The Box and Beyond.

  Chapter 5.

  It was now week two, and astonishing progress had been achieved in the realm of tools and

  technology within the alien settlement. A significant breakthrough occurred during this period

  when they stumbled upon abundant reserves of metals. This discovery marked a turning point,

  triggering a remarkable enhancement in the quality and efficiency of their tools. The newfound

  availability of metals sparked a wave of innovation, resulting in the development of more

  intricate tools and even basic appliances. These advancements propelled the settlement

  forward, transforming it into a vibrant hub reminiscent of bustling towns depicted in classic

  Western movies.

  However, as people gravitated towards the areas where the leaders resided, a form of

  segregation began to take hold.

  While the construction of the marketplace was still underway, the settlement started exuding

  an energetic and lively atmosphere. People eagerly utilized any metal resources they could

  find, either to trade or to fashion various items. Witnessing the remarkable craftsmanship of the

  settlers, the leaders approached Seat Number 14 and his colleagues with a special request to

  create tokens that would serve as a currency. These tokens held intrinsic value within the

  community, representing a meal from the cafe or a unit of hydration fluid.

  In total, a grand sum of 20,000 tokens was meticulously produced, placing a cap on the

  available supply. However, only 18,000 tokens were distributed, with each individual receiving a

  modest allocation of six tokens. This ingenious system facilitated the exchange of goods and

  services, nurturing a sense of commerce and trade within the settlement. Moreover, it ensured

  equitable distribution of resources among all residents, fostering an environment of fairness

  and cooperation.

  It was now day five of week two, and the big M three O meeting was soon approaching, and

  Joe was finally ready to bring his program to the table. Just as they were going over their

  different battle and hunting formations, an uproar of excitement and joy engulfed the eastern

  side of the settlement. The sound of applause and jubilant chants reverberated through the

  bustling field, and from a distance, you could see the crowd growing in size and enthusiasm.

  "Hooray! Welcome back! Quickly, get them some help! Hooray, welcome back!”

  Joe: What in the world is going on down there?

  Magnus: Sir Joe, I think three guys went into the forest and got attacked. Right now, they are

  being rushed over to Harry men and Doctor Webber to get treated by the owl lovers.

  Harry: “Shit! Thats my signal to leave.”

  Joe: Someone broke the restriction rule? And why are they celebrating the rule-breakers? Get

  their asses over here to me now! Something doesn't seem right here. Make sure to bring them

  to the Law enforcement office building. I'll gather the other Generals and prepare those rule

  breakers' process of banishment.

  Magnus: Sir, yes, sir. Should I take the birds with me?

  Joe: If you're talking about your team, then no. You and your pet should be enough to handle

  things if it comes down to that. No need to bring the others into this. Lady Vee wouldn'tappreciate the hostility the five of you would bring into her zone, and to prevent a conflict

  within the council, it's best that we play it cool. We don't want this to affect the program we've

  been putting together for the last eight days.

  When Magnus got over to the health research building where he was tasked to bring in the

  three rule breakers, Harry came out to him, informing him that his soon-to-be captives were

  under temporary quarantine for the day.

  When he finally got to see them after a day had passed, Magnus saw their haggard faces and

  instantly went on full alert and was sure to hide his expression from them. Just from a glance,

  he could tell that these men were dangerous, and he could tell that they had seen some things,

  but he was also impressed that they made it back and couldn't wait to bring them to the

  generals to hear the account of their unsanctioned ventured.

  Upon entering the Law enforcement office, Magnus announced his arrival as his captives

  followed him in a single file. There, the four of them met three persons sitting on a long, hard

  wooden bench and another standing off to the side. Before Magnus could introduce them, a

  man stood up among the three and introduced himself as Big Daddy Joe and began

  addressing Mr Major, asking him to give a report and a reason for disobeying the established

  rules. With all the formalities, Mr Major responded by saying, "Sorry, sir, I'm not the team

  leader. Therefore, it is not my place.”

  Joe: What the fuck do you mean the team? Did you really put together a plan to break the

  rules? Wasn't this a desperate attempt for adventure or something corny like that?

