—your God this, your God that. Is He the selfish one, or are you? If you’re the ambassador of your God, then why aren’t you sharing the so-called blessed gospel with the rest of us? Is it a respect thing? Actually, I’ve got some words for your God: why the fuck are we even here? That weird God shit was too much, Vee. Love God all you want, but you owe us a much more detailed account as to what took place in the west forest. If a team wanted to go and gather food from the so-called garden your team discovered, should they venture into the unknown expecting to meet God? Is that the reason you guys don’t want to look for Team Uno, because they too have gone to meet your forest God?

  Respect is something you’re born with, but you three have lost mine. Not so much Gemski, but birds of a feather. And let me make this perfectly clear: my respect is a hard thing to earn back once it’s gone. Please! Stop playing these games with big fucking people. We’re not asking for your social security number or the password to your neural link; we’re asking for an account of what happened. That information could be the key to understanding this alien environment. Stop acting like this is a power contest—it’s survival. As a woman of science and of God, you more than anyone should be giving back to the people you claim are blessed. Knowledge is a blessing, it's a tool, and it is a resource. It's as precious as human life, and all life for a matter a fact.”

  Mumbling under his breath, Joe shot Tara a glare. “Who gives a fuck about your respect?” His tone was low, almost dismissive, but there was an edge to it. As he spoke, he flexed his muscles ever so slightly—a subtle reminder of where real respect came from. Not words. Not approval. Strength. And he was starting to get angry at the tension in the air. If he needed to flex his respect maker, only four people on the council he knew for sure could probably stop him.

  Vladimir: “Well said, Tara. The knowledge you generals or anyone who ventures out into the unknown possess is not your personal possession. It belongs to the survival of the human race on this alien planet. If there is power or divinity at play, that knowledge rightfully belongs to all of us. We were brought here alongside you and your men, so it stands to reason that we, too, could be considered His chosen people. If the information can't be shared, then why are we here? Who are we doing this for? What's the point? Every theory, mystery, and discovery belongs to us, the people.”

  Lady Vee, after some tense silence, stood up, replying to Vladimir: “Fine! You’re right. My apologies—that was a real dick move. Thinking about how things played out, it had to be God why we survived. I got into my head and responded with admiration and faith. I’ll save the details for the official report. But still, I won’t be sharing what happened during our encounter with God. Until I’m sure and get a full account to what happened with all who expressed the event, I will exclude it from the detailed general public report. But I will tell you this—there’s a higher power protecting us from the dangers in the forest. It speaks to us. It showed us exactly what death could be like if we failed to acknowledge its presence. And God is everything, so he’s always present.”

  Joe: “Speak for yourself. Are you sure it wasn’t an alien? I didn’t meet God out there, I met a challenge. Plus, where was God when the five hunters died? What kind of test was that? Or where was he when Team Uno was exploring? As cool as God is, and can be, He’s not making a good first impression after taking us from our loved ones on Earth.”

  Tara: “Sir, please. Save your comments for your turn. I know you hate being interrupted when it’s your turn. The quicker we can wrap this up, the faster you can get to what it is you have to do.”

  Lady Vee: “Just try to ignore Joe for now, Tara. The west forest, as you guys know, was where we found our bounty. Six miles in, we stumbled upon an Eden unlike anything we’ve ever seen. Fruit trees of every kind—even species from Earth. But not long after that discovery, things went sideways. We ran into creatures we’ve named Flow Pedes, and we would have lost so many lives…”

  Her voice softened as if in reverence.

  “But thank God for Issa.”

  “A woman of quiet wisdom and unwavering strength. She was our anchor in the chaos. Her keen insights and steady hand saved us from certain death.”

  Lady Vee paused before continuing, her tone heavier.

  “There was also the encounter with God’s messenger. Within the canopy of the garden, the others said that we all stopped reacting while they were trying to escape. I, along with the chosen few, won’t speak of what happened, but we lost time somehow, and what we gained will be shared once I have a better understanding of it. However, during our escape, we crossed paths with Joe’s team. The only thing truly worth noting is the strange behaviour of the Flow Pedes toward the plants and the need to understand why they secrete fluid on the surrounding vegetation. It's a mystery I would very much like to understand. There’s clearly a cause-and-effect relationship between the Flow Pedes and the plants, but it’s still a mystery. I would like to revisit them and capture a few for study and testing. Based on the trapping and hunting skills of Mr. Hambone, I hope to get his assistance with that task in the near future.”

