The four patrols returned and sprawled in the shade. Several poured water over their heads to cool down. They could see the cluster of geodesic half-domes up the slope. The structures formed a mini-village.
Most passengers had found their assigned quarters and moved their possessions inside. However, there were volunteers still helping crew members finish the setup.
The small science lab wasn’t operational, but the colony's medical center could take in those injured on the way down from orbit. Several who had barely survived the landing were on cots resting.
A doctor had set Gergin's leg and provided something for the pain. The Senior Navigator was resting on a folding cot, and his throbbing headache had subsided. He stared at his leg in a cast and the crutches standing nearby.
Eteppon had met with the Commander and told him the bad news.
“Sir, the electrical system in the habitats can recharge their communicators and laser weapons. However, they don’t have the wireless charging ports used by their virtual image eye displays and the DAP units.”
“So Etteppon, you telling me the two electronic devices that are part of everyday activity will soon be useless.”
“Yes, sir. Fortunately, while your DAP still has power, we can download all its data to a computer in the science lab.”
The Commander shook his head and quietly said, “Thanks, Eteppon. We knew this wasn’t going to be easy.”
The lander's nuclear power system was the other casualty of the crash landing. That powered the powerful radio used to communicate with the New Dawn still orbiting above. Their only radio communication was by the communicators carried by crew members – a system intended for short-range transmission.
Earlier, a crew member had suggested they hold the evening meeting outside. Lightweight camp chairs provided seating around the previous night's fire pit. After being inside the New Dawn for so long, everyone liked being in the fresh air under a star-filled sky. On the first night, the colonists had felt like survivors of a shipwreck thrown up on a remote beach. But this night was different—an evening celebrating their new home.
The Commander had noticed a subtle shift in everyone's attitude. Many travelers had joined in the work and seemed to have a more optimistic attitude. He was anxious to hear what the patrols had discovered but let each leader report to the entire group. Nireem wanted everyone to feel they were partners in starting this new life.
The colonists gathered around the fire after their evening meal of food bars. They experienced the primitive comfort of looking into the colorful flames—a sensation ingrained from ancestors deep in their past. It was another clear night, and the smear of stars across the sky from their galaxy reminded them of how far they had come. Some wondered if one of those points of light might be Tridon's star.
Commander Nireem again stood on the flat rock near the fire.
“Here we are after our first full day on Wenobek, and I must say this day couldn’t have gone better—thanks to your efforts.
I hope everyone is getting more comfortable in our new environment. Our temporary village has taken shape, and tonight will be much more restful.
One piece of bad news. The crash disabled our lander's radio and power system. We can’t communicate with the New Dawn, and you cannot charge your virtual eye displays and DAP units.
I want to start this evening with reports from the four patrols that spent the day exploring the area around us. I am as anxious as you are to hear what they saw and found.
First, Patrol Leader Leinadan.”
After scrambling up on the rock, feeling intimidated by the large group gazing at him, he started.
“I ah ….I’m not used to talking to such a large group,” he stammered.
“Our team went straight down the slope …. in the direction you are now looking. Bands of trees border the open hillside for a long way, and there is a wide, shallow river beyond that.
Beyond the river, the land is partially tree-covered. On one flat area, we came across tall plants. Each stalk had one or two leaf-covered bundles containing long rows of yellow fruit. None of us had ever seen anything like it. The biology guys are examining the samples returned to see if they are edible.
We saw no sign of intelligent life or anything that might pose a threat. There were small herds of an animal like our deer, but larger. Most of the land is rolling, and small ponds are common. There are many birds, and most ponds have ducks like those back on Tridon.
That's it. It was a long, hot day.”
Next, the Commander called Sirromin, who had taken his men through the woods where the descent vehicle had crashed.
“Our team went through the woods off to your right. The trees are high with thick branches, and dense brush covers the ground. Like Leinadan, there were lots of birds. Small animals with bushy tails also live in the trees.
After walking down a steep slope, we were in a ravine where a flock of brownish-black birds pecked at the ground. These were large birds with fan-like tail feathers and ugly heads. But they are big enough to be a good food source.
