DOTM: Chapter 508/509

Chapter 508: First Day of Landing

Annette is a proper expert in biology and virology. When it comes to surveying a planet for substances harmful to humans, she probably has more authority than Star-Lord.

Led by Ethan, the first landing party stepped onto the Purple Star using teleportation magic.

Air tests concluded that the air on this planet was breathable, but neither Star-Lord nor Ethan was foolish enough to land without any protective gear.

All members put on their combat suits. Ethan also provided Gamora and Star-Lord with extra sets of his new-style suits.

This composite multi-functional suit can be used for combat or simply as a spacesuit.

In addition to the innermost layer of tight-fitting clothing, armor plates can be added to the outside, along with some special equipment, such as a small oxygen supply device. Although this device does not look large or heavy, it can guarantee twenty-four hours of oxygen consumption during strenuous activity.

At the same time, there is more than one oxygen cylinder in this small oxygen supply device, and they can be replaced very easily. Coupled with everyone having sufficiently large spatial items, it can be said that no one here needs to worry about oxygen issues.

Only Groot the tree-person did not change suits. According to Rocket Raccoon, Groot can adapt to most planetary environments and does not need protective gear at all.

Star-Lord really liked the gear he was wearing, especially the modular design that could be adjusted freely according to different situations, which perfectly suited his preferences.

"Aside from the all-black color, I think this suit is perfect."

"Black was chosen with night combat and infiltration in mind, making it easier to hide under the cover of night."

Star-Lord nodded. Black was not really a drawback. He just mentioned the color due to personal preference.

After fiddling with the suit for a while, although it did not have a helmet, the entire suit formed an energy layer that completely enveloped the head, so no helmet did not mean the head was unprotected.

At the same time, a holographic image was generated in front of his eyes, allowing the user to see the suit's various data and current status, and even some of the user's physical condition data.

This data was only visible to the user, similar to a projection onto the pupil. Ethan was not sure if this technology was science or magic. Maybe it was a hybrid.

Forcing himself to suppress the urge to continue studying it, Star-Lord tried hard to shift his attention back to the planet.

"Let's set up a temporary camp here first."

Their landing spot was on the plain between the purple ocean and the dense primeval forest. It was relatively open here, with nothing obstructing their view.

The milky white ground felt very soft underfoot. When they observed it from the sky, they thought it was a beach, but upon stepping on it, they discovered it was actually soil mixed with gravel.

Annette squatted down and fiddled for a while, pushing aside some of the gravel on the top layer to reveal softer soil underneath, which was still milky white.

"It's relatively open here, so if something suddenly appears, we can see it in time and react."

Everyone nodded in agreement. On an unfamiliar planet, safety was the most important thing.

Even Rocket Raccoon, who usually loved to argue with Star-Lord, did not raise any objections at this time. He walked around the open area, constantly surveying the forest not far away, thinking about how to set up defensive positions. Rocket Raccoon was very good at setting up various traps.

"Let's go, Groot. We will walk around the area first and set up some early warning devices."

Logan instinctively wanted to light up again, but after taking it out, he realized there was an energy layer around his head, and he was in a state of absolute isolation. Everyone's conversations were through the suit's external speakers or communication devices. At this moment, he could not smoke a cigar, so he had to put it back.

"I'll go with you."

Star-Lord and Annette were mainly responsible for surveying various data, Gamora was assisting Star-Lord, and Ethan had to constantly monitor everyone's situation and take them away in time if necessary.

Rocket Raccoon, Groot, and Logan came along as combat personnel.

Rocket Raccoon had extensive space adventure experience, Groot could adapt to almost any environment, and Logan had terrifying survival abilities. At the same time, the abundant vitality of this planet was suitable for him to utilize his increasingly powerful druidic abilities.

With these three, even if they encountered something, it probably would not be these few who would be unlucky.

As for Nebula? She was purely tagging along, or rather, assisting Ethan.

Of course, she was not actually there to fetch tea, pour water, or do odd jobs. For instance, right now, Ethan was asking Nebula about space travel knowledge. He also wanted to learn some theoretical knowledge about piloting various spacecraft.

