Kestrel couldn't help but roll her eyes as Issun explained the issue. It all sounded like some old fairy tale, and Kestrel didn´t have time for such childish matters. Even Citrine and Quartz, who usually had more patience for things like this, were rolling their eyes, looking a tad annoyed at the story that the Mireh native was spinning. She considered herself lucky that Peridot was there to lead the conversation. Kestrel was sure that if it had been her, she would have called the Belemoid childish and a waste of time a long time ago, but Peridot was wise enough to be able to hold himself back. "So how would you describe the noise, then?" Peridot said, trying his very best not to sound too sceptical of the story. Issun frowned, thinking for a bit. "Ah- it's weird, it's different each days- some days it's like something dragging over the ground, other days it's like a high-pitched chirping- But it always sounds like something large, that's for sure. Whatever it is, I'm sure nobody wants to mess with it- hence why we all avoid the area." Kestrel had been trying to sell some of her foraged goods to the

native in question, but as soon as Issun heard where it had come from he had wanted nothing to do with it. This proved to be an issue, as that specific area had been lush with vegetation- likely because of the natives being too scared to go anywhere near it. Still, now that word was out that that's where the Colony had gotten it from, she likely would not be able to sell much of anything, if Issun's reaction was anything to go by. Peridot nodded, "So you're saying that something big is hiding near where out outpost is, and if we get rid of it you'll buy from us?" Issun nodded. "I just don't want to lure anything to my house, y'know?" The next day, Quartz and Citrine had gotten up extra early to scout out the area. Issun had mentioned only ever hearing the noises in the dark, but especially something so big shouldn't be hard to find. Still. if it was only heard in the dark, that was when the investigation would have to start. Kestrel and Peridot arrived later, and were prepared to also stay longer. They arrived around noon, and found Quartz and Citrine milling

around fairly quickly. "Found anything yet?" Kestrel asked as she joined the two. "Found? No. Heard? Definetely." Citrine answered. Quartz, who seemed a bit shaken, gestured to one of the larger hills in the area. "It was loudest over there, but Issun was definetely right that something is making weird noises here. It's creeping me out a little." "Well," Peridot starter, "I suppose we best head over there, then." Quartz and Citrine seemed reluctant, but quickly followed after Kestrel and Peridot as the two wandered off. "Are we sure we want to do this-" Quartz said, but quickly stopped talking when she noticed the look Kestrel was giving her. "I'm sure it's nothing bad." Kestrel said. "It's probably just some kind of equipment that got stuck and abandoned somewhere- no big deal." Quartz didn't seem so sure, but quietly followed the rest of the group. "Around here, right?" Kestrel said. Citrine nodded. "This is the closest we could get. It quieted down a few hours ago, and we haven't heard much since "How curious." Kestrel mused. "Any cave entrances?" Citrine shook his head. "Quartz found a small crack in the earth- but truth to be told we couldn't see in

very far." Kestrel seemed interested at this. "Really? Show me the way, then." They arrived pretty quickly. The crack was thin, just barely wide enough for a Tark'ee to be able to fall in without much room of them getting out again. Kestrel frowned. "Peridot, did we bring a torch?" She was quickly handed one, and shone it into the crack. She frowned, not quite sure what she was looking at at first. Inside the small ravine seemed to be a building, with a lush green interior. She briefly wondered who would build an underground greenhouse- but then remembered what she had seen when she was brought out of the bunker. She frowned. She supposed that was a answer, although she was sure it was not one that would be liked. She would have to send Citrine and Quartz back to Issun tomorrow to tell him their findings.