A tremendous storm crept in from across the vast Southern ocean, the sky was dark and the sea grew turbulent as the heavy winds raged. The waves crashed thunderously upon the cliff face, the nearby beach fared no better as the new high tide mark had shifted far up the sand nearing the tree line. The Drusai were not foolish enough to launch their boats during such inclement weather. The fishing would have to wait, but there were still other items of interest to be had.

The Sarrat came to ground in a clearing just above the beach. The entire crew disembarked hastily, excited to take in their new surroundings.

"I've missed that smell," announced Felix breathing in the salty air deeply. He opened his eyes to find the rest of the crew had joined him taking in the scent of the sea. Like they were statues, dozens of people stood frozen in place with their heads held high and olfactories working overtime.

Before the foraging could begin they would have to visit Ronai first. This time Gaia did not wish to miss out and accompanied Felix, Lloyd and Eva. Argus lead them up a well worn trail toward the ridge line that shielded the tribe. As they descended into the valley it appeared just as they had remembered, save for Eva who had spent most of her time on the Hyperion, it was her first visit and along with Gaia was suitably impressed. As soon as they were spotted, the locals flocked to greet them. Argus was well known in the Southern Tribe and missing an arm he was easily identified from a distance. Ronai quickly caught wind of their visit and headed over swiftly.

"Welcome!" Ronai called as he hobbled from around the corned of a nearby hut. "You come back," he stated eagerly.

"Yes," replied Felix just before Ronai caught him in a hug. "We need your help please," requested Felix as he freed his face from Ronai's chest.

Ronai released his embrace, his face now serious, "to battle?" he barked ready for war.

"No no, no enemy. We need help finding food," corrected Felix to Ronai's relief.

Gaia stepped in grabbing Ronai, "I'll take one of those," she insisted as she hugged Ronai. Eva snorted trying not to laugh. Ronai hadn't the faintest idea who the old woman was that embraced him but seeing Felix's warm face he knew she was special.

"Yes yes. Lots of food. Come come," Ronai encouraged them to follow him his arms open exuding hospitality.

Felix then spoke directly to Ronai with his mind. "Wait! We only need very little." Ronai was puzzled. As best he could Felix showed Ronai how they were able to grow their own food and that they required very little in the way of samples to begin the process. Variety was always going to be their main focus.

Ronai understood well, he nodded as he thought. "No fishing now, big storm," he advised. "Not now, soon. We go digging."

Felix was confident he knew what Ronai had in mind, during their previous stay Felix had helped dig up small hard-shelled critters that permeated the sand of the beaches in the area. Felix told the crew they were free to explore around the village while he and his group went off foraging with Ronai.

They walked along the pristine white sand to the West heading away from the storm. There were tens of thousands of holes in all directions. Ronai bent his knees and began digging, sand was sent flying behind him like a pulsing wave. A few feet down he stopped, reaching into his hole he pulled out one of the targets. The creatures were spiky and heavily armoured on their top. Ronai flipped it over to reveal the six concealed legs scurrying in an attempt to right itself. Ronai bound the creature with cord and slung it over his shoulder to keep his hands free.

While they were walking along the beach they could see the storm had subsided and the sea was now calm. Ronai advised that the boats would paddle out soon and that Felix could take whatever they wished from the catch. Felix noticed a small group of Drusai heading into the treeline and was curious about their objective. Ronai smiled picking up on Felix's thoughts. They decided to join the small group to observe what they were heading off to harvest. They remained silent and watching intently as the Drusai went about harvesting fibres for fishing. Within minutes they could see the system unfolding, the Drusai were scoring tiny marks onto hanging vines with their blades. As the amber coloured sap seeped out the Drusai would take a short stick and press it into the leaking sap. They then gently rolled the sticks pulling them away to reveal dozens of fine threads that flowed away from the vines. Slowly and methodically they would roll then pull again, repeating the process 5 or so times until the damage vines began to close over. The harvested fibres were tough and very elastic. The group paired off and began to splice and twist the fibres together. The entire process was mesmerising to the humans who sat in silence watching the millennia old craft honed by their allies. Ronai explained that the elastic cords were used for underwater spears. A loop of the stretching cord is attached to the base of a spear and the Drusai divers would hook their hand then slide down the spear shaft to put it under tension. Upon lining up a target, the divers simply released their grip and the spears would propel forward in a jolt.

