Doors to the Unknown

It's a warm day with a light breeze blowing over the still pond. Ripples break from the orbosophagi, a type of native fish, on the top of the water. From the oxygen rich observation deck, you notice the sun setting over the salt mounds, it's almost time for depature to Earth Moving towards the shuttle, the helmet air feels stale. //pfffsssh// [[Atmospheric Pressure Stablized, Walk into the Shuttle]]

(set: $bg to "https://i.imgur.com/W3yBVG6.png") (background: $bg)[Sounds of restraints and clips to secure equipment can be heard through your helmet. The weight behind you increases, your body gets heavy - and the shuttle launches. [[You've arrived on Earth]] ]

//SPLLLLLSSSHHHH// The team has landed slightly farther from the intended safe zone but the explored area is not far away. The captain, Rozner, takes out the raft and the team moves to the beach. You notice your scanner is lower on battery and has defaulted to a power saving mode - the object identifer is now operating at reduced capacity. (set: $scanner to 65) [[Move into the forest]] [[Stay on the beach]]

The trees are thick from thousands of years of overgrowth, and you pull out your advanced organic matter dematerializer. ''A rustling ahead in the trees catches the attention of the group'' Moving forward, slowly - the rustle gets loud enough to pick up on the scanner and you pull out yours in anticipation. An enormous organism comes into view that can be seen as a figure of emmense power. Scales run all the way down its body, then you see the head turn and stare down your team. (text-style: "italic")[^^J.A.R.V.A^^Unknwown organism. Potentially life threating, use extreme caution on approach.] [[Stay and wait for the animal to react, it might calm down]] [[RUN!!]] (set: $scanner to (random:(0,52)))

The team decides that walking into the forest will not prove a viable option for survival or research, and stays on the beach. Another researcher notices a mass in the water moving at random speeds and pattern. As researchers your natural reaction is to want to scan the mass. ^^British Accent^^Unknown organism. Take caution while handling. [[Catch the fish]] [[Take J.A.R.V.A's advice and leave the fish]]

Congratulations, you've caught the fish using advanced future fish catching technology. [[Pick up the fish]] //The captain has a concerned look on his face// "Don't touch that fish, it's full of foreign materials" [[Do not pick up the fish]]

The lightweight suit is puctured by the fish's natural defense mechanism and injects you with mercury. You are dead.

You and the team log the recordings for the unidentified fish and begin preparing for the trek through the woods. [[Move into the forest]].

As researchers you are not to engage in potentially hostile organisms, so following J.A.R.V.A's advice it's decided to not attempt any further investigation. ''Earth is dangerous enough'' //The team takes heel and begins walking toward the jungle wall// [[Move into the forest]]

The unknown organism does not calm down and the scales expand, enlarging it even further. Standing over 18 feet now on its four hind legs, the first slash takes out Rozner and the other researcher. From the right, a glint of metal catches your eye as a metal spear is driven straight through the creature's scales, and it falls to the ground. Turning the direction the spear was thrown, scanner still in hand - a reading comes on screen as a figure disappears into the overgrowth... (if: $scanner > 50)[ //Organism: Carbon-based. Species: Homo Sapien// ] (else:)[ //Scanner battery too low, cannot read specimen.// ]

Your whole body twists slowly from fear that the sound of insulated lining rubbing together will be the last sound you hear. The nightmare in front of you causes a natural reaction of your grip to loosen, and the scanner plunges to the forest floor. Still fixated on the bear-like beast you extend your leg and get ready to to exhaust each muscle available and make it to the return shuttle. ^^Your breathing is labored^^ ''inha-exh--inhal--exha-inha'' The shuttle is in view. Your pace quickens. [[Dive into the Shuttle]]

//MADE IT// Pressing all the buttons the sound of the latch hisses and an engine whine gets louder. The launch sequence is complete, navigation set for Center City, Mars. Looking out the window the creature breaches the jungle wall and charges the water. The shuttle is ready to launch - it's time to return to [[Home on Mars]]