"Wow... it's so beautiful here," Shinji whispered. The sight before him was more staggering than any virtual simulation he had ever seen.
"Hmph, it's interesting enough, I guess," Asuka muttered, trying to maintain her indifferent tone, though the slight upward curve of her lips betrayed her true feelings. She reached out to catch a floating bioluminescent seed, watching it rest in her palm for a moment before drifting away again.
Rei Ayanami remained silent, merely tilting her head slightly to watch the glowing vines flowing down from the canopy like waterfalls of light.
"Stay alert; do not be deceived by appearances," Maine's low voice reminded them. "In an unknown environment, beauty often accompanies danger. Dorio, establish a perimeter. Rebecca, don't wander too far."
"Got it, boss!" Rebecca called back, though her eyes couldn't stop darting toward the most vibrant clusters of flora.
Osiris (the second avatar) did not interfere with Maine's command; his attention was fixed on the sensor readings. The omnipresent background noise of bioelectric signals existed steadily and massively, like the breathing and heartbeat of the entire planet. He attempted to adjust the scanning frequencies to resolve more details of this collective consciousness field, but found its structure extremely complex, as if every living individual served as a node within this colossal network.
"The density of the biological neural network connections far exceeds expectations," he reported via encrypted channel to both Maine and his primary body. "Preliminary judgment suggests this network transmits not only information but potentially energy and matter. It is recommended to prioritize finding key nodes of the network for study."
Just then, Falco, who was in charge of reconnaissance, signaled the group. "Approximately five hundred meters northeast, I've found a water source and signs of denser biological activity. Also detecting... some kind of unnatural structure? The signal is very weak."
An unnatural structure? Everyone grew wary.
"Specific characteristics?" Osiris asked.
"Unable to identify precisely. The structure is completely covered by thick vegetation, and energy readings are extremely low; it appears to be in a derelict state. Size... it's not small, resembling the wreckage of a large vehicle or building," Falco reported.
Traces of human activity? Or something left by another sapient race?
"Target priority changed," Osiris ordered immediately. "Proceed to the location marked by Falco for investigation. Maintain formation and increase vigilance."
The exploration team moved out at once. Maine and Dorio cleared the path in front, Rebecca and Pilar covered the flanks, and Falco stayed in the center to provide support and reconnaissance. Osiris remained in the middle of the group, ready to respond to any sudden situation, while the three EVA pilots were positioned in the relatively safe middle-rear of the line.
Trekking through the glowing forest was a peculiar experience. The soil beneath their feet was soft and moist, and the surrounding plants seemed to pulse slightly as if possessed of life. Occasionally, hanging neural tendrils would unintentionally brush against the explorers' protective suits, sending a faint, static-like tingling sensation, as if attempting to establish a connection that was ultimately blocked by the fabric.
Asuka found everything novel, reaching out multiple times to touch glowing flowers or vines only to be stopped by a sharp look from Dorio. Shinji moved with caution, as if afraid of disturbing the peace of the land. Rei observed the interconnected neural bundles, seemingly contemplating their operational principles.
En route, they encountered several native creatures. A group of hexapedal herbivores lazily chewed on glowing moss, casting curious but non-hostile glances at the team. A brightly colored Viperwolf tried to approach but was driven back by Maine's low growl and the murderous aura he radiated. These creatures all seemed capable of some degree of communication through those neural bundles, displaying coordinated behaviors.
About twenty minutes later, the team reached the spot Falco had marked. It was a babbling brook, its waters shimmering with a dreamlike glow under the light of the bioluminescent plants. On the opposite bank, beneath a particularly dense thicket of vines and giant leaves, a massive, twisted metal structure was partially visible. It appeared to be the wreckage of a long-crashed aircraft. Its style did not belong to the Imperium, nor any power they knew. The hull was heavily corroded and overgrown with glowing flora, nearly integrating into the forest.
"Scan confirmed: no life signs, no active energy sources," Falco reported.
Osiris stared at the wreckage. This confirmed that other forces had indeed arrived here before them. Friend or foe? Why had it crashed? This discovery cast a potential shadow over the seemingly peaceful exploration.
The team established a temporary camp by the stream. The members of Maine's squad skillfully set up simple defensive fortifications and motion sensors to secure the perimeter. The wreckage on the opposite bank stood like a silent warning, a reminder that this planet was not entirely harmless.
Osiris stood at the edge of the camp, facing the wreckage, conducting a deeper scan. The sensors of his power armor penetrated the thick vegetation, outlining the general shape of the debris—about thirty meters long with a streamlined design. Numerous fractures and scorch marks indicated it had undergone a violent impact or explosion. Its technological level seemed to sit somewhere between the Human Federation and the Imperium, but its specific origin was impossible to determine. No valuable equipment or information storage units were detected inside; it seemed to have been stripped by time or previous scavengers.
Meanwhile, Maine's squad and the EVA pilots began preliminary research on the surrounding area. With Osiris's authorization, Pilar and Falco attempted non-destructive sampling of a smaller, blue-glowing plant. They used precision laser cutters to take minute tissue samples and placed them into portable bio-analyzers.
"Cellular structure shows high specialization, containing an unknown photosynthetic pigment and superconductive biological crystals," Pilar noted, his mechanical eye flickering with interest. "These neural bundles—look, they aren't just external connections; the interior is filled with similar crystal fibers, forming a miniature biological circuit."
Elsewhere, Rebecca and Dorio cautiously approached a small group of elegant, peacock-like creatures drinking by the stream. These creatures had fan-shaped neural bundles at the back of their necks, which were currently interconnected as if they were communicating quietly. When Rebecca tried to get closer, one of the larger creatures raised its head, its deep, obsidian-like eyes looking toward her as the neural bundles behind its neck glowed faintly.
Rebecca felt an extremely slight, telepathic-like emotional ripple—not specific words, but a blurred sensation carrying both wariness and curiosity.