  Tara: “So, in addition to food and consumable fluids, we really stand a chance at survival? Love to hear it. That’s encouraging—knowing we have a steady source of fresh wild food and the fluid from the gel plant. Now we can focus on distributing resources efficiently and preserving them in storage for the long haul.”

  Lady Vee: “Absolutely, Tara. It’s reassuring to know we’re not solely reliant on basic meat rations. With Chef Issa’s resourcefulness, we can savour familiar flavours and boost morale—a well-needed comfort we sorely need in this alien world. What's life without flavour and variety?”

  Joe: “If I may, I’d like to share our story. If that's okay with the rest of you.” His eyes lingered on Tara and Raven who both had a smirk on the edge of their lips.

  Tara: “Proceed, sir. The floor is yours.”

  Joe clenched his fist, the sound of his joints popping as his gaze broke from Tara.

  “Our exploration took an unexpected turn when we stumbled across a variety of animals—horses, cows, pigs, goats, and some bizarre creatures that looked like some real alien concoction. It was green and covered in eyes. It was extremely quick, and we didn’t have much time to fully take it in. But just like Lady Vee’s experience, we saw things native to Earth. Seeing familiar plants and animals were a welcome distraction, but the thought of bringing these animals back to the settlement held a lot of promise that pulled our focus back to the task at hand. But unless we could effectively capture them within the seven-hour time frame, it was pointless to waste time, so all we could have done to manage our time was to set a few traps and hope that we captured something on our way back.

  However, it didn’t stop us from at least attempting, so as we moved to capture a few of the animals, we ran into something else entirely. We’re still not a hundred percent sure, but we believe one of the forest’s predators is a creature we’ve nicknamed Bab Stars. They’re black-armoured bugs the size of small ponies, with star-shaped mouths and elongated midsections that allow them to stand upright. Intimidating as hell. The theory is they’re more cleaners than predators, but in no life would I underestimate those creatures.

  Their speed and resilience made them difficult to fight. Finding their weak spots took time and teamwork. Without the help of everyone, they would have all died. However, we managed to survive the few Bab Stars and gather pieces of its exoskeleton. It was a hard-lived experience that provided us with both food and valuable combat practice. And the breakthrough we discovered while putting our lives on the line felt exhilarating.

  Additionally—I need you to listen carefully, I don’t want to give anyone false hope—but we encountered on our way back, these crazy looking red wolves. I’m not going to lie, if we didn’t have a proper distraction, we would have been dead. If we didn’t successfully survive the Bab stars and we only managed to escape, we would have been dead.”

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  Tara: “Why should we care about red wolves?”

  Joe: “Just hush and listen for once, bitch. The red wolves weren’t the problem. I’m pointing out what I’ve noticed when they appeared before us. When they arrived, they were drenched, almost as if they had just came from a water source of some kind. It’s possible there is a large body of water nearby that we could tap into less than four hours out from the settlement. But until we develop better tools, weapons, and strategies, I suggest keeping the forest restrictions in place for now. I would love to have some long-ranged weapons crafted, but the crafters are doing their best, but their best isn’t enough without good resources.”

  Aki: “Alright, everyone. I'm looking at the time, and we've done enough talking. This isn't a social club. We've spent enough time in here updating each other, but we have work to get back to. Let’s reconvene next week. Please, leave the antics behind next time and focus on the topics. Some of you had nothing to say, and I personally won't be accepting that at the next M3O meeting.”

  Vladimir: “I hope you don’t mind, Aki, but I'd like to close this out.”

  Aki: “Why not. It’s not as if I had a nice, prepared inspirational speech memorized for this meeting.”

  Vladimir: “Thank you. And to all of you that came, a special thanks for being here on Day 7. For being alive and giving it your all. Your time and input are greatly appreciated. A special thanks to the Generals—you didn’t have to attend, and I know it's something we've been saying a lot, but I wanted to personally acknowledge the hard work you’ve put into organizing and managing this settlement so far. I would love to put a team together to also venture into the north forest at some point, and maybe the west, so please be sure to make some time to give a detailed report on the expedition into those parts of the forest so the rest of us can read later. And before I forget, we need to give this place a name—but we’ll save that for another day, so please give it some thought for next time. We could leave it to the people, but the names in circulation are trash so let's get a handle on it before something bad sticks.”

