The swamp seemed endless, its humid and heavy air making each breath a challenge. After the encounter with the mastodon, Lyra knew she couldn't stay in this place for long. Her body was exhausted, and though her enhanced biology allowed her to endure more than an ordinary human, the hostile environment was a constant drain.
She adjusted her visor to filter the reddish glow of the horizon and observed the data Lugh projected directly into her retina. Among the priorities, two essential needs still stood out: drinking water and edible food.
"Lugh, any sign of water sources that aren't contaminated?" Lyra asked while continuing to walk through the mud. Her boots made a sticky sound with each step.
"So far, the only nearby body of water is the swamp we just crossed. However, my analysis indicates it's completely poisoned," Lugh replied. His tone carried a hint of apology, as if he regretted not being able to offer better alternatives. "The water contains toxins generated by the giant plants that inhabit it. Drinking it would be lethal, even for you."
"Perfect..." Lyra murmured. "And food? Anything that won't kill me at the first bite?"
"I've been analyzing the plants we've encountered. Most of the vegetation here contains toxic compounds or is highly fibrous, impossible for your system to digest. However..." Lugh paused, as if processing more data. "I've detected a small bush near the swamp. Its fruits contain a mix of basic carbohydrates and lipids that might be moderately edible. Their toxicity is low, but you should test them cautiously."
"Well, that's a start. Guide me to it," Lyra responded, quickening her pace as Lugh's holographic map projected in front of her, marking the location of the bush.
The path was tricky. Tree roots jutted out of the muddy water, and hand-sized insects seemed particularly interested in following her. Lyra ignored them, focused on moving forward as she kept watch of her surroundings. After walking through the treacherous terrain, she reached the bush Lugh had pointed out.
It was small and twisted, with dull green leaves and fruits that glowed with a translucent purple hue. Lyra bent down, observing it closely.
"Are you sure this won't kill me?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I've analyzed its chemical composition. It's not completely safe, but it's your best option for now. I suggest trying a minimal amount to check for any adverse reactions," Lugh said, his tone cold but practical.
Lyra took one of the fruits and carefully split it in two. The inside was soft and watery, with an aroma that vaguely reminded her of blueberries, but with a bitter twist. She took a deep breath before placing a piece in her mouth and chewed slowly.
"Well... it doesn't taste that bad," she said after a few seconds. "But it has an aftertaste like rusted metal."
"That's normal. The chemical composition includes traces of iron and other minerals. If you don't feel any adverse effects in the next five minutes, it should be safe to consume more," Lugh explained.
After confirming there were no concerning symptoms, Lyra collected several fruits and stashed them in her backpack. She then continued on her way. The conversation with Lugh turned to the planet's flora and fauna, as both tried to better understand the environment.
Finally, after walking several more kilometers, Lyra reached the entrance to a cave. It was a dark and cold place, with stalagmites rising like giant teeth from the ground. As she approached, her sensors detected something familiar.
"Lugh, are you seeing this?" Lyra asked, pointing toward the back of the cave.
"Yes, I detect the same mineral composition we found near the ship. It seems to be another fragment of the crystal you used to power the generator," Lugh replied.
Lyra entered the cave, her flashlight illuminating the walls covered in phosphorescent moss. In the center, a brilliant bluish crystal rose from the ground, similar to the one she had found before but larger in size. She crouched down to examine it while Lugh began analyzing its properties.
"This fragment has the potential to generate more energy than the previous one, but it's still not enough to launch the ship. With a quick estimate, it could reduce the recharge time to 150 years instead of 200. It's progress, but still insufficient for our immediate needs," Lugh explained.
Lyra sighed and sat on a nearby rock, rubbing her temples.
"Any ideas on how to make this faster? Because, honestly, 150 years isn't exactly encouraging," she said in frustration.
"There may be other, more powerful energy sources on this planet, but we'll need to explore further. It's likely that the remnants of the civilization we observed have answers," Lugh suggested.
