Ark, The Adventure Continues.

[rpicardi1]

Ark, The Adventure continues.

This story is loosely based upon the official ark total conversion Primitive Plus. Both official game maps are being used as I compose this latest adventure. The story will loosely follow game play include leveling up and crafting. Use the official WIKI for how things actually work in Ark. What happens in the story generally doesn't take place in the game for real.

Edit; As the adventure progressed, Scorched Earth came out. That location has been added to the other adventurers who find themselves in an environment in sharp contrast to the easy one of Primitive Plus.

All characters are fictional based upon fictional locations. Any resemblance to real names or location are purely coincidence. References to any location or movies are not intended as endorsements.

Chapter One. The archaeological expedition.

It has been nearly a year since our surprise visit to Ark on The Center. I am currently out on an archaeological dig site in Arizona with Joe and Mary, Dr Sanders, Tod and Sarah, and two other undergraduate students Mike and Christina. The Montana Dig has been postponed for now.

Dr Sanders has been much easier to get along with the past year. It may be as a result of that unplanned visit last year to Ark from the conference room, or the fact that he was able to arrange to be on this trip with the blessings of the University, thanks to an unknown donor that is paying for this expedition.

Our Camp has been established in the rugged terrain in Arizona West of the Rockies near the Grand Canyon. As it is on Navajo Land, we have been provided with two escorts from the local tribe, Chief Terry and the Medicine Man Pauline, his wife.

We had spent a couple of days meeting in private with the chief and his wife for permission to conduct the survey. Strangely, on the morning of the second day Chief Terry announces to us that the Gods have given their blessing for us to enter the sacred grounds for our survey with them as our escorts. At that meeting, we explain to them what we will be looking for, that we will be doing all our work by hand so as to disturb the land as little as possible. Ours is not an expedition of digging up the hillsides using heavy machinery. Such tools would destroy what we are looking for in the first place.

It has been a week of exploring and surveying since we arrived at the archaeological site and set up camp. The area being so rugged that everything had to be packed in by horseback. We are literally living in a pioneer camp much like the gold miners of the 1800s. We are lucky to be camped out along a flat overlook with a plateau to shelter us from the hot afternoon sun where there is a clean water source from a spring on that hillside. The nearby valley has provided us with plenty of dry wood for our campfire for cooking.

We have been scouting the surrounding area doing test digs searching through the ravines and stream banks for signs of the fossils we are interested in. Then, we find what we are looking for. “This large piece of shale embedded in the ground looks promising,” says Sarah.

“Tap this edge carefully with your rock hammer,” answers Dr Sanders.

The edge splits loose as we carefully lift off the loose top of the shale revealing the forward half of a perfectly preserved Compy. “That's incredible,” answers Dr Sanders. “The impression of the skin and body have been remarkably preserved.”

Working on the shale hiding the rest we carefully break it loose. “There's the other half of that little DireWolf,” says Sarah.

Chief Terry and Pauline come over to examine the fossil in detail. “There are legends of these creatures existing in our spoken history.” the chief explains. “The presence of their ghost here is the reason these are sacred lands we have keep secret from outsiders until now.”

“As has been the current practice of doing archaeological digs on sacred sites, we will make sketches of what we find, make some measurements, take some photographs, and return them back to their natural state.” answers Dr Sanders. “Besides, this shale can be so fragile that we could destroy it by digging it out. There are fossilized bones in the cover pieces.” Carefully removing the bits of clay and shale around them with a pick and brushes, we soon have a complete skeleton exposed along with all of the teeth in place. “Remarkably well preserved,” as I get photos of the skeleton before we place the cover shale back in place.

“We have a Trilobite fossil in this piece of shale,” says Mike. “It is also well preserved.”

“There are definite impressions of feathers on what looks like part of a Utah Raptor forearm in this fossil,” says Tod.

“This looks like a good place to start our survey,” announces Dr Sanders as we unpack our equipment to do measurements and sketches of what we are finding.