  With that being said, the M three O meet was officially over, and the thirty members were carrying their chairs from under trees back to the nearest huts.

  Somewhere at one of the huts, Ken and some persons were deep in conversation.

  Ken: “I need to know—did Tara get the other Generals to agree on searching for Team Uno? I’m itching to head back out there. I need knowledge on these animals if I’m going to be at the top of my game, but how do I justify going back into the forest when we’ve got all this meat stockpiled?”

  Clementine: “Why risk your lives for a team that’s probably dead?”

  Vinny: “Oh ye of little faith. Don’t write them off like that. Besides, Joe said they had some super veteran with them. They might still be alive.”

  Ken: “I’d love to call Joe a liar and roast him for it, but I’ve seen him in action. Those military guys don’t mess around. They’re on a whole different level—especially considering they started with hand-carved wooden weapons. Things only really changed when we got our hands on those weird carbon fibre rods I found… what did we call them? Black Rod Pit Weapons? Anyway, the hunters like me barely got a chance to show off because Joe’s team had taken the spotlight. However, due to the hunters being able to conserve most of their energy, they were able to take front and centre stage when fighting the launch bird when we got back.”

  Vinny: “Were they really that strong? And you keep saying we, but I saw you the day of the launch bird attack. You were pretty safe.”

  Ken: “With their formation, they were pretty damn strong. Absolutely dangerous with force and numbers. Whatever problem they faced, they’d chipped away at it, studying the problem during live combat until they found something to exploit, and once they figured out a strategy—bam, they’d take down the problem. It bordered on bullying. Damage to the combatants? Minimal. But that’s only because they expected and accepted chaos and adapted on the spot.”

  Clementine: “Sounds like you’ve got a bit of a crush on Joe.”

  Ken: “Let’s get one thing straight—I know where he stands in the food chain. And yeah, he knows it too. I overheard a few things when he was training and working with others while on the expedition. That fucking Joe is a real nasty machine when he’s in fight mode. I don’t even think he realized I was on that trip with him. I was insignificant to him and his mission. His eyes were literally always looking at the nine skilled fighters that stood out among us. I’m pretty sure they were masters of their art back on Earth.”

  Clementine: “Where does he rank on the food chain? And what do you mean by training? Also… you’re giving attention-seeking vibes. You love him, don’t you!”

  Ken: “You’re officially on mute, Clementine. You’re pissing me off now. Keep the jokes coming, though—it’s cute. As good as they were as a team, they knew one thing: humans are at the bottom of the food chain out there. I think Joe went out there to test himself and came to the harsh realization that he’s missing some key skills for taking on those monsters. I think there was a moment when we managed to weaken a few of the Bab Stars, you know what he did? He asked for volunteers to fight them one-on-one. Can you believe that? Madness, right? At least twenty people stepped forward to fight the weakened beast solo! Weakened being an understatement. Because the Bab Star was more desperate than when it was at peak condition, making it more likely to kill one of them.”

  Vinny: “Seriously? And where were you during all of this?”

  Ken: “Anyways. If you’re planning on going out into that forest, read the reports first. Trust me. Get prepared. Because when you see them firsthand—those creatures move so fast, and they’ll do the unexpected…”

  Before Ken could finish his sentence, he noticed that the meeting had ended.

  Clementine: “Where are you running off to now, Ken? We’ve got disposal duty on launch bird scraps to handle.”

  Ken ignored her and made his way over to where Tara and Vladimir were standing.

  Ken: “Is the retrieval a go?”

  Tara: “No. The Generals decided it’s a bad investment to go after them. And considering everything that’s happened, they’re definitely not ready to venture back into that part of the forest after finding that fruit garden.”

  Ken: “The Garden? What’s the concern there? The plant bugs?”

  Tara: “You know the rules for going out into the forest—you either go out on your own today and never come back, or you leave it alone until you have a willing team of fifty. Once the Generals’ reports are released to the public, good luck convincing anyone to follow you out there. You remember what it was like out there, right? You know what those wolf, bug, and plant sightings meant for survival. We’ve got bigger concerns right now. Just give it some time, stop rushing, and be vigilant.”

  Tara paused for a moment, her voice softening. “We should focus on helping with the wall. Ever since people started eating and hydrating properly, the amount of work we’ve been able to get done is incredible. It’s like fuel for a machine. Instead of dividing the labor, let's focus on getting one thing done before moving onto the next.”

