Chapter 174 - Exploration - VI (2/2)

Robert had seen guts and worked on both human and animals before, but not like this. Under his cousin instructions he had to pull out the intestines and use them to tie up the beasts which make him puke a couple of times. Balthazar used this time to get a log which could be used as a handle to move around the pile of meat.

”You could have had a few more pieces of wood for weight instead of this gross thing, you know,” said Robert feeling queasy to tie up the things.

”It is not just useful as a weight. If we just wanted a weight of couple of the beasts would do. I wouldn't make you tie up more than 5 would I?” asked Balthazar shaking his head. ”Meat is heavy but soft when compared to the woods here. Even the bones of these beasts wouldn't be as hard as they are not native to higher gravity environment. So, in case, an explosion happens due to a hidden mine. These will cushion it effect better with meat.”

”Wow. You were really thinking this through,” said Robert who half-suspected that his cousin was just playing around with him.

”Ya. Not really. Just practice. Any padding against explosions should be hard to breach and if broken or affected by the explosion, it shouldn't get brittle and end up causing more damage. Our suits are quite sturdy, and I can't see anything tougher here. So, choose to go with something that would dampen it instead. Remember this, based on the situation always find some decent cover when dealing with explosions,” said Balthazar explaining to Robert about the precaution to take while one circ.u.mvents explosive devices.

”You know this is more like a training session where I am the trainee and you are the trainer than a joint trail for the both of us,” remarked Robert.

”It is not. But I am sure that I can arrange a better training session if you want. I can even get you to see the training that the military conducts. You can be a personal guest of mine,” said Balthazar.

”No. No. I am getting tired of an impromptu one. You honestly think, I would ask for a planned training session with you,” said Robert rolling his eyes.

”Fine. The offer is always open. Might be a good thing to see, once you are an elder. But let us get on with the work at hand,” said Balthazar as they formed a temporary makeshift appliance to make sure that the path he could see through his suits sensor was safe. Luckily, there was no issue and they managed to get through the mines.

A stretch of vegetation and trees followed after that at the end of which there was a mesh. It had a bunch of creepers growing on it which made it seem like the place wasn't really under upkeep for some time.

”I guess we are near the main place,” said Robert as he noticed it at the end of the land.

”It looks like that. The system shows no mines in this area at all. I guess we can trust it, since we managed through those,” said Balthazar pointing behind him.

”But you still want to move that pile of beast ahead of you, just to be sure. Right?”

”Well, I am glad that we are of the same opinion cousin. Why don't you move it this time,” said Balthazar handling him over the log to whose opposite end the pile of beasts was tied on.

”That's unnecessary,” said Robert. ”Your paranoid.”

”The same way you are paranoid and are fixated on training?”

”That is different.”

”No, it is not. It is the same. That was just a person trying to kill you personally because he didn't have enough time to make a plan. Else, it would be a bomb or poison or some other tool for that purpose,” said Balthazar. ”You won't be able experience this in a safe environment again. It would be hard once you become an elder. Make use of it.”

”You know, you are awful preachy about this stuff,” said Robert as he took the handle and the pair of them went towards the mesh. Balthazar kept mapping the terrain till they reached the mesh, but found nothing different. The mesh was about 7 feet high and spread along the entire width of the valley and went into the two hills on either side.

”You sure there is nothing here?” asked Robert. ”Check again.”

”I did already. Let us cross over this thing. There is a gate about 30 feet to the left,” said Balthazar as he pulled out a piece of meat from the pile that they were carrying and threw it on the mesh. There was no reaction to the event.

”No electricity running through it,” said Robert as he pulled up the piece of meat. ”It would at least sizzle if a current capable of harming the suit is passing through.”

Balthazar moved to the place where the gate was supposed to be on the mesh and kicked forward opening the gate. He was about to enter the place when a couple of voices sounded in his suit.

”Wait for a minute. We are joining you,” said Lucius as he and Richard ran to join them. The pair of them managed to catch up to Balthazar and Richard when they were making poisonous bait for the Boredrevers but stayed a decent distance away from them after activating the stealth feature of their suits.

Lucius words had both Robert and Balthazar a bit tensed. Balthazar immediately went to the conclusion that something happened again, or they have found trail of someone else on the planet.

”What's wrong?” asked Balthazar through his comms.

”Just stay put. We are coming,” replied Richard.