That evening back at camp, I meet with Joe and Mary in their tent. “I wonder if we could be returning to Ark soon,” I ask. “The unknown donor, Chief Terry suddenly giving us permission to enter his sacred land. What we are finding looks too well preserved, too much like what we have actually seen before.”

“It is very possible,” answers Mary. “We may find out soon.”

Heading back that morning, we continue laying out a grid to look for additional signs of fossils along the base of the cliffside. “Do you hear that hum coming from this cliffside?” ask Mary to Joe.

“Yes,” answers Joe. “Everyone come here.”

As we all gather around and quiet down, I place my ear to the cliffside. “Chief Terry, have you ever heard this sound before?”

“No,” the chief answers. “Is it from our spirit world?”

“That sound is not from your spirit world unless you or members of the Navajo Nation have been on Ark,” I answer. “That sounds like a loot crate,”

“What is Ark?” ask Chief Terry.

“It is a place populated with extinct prehistoric creatures from Earth's past that several of us had the privilege to visit last year,” I answer.

“There are legends of a time before the Cliff Dwellers where such creatures roamed the Earth,” answers Pauline. “A chief named Turok led his people in that land where the Thunder Lizards roamed among the Mammoths and Sabertooth Cats. How were you able to travel to such a place?”

“It's a long story that you wouldn't believe unless you actually experience it,” I answer. “One way to find out. Lets dig some into this shale on the cliffside and see what shows up.”

Digging into the loose shale a hole suddenly appears with a blue pulsating light from inside. “That is definitely an Ark loot crate,” I answer as I look inside. “What is it doing here?” A little more digging and the shale opens up into a doorway leading into the chamber of a cave with the blue crate in the center.

As we enter, an old bookcase appears near the wall containing what looks like a notebook. Mary goes over to it, picks it up and examines it.

“A Survivor's Handbook for Primitive Plus,” answers Mary as she picks it up, then goes over to the loot crate. “The loot crate doesn't have a decay timer on it. It contain a portal to the Ark.”

“Incredible,” answers Dr Sanders. “It appears that we have been invited to another visit on Ark. Just like that Airship Commander told us would happen about now.”

The entrance to the cave suddenly vanishes throwing Chief Terry, Pauline, and the two undergrads into a panic.

“Everyone calm down,” announces Mary. “ Halsey, Joe, and myself have been on Ark on three separate occasions. Dr Sanders Tod and Sarah were there with us last year.”

“The first note on The Survivor's Handbook says that we have been invited to spend a year on Ark in the Primitive Plus environment. We are to learn how to make tools and shelter using the primitive skills of our pioneers. We are to make use of the land and the creatures in it to hunt, fish, gather resources, and to farm those same crops for our use as those ancestors. Unlike our other visits, we will spawn in together as a group.”

“I have been studying Primitive Plus in my spare time,” answers Tod. “It will not be that hard once we get started as we can all specialize in the various skills that will be available for the benefit of us all.”

“Chief Terry, Pauline, Mike, Christina, gather around,” I say to the newcomers. “When we enter Ark, we will arrive on a tropical beach naked, with nothing but our hands and wits to aid us in surviving. We will quickly need to craft up weapons for our defense since we are certain to run into creatures that will try to kill us for their lunch. Once we find a safe place, we will find a place for shelter, start getting food, and craft up clothing. Get a visual picture of where you are on Ark. If you happen to be killed by some predator, you will be reborn somewhere nearby. Try to get back to the rest of us as quickly as possible.”

“What just appeared in my left wrist?” ask Chief Terry and the other newcomers.

“We have our Specimen Implants,” announces Mary.

“At Level 1, so, we are starting from scratch.” I answer.

“Chief Terry, Pauline, Mike, Christina. Look into your Specimen Implant to gather information about you and your surrounding and to use and craft items. Soon as you can when we enter Ark, pick up a stone from the ground and punch a tree to get wood and ten thatch. Use the implant to make a pick and select it. Use that pick to gather flint from a boulder, wood from a tree, and for defense if you are attacked by something. We'll guide you from there.”