While the boats went out, Ronai led his party to the rock pools at the next section of cliffs. There was a mosaic of colourful and diverse life within the pools. Something caught Lloyd's eye and he reached in.

"No!" snapped Ronai as he slapped Lloyd's hand back, "danger, very bad." Recognising the threat Argus gasped.

Felix chuckled, "guess no one told him you're a cyborg now." Lloyd pouted, deciding not to bother explaining to Ronai why he couldn't be harmed. Understanding his predicament Gaia rubbed Lloyd's back softly.

Unknown to Ronai, his intervention was unnecessary, but he thought he had just saved Lloyd from a most excruciating death. The venom from the small purple crab-like creature, known as a Kassin was not to be trifled with. Those unlucky enough to be stung, bleed from sores all over their bodies for three horrifically painful days until they eventually drown from their lungs filling with their own blood.

Ronai led them to the next pool and his face lit up instantly. Finding what he was after, Ronai reached down and pulled up a large grey slug, its skin was covered with brown and green growths as if riddled with warts. Felix gasped and Eva cringed.

"Oh please no," muttered Felix as Lloyd jabbed him in the side.

"Dorel. Good food," reassured Ronai. He sniffed the slug and mumbled something to himself. He handed the dorel to a reluctant Felix and darted off.

"I am not eating that," protested Eva, "I'd rather take my chances with the purple crab thingy."

"I would try it, but well, you know," jested Gaia. She and Lloyd were both now feeling glad they did not eat as they smirked at each other.

Felix lifted the slug to his face and had a sniff, to his surprise the scent was mild and not at all offensive, more so salty than fishy. This alone was not enough to overcome the outward appearance of the rock-pool resident.

Ronai returned a moment later with his hands full of small driftwood. Felix and Eva looked at each other knowing full well what was about to happen. Within minutes Ronai had a fire going, and drew his blade. He sliced the dorel along it's entire belly and turned it inside-out, removing the innards and skinning it in the process. Ronai climbed down a little way to reach the water and rinsed the cleaned dorel in the sea.

After a short while the fire had reduced to coals and Ronai punctured the slug with a long stick propping it up over the coals with rocks. Within minutes an alluring aroma began to waft from the sizzling flesh of the dorel.

Felix could feel himself salivating, each time a drop of juice left the meat it dripped onto the coals producing a most satisfying sound and delightful smoky perfume. "Wow, that actually smells kinda good. I guess I will give it a go."

Eva scoffed, "that's nice," she sneered, giving her back to Felix.

"Suit yourself," shrugged Felix, returning his gaze to the meat sizzling before him.

After a good 20 minutes of cooking and several turns the dorel was ready, at least according to Ronai's discerning eye. Ronai removed it from the heat and propped it up next to them to cool. Within a few minutes he was satisfied and started to slice a piece off. He ate the first himself, nodding as he chewed presumably assessing whether it was well cooked enough. He paused mid mouthful as if having discovered a rogue hair, without a word he stood and scaled the rock wall behind them. As waves crashed against the rocks, salt deposits formed from the evaporating seawater. Ronai scrapped a finger along breaking off a few small crystals and jumped back down in one leap. He crushed the rock salt slightly between his fingertips and sprinkled it liberally over the dorel meat. Cutting more, he handed Felix a piece.

Felix took a deep breath then placed the meat strip into his mouth. To his fortune, it was delicious though a tad on the chewy side. "Whoa, it's great. It almost tastes like calamari," he proclaimed in excitement.

Ronai continued to slice pieces and hand them to Felix and Argus, then eating more himself. Watching them devour the dorel with such gusto, Eva started to shed her inhibitions. She stepped up to Ronai and smiled, without a word said he cut her a piece and she sniffed it briefly before it went in. Eva chewed it slowly and thoroughly before finally swallowing, all the while Lloyd watched her intently.

"Well? How is it?" Lloyd finally asked growing impatient.

