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Three weeks! Three weeks had gone by, and still no news!
But even before that, Orphie had seemed... different. Lost in her thoughts, not leaving her office. She had allowed in only rare visitors, including a couple of unknown homins.
And when, at last, she had got out, that had been to ask for something to be readied for her to depart to the kitin's lair of Almati Wood. Alone.
Apocamus had stormed, shouted, argued, cajoled, trying by force and kindness to convince her not to undertake such a journey alone. But she had had the last word and appointed Melga Folgore to replace her during her absence, which, she had assured, would not last more than two weeks.
And three weeks had gone by.
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Excerpts from Melga Folgore's diary, never published [3].
Apocamus is inconsolable. He still performs his duties as an Instructor correctly, but he is more severe and demanding than before with the teams he trains.
Orphie… Orphie, but why did you have to go there, and alone in addition? Why were you interested in Tepsen? Because we found his amber cube in the Kitins' Lair? If I'd known, I would have held you back. I'm sorry.
You've left a great emptiness, and the atmosphere in the camp is gloomy. The Rangers are much affected, myself first.
Today, we received Daeronn Cegrips who came to share his conclusions after first analyses of the kirosta sting found near the lifeless body of Orphie. Of course, he asserts that no kitin of such darkness has ever been seen on Atys, either on or under the Bark.
Some Rangers want to return into the depths of the kitins' lair in search of the kitin this stinger was arming. Well may I tell them that, as her first-rate Ranger seal was not enough to protect Orphie, they don't know what awaits them, they persist in their desire to go and see. That's sheer madness: such a search will only end up making us mourn other deaths. I am tired of all this.
Routine matters have been piling up. Orphie had neglected them a bit to devote herself to her research. I have a lot to do.
“Context
Fragment found in the Almati Wood Kitin's Lair, next to the lifeless body of Orphie Dradius.Analysis
A trained eye will quickly recognize in this fragment a tapered section of the abdomen of a kirosta, characterized by a bifid ending composed of a cornicle and a stinger.
The abdomen of a kirosta consists of four segments:
- first segment, connected to the thorax, ascending ;
- second segment, vertically positioned, descending and very constricted at its junction with the third ;
- third and fourth segment, horizontal, darted between its long legs by the insect.
The fragment contains segments 2 to 4, as well as the complete appendages. It is thus an abdomen that has been sliced up between the first two segments. The size of the abdomen is relatively modest for a kirosta, between those of the abdomens of "nettled" and "incensed" kirostas.
The color of the specimen is totally singular and fascinating, of a black that does not reflect any light, emitting only here and there vermilion gleams forming spots or lines, depending on the angle of observation. This color has never been observed before, except perhaps in the native varinxes of the Prime Roots or the gibbaïs.
First hypothesis: this kirosta would be a mutant specimen, selected by its hive for its color supporting the camouflage in the dark places.Accelerated decay
Three days after being brought back to the Academy, the fragment began to give off a very stench odor and black mold formed on the surface of the chitin. After five days its condition had deteriorated further: the chitin was now soft. So I ordered the sample to be cut into three parts (the three segments) and each one to be stabilized in its original state in a Daïsha stanza [5].I also took some mold samples for further analysis.
Second hypothesis: this kirosta would be a sick specimen, affected by a powerful pathogen causing a severe necrosis.Conclusion
This last hypothesis seemed to me, given the rapidity of the degradation, the most plausible. But it is also the most promising: the identification of the pathogen in question could indeed prove decisive in the fight of the Homins against the kitin populations. This is why a new study has already been launched to find the pathogen in the wild with the help of samples taken.
Daeronn Cegrips,
Master of the Chair of Knowledge
Entomologist
Text on the same topic ::
It was shortly after the great barkquake of the Nexus, in 2609 that I met Orphie Dradius. It was after Erin Mac'Cartlann had discovered an old map in her archives, which led us to the Tunnel of Woe. She had come to participate in the the Ranger Assembly that had followed the expedition. At the time I was very impressed by this homina who, despite her advanced age, retained a particularly energetic and yet benevolent appearance. I could hardly exchange a few words with her, but they were enough to make me understand how she had been able to participate in the foundation and develop, with her companions of course, a community as important as that of the Rangers.
Like everyone else, I had been very worried when I read the words of the poster that alerted us about her recent demise. When I arrived at the Ranger's Circle, I was not reassured by Apocamus Dradius's strained expression and the pallor of his face, and I think everyone else felt the same. Still, the extent of the mobilization gave me some hope, and it was without delay that we rushed into the Kitin's Lair to find her.
At first the party, somewhat disordered, explored the best-known part of the cave, towards the room where the kitins gather their livestock, where they were met by an unusual concentration of Kinchers, who soon mingled with the usual residents of the place. The fighting was fierce and many were injured. Nevertheless, the united homins were able to explore the eastern galleries but could not get past the debris or the kitin mounds that obstructed them. No trace of Orphie... the disappointment was great.
Regaining its courage, the expedition headed for the primary egg room. Here again we had to fight hard, as going unnoticed was not an option. Finally, at the very bottom of the egg room and after a thorough search, we found Orphie's dagger, so she had been there. We then spent a considerable amount of time destroying a Kitin mound and trying to clear the rubble that closed off access to the greater depths (I even got stuck by a sliding boulder, but luckily I was rescued quickly). Finally, a little later we discovered Orphie herself, badly wounded; next to her, what looked like the huge black stinger of a monstrous insect. Gathering our strength once more, we climbed to the surface, Apocamus carrying his grandmother as gently as possible.
Once we went back to the camp, in that circle she loved so much, we tried to heal her; but her wounds were far too severe and her seed of life faded away and extinguished. I hope at least that she will have felt, in the arms of her grandson, the affection that we all carry carried for her.
Her final quest will not be in vain, it's a Ranger's promise! We will find out which creature took her away from us; and I have no doubt that, over the differences that divide them, homins will unite once again for this. That is the greatest tribute we can pay to her!
— Excerpt from "Memoirs of a seasoned ranger", by Do'ro Thee |