  Ken: “Shit. Okay, I get it. But I need to get back out there. There’s something about the freedom, the danger, the discovery, this world, the unknown… It’s scary, exciting, and I love it.”

  Tara: “I just need you to play your part and pull your weight. Help with the wall or assist with waste disposal. According to the hunters and guardsmen, a lot of beasts have been creeping closer to the forest edge ever since we took down the launch bird, and we still don’t know why they aren’t trying to confront us and scavenge for the food we have in the settlement.”

  Ken: “That’s true about the beasts that show up on the regular at the forest edge. When we arrived on the planet and I had enough light to be able to scout the open field, I noticed something strange—there’s no scat anywhere. The grass was rich and knee-high in most areas, and yet no signs of any animal presence. What if this place is some kind of safe zone?”

  Tara: “Don’t be stupid, Ken. Underestimating the wildlife is how you get killed. What did you eat today?”

  Ken: “Cooked launch bird meat.”

  Tara: “And where did you get that meat?”

  Ken: “From a massive bird that was attacked by other birds and crashed into the settlement.”

  Tara: “Exactly. Two types of creatures have already made it into the settlement. Do you really think others can’t, just because they haven’t yet? You know better than anyone—don’t underestimate the animals, and don’t underestimate the forest. This isn’t Earth. If Team Uno is so important to you, then do me a favour: don’t forget what they did for humanity. Survive, Ken. Don’t throw your life away.”

  She took a step closer to him. “If we finish our tasks, we’ll have more than enough time to form teams willing to explore again. From what I’ve heard, we’ve been cutting so much wood, and people are picking up the craft so quickly that we can divide the preparation, assemble teams, and still stay on schedule. That means we’ll have the wall and the huts done soon, and we’ll be able to work on other areas too—HQ, the watchtower, the market, the labs…”

  Ken: “Wait… what?”

  Tara: “You’ll get the details later. For now, just get back to work. There are going to be a few short expeditions into the forest with hunters and the MVPs from both the north and west expedition groups. Also, a word to the wise. Take my advice or leave it, but you need to put an end to that project outside of the settlement boundaries. If the generals realize what you’re doing, you might get kicked out of the settlement for undermining the work efforts, and as a council member, I don’t think I’ll be able to save you from that fate.”

  With a dismissive look, Ken turned and walked back over to where Clementine and Vinny were. He looked annoyed at Tara telling him to put a stop to his block project he was building just beyond the walls, but there was still an excited bounce in his step—it was assembly day, after all. Today was the day he could get extra hands for his ambitious project.

  Around here, building efforts are divided. Day one, gather lumber; day two, cut, carve, and transport the wood; day three, assembly. With fewer workers on a project now that they gained experience, and a way to replenish lost energy, the assembly teams were smaller, which meant more responsibility for everyone. The three-day cycle was still working well for the settlement, and now each team of fifteen people could assemble two to three huts if they worked efficiently.

  Vinny: “Listen, I’m skipping assembly and disposal today. Jewels runners placed a request, and I told them I would volunteer a few hours to the task, so I’ve got to help this weirdo—last name Gearsmith—with some task near the HQ hole. Apparently, someone wants to build something on the other side of the wall’s boundary like your block project. Plus, who is spreading word about the block?”

  Clementine: “Jewels runners are the most informed people, but it’s not like we have a close construction site. We have anyone who is anyone working on a dream of freedom and modernity, any one of them could be talking about it. But the real question is, who would waste their time doing something that big and ambitious like that other than Ken? All the effort should be going into the inside infrastructure of the settlement. And it’s funny that where they placed the entrance, someone is taking the initiative to build something on the outer side of the walls. We should be focusing more people on reinforcing the entrance sections of the wall and quit making huts already. We all don’t need private homes. That’s a luxury we don’t need.”

  Ken: “Never mind all that. The more hands, the better. If people see the benefit and usefulness of the block, they are free to join. The generals and the council have no need and right to stop us. All my moves have abided by the law so far. I’m putting in my hours today because I want to join an expedition team. Tara did say that another group was going out today, right? I wonder if they’ll go back to the north forest.”

  Vinny: “Doubt it. They’ll probably head to the place where we dumped the spoiled meat to lure animals away from the settlement. Anyway, I’m wasting good daylight, see you guys later. Don’t fuck each other without a rubber. Bye.”