  As Timmon stepped forward, General Gemski screamed with amazement and surprise.

  Gemski: Yo! I thought that was you! You're fucking alive!? This moment feels so unreal I could

  kick a horse. I said see you in a hot 16! That didn’t mean days bro!

  Joe: Huh? Do you know these people? And that's not a known saying. Stop taking the

  seriousness out of this situation.

  Gemski: This is team Uno! What day is it? Day 13? Day 14? Whatever! I can not believe that

  they are still alive! Get your asses over here, you three. Are the other guys still with harry?

  Their was a silence in the from before lady Vee started talking.

  Lady Vee: My friend, wait just a minute you get any closer to them. What if these three aren't

  who we think they are? And their silence don’t mean nothing to me. Are your other little friends

  dead or are they hiding around wait for a signal? do we have an eye on the other two men if

  they ain’t with Harry? It’s Weird that they came back but not the other two. We should first get

  their account as to what happened over the past 12 days and also the where about of the other

  two teammates. And why the fuck are they not detained? I would feel a lot better knowing that

  they were locked away while we question them.

  Gemski: What do you mean? Who could they be? You don't think they are aliens or something,

  right? Why would the aliens only send three back and not all five or just one? To make the

  deception believable?

  Lady Vee: I don't know. We should be careful is all I’m saying. We've seen the kinds of things

  that are out there. We know it's difficult to stay safe or alive in the forest. That may be why they

  only sent three of them back.

  Joe: Stop all the pointless worrying. They spent a day in quarantine under Webber and Harry's

  observation in your zone, Lady Vee. If those two and their team could not figure out if these

  men are humans or not, then we deserve to die here by their hands. Survival of the fittest, youmore than anymore show know to respect the laws on nature the same one your God put in

  place.

  Lady Vee: Don’t go bringing my God into this for your own benefit, This kinda thing could be

  simple for aliens! Their technology is far superior to our own understanding. Maybe the medical

  professionals can't find what they weren't looking for! But I understand what you're saying.

  Just know that if these three persons are ever caught snooping in my area, or doing something

  suspicious pray to the most high that I'm not around to balance this wrong on behalf of the

  human race and i will be keep tabs on them.

  Gemski: Listen to me. The fact that these three men managed to come back in one piece

  means that they are humanity's biggest advancement. These three being back will set the new

  direction in which we need to go. Look at their sturdy faces. Besides looking like their genetic

  makeup was part stone, you can clearly tell that they are chiselled with survival experience.

  Joe: Alright cut all the noise. It’s time we talked about some real shit. I thought rules were

  broken, and I still want to punish you guys but the people won’t like that since its a miracle you

  survived, blah, blah, blah, and I can't just sweep it under the rug. Surviver or not. However

  letting the people know that its moderately safe to venture out into the forest right after

  imploring the restriction would be detrimental to the plans we generals have in store to protect

  and provide for the people of the green.

  But before we dive into what's gonna happen next, let's lay it all out on the table.

  So, tell us about that forest we ain't supposed to set foot in till we’re strong enough? I want to

  know what we’re up against. Now, don't get me wrong, the punishment was from me getting

  bad information here and there, but you three don't need to worry. I ain't here to play judge or

  jury.

  With a sly undertone Gemski said, “Thats exactly what you are or else why bring them to a

  building called the law enforcement building ready for punishment?”

  Joe: Ignore that negative nansy. We all make choices, and sometimes those choices come with

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  consequences. Sadly, my choice made me look like a fool for jumping to conclusion, so I'll try

  to give you the floor to tell your series of events as best as you three can. It would be wise to

  wait for a later date but we already missed one day and we risk losing details of the accounts

  of things the longer we wait. So when your ready “Team Leader” you can start, the floor is

  yours.

  (Reports were given by Team UNO)

  It took some time, but Timmon was able to condense their survival ordeal. However, during

  Timmon's monologue, Lady Vee caught sight of the goat carrying the perfectly shaped box

  they found. A mischievous glint sparkled in her eyes. She couldn't help but imagine the

  delectable taste of a savoury goat dish, so much so that her facial expression betrayed her

  thoughts.

