Astronomicon: Behemoth

Chapter 22 - Mystery Device

"Ultimately, the fruit should be perfectly safe to eat," Isa reported cheerfully. "There are no compounds present that are in any way toxic to humans and it should taste sweet too. Of course, the only way to be absolutely sure is for someone to try it out."

Five of them, Megan, Aron, Isa, Santiago and Walter, were gathered in the briefing room immediately after breakfast. Megan wanted to work out the best approach for the challenges they faced and was keen to solve the problems as quickly as possible.

"There are no more tests you can perform on it?" asked Megan.

"Not without much more specific equipment and an expert in fruit biology."

"We need a fruitologist!" laughed Aron.

Santiago laughed too at Aron's comment, but Walter and Isa did not react. Megan lifted herself up onto the counter and sat facing the others. She hesitated for a moment before speaking again.

"I guess we'll have to sort out a volunteer for that. Being able to supplement our food supplies with this fruit will improve our situation. While we're on the subject of eating, Santiago, how is Walter doing after his gel incident?"

"It's difficult to be completely sure, but there are no measurable ill effects at all. I would have expected any short-term effects to show up by now."

"How do you feel, Walter?" she asked turning to him.

"Fine, Commander," he replied confidently, "And I still think it's the best tasting stuff around here."

"You're sure you're not feeling any side-effects at all?"

"I'm as good as I've ever been," he replied.

"There's nothing in the gel that is toxic or would, in any way I can detect, contaminate him," Santiago added.

"Didn't you say that the gel was altering its structure? Is that still going on?" asked Megan.

"No," Santiago shook his head, "It's been stable for a good twenty-four hours now. I know it sounds crazy but I think that when it first came into contact with us, it rapidly adapted to suit us. Once it achieved that, it's remained unchanged."

"So, you're convinced it's safe now?" she pushed.

"More than safe. It has a range of suitable proteins and sugars; if anything, it could be another supply of food."

"And it tastes great," reminded Walter.

"Okay, well, keep him under observation."

"Yes, Commander. I've got him wearing a monitoring pack anyway and I'll keep up the morning and evening checks until you say otherwise."

"Maybe I should eat more of it while Santiago is keeping an eye on me, Commander?" Walter suggested, "It could also help the food situation?"

"You're volunteering to be a guinea pig?" she smiled.

"Yes, Commander, and while we're on the subject of volunteering, is there any chance I could go along on one of the expeditions? I've barely been off the ship since we landed."

"Do you have any objections to that, Santiago?"

"No, Megan. As far as I can tell, he's fit for duty."

"In that case, Walter, we'll bring you along on the next expedition. But I'm not ready to let you eat more gel, not yet."

"Thank you, Commander."

"The last item on the agenda is this hologram crystal," she pointed at the forty-centimetre tall crystal standing on the counter beside her, "Have you made any progress with this, Aron?"