Howlite (English ver.)

Chapter VI - Stubborn Colony: Part 2

     When they reached the ship, the two amethysts seemed as frightened as a gem about to be shattered.

– Hey! Hey! Hey! What happened? - Opal asked.

–We don't... know.

– What do you mean 'you don't know'? Where's the rest of your team?

– That's what we don't know! We were all together finishing the research in one of the continent's areas when we heard a 'puff.' Our amazonite just disappeared so we split up to look for her, but we couldn't find her gem anywhere.

– And the other 3 amethysts? Where are they?

– We don't know that either. While we were looking for the amazonite, we heard them puff, but there was no sign of their gems.

– And the exploration data, do you have it?

– Yes. It's right here on amazonite's viewer, it's all we found of her.

– Great, the mission will continue as normal.

– But, Opal, we don't know where they are. Shouldn't we look for them?

– No. I will contact Demantoid to request a replacement, and the mission will proceed as planned. Wait here until your new team arrives.

– But…

– No 'buts'. Wait here and be more careful on your next missions.

     While waiting for their Captain to request the replacement, the amethysts discussed anxiously among themselves what could have happened:

– It doesn't make sense. Something definitely puffed them.

– Indeed, it doesn't make sense. No specimen from that area was capable of puffing gems.

– But then how did this happen? And if so, why didn't we find the gems?

– Maybe they... hid from us?

– And why would they do that?

– I don't know, I'm not them.

     A few minutes later, Opal arrived with the new team:

– Amethysts, along with these Jaspers, you must escort the amazonite. Do not fail again.

– Yes, Opal!

     As soon as she finished introducing them (and threatening them), she handed a copy of the previously obtained data to the new amazonite and ordered them to continue the mission from where it had left off.

     Back in the field, the amethysts were apprehensive, afraid of being shattered if everything happened again.

     During the last five weeks of exploration and area review, there were another 7 replacements, all in different teams. Something was clearly wrong, but as there was no loss of data, the opals, along with Demantoid, decided to continue the mission as usual. "The colonization can't wait!" they said.