  With a sly smile, she glanced at the goat, imagining it out in the wild and whispered to herself,

  "Look at that tasty cutie. It's so delicious I would kill to have a taste." As the words left her

  mouth in a whisper, Lady Vee was shocked. How dear she lust in this way? To take a life under

  these circumstances! This wasn’t the natural way. This wasn’t Gods way. With that realization

  she started chanting a prayer to herself, "Balance is one. All life matters. Life for a life. Knife for

  the thief. Death is nothing, and nothing is all. To protect His peace is to protect his life."

  Lady Vee's desires, for the most part, remained confined within her thoughts. She knew that

  indulging in such cravings would not only be morally questionable to her God but also disruptthe harmony of nature in this disrespectful environment. Thus, she quickly re-focused her

  attention on Timmon's monologue and recognized that the goat played a big part in their return

  and the significance of the box within the narrative. Right then and there, she decided to

  appreciate that animal's presence for its symbolic value of that team's willingness to find a way

  rather than its culinary potential, She was determined to maintain her composure and respect

  the sanctity of the moment as she zoned back into the conversation.

  Ben, who was standing the closest to the goat, saw a familiar look in Lady Vee's eyes, a look

  that showed a need to consume and devour absolutely. It was the same look he had been

  giving to Lady Vee the entire report. As he watched, disgust filled her eyes as she muttered to

  herself, and at that moment, she switched her gaze.

  Ben noticed that her eyes were now focused on the goat's back and quickly grabbed the box

  and placed it on the ground in front of the Generals.

  As they closely scrutinized the box while running their fingers against its surface, they could

  see and feel the alien-like symbols carved into it.

  Joe, with a shocked expression on his face, said: What the hell? Is it just me, or does those

  three characters on the box look like K E Y?"

  As the Generals all looked over at Team Uno, everyone in the room was amazed to find words

  from Earth inscribed onto the box. The commotion inside the law office caught the attention of

  persons on the outside, who only came around to hear team Uno's ordeal and potentially earn

  a token or two for fulfilling any urgent or meticulous task the generals needed to be done within

  the moment.

  Gemski's heart raced with excitement as he squatted down next to the mysterious box, his

  fingers trembling with anticipation. Carefully tracing his hand along the surface, he felt the

  etchings of the Earth-like words and symbols, their significance gradually dawning on him. The

  room fell silent, each member of the group captivated by Gemski's contemplation. Without

  taking his eyes off the box, he calmly asked, "What are the chances those Earth-like words or

  symbols carried the same meaning as words on Earth?" The room stayed quiet.

  Lady Vee's sharp intellect and Mr Major's astute perception allowed them to grasp the

  implications of Gemski's observation swiftly. It wasn't merely a solitary Earth word adorning the

  box; there were multiple. This revelation sparked a flicker of hope within them, suggesting the

  tantalizing possibility that further connections to Earth might await discovery. Their minds

  whirred with excitement, envisioning a trove of knowledge and understanding that could be

  unlocked.

  With a calm determination, Gemski rose from his squat and made his way towards the door. He

  exchanged a fleeting glance with Lady Vee and Mr Major, silently communicating his intentions

  to call for assistance. As he approached a woman standing just outside of the building, their

  eyes met briefly, as she ran over toward him.

  Gemski whispered something to the woman in hushed tones, his words carrying a sense of

  urgency. Instantly comprehending the gravity of the situation, she nodded, her eyes reflecting a

  mix of curiosity and determination. Without wasting a moment, she swiftly turned and

  disappeared through the doorway, her footsteps echoing faintly in the distance joined by others

  who was going to help her fulfill the task.

  The room held its collective breath, enveloped in an air of anticipation. Lady Vee and Mr Major

  exchanged a look, their minds teaming with questions. What had Gemski asked of the woman?

  Where was she going?