“Is everyone ready for the adventure of a lifetime?” ask Mary.

“Ready to pay a visit to your spirit world?” I ask Chief Terry and Christina.

“Yes,” they say.

“Here we go,” says Mary as she accesses the portal in the Loot Crate.

 

 

[rpicardi1]

Note, Forum censor software has changed the slang name of the compy to direwolf. It is not a typo.

[rpicardi1]

Chapter 2 Primitive Plus.

 

In a flash, we are all on our backs on a sandy tropical beach, staring up into that beautiful tropical sky in a familiar place from our last visit. However, I soon realize that we are not in a safe place. It is South tropical Island of The Center, but we are way down the beach near the stone arch where the predators spawn. Sounding an alert, one of the dilos spots us and calls for the two others to join in an attack. A nearby raptor hears the alert and cones running towards us.

“Run towards that Bronto,” I shout. “Get some of the other herbivores between you and them.”

Luck is with us as the raptor takes interest in a Turtle and is soon in a battle with three of them. We manage to outrun the dilos which soon take interest in other creatures nearby.

Gathering behind a large boulder and completely out of breath, we take a head count. Everyone has made it. “That was close,” says Joe as he gathers a stone and hits a driftwood log to craft a pick.

“Lets get our weapons ASAP,” I say as I craft my pick and hit the boulder with it for some flint.

“Excellent,” says Tod. “We have the same gather rate as before.”

“I'll keep an eye out for trouble as everyone levels up to get spears,” says Joe. “Chop on the smaller boulders for flint so we can keep this one for cover.”

“Was that a Utah Raptor I saw as I stood up?” ask Chief Terry.

“Yes it was,” I answered. “And it would have killed you had you not ran past those turtles. Until we can obtain slingshots with bows and arrows, we are defenseless against them. Later on, as we are stronger, we can go tame one for our use.”

“Tame it!” says Chief Terry.

“Most every creature on Ark can be tamed for our use,” I answer. “We'll talk about that later. Right now, we need to get food, weapons, clothes, and find a safe place to shelter for the night. If luck is with us, the L shaped cliff we used on our last visit should provide us with a safe zone for shelter.”

A bit relaxes for now, we soon reach Level 2. “Take the hatchet and spears for now,” says Tod. “We can specialize once we reach Level 3.”

Mary gives our newcomers a quick course in using the specimen implant to help them quickly craft up the new items.

“How do I get fiber for a spear?” ask Christina.

“Go gather some berries from those bushes,” answers Sarah.

“Craft up at least three spears,” I tell our newcomers. “They have a habit of breaking at the worst possible moment when fighting predators.”

“Dang, here comes those little annoying pest,” says Sarah as a group of compys take interest in us.

“Easy hide and fresh meat,” I say as we spear them. “Switch to the hatchet to butcher them when they are down. You hardly get anything using the spear.”

Level three soon arrives as the XP is shared among all of us. “Time to specialize,” announces Tod.

“I'll get the campfire and sleeping bag,” I say.

“We'll get the thatch shelter items,” says Mary.

“We'll get the cloth clothes,” says Tod.

The rest are assigned other items with Mike and Christina being assigned to gather thatch building materials.”

“Lets head over around the cliff to build our shelter,” I say to the others. “Gather up some wood, thatch, and fiber as we head over there.”

“Are those Dodo Birds?” ask Christina.

“Yes, they are,” answers Sarah. “Soon as we get some shelter built, we will go kill some of the roosters for food and hide and tame up the hens for an egg farm.”

Checking out as safe, we start construction on out temporary shelters. I craft up a couple of campfires, place them down at the cliff corner and start cooking up the fresh meat from the Compys.

“If your hungry, eat the berries.” I tell the newcomers. “Don't eat the black or white ones. Save the Mejos and black ones. We'll need them for taming later.”

