The vines were creeping slowly towards the beast that was trying to have him for a snack. Dustin saw that the roots weren’t going to hold for long, and looked around for a solution. Above his head, he saw that the core of the tree was actually hollow. Small blue fruits were growing, and tiny bugs swarmed over them.

Nope, not doing bugs. He looked around. There were other trees around, but he wasn’t sure he could get to them before this thing took him down. He had no weapons, and his PED was currently busy. Okay, he could deal with this. Taking a breath, he prepared to act, when suddenly, one of the vines touched the monster’s foot.

Within seconds, it slowed and fell to the ground.

Dustin didn’t waste any time. If those vines could do that to such a huge creature, he wanted nothing to do with them. In fact, a few were already moving in his direction again. Climbing back out of the tangled mess of trees was a bit more difficult, but he managed. Once outside of their range, the vines went back to wrapping around the giant creature.

Even though his PED was busy now, didn’t mean it would be in the near future, and he wasn’t going to waste an opportunity like this. He snatched up a rock and chopped off a piece of its tail. He wasn’t sure what he might get from its genes, but they had to help him survive a little longer.

Standing back, Dustin observed the vines. He figured most things probably feared this tree, so if he stayed near it while his PED was syncing, he would be relatively safe, and thankfully, that held true.

(INTEGRATION WITH HOST COMPLETE)

Finally, he shoved the piece of flesh into the port, and waited.

(GENETIC MATERIAL ACQUIRED. BEGINNING ANALYSIS)

He had seen countless types of birds and small creatures flitting about the trees around him, but none seemed interested in him enough to get close. Maybe he didn’t want to stay by this tree for too much longer.

(AVAILABLE EVOLUTIONS: WATER RESISTANT FUR, ENHANCED SMELL, HEAT VISION, PHEROMONE CONTROL)

Dustin thought about that. They all sounded good.

“Initiate evolution,” he thought to it.

(EVOLUTION INITIATED)

Dustin watched his skin changed from a pale clammy texture, to that of a soft dark gray colored fur. His vision also became sharper, and he could focus on the temperature of his surroundings.

Swallowing, he suddenly realized he was surrounded by creatures that were staying just outside reach of the tree’s vines. They were huge, much larger than the one that had just attacked him. And as he looked at the tree before him, he saw that it had a huge heat signature just below the ground, under the main root section.

He became aware of a smell around him, and realized it was fear. Gritting his teeth, he crouched. This was crap. How was he supposed to survive in a world where everything was out to get him? The smell of fear was replaced with anger, and he smiled. These things may be bigger than him, but he wasn’t just going to roll over and die.

As a vine began creeping towards him, he took up another rock, and smashed it. The next couple of moments were hard to explain. There was a sudden explosion of dirt into the air, while at the same time, the large heat signatures all around, fled. Dustin reacted by jumping to the side, and rolling away from the tree, just barely managing to avoid the long teethlike thorns that snapped shut over where he had just been.

He didn’t stop moving, as those thorns were moving fast. They traveled under the ground, and were chasing him. He rolled just into the line of brush, and was relieved to see them pause. He decided he had overstayed his welcome, and broke into a jog.

The huge creatures were gone for now, but he had to figure out a way to survive. He could breath the air, but he still needed food and shelter.

(EVOLUTION COMPLETE)

That was nice. He didn’t even glance at it, as he kept moving. A delightful smell came to his nose, and he decided one way was just as good as another. As he drew closer, he saw that there was another giant plant, though this looked like a gooey mess oozing from a multitude of flowers, creatures of all shapes and sizes gathered to lick at the disgusting stuff.

With his stomach empty, and the enticing smell, he was half tempted to lick it himself. First, though, he was going to take advantage of the genetic material spread out for him to pick and choose from. Before stepping forward, he looked for any obvious traps. There were giant spear-like leaves, dangling from above the gooey mess. That looked like a pretty obvious trap to him.

Sure enough, one stabbed down, spearing a small foxlike creature with three tails, and pulled it back up into the main stalk.

Dustin studied the animals, knowing he could harvest traits and advantages from each of them. One had spines, that could be useful, another had sharp canines, which he would like if they weren’t too big in his mouth. He didn’t want to drool all over himself.

A crashing noise came from his right, and he immediately, crouched lower. A large creature, with huge flat feet, entered the clearing. It had a thick shell on it’s back, that stopped the spear leaves from stabbing it. Scooping up large mouthfuls of the gooey mess, it seemed to relish the meal.

Hefting his stone, he tried to figure out how he could get a piece of it. Then he remembered he had pheromones. Maybe, he could do something with that?

The sky rumbled and it started to rain. Not just a little sprinkle, but like a waterfall had just opened up above him. Thankfully, the fur that now covered him, allowed the water to run right off. He watched as the gooey mess was washed away, and the creatures scattered. He had lost his chance at getting any genetic material, and it infuriated him.

Rushing at the back side of the giant turtle thing, he smashed his rock down hard on its shell. There was a soft ding, but otherwise nothing happened. It went right on, licking and slurping the mess as it was washed away, totally ignoring him. He dodged back, when a spear leaf came after him, but it was limited in range. Jumping back into the fight, he swung at the tail, that stuck out just under the edge of the shell.

Dustin saw the rock form a cut, and a little black fluid oozed out. Swiping some up with his finger, he had to jump back again, as the turtle thing swung around at him. Apparently, he had hit a soft tender spot, and ticked it off.

Shoving the ick into the port, he took off running, losing the thing among the thick trees when it couldn’t keep up.

(GENETIC MATERIAL ACQUIRED. BEGINNING ANALYSIS)