  As time ticked away, the room remained suspended in a mixture of eager anticipation and

  patient restraint. The group understood that the answers they sought could lie just beyond the

  door, carried by the woman who had now become an emissary of their collective curiosity.

  They waited, their hearts yearning for the promised revelations that may reshape their

  understanding of the world around them.

  Shortly thereafter, a breathless man burst into the room, simultaneously panting for air and

  shouting.Vest: Hold Up! WHAT DO WE HAVE HERE? Why wasn't I Called to this FUCKING PARTY? I

  know this isn't the M three O meeting, but you could have at least called seats 5,14,19 and 20.

  One of Jewel's people had to come to tell me that this was happening. Seat 16's

  communication network shouldn't have to be the way I find out about this interrogation or the

  discovery of this mystery box!

  Gemski: Listen to me, Vest. Would you like to be summoned and informed for every and all

  crimes, or would you like to be a part of dishing out all punishments within the settlement? I

  just sent the word out with a messenger to get you and a few others. The Reason you knew

  this was going on is because my message got to you first. Are. You. Dumb. or are you Stupid?

  Calm down and think for a second.

  Vest: Okay, alright, I hear what you're saying, and I don't want to be a part of your stupid

  punishment committee or whatever this law office is about. Just run me the information, and I'll

  let you know if anything is useful to me and my engineers. You three might have to repeat this

  telling of events again with seat number 20, but they just managed to create paper, and I heard

  today they had pens, so there will be a record of humanities first expedition, and you three will

  definitely be remembered for all of human existence.

  After team Uno, for the second time, gave their story. Vest was excited to venture out into the

  forest himself but got a sharp glare from Joe, who was feeling off about the way they told the

  story the second time. Once Vest heard all that they had to say, he sat on the floor and thought

  in silence for a few seconds and said:

  "The ongoing collaboration between our zone, Lady Vee's associates, and Joe's skilled testers

  is proving fruitful. The resources at our disposal and the ideas we've been developing are set to

  enhance the settlement significantly within the coming month. The information is useful, yes,

  but we have surpassed that level of information. The existence of those creatures is new

  information, and the safe zones are also something new, but the box is the big news, and I

  would like to touch it in all the places that I shouldn't."

  Joe: I know it's not the M three-O yet, Vest, but I would like you to give us an idea of how the

  information team uno brought back could be helpful to the current advancement being

  developed.

  Vest: Our work is absolutely captivating! Let's delve into the fascinating world of carbon trees

  the same type that you also came across in your report. We've made a groundbreaking

  revelation. It turns out when these trees reach a specific thickness, they exhibit a unique

  behaviour—they snap at the base. However, the wonder doesn't end there! In a truly

  remarkable display of resilience, most of these trees spring back up from their trunks after the

  snapping event. This intriguing behaviour has inspired our engineers to theorize experiments to

  applying gradual force to the trees, which might lead to exciting advancements in creating

  carbon tools, weapons and maybe structures. And from the recent update from the generals

  exploration we also learned that Bab Stars feed on the fallen logs of the carbon tree and are

  responsible as to why there isn’t much fallen trees within the forest.

  Now, let's turn our attention to the astonishing jell plants—the epitome of versatility and

  innovation. These captivating organisms possess an exceptional ability to absorb and extract

  mineral resources with unparalleled efficiency. The potential applications are truly awe-

  inspiring. During your recent return, we made an intriguing discovery. Unbeknownst to you, the

  gel plants you had on your person were actually feeding on you. Something I’m sure Harry

  must have mentioned to you. Their efficient extraction of water and minerals from your body is

  an astounding phenomenon, and fortunately, the species you encountered were not hazardous.

  If those plants were the iron gel version, your bones and blood would have been done for.

  This next segment is going to tell you about the versatility of these plants that I mentioned

  earlier.