Lyra nodded, though her mind was weary. She placed the crystal in her backpack and stood up. She had obtained some food and a bit of potential energy, but the road to survival on this planet still seemed terribly long.
Lyra began her return to the ship as the evening fell. The last rays of the sun, weak and orange, filtered through the twisted branches of the swamp's trees. The environment seemed more ominous as the light disappeared, as if the planet itself awaited darkness to reveal its true nature.
"Lugh, how much time until nightfall?" Lyra asked as she dodged a root that stuck out from the mud.
"Thirty-six minutes," Lugh replied. His hologram projected a countdown timer in her visor. "I recommend you hurry. The nocturnal creatures on this planet seem to be significantly more aggressive."
"Yeah, because the day here is already a paradise," Lyra replied sarcastically as she quickened her pace. "How's the solar charge on the ship?"
"Good news," Lugh said, trying to sound optimistic. "The solar panels have accumulated enough energy to activate the short-range radar. However, the communication system still doesn't have enough power to transmit a signal to the base. Given the current conditions, we would need at least two more sunny days to have the ability to send a clear message."
Lyra let out a sigh as she continued forward. The muddy ground made her progress difficult, but the thought of returning to the relative safety of the ship kept her moving.
"And if we manage to send the message, how likely is it that it will get through? Because this dark magic cursing the planet seems to interfere with everything," she said, eyeing the horizon with distrust.
"That's a valid concern," Lugh admitted. "The magical interference has a direct impact on the electronic systems. So far, we've identified that the energetic fluctuations from this magic create something like a chaotic electromagnetic field that affects signal transmission and radar stability."
"Great. A planet that not only wants to kill me physically, but technologically as well," Lyra commented, wiping the sweat from her forehead. "Do you have any ideas on how to deal with it?"
"I've been developing a possible solution," Lugh began. "We could use the environment's magic itself to create an isolation field around the ship. If we manage to stabilize a magical energy source strong enough, we could generate a counterfield to neutralize the interference."
Lyra stopped dead in her tracks and looked up at the sky, which was already starting to darken.
"And how exactly are we supposed to stabilize magic?" she asked, hands on her hips.
"That's the tricky part," replied Lugh. "We'll have to learn to control the magic of this world. That could mean studying the ancient remnants of the civilization we found earlier or even seeking out a magic source we can analyze."
Lyra shook her head as she resumed walking.
"Of course, because my life wasn't complicated enough," she muttered. "First, find drinking water, then deal with giant beasts, and now I'm supposed to become an expert in alien magic. Sounds like a foolproof plan."
Finally, Lyra arrived at the ship just as the sun completely disappeared. The atmosphere changed immediately; the air felt heavier, and the sounds of nocturnal creatures echoed in the distance. She closed the hatch behind her and dropped her backpack to the floor with a sigh.
"Well, at least I survived another day," she said, collapsing into one of the cabin's chairs.
"A considerable achievement, given the circumstances," Lugh remarked. "I suggest you rest. Tomorrow will be another day of exploration, and I plan to chart a deeper route into the territory."
"Don't tell me you have more good news," Lyra said sarcastically, pulling one of the fruits she had collected from the bush.
"Just a reminder: excessive consumption of that fruit could cause digestive discomfort," Lugh warned.
"Thanks, Mom," Lyra replied, biting into the fruit reluctantly. "You rest too... oh, wait, you can't."
The AI fell silent for a moment before responding:
"If I could, Lyra, I would probably choose not to. It fascinates me to observe your constant attempts at humor in dire situations."
She rolled her eyes and stood up.
"Goodnight, Lugh," she said, heading toward the resting area.
As Lyra settled into her bunk, the ship vibrated slightly, as if the planet itself was reminding her of its presence. Despite the danger and uncertainty, Lyra closed her eyes, mentally preparing for whatever the new day would bring.