Although spacecraft built by different civilizations have many differences, some things are generally universal, especially today when the major civilizations in the Milky Way have become familiar with each other, and many things have fixed standards. So even for a spacecraft they had never encountered before, some veterans could figure out how to operate it with a little study.

"This is a completely different universe from mine, maybe with entirely different rules?"

Plus, the spaceship Ethan was planning to retrieve was from another universe, and she did not know what its operating system would be like.

"Then tell me about things other than piloting."

Operational aspects were difficult to teach, but some knowledge about space navigation was universal.

Due to Nebula's unique physical nature, she could not only explain verbally but also use various visual demonstrations. A cyborg body could display holographic images, which allowed Ethan to better grasp this completely unfamiliar new knowledge.

While Ethan was learning new things, Annette was busy taking samples from the ground, nearby plants, and the sea. Then she took out a simple workbench from her storage space and began testing them one by one.

Logan and Rocket Raccoon had also returned after a large circuit. They had set up some simple early warning devices and traps nearby. Although they had not seen any signs of life during their tour, and Logan had not sensed any creatures nearby, they did not feel their actions were unnecessary.

Even Logan, who had never experienced space adventures, was a veteran with rich experience and understood that survival often depended on being more careful and cautious than others, although most of the time he relied on his immortality.

Star-Lord also took out detection equipment and collected various data. Based on the data obtained so far, this planet was a very good habitable planet. Annette's tests even showed that the composition of the purple sea was water containing various nutrients.

"What does that mean?"

Annette did not even look up, but continued to work, taking a moment to explain her various test results to Ethan.

"The seawater contains a large number of microorganisms, which is why the water looks purple. It is just uncertain whether this ocean only contains these microorganisms or if more advanced life forms already exist."

Ethan nodded. If that were the case, the possibility of intelligent life already existing on this planet could not be ruled out. Even if no civilization had formed, there might be primitive tribes or large beasts, and so on.

The best outcome would be that life had just begun on this planet and had not yet evolved into more advanced intelligent beings.

He never only thought about things in the best possible light. He began to consider that since this world had all the foundations for life to exist, perhaps they might encounter some local natives.

If they were lucky, it would be primitive natives or simply wild beasts. If they were unlucky, a unique civilization might have already formed, but at a relatively low level of development, which was why they had not discovered the training ground orbiting the Purple Star like a satellite.

After explaining Annette's findings to the others, Rocket Raccoon said he would place a few more traps around. Also, considering the possibility of intelligent life, he would set the traps more discreetly.

Ethan and Nebula began setting up some basic infrastructure. They would be busy on this planet for a while and needed at least a place to stay. After all, Ethan could not send them back to the ship to rest every day. Moreover, there were too many people on the ship now, and it was not very comfortable for everyone.

According to Ethan's plan, if nothing unexpected happened, they would gradually bring everyone to the planet and live there together for a period, considering it a personal experience of the planet's conditions.

"Annette, put your things away for now. I am going to start building the house."

The so-called house-building was taking out the space habitat, similar to the structure in The Martian, that he had specifically asked Tony to procure from his spatial storage.

Because Ethan's storage space capacity had increased, large structures like this could be placed directly in the space and taken out for use when needed.

As for this special house, he had specifically asked Tony to buy it and then assembled it in advance and put it into his space. Otherwise, simply stocking Star-Lord's ship with basic supplies would not have taken so many days.

With a wave of Ethan's hand, a white structure often seen in movies appeared out of thin air in the open area.

The interior of this building had an independent air circulation system, and Tony had specially installed some additional equipment. The exterior also had an energy layer for protection, preventing attacks while also preventing the intrusion of unknown microorganisms.

So when resting inside the house, everyone could take off their protective gear and carry out all daily activities. The laboratory for testing samples was in a separate area, with dedicated entrances and exits.

After completing some initial defensive arrangements and sample collection work, everyone entered the only safe house to rest. The first day of landing on the Purple Star passed uneventfully.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 509: Comes Quietly

Ethan's survey team didn't rush into the jungle's interior. Instead, they spent some time by the sea, living there for a few days to determine the general environmental conditions of this world before beginning their advance into the forest.