  Clementine: “And then there were two.” She eyed Ken with a smirk. “You’re eager, but are you skilled enough for these expeditions? You’re a good hunter, sure, but you didn’t even try to fight the launch bird when it crashed. You were beyond the tree line the whole time until they told us it was safe to eat the hydration gel. You talk a lot about Team Uno not being qualified, and you’re always mentioning how the strongest humans need to train harder. But what about you? The energy you’re giving off is like that skinny kid from day one, the guy Gemski suggested should stay back when they asked for volunteers? I take that back. That dude’s energy is a good 180 to yours these days. He’s been training nonstop at the forest edge. After just two days of eating meat, he’s already gaining weight and building muscle. A man like him is slowly working to prove his worth, and what about you? That skinny guy has been training with his carved weapons, and has been consistent twice a day, four hours at sunrise and another four hours at sunset—makes him look like a badass when he’s out working the new farm fields the Essential Services Department designated he, along with all the religious ladies from that church, during the day.”

  Ken: “Gardening? Why are they doing that? Seems like a waste of time. We have food in the forest, and we’re establishing a strong facility. What more do they need?”

  Clementine: “Are you illiterate? Agriculture is one of humanity’s greatest tools—right up there with language, record-keeping, and fire. Agriculture is what’s going to keep us alive when this planet decides to say, ‘Screw you, humans—go back to where you came from.’ When that day comes, what will you do? Hunt nothing? Starve? I’m sure they want to go back into the forest to gather fruit seeds, and a few of the Earth-like wild animals to domesticate.”

  Ken: “Stop making me sound dumb. Listen, as a hunter, I’m just cautious. If I don’t know something, I study it, I track it, I learn to predict it. I might seem weak and slow now, but I’ll survive. I’ll be the one who people turn to, look up to, and depend on. Believe it. And when the time comes, they won’t see me coming. None of them will.”

  Gemski: (interrupting) “Both of you—shut up and get moving. I’ve been peeping you guys not doing shit for minutes. The workforce is split up, and we’ve got a lot of progress to make. In time, each of you will get to work on your own projects. But right now, the settlement needs you to stay focused. Walls, buildings, and disposals—that's what we need to focus on.”

  Clementine: “Look, Ken—it’s your boyfriend’s colleague.”

  Ken: (groaning) “I swear I’ll kill you. You play too much. What if he hears you?”

  Gemski: (chuckling) “I did hear you. I’m standing four people away from you losers. I’m not far at all. And if I heard you, you can bet Joe’s monster ears would have picked it up if he was around.”

  Clementine: “Hey, quick question, General. There’s been gossip that the two Generals came back… different. People are saying one saw an alien and the other got bitten by some weird bug.”

  Gemski: “They came back changed from experience. Lady Vee said she met her God, but it wasn’t an alien. And Joe? He’s fine. A lot of their people came back mentally shaken. They saw things that overwhelmed them—more than just the idea of being stranded on an alien planet without any way back to their families. Wait, wasn’t Ken with them? He should know how things went down if he was near the action.”

  Clementine: “You could’ve just said no. That got real dark, real fast.”

  Gemski: “Just get back to work. You’re doing a good job. The number of huts is in the hundreds now, and we’re still in the first week. More people have shelter, and can stay out of the sun during the brutal daytime heat. Which has been steadily rising, but nobody seems to be talking about it!”

  Ken: “Sir… sorry for asking, but why is the search for Team Uno being abandoned?”

  Clementine: “Ken, seriously—stop. You already got your answer. Sorry, sir. He’s just… stubborn.”

  Gemski: “I… It’s okay. Most of us here are around the same age, between twenty to thirty. There’s nothing wrong with not knowing.” A slight shrug accompanied the words, calm and assured. “An empty pot can always be filled, but one that’s already full? It has to spill some of its contents to make room for anything new.” A pause. “Ignorance is bliss for a reason.

  Look, I try not to think about them when I’m working, but I want to believe they’re still alive. Whether it’s two years or four years from now, my thoughts won’t change—they’re out there surviving. If I don’t see bodies or clues, I can’t assume the worst. Not knowing gives me more hope than knowing ever could.

  There’s power in the unknown. Something I heard a council member whisper during meditation once.”

  Gemski exhaled and pointed toward the half-finished huts.

  “Now, get back to work. If we focus, we can put up one more hut before we call it a day… maybe two if we’re lucky.”

  Lady Vee’s Detailed Report 1 of 7.