  In our settlement's fields, we've planted a multitude of gel plants, which have proven to be

  highly effective mineral miners. By providing them with the materials we've discovered, these

  remarkable plants autonomously seek out and extract whatever resources they require. Initially,

  we utilized them for iron extraction, but our exploration into the forest led us to an even more

  astonishing find—a steel tree. Though the mechanisms behind its growth and functionalityremain mysterious, the sheer marvel of this planet's offerings leaves us in awe. Even the

  ground around them is richer than the already rich soil around the settlement, but for some

  reason, no plants within 30 meters of the steel tree grows.

  Now, I hope you guys are listening. This part is a little wild. The forest bugs have also gifted us

  a profound discovery. Its blood and stomach fluid have been revealed to possess remarkable

  properties that significantly accelerate the production and growth of plants—a true mineral

  mining boon.

  Another remarkable finding is the presence of petrifying gas. This gas presents itself as an

  exciting resource with myriad applications. We envision its potential for trapping animals on

  some Pokémon shit, or even serving as an ultimate defensive tool. However, we face the

  thrilling challenge of adapting the gel plants to interact effectively with this unique gas.

  Our progress in material production has been nothing short of exhilarating, which resulted in an

  abundance of weapons, tools, and accessories that greatly enhanced our capabilities. There is

  a skilled but forgettable man named Mr Sodium who is particularly enthralled with the wealth of

  high-end pure minerals we've come across for him to test and work with.

  As explorations continued, we encountered an ever-varying array of creatures in the forest, just

  like you did Team Uno. Some remain elusive, defying our efforts to capture and study them.

  Truly comprehending their nature and behaviour demands direct observation in their natural

  habitat—a captivating and deeply enthralling pursuit.

  Ben: Oh? I've listened, but I haven't heard you mention anything about the Flame Bird, Horn

  Bears, Snake Heads, Spunnies, Wolves or those fucking trees from our report! Our time in the

  forest led us to encounter fascinating fauna. Among our encounters, that bird we discovered

  with explosive blood—a spectacle of awe and intrigue. This avian marvel displays an

  extraordinary reaction when in contact with H2O. It could be to any foreign fluid, but to be

  honest, we don't know as of yet, but it unleashes an explosive phenomenon. Additionally, no

  one is talking about our encounter with the Snider, and its exceptionally robust legs that hold

  tremendous potential for weapon development. The thrill of these discoveries and the potential

  to craft things from their life essence is clearly far beyond what this Vest person can imagine.

  Who placed him in charge of development? He seem like the type to ponder on the past and

  not the precent or the future.

  Vest: LISTEN MR.! You don't know me and the work that I've been doing here. We have

  acquired steel in this premature world and found a clear way to extract it by the ounce!

  Ben: Fucking steel? Ha! Don't make me laugh. I guess I can't blame you for thinking that would

  be enough. Maybe we did a bad job at telling you how dangerous it was for us, or maybe we

  just overestimated the snake. If stabbing it in the eyes or one of its unguarded orifice is your

  plan, then I guess it will be easy.

  Annoyed at what Vest was saying, Ben took the lead in sharing the behaviour of the animals he

  analyzed and the unique properties of the plants he had encountered. With a scientific zeal, he

  meticulously broke down his findings and developed theories on how these natural elements

  could be harnessed to advance various scientific disciplines.

  Concurrently, Mr. Major's focus was on the landscape of the forest, specifically the

  mountainous crater walls and the intricate cave systems. He highlighted the potential dangers

  posed by the environment's flora and fauna to the human race. His discussion centred around

  understanding the various hazards and challenges that the settlement's inhabitants might face

  as they continue their exploration, expansion and development of the region.

  On the other hand, General Joe was captivated by what he heard of Timmon's exceptional

  leadership skills. Yes, he may have started off rocky, but Joe could recognize that such

  qualities were crucial for any competent soldier.

  The Generals saw an opportune moment to leverage Timmon's team's survival experience and

  insights. They believed that now was the perfect time to initiate preparations to mould their

  people into well-rounded individuals—proficient in various skills, not limited by a single area of

  expertise, but adaptable and versatile in all aspects. It wasn't any secret that Joe was

  gathering skilled fighters and survivalists among the settlement to help him with his program,

  but he knew that Team Uno was the final piece he was missing, and not just the team but thathealthy piece of specimen known as Mr Major, he for sure had skills and judgement plus from

  the look in his eye, he was also brimming with strong fighting spirit and experience to survive.

