"The tree didn't fall in a normal way."
Karl's voice cut out on the walkie-talkie, then there was a hissing noise. Chen Hao grabbed the receiver, his knuckles brushing against a scratch on the surface.
"What do you mean? Was it blown by the wind or trampled by animals?"
Nana stood in front of the control panel, her finger swiping across the screen to bring up the thermal layer of the topographic map. She didn't look up.
"Based on the analysis of the lodging angle and density, the storm factor has been ruled out. The path extends in a straight line and is about 1.5 meters wide, which is consistent with the characteristics of a large biological group movement."
Chen Hao clipped the walkie-talkie between his ear and shoulder, freeing his hand to unscrew a bottle of water and take a sip. The water tasted a little bitter, a sign of incomplete filtration.
"Alright, tell them to stop going forward and retreat to higher ground to assess the situation."
He pressed the call button: "Karl, did you hear me? Stop where you are, back up ten meters, find high ground to observe."
A few seconds later, a response came intermittently: "Understood... They've retreated... They're now next to a big rock... Susan said the tree roots weren't turned out the right way, it looked like they were dragged there by force."
Chen Hao glanced at Nana. She was zooming in on an infrared image, which showed several shallow gullies extending from the edge of the forest into the depths of the depression.
“It wasn’t a natural collapse,” she said. “The ground surface is under uneven stress, and there are signs of periodic trampling. The most recent activity lasted no more than six hours.”
"In other words, that thing might still be nearby."
"The probability is 61%."
“It’s a bit more reliable than flipping a coin.” Chen Hao put down his water bottle. “Tell them to bypass the main path, cut into the depression from the west slope, and dig by hand, not by machine probes.”
Nana took the walkie-talkie and spoke calmly: "The detector signal is severely interfered with by moisture. I suggest using humidity test strips in conjunction with manual sampling. Avoid soft areas, and test the weight-bearing capacity with a stick before each step."
After the message was sent, the room fell silent. The water purification system's progress bar had jumped to seventy-three, not far from completion. Chen Hao leaned back in his chair, his right arm wound, covered with a temporary bandage, was a little itchy.
Do you think they can find water?
“The probability has risen to 82 percent,” Nana said. “The soil moisture content at the bottom of the depression has reached the critical saturation value, and there are obvious signs of seepage.”
"What if there are insects or poison in the water?"
"It can be processed. Inedible plants cannot be purified."
"You're saying that to comfort someone."
"I'm just stating the facts."
Chen Hao smiled and didn't say anything more.
The fog outside hadn't lifted yet. There was a crack in the windowpane, a remnant of the last earthquake. He stared at the crack until the walkie-talkie rang again.
"This is Susan." Her voice was a bit steadyer than before. "We've changed our route and are now on the western slope of the depression. The ground is very wet; you'll sink halfway down with each step. I just tested it with a moisture test strip, and it's at the highest level."
Chen Hao sat up straight: "Did you dig it up?"
"After digging 30 centimeters, clear water slowly seeped out. It was clear in color and had no strange smell. It has already been bottled and sealed."
"Well done." Chen Hao looked at Nana. "What's next?"
"It is recommended to assess the surrounding vegetation ecology while collecting samples," she said. "If salt-tolerant edible plants are present, it can alleviate long-term replenishment pressure."
Chen Hao said into the walkie-talkie, "Did you hear that? While you're at it, check around for any edible grass or roots, take a picture and send it back."
“It’s already being done,” Susan said. “There are several kinds of plants here with broad leaves, growing densely with raised roots. There are also vines twining in the cracks of the rocks, and there seem to be lumps underneath.”
Nana opened the database receiving interface. A few seconds later, a photo popped up. She quickly compared it and gave the result three minutes later.
"The first type, with oval leaves and radiating veins, is identified as 'Alocasia macrorrhiza,' which is high in fiber and low in toxins and can be eaten after cooking. The second type, with hollow, segmented stems resembling young bamboo plants, is 'Salted Bamboo Shoots,' whose tender stems are edible. The third type, with underground tubers and a brownish-yellow skin, is rich in starch, drought-resistant, salt-resistant, and has a safety rating of A."
After listening, Chen Hao whistled: "Have we stumbled upon a miniature vegetable garden?"
“It wasn’t a collision,” Nana corrected. “It was a successful prediction.”
“It’s all the same, as long as it’s edible.” He picked up the walkie-talkie again. “Karl, Susan, do as she says. When picking leaves, don’t pull them up by the roots. Leave part of the tuber in the soil; it can grow again later. Pack them separately in bags, don’t mix them up.”
"Roger that." This time it was Carl's voice. "The harvesting has already begun. Rock potatoes are quite difficult to dig; you have to use a military shovel to pry them open. But there are quite a few; this area alone can yield at least two backpacks' worth."
"Take it easy," Chen Hao said. "You still have to walk back, so don't carry too much and fall into the ditch."
"Don't worry, it's not like this is my first time going out."