As it turned out, this caution was well-founded. They retreated within half a day of entering the jungle.

Everyone present had a grim look on their face. For the past few days, nothing unexpected had happened. The test data for the planet's air, soil, and water were all quite satisfactory. This place seemed like a perfect habitable planet.

"I didn't expect that purple mist to be so troublesome."

It wasn't a monster they encountered, nor was it some primitive tribe or even local intelligent life. What stopped everyone was that dense purple mist.

When viewed from the sky, the mist was ethereal and beautiful. When they were immersed in it, the constant flashes of light on their protective suits and the alarms flashing in the corner of their vision forced them to turn back.

"Something in the mist seems to be constantly attacking us."

They had just entered the purple mist and hadn't gone far when their protective suits began to alert them. The protective layer was under attack, and the defense energy was decreasing.

Seeing this situation, everyone retreated immediately. In their haste, they couldn't think too much. Annette, with quick reflexes, managed to collect a small sample of the mist with her equipment.

"Anyway, it's not anything good."

Logan lowered his head to check the condition of his gear. After finding that he had only lost a bit of energy, he helped check the others' equipment and finally stood before Groot.

"How do you feel, buddy?"

"I am Groot."

Rocket Raccoon translated casually from the side. "He's fine. That mist didn't hurt him."

"I can understand."

A major advantage of becoming a druid is the ability to communicate with many life forms without barriers. However, many life forms, such as most ordinary plants, only have basic instinctual consciousness. Even if you communicate with them, they cannot express their meaning as clearly and accurately as humans.

Groot is different. He possesses quite high intelligence and can perfectly express his thoughts, as long as you can understand their language.

In fact, not only Logan could understand Groot's words, but Ethan had also mastered the language Groot used by casting spells like Comprehend Languages.

Ethan hadn't figured out the principle behind this type of spell. The core seemed to be a single rule: let me learn your language.

It's generally difficult to figure out the principles of such rule-based spells, and learning them is also troublesome. Either you can learn it, or you can't.

It wasn't that Ethan couldn't learn it. It was just that in the past, he couldn't cast this spell as effortlessly as he does now, nor could he avoid harming the target and himself.

The most convenient part about mastering Groot's language was that he could directly communicate with Groot and ask him how he felt in that mist.

"I am Groot!"

Groot's reply wasn't very helpful. As Rocket Raccoon had said before, Groot could survive in most environments. He felt no discomfort at all in that mist. In fact, this dense forest environment made him feel quite good.

"..."

Is this mist harmless to plant-like beings like Groot?

Annette was conducting tests on the open-air workbench. Before figuring out what this stuff was, they wouldn't bring it into their living quarters.

Annette didn't take long to get the results.

"The mist contains various strange microorganisms and many components I've never seen before. Some of them resemble plant seeds."

"Seeds? You mean the seeds in this mist attacked us?"

"Perhaps not an attack, just trying to attach. Because our protective suits are covered in energy, maybe these seeds, out of survival instinct, thought this was a good environment for growth?"

That was a possibility. Also, since the mist was full of plant seeds, wasn't Groot, who wasn't wearing any protective gear, now covered in parasites?

"It seems Groot will need a thorough sterilization before he can enter the room."

"I am Groot."

"Must sterilize."

Groot was dejected, but this couldn't change everyone's decision. Star-Lord and Ethan discussed what to do next.

Their survey work had only gone smoothly in the initial stage. They had just begun a deeper survey when they immediately encountered a big problem.

"If we turn off our protective suits, perhaps the seeds in the mist won't choose to attach to our protective energy, so maybe there won't be a problem?"

"If the energy is off, do we just breathe this planet's air directly? And how do we know that purple mist is harmless to humans?"

"This protective suit also comes with a sealed helmet. We just don't use it usually because of the energy layer."

"We can try that."

Ethan took out the fully sealed helmet. The helmet wasn't very large, and the entire front was transparent glass, ensuring a wide field of vision.

