Eva jogged ahead, catching up with Rovender. On a single wheel, Muthr rolled along behind her as they ventured deeper into the forest.

It soon became clear to Eva Nine that the farther they trekked into the forest, the more peculiar the life-forms became.

“Extraordinary,” Muthr exclaimed as she passed a tall cup-shaped plant. The plant was covered in thick hairs waving about, collecting bits of pollen and other airborne particles that seemed to swim about in the cool, damp air. “It reminds me of holograms I’ve seen of undersea organisms.”

A large, tufted, floating insect drifted down from the treetops near the cup-plant. As the plant’s cilia swept the insect into the plant’s circular mouth, the cup collapsed around the fuzz, creating a chorus of hoots in the process.

“Rovee, what is that?” Eva aimed the Omnipod at it.

“Some species of chimera,” he replied, trudging through the bush. “Don’t get too close. They can be temperamental.”

“A chimera, like the monster?” Eva looked at the holo-model of it.

“A chimera can mean also that it is a hybrid, somewhat like me,” Muthr answered as she watched the cup open back up.

“It contains traits from both plant and animal kingdoms,” the Omnipod added.

The trio made their way through the grove of chimeras, arriving a few moments later in a small moss-laden glade.

“This may be a good place to camp for the night,” Rovender announced. “I have seen no wandering trees for some time, so we should be safe.”

“Hey, can I make a fire?” Eva asked, waving her Omnipod.

“Good thinking, Eva,” Muthr replied. “See if you can locate some kindling. I will determine the proper location, far from any trees.”

“No fires,” Rovender said, pulling off his rucksack.

“Why ever not?” Muthr asked. “Eva could use the hands-on experience.”

Rovender unstrapped his bedrolls from his pack. “For one thing, we are near the heart of the Wandering Forest. The wandering trees would stampede if they sensed danger.”

Eva looked over at the thick-trunked trees that ringed the glade. The last rays from the setting sun tinted their tops in a vibrant golden hue.

“And another thing,” Rovender continued. “Besteel hunts by heat detection. You might as well send a beacon straight to him. No fires.”

The trio camped under dark heavy cloud cover, as the moon made no appearance that night. Rovender tended to his ankle and turned in early. Muthr patrolled the perimeter of the camp, recording every nocturnal sound produced within the forest.

Eva checked the odometer on her sneakboot as she pulled it off. It read fourteen and a half kilometers. As the climatefiber warmed her tired body, she fell into a deep, restful sleep.

The following morning the trio continued their trek into the thick wood of the Wandering Forest. Eva was quiet as she took in the scenery, recording many of the forest inhabitants on her Omnipod.