Half an hour later, the second batch of images was transmitted. Nana checked them one by one, and after confirming that they were correct, marked them as "safe to collect".
Chen Hao got up and walked around the room twice, checking the time. They had been gone for almost two hours.
"It's time to come back."
He had just finished speaking when a series of rapid breathing sounds suddenly came through the walkie-talkie.
“Chen Hao.” Susan’s voice was tense. “We were preparing to return, and just as we passed through a dense forest, we found ourselves surrounded.”
"What's going on?"
"Three animals, medium-sized, with gray fur and pointed snouts, were hiding behind a tree, watching us. One was on the left, and two were flanking us from the right. They didn't charge directly at us, but kept getting closer."
Chen Hao immediately looked at Nana. She was already retrieving the last location signal.
"They are now 1.2 kilometers from the base, located in the woodland north of the abandoned drainage ditch. The terrain is narrow, with slopes on both sides and a passageway about two meters wide in the middle."
"Can we run?"
“I don’t recommend it,” Nana said. “Running will trigger the instinct to chase. I suggest holding your ground and creating a deterrent.”
Chen Hao pressed the call button: "Did you hear that? Stand with your back against the rock and don't run around. Light the fuel canister, throw it on the ground and draw a circle, then tie the empty water bag to a tree branch and shake it, making it look like there are several people moving around."
“Understood.” Carl’s voice deepened. “Susan is already against the wall. I’ll light the fire.”
Seconds later, the image appeared on the remote camera—it was footage from the recorder attached to Carl's backpack. A flash of light, and the fuel canister spewed orange flames. Smoke billowed upwards, carrying a pungent odor.
A gray-furred beast took half a step back.
Carl tied another water bag to a stick and waved it from side to side. At the same time, Susan pressed the alarm, and its shrill sound exploded through the woods.
The two animals twitched their ears, turned around, and disappeared into the bushes.
The remaining one stood still, staring at them.
“It’s still not leaving,” Susan whispered.
"Sound it again," Chen Hao said on the other end. "Add some rhythm, don't just keep pressing it."
Susan changed her approach: she pressed the button three times in quick succession, paused, and then pressed it twice more. It was like some kind of signal.
The animal finally turned around, leaped into the shadows, and disappeared.
"Let's go." Karl breathed a sigh of relief. "He's not afraid of fire, he's just afraid of noise."
“They are afraid of uncertainty,” Nana said. “The combination of fire and noise disrupted the attack prediction, so they chose to retreat.”
Chen Hao breathed a sigh of relief and leaned back in his chair: "Is everyone alright? Are all the things still there?"
“Everything is here,” Susan said. “Water samples, plant specimens, tools—all with us. We’ve only used one fuel canister.”
"It's used, so as long as people are alive. Keep going back, keep in touch, and report your location every ten minutes."
"good."
The two began their return journey. The road was muddy, making their progress slow. Carl walked ahead, holding a lit stick in his hand. Although no one was chasing them anymore, he still habitually scanned the woods on both sides.
Susan followed behind, her backpack bulging. She checked her pockets to make sure the sample bags weren't leaking.
The sky remained overcast. Mist clung to the treetops, and the path beneath their feet was a mess. They followed the same route, passing the tire tracks left by the trucks carrying materials the previous night.
“Those dogs just now…” Susan suddenly spoke up, “their movements were quite coordinated, unlike stray dogs.”
“I know,” Carl said. “It’s like someone trained him.”
“Where would you find training animals in this place?”
“Who knows?” He kicked a stone aside. “Maybe someone lived here before.”
They continued walking. The wind blew through the woods, rustling the leaves.
Susan stopped when she reached the corner of the drainage ditch.
"What's wrong?"
She pointed to the ground: "There are footprints here."
Carl leaned closer to examine it. Apart from the traces of their arrival, there was indeed a string of new marks, slightly smaller than theirs, and neatly arranged.
"It's not ours."
“It’s not from those animals either.” Susan crouched down. “These are the kind of tactical boots people wear, and they run small.”
Carl frowned: "Who would come out at this time?"
“I don’t know.” Susan stood up. “But we need to hurry. Notify Chen Hao.”
She took out her walkie-talkie, and just as she was about to speak, the signal light suddenly flashed red.
"No signal."
"Try a different channel."
I tried three times, and all I heard was static.
“It might be due to the terrain,” Carl said. “It’s uphill a few hundred meters ahead, so it should be able to get back up.”
"I hope so." Susan put away the walkie-talkie. "Let's hurry."
The two quickened their pace. The backpacks weighed heavily on their shoulders. Karl's torch was almost burned out, with only a small stub remaining.
The wind suddenly picked up.
Susan walked behind, one hand on her backpack strap, the other in her coat pocket. Her shoes were covered in mud, making a soft pattering sound as she walked.
The light of the exit can be faintly seen on the ramp ahead.
Just then, she heard the sound of a branch snapping overhead.
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