The helmet could turn with the head. It wasn't like a fixed hood attached to the suit. It wasn't heavy either and wouldn't impede the user's movements.

Ethan and Star-Lord put on their helmets. Along with Nebula, Logan, and Annette, they advanced deeper into the jungle again. Groot was left behind this time. Rocket Raccoon was in charge of giving him a thorough sterilization, and they would guard the camp with Gamora.

Entering the forest again, the deeper they went, the thicker the mist became. Ethan and the others had reached an area they hadn't been to before. Their vision was already being affected. Radar screens were activated on everyone's masks, showing teammates' positions, recording every inch of ground they covered, automatically generating a map, and logging their route.

"The seeds in the mist aren't attaching to us anymore."

Annette had been observing her own condition and found that after turning off the energy layer, the seeds in the mist indeed showed no abnormal activity. They were just normally dispersed in the mist.

"The mist in this forest doesn't seem to dissipate?"

When observed from the air, the entire forest was shrouded in dense mist. Perhaps this purple substance wasn't mist but something like miasma.

In that case, they absolutely couldn't take off their helmets casually. Who knew if this gas was poisonous?

Annette had already tested the composition, but there were many components she had no idea what they were. After all, this wasn't Earth.

Even if the mist itself wasn't poisonous, the seeds scattered within the mist couldn't be ignored. Who could guarantee what would grow if these seeds were inhaled?

"Plant version of Aliens?"

The thought alone was chilling. Ethan had already made a judgment. This forest was not suitable for humans to enter and settle unless the mist was cleared. What he needed to determine now was how significant the relationship between this mist and these plants was.

Could clearing a portion of the plants create a safe zone similar to the one by the sea?

While thinking about this, Logan, who was walking ahead, suddenly stopped and specifically used his communicator to warn everyone to be careful.

"What did you find?"

"Something ahead."

Star-Lord had hung his survey equipment on his back and drawn his weapon. "Is it a beast?"

"Not entirely sure. It feels more like a plant, but this thing is giving off a very strong sense of aggression."

"Maybe it's a plant capable of hunting? That's not exactly rare." Nebula scoffed. "Just set it on fire."

Perhaps the other side detected Nebula's thought, because as soon as she spoke, several vines emerged from the mist and shot towards them.

The vines were incredibly fast, reaching everyone in an instant. Even those like Nebula, who had undergone enhancements, were a bit slow to react.

However, with Logan's warning, Ethan had already been guarding against unexpected situations. As a result, none of the vines hit their targets, all blocked by the spatial wall Ethan cast.

To Ethan's surprise, this attack was just a feint, because he detected several vines quietly approaching the group from the side. If Ethan and the others were just ordinary survey personnel, they might have been caught off guard.

But there wasn't a single ordinary person here. Not only did Ethan and Logan detect the plants trying to launch a sneak attack from the side, but even Star-Lord and Nebula reacted and counterattacked.

Star-Lord's shooting skills were formidable. He could accurately hit even small targets. With continuous shooting, he shredded these vines.

Nebula used an energy rifle taken from the Milano. This weapon had strong firepower and a wide spread, somewhat like an energy shotgun. One shot blasted several vines into fragments.

Seeing everyone perform so well, Ethan stopped paying attention to the sides and focused on the enemy ahead.

Perhaps realizing the sneak attack was ineffective, the attacking plants stopped hiding and launched a more ferocious assault. Not only did countless vines shoot out from the mist, but they were also mixed with clumps of purplish-black liquid.

Seeing the effect of this liquid when it hit the ground, almost corroding a pit, no one wanted to be touched by this stuff.

"We have to clear the mist first."

The dense mist severely affected visibility. Many times, by the time they saw an attack, the vines and that liquid were already upon them. They had to change this unfavorable situation.

While maintaining the spatial wall in front, Ethan channeled his magic to cast another spell.

A surge of magic power poured out from Ethan, then transformed into a strong wind that swept through this entire area.

As the gale blew, the purple mist was completely swept away. Everyone finally had a clear view and saw what they were facing, a group of large purple flowers writhing on the ground.

(To be continued.)