We scrambled through more woods. Then, up and over more ridges, we came to a large meadow. A large patch of low-growing plants held a mass of red berries. The science lab is checking them. The bizarre birds and red berries were our exciting find.”
Next up was Samohtin, who jumped up on the flat rock, eager to speak.
“We went over the hill behind the half-dome structures. The forest isn’t as thick there, but the top of the slope is farther than we expected. After that, the land flattened out, and we found an animal trail that made walking easy.
We didn’t see any sign of intelligent life or anything dangerous.
There were frequent open meadows with widely scattered trees, and we crossed a small creek. We saw some of those big birds Sirromin described. On the ground, we saw nuts that had dropped from the trees.
Gradually, the slope eases downward, and there are large open fields of tall grass. We saw a variety of plants back there, but none looked familiar. One had enormous leaves on thick stalks. We took a lot of pictures.
We walked a long way through open forests and brightly lit meadows. Our most exciting discovery was tall bushes with vines loaded with small, bluish fruit clusters. We brought back a sackful for the lab guys.
Most of the time, it was hot, and the sun was blinding. That limited the distance we could handle. We need something to shade our eyes.”
The last up was Nivekon.
“Well, you have figured out that we went into the woods across from where we landed. We followed an animal trail. Entering the woods, we went down into a tree-filled gully.
If you go in there, you will soon hear rushing water. The slope starts to descend steeply on the right. We found a rapidly flowing stream crossing our path. Down the hillside to the right, the edge of a large pool is visible. This stream looks like a good water source.
Further on, after about twenty minutes, the slope gradually flattens, rises gently, and opens out on a broad grassland. That's where we saw a herd of beasts, animals more immense than anything I’d ever seen. They were grazing on the tall grass. These animals have massive heads, long, shaggy hair, and short, curved horns. What a sight!
There were hundreds of them. The grassland extended down the slope to the horizon, and there were herds of these monsters dotting the landscape.
We trudged along for the rest of the day, but it was mostly uneventful. However, we did find a fruit growing on small trees. The science guys are looking at the samples brought back.
We didn’t see any intelligent life either. That's our report.”
The colonists were captivated by the descriptions of plants and animals, but they still didn’t consider them a food supply. Only the Amilikut had experienced living off the land. For the rest, food packets were just delivered by the Authorities.
Nireem then jumped onto the large rock that had become their podium.
“First, we all thank the teams that conducted these first explorations. We will continue the patrols and follow up on what they discover. We can take four volunteers each day. I want you all to be part of our explorations in the future.
We also thank Eteppon and his team for getting our temporary living quarters assembled and working. Crew members can answer your questions about them. We thank everyone who helped move those bulky containers to the building site.
Everyone has a designated place in one of the living quarters. Select a representative from the group in your quarters to be part of an executive council to advise me on issues important to our community. Remember, everyone has the same standing and right to act as your representative. Your selection needs to be done by noon tomorrow.
Our priority must be food. Most of us have lived on factory-prepared food all our lives. But that is not possible here. It will take some time for our bodies to adjust. So we will start slowly.
I want to meet with the patrol leaders and food experts tomorrow morning to determine our next steps. Our evening meal tomorrow will hopefully include a small sample of local fare.
That's all for tonight. Enjoy your evening.”
Nireem was pleased with their first day. He was delighted to hear that there was no sign of intelligent life. That's what he feared most.
He knew the food transition would be challenging, but they had no choice. He watched as the travelers started walking back carrying their folding chairs. It was stop-and-go for most. Some still needed help, but many were moving better.
He noticed Salguodir and the small group that followed him around. They had held back from everyone else. Several had cut a tree branch to serve as a cane and struggled against the pull of gravity.
“How did we all get assigned the same living quarters?” asked one of Salguodir's men.
“Crocit! The Commander did it,” Salguodir spitted out. “I hate that Dratsabin!”
“Well, you are our representative,” another said.
“No. I want Nalrahin to be the representative. We have to keep a low profile for now. Mix in with the others. We want to know what's happening and who is unhappy,” Salguodir commanded. Then, helped by two of his group, he hobbled back.