Eva wiped her mouth politely. "Fine. I was wrong. It's quite nice," she admitted as Felix smirked from behind her.

Ronai offered pieces to Lloyd and Gaia as well but they declined. Rather than explaining that they did not need to eat, Felix found it easier to just say they were not hungry. Between Felix and Eva the dorel meat disappeared quickly. Lloyd had wandered off and found another. Plucking it from the pool with a quick flash of his synthetic arm and brought it back so Felix could acquire the sample. Not to waste the remainder, Ronai threw another log on the fire as he went down to the waters edge to clean the dorel. This time both Felix and Eva were salivating as the sea slug sizzled over the coals, its juices dripped down serving to further their anticipation. After they finished eating they explored a little while longer but did not find the other edible critters Ronai had in mind. Deciding to call it for now they headed back to the village, passing through the tree line that met the sand dunes of the beach.

As they walked Ronai would point at certain plants indicating that which he knew to be edible. The high salinity of the coastal environment proved beneficial in finding new and varied samples. With the new ecosystem came another dozen edible plants for them to take from. Most were plants with edible leaves but a few specimens produced small berries loaded with nutrients.

With purple stained mouths and fingers from gorging on berries they headed back to the village. A few of the boats had come in and they were full to the brim with fish, a myriad of forked tails hung over their sides. The Southern Drusai had no nets or lines, all fish caught were by spear. There were many large reefs offshore from their village and the fishing boats would anchor nearby. With their spears in hand the Drusai divers could descend up to 20m in search of prey. Felix was curious about the oceans of Darsalae, if there were fish, perhaps there were also apex predators to predate them. Picking up on Felix's thoughts Ronai shared with him the answer he was seeking. There were many dangerous things lurking in the waters offshore. Giant fish and reptiles taking the form of nightmares that pluck victims from the surface and pull them into the darkness. It had been hundreds of years since a diver was taken by an ocean predator. The Drusai of the South had learned to shield their presence mentally from any would be attackers, allowing them to harvest from the sea in complete safety.

The catch of the day was perhaps more colourfully diverse than all other life yet seen on Darsalae. The coloured scales glistened in the sunlight, some appearing to change colour from differing angles. Not wanting to take samples of any specimens that proved to taste poorly according to the human palette, Felix decided most graciously to let Ronai have his way and prepare a feast for them while they were there.

The catch was being cleaned as another pair of boats came in with yet more fish. Fires were lit all over the entire village preparing for the meal to come. There were eight different species in total including a clam like offering, and each were highly prized by the Drusai. After cooking, meals of each fish were presented to a very eager Felix and Eva. They tasted each slowly, doing their best to both enjoy and critique the fish of Darsalae. Most of the fish bore sweet and firm white flesh whereas two bore pink flesh that was much more oily. All were utterly delectable, each offering a unique flavour. After half an hour of eating the last few boats had returned to the beach. Impressed with what they had tasted, Felix and Eva took samples from all eight species. Their voyage to Darsalae was very fruitful, acquiring more than enough samples for both balanced nutrition and culinary variety, something they had missed dearly since departing Gaia station on the Hyperion.

Their feast was cut short by Gaia. She stood as though hearing a voice no other could. "We have to leave!" she called out.

"What's wrong?" shouted Felix in between mouthfuls. "Is it the Scourge?" he asked, hoping desperately to be wrong.

Gaia's face was calm, "no dear, the beacon we left has been triggered. There is a Titan inbound." Their faces shifted instantly from terror to excitement.

"Any idea who Gaia?" asked Eva.

"I'm afraid not dear," she Replied almost disappointed.

"No matter, we have kin to go lead to our new home. Everyone must be getting settled by now," pointed out Lloyd.

"They certainly are," added Gaia who had been receiving intermittent reports from her other selves back at Alpha Colony since they left. Only positive notes, nothing of any particular significance. The masses seemed ever impressed as they continued to explore their new home and settle into their new lives.