  That man had what it took to get everyone back home, along with the team Joe had managed

  to put together.

  Amidst the discussions, Lady Vee listened intently to the perspectives of her companions.

  While she acknowledged that the discussions and decisions made seemed appropriate, she

  couldn't shake the feeling that they might be underestimating the significance of the

  mysterious box and its potential implications. They were, after all, on an alien planet,

  surrounded by carnivorous insects, plants, and animals, situated in what appeared to be a

  dormant volcano at high altitudes. Lady Vee pointed out the enigmatic nature of the box,

  clearly of machined origin, and expressed concern about the possibility of a functioning alien

  civilization existing beyond their current confines—an intelligence that could impact their

  journey to return home.

  Joe: Alien Shmalien, who gives a fuck? We just need data on the land and its inhabitance.

  Those native animals are the only aliens I care about.

  Lady Vee: Joe, keep your thoughts to yourself. Your words are making us look bad.

  Gemski: What she said, you fool.

  Joe: Let's worry about the problem at hand. If we start thinking about the second coming, or

  Ragnar?k, everything will be lost. If we prepare ourselves here just to end up sitting around

  waiting for something that we don't know or wait around for something that might not even

  come, we risk dying without even trying.

  Gemski: Wow, I would like to apologize for calling you a fooly cunt earlier.

  Joe: Wait, what? You didn't say that?

  Lady Vee: Listen, Joe doesn't care what happens beyond the crater's walls if there happens to

  be an enemy out there.

  Listen to this and tell me how this sounds since you men clearly can't see or understand our

  predicament. Imagine looking out over your backyard and you see some rats sneaking into

  your backyard, and upon getting there, they find a shiny dormant rat trap. Do you think the rats

  are making the assumption that they are alone and that the owners of the backyard have no

  idea they exist, let alone in the backyard? The rats know and are cautious, and they move,

  knowing that a few may die, but some will survive. Joe's dumb ass thinks that as long as these

  aliens can't detect us, we might have enough time to prepare for a future war by gathering

  resources and intel and expanding our reach and influence across the lands. THESE FUCKING

  CREATURES MANAGED TO PULL ME OFF MY MAN'S DICK INTO DEEP SPACE AND DROP

  ME IN THE MIDDLE OF A FOREST WITH SOME FUCKING RETARDS!

  It was clear that Joe's dismissive response and the brushing off of the concerns about

  potential alien encounters by others drew disapproval from Gemski and the others in the room.

  While they understood the importance of focusing on immediate challenges, they believed it

  prudent to consider the larger picture.

  Gemski apologized for his earlier remark and emphasized the need to be cautious about

  overlooking potential threats, all while pacing back and forth in the room. His excitement was

  palpable as he presented the astounding facts to everyone in the know already.

  Mere weeks ago, humanity had inexplicably teleported to an M-class planet, only to stumble

  upon a machined box adorned with a thousand enigmatic symbols. What's more intriguing

  was that six of these symbols to the knowing eye appeared to be of earthly origin, each

  represented in six different languages. This perplexing discovery will definitely lead to some

  intriguing possibilities in the future, and we may learn if the alien creators were observing

  humanity from afar or if this entire planetary experience is an elaborate study of our species

  and other life forms.

  Lady Vee added her thoughts to the mix, suggesting an alternative perspective. Could this be

  the work of a higher power, perhaps even a divine force, rewarding humanity with a new planet

  as a testament to our progress and potential? The very idea sent shivers of wonder and awe

  through her body.Gemski: Whatever our next move is, humanity has come upon its first turning point on the 13th

  day of the 1st month in this first new year. Let it be known when Aki comes that everything

  discussed should be recorded. Actually, where the hell is he? and the other seat members I

  sent for? I'm a general! Why isn't none of them here yet? Do they not respect me around here

  or do I not have patience?