After the colonel's announcement, we head to where the teams are being formed. I approach Marc, Ambrose and Darcy, my traveling companions.
-Does that tell you that we're forming a team?, Marc offers us
-Good idea, said Ambrose
-I'm up for it, Darcy said simply.
-Yeah leaving too, I replied
An officer directs us to a small room where we wait with other recruits. A few minutes later, two new people joined us. One of them is a man in his forties, with salt-and-pepper hair and thick glasses. He wears a white coat and a badge reading "Dr. Laurent, Botanist".
-Hello everyone, he said with a kind smile. "I am Dr. Laurent. I have spent years studying alien flora, and I will be your expert botanist on this mission."
The other person is a sturdy woman, with a confident attitude and visible scars on her arms. She wears a military suit and a badge reading "Captain Moreau, Experienced Guide".
"Captain Moreau," she introduces herself in a firm voice. "I am your guide. I have already carried out several missions on Rka. My role is to keep you alive and help you navigate this hostile planet."
We exchange quick greetings, then Captain Moreau takes the lead.
-Follow me, I'll show you your quarters
We walk through a maze of corridors until we arrive at a building reserved for mission teams. Our quarters are modest but functional, equipped with bunk beds, wardrobes and a common space for briefings.
Once settled, Dr. Laurent begins to explain to us the specifics of the plants we need to look for. He takes out a portable hologram and projects images of the three plants.
"The paradise plant," he begins, pointing to a plant with dazzling rainbow-colored flowers, "is extremely beautiful, but it is also very toxic. Its spores can cause hallucinations and paralysis if left are inhaled."
He then moves on to a strange plant, with horn-like growths. "The six-horned corpse. This plant is carnivorous. It uses its 'horns' to capture and digest its prey. Be very careful when handling it."
Finally, it shows a dark plant with blood-red flowers. "The twilight poisonous. Its thorns contain a deadly poison. It only flowers at nightfall, hence its name."
Captain Moreau intervenes.
-Remember the colonel's rules. The more beautiful it is, the more dangerous it is. Never show fear. And above all, be wary of your surroundings. Rka is unpredictable.
I look at my companions. Marc seems focused, Ambrose listens attentively, and Darcy takes notes. I suddenly feel like I'm out of place, I'm weak and in my entire life I've almost never done anything dangerous.
No, I don't have to think like, I thought, I have to hold on
"Good," said Captain Moreau. "Take advantage of this week to train and prepare yourself mentally. We will leave in seven days."
This week goes by in a flash. Between intensive training sessions and theoretical lessons on Rka's flora, we learn to work together. We develop a camaraderie, a solidarity essential for our survival.
The day of departure finally arrives. We put on our special suits, equipped with respirators and protection against the hostile elements of Rka. We take our backpacks filled with scientific and survival equipment, and we head towards the ship waiting for us on the track.
As I board, I take one last look at my companions. We are ready to face the unknown, together. The ship takes off, and we plunge into the immensity of space, towards an adventure that will change our lives forever.