8 Chapter 8 (2/2)
”What?But what about the killing poison this thing had?What about that?”
(THOSE TRAITS CAME FROM THE PLANT HOST, NOT THE ANIMAL SYMBIOTE.)
Symbiote? What was that?He definitely did not want to go plant if it meant he couldn't go back.But still, detecting vibrations sounded interesting.He would be able to know if something was under the ground, or sneaking up on him.
”Alright give me detect vibrations.”
(EVOLUTION INITIATED)
He glanced at the stick guy one last time, wondering if he should do something to thank it for all the help it gave him, but decided he needed to keep moving.
There was a rhythmic rumble in the ground, and he paused, to squat down and feel the ground.What was that?It was getting louder!Jumping up, he looked around, ready to sprint away from whatever new threat was about to present itself.The giant turtle creature broke through some trees off to the right of him and paused.It looked at him for a moment, then turned to sniff at the dead tree behind him.
(EVOLUTION COMPLETE)
Sneezing it turned away from the tree and started moving again.Dustin grinned.This was his opportunity to get a better genetic sample.Following it, he tried to figure out how he could cut it, get the sample, and get away.It moved slow, but he knew it could move fast when it wanted to.
A large group of very dense trees were growing together up ahead, and the turtle, knowing that it couldn't go between them, turned to go around.This was his chance!
Darting forward, for the tail again, he tried to cut the tip of the tail off by grabbing it and swiping with his knife.He cut his hand, but managed to get a small piece.There was no time for him to enjoy his reward, or even shove the thing into the port of his PED, as the turtle gave a screech that hurt his ears, and swung around faster than he was expecting.He scrambled towards the trees, dodging between them before it could bite him.Tripping, he fell down, and rolled over to see the turtle straining against the tree trunks, bite towards him with its sharp beak.This thing was out for blood!
Shoving the piece of meat into the port, he scuttled back as the first two tree trunks gave up the fight and began to bend and crack.
(GENETIC MATERIAL ACQUIRED.ANALYZING.)
A sound he wasn't familiar with, a soft hum or drone, became louder, as the turtle continued to strain against the trees.
(AVAILABLE EVOLUTION OPTIONS: PLATED SKIN, SCALED EYES, BEAK MOUTH.)
”Don't give me the mouth but initiate the others!” he cried, backing up even more.
The turtle seemed to noticed the sound now, it was almost a high-pitched whine.It settled down on the ground, its legs withdrawing into its shell, and it almost seemed to smirk at him as it drew its head in.
”Shit!That's never a good sign!”Climbing to his feet, the swarm of insects, hidden by the turtle's large bulk, came into sight.
”Oh, hell no!”He turned around and ran.He didn't care where he ran to, just as long as it was away from that mess.
(EVOLUTION COMPLETE)
He tripped.He tried to get up, but the swarm was upon him.Curling into a ball, Dustin screamed as they crawled all over him.