“Omni, it’s magnificent” said G01-S01-PR-Patrec, unable to explain with words the vision of the spectacular tree.

“Do you think I should come down to the planet?” asked Omni.

“Do you have to ask?” answered G01-S02-DA-Daan with an additional tag of slight-naughtiness.

“Coming right away”.

While waiting, G01-S02-DA-Daan thought she could get a closer view and maybe take some samples of the tree. She took some steps forward, but stopped suddenly when the firefly-lights shining on its stems changed its colour and blinking rate. It looked excited.

“Please, be extremely careful.” said G01-S01-PR-Patrec. “A scalded cat, fears the cold water.”

“You are such a romantic—” started saying G01-S02-DA-Daan but interrupted herself when the stems that conformed the trunk of the tree lift its scales up, horizontally. The image was strangely uneasy. The tree, big as it was, looked fierce, angry, unhappy. The colour of its pulsating lights darkened, and its pulsating rate intensified. G01-S02-DA-Daan undid her steps without losing the tree of sight.

With a snap movement, the stems of the tree split, multiple arms waving slowly smelling the air. Was that a sign of conscience or just it was an automatic reaction, wandered G01-S01-PR-Patrec. And without notice, the whole trunk, stems and top, got thinner in just a tenth of a cycle and disappeared, swallowed by the ground.

 

When Omni arrived to the coordinates, found G01-S02-DA-Daan and G01-S01-PR-Patrec scanning the area. They gathered all sort of readings, some superfluous, some key to consolidate a theory. It took seven full planet days to confirm their hypothesis. Apparently, the tree reappeared every three days, growing splendidly in several cycles, sort of rebirthing, sumptuous, impressive, huge. After a day, it quickly withered and died being eaten by the planet. 

To be continued…

Last poll results

●●●●●●●●●● 100 % 1. Find out about the tree

○○○○○○○○○○ 00 % 2. The tree will be a mystery forever

○○○○○○○○○○ 00 % 3. External danger

○○○○○○○○○○ 00% 4. Something unexpected