Felix turned to Ronai sitting beside him. Using only his mind, Felix explained that they must go to find their lost ships. Ronai was most understanding, they stood and he offered his hand to Felix. After which he clutched Felix for a departing embrace. Argus was less understanding, he missed Felix dearly when the humans left and had hoped to see him again, only then for their reunion to be cut so short. Felix felt the same, but knew well they had to intercept the Titan before it headed off searching for answers, putting itself out of sensor range and potentially lost forever.

With more than enough samples taken, they headed back to the Sarrat. Argus went with them to be dropped back off on the way. Felix's farewell to Argus and Argai was brief, he stepped off the Sarrat to thank them for their help yet again. The Drusai in all their splendid kindness had once again helped their human companions, at least on the latter occasion without having to spill blood.

Then Argus surprised Felix. He stepped forward proclaiming telepathically that he did not wish to part ways.

"I feel the same way," he sighed. "But we have to go find our lost people."

"Argus go too!" he vocalised excitedly. Felix looked to Argai who smiled and nodded.

Felix then felt terrible, he was convinced that without his right arm, Argus could no longer hunt and had lost a part of himself not just literally that day they were ambushed.

"No no!" snapped Argus. "Argus good hunter, already spear with left," he declared proudly. Felix's eyes had started to water, he chuckled to himself thinking how much the humans didn't deserve such wonderful friends.

Felix lifted his head, "we might not come back for many years," he tried to convince Argus.

"Okay," he nodded to which Felix smiled. " I want go meet more, learn more."

Felix could feel his eyes starting to tear up again. He called out behind him to the ship knowing Gaia could hear him, "Gaia, do we have room for one more?"

"I'm already customising him a seat for the bridge in the machine shop dear..." Her voice was broadcast outside the ship. Although he couldn't see her, Felix knew how devilishly cheeky Gaia looked at that moment.

"Alright, let's go!" cheered Felix as he turned to leave and Argus embarked with him.

Argai and his tribe waved as the Sarrat lifted off and disappeared into the distant sky with its deafening roar that slowly trailed off seconds after the ship could no longer be seen.

Relaxing on the bridge Felix and Gaia had finished cataloguing the last of the samples they had procured on Darsalae as Argus watched them like an excitable puppy, spinning on his new chair. Lloyd and Eva came in, having just finished a sparring session. Instantly they realised Felix had been working non-stop since they departed, his eyes were bloodshot and the skin of his face was so oily it glistened in the bright artificial lighting of the bridge.

Lloyd looked over a list of their spoils, now finished having been organised into categories meticulously. "Wow, I can't believe we got so much," he claimed in sheer disbelief of their success.

"Yeah I'm quite proud of our efforts," boasted Felix lifting his chin smugly.

"And," Eva paused drawing their complete attention. "We didn't lose anybody this time," she announced cheerfully.

No one responded. At first they all smiled, proud of their successful mission and absolute safety among the Drusai but then started to grimace, for they had lost so much already and many horrors were still fresh in their minds.

Felix broke the silence, "onward to the future!" he shouted pointing toward the bow. "Gaia, full-steam ahead," he ordered with gusto.

Gaia rolled her eyes. "We're already at full speed. Have been since we left the Darsalae system."

"Very good," hummed Felix, now with Lloyd and Eva also rolling their eyes. "In that case I'm off for a kip." Leaving the bridge and travelling to his quarters, Felix collapsed just making it onto his bed without disrobing whatsoever.

Felix remained in repose for over 14 hours. He had been awake for just shy of 32 hours testing and cataloguing the samples. Gaia urged him to rest, as she was quite capable of working without his contribution and was concerned about him, but Felix wanted the task out of the way before the rendezvous with the Titan.

After he awoke Felix found Gaia on the bridge, Lloyd and Eva had gone to bed as the ships time was now 2300. Argus was off exploring the ship, or just following some Tarras around as he poked at them with a curious finger. Felix entered the bridge wiping sleep from his left eye as he yawned.

"How far now?" he asked finishing a second yawn.

"About 5 days," answered Gaia. "But within 24 hours the Titan should reach the beacon."

"And from there they may or may not head for Earth?" checked Felix.

"Yes. But with Bligh's message I would hope they comply, we have no other options unfortunately," reasoned Gaia.