“Anyone got some extra thatch?” ask Sarah.

“Yes,” says several of the others.

“Drop it in front of us, there will soon be clothes for everyone.”

“You're not crafting up sleeping bags yet?” ask Chief Terry.

“Not at this time,” I answer. “They are a one time use item specific to the individual. I'm saving the hide for slingshots. I had to learn how to make them so I can get the simple bed when it becomes available. Once they are available, I'll craft them up. That way, if one of us gets killed, anyone can use a bed to return back here to it.”

It is mid afternoon as we reach Level 5 during our construction of our shelter.

Suddenly, a shower of stones come down the cliff followed by a badly injured Parasaur with a raptor in hot pursuit. Our newcomers jump behind us in a panic. “Spears ready,” shouts Joe as the parasaur runs towards the safety of our camp with the raptor in hot pursuit. It takes the parasaur down just as us seasoned veterans launch several spears into the raptor killing it.

“I didn't think that anything could survive a jump from such a height,” comments Mike.

“For some unknown reason, they can,” I answer. “But, we can't. That fall would kill us and any tames we are riding instantly. It is time we pair up with our newcomers so we can teach them the art of primitive defensive combat in Ark.”

“We are going to have to secure that cliff above as soon as we can,” answers Joe.

“Lets do so as soon as we can craft up spiked fences,” I answer.

We get a bunch more fresh meat and hide from the two dead creatures. I place the meat on the fire as I distribute the cooked meat to everyone to eat keeping the hide for slingshots and the simple beds that I can now craft.

With the rest of the Level 5 engrams distributed, we soon have several storage boxes in place for our extra items. With the mortar and Pestle, we will soon have narcs and spark powder.

“A pitchfork?” questions Dr Sanders. “Are we going to be farmers like in Green Acres?”

“No,” answers Tod. “It works like a spear made from wood, only a little better.”

“Damn, these standing torches require oil to use,” says Dr Sanders.

“Its one of the changes in Primitive Plus,” answers Tod. “Standing Torches no longer work with wood as fuel.”

“Lets see if we can get a wood wall around our camp before it gets dark,” I say. “Then, go get some dodos for that egg farm.”

With wood foundations and walls on their crafting list, Joe and Mary get to work crafting those items as we construct a protective wall for the night after bringing in the required materials from the surrounding area.

Mike and Christina go out Dodo hunting with Tod and Sarah. They bring back with them a dozen tamed hens and a rooster. They have killed a dozen others bringing back fresh poultry, hide, and feathers.

“How do we get the Dodos to come in through the door?” ask Christina.

“Why don't you just carry them in,” I answer.

“We have fresh poultry and feathers along with hide,” answers Mike.

“Feather and fresh poultry?” questions Mary.

“It makes sense,” answers Tod. “My play testing Primitive Plus indicates that we will have many more food types. Since they are birds with feathers, they are considered poultry. We can use the feathers to make better flying stone arrows.”

“Just like all of these new seed type we got from picking the bushes,” answers Mary. “And, a drone bee as well.”

“Dr Sanders and I are going out to tame some dilo,” I say. “They will be our guard dogs in case something comes snooping by during the night.”

As evening approaches, we spot a male and give chase, dropping it with our slingshots. “Aguh, I can't see,” a panicked Dr Sanders screams. I club the female until she drops unconscious.

“Well, at least we got a mated pair,” I tell Dr Sanders as his vision returns.

“I can't believe I fell for that again!” answers Dr Sanders.

“It just means that we must not allow ourselves to be distracted by the job at hand,” I answer. “Pack hunters excel at distraction before ambushing you from the side or behind.”

We bring the tamed pair back to camp after getting rid of some more Compys that come to annoy us. We bring them through the thatch doorway before sealing it off with wood for the night.

Chief Terry, Pauline, and the undergrads get their first close up look at our dilos. “They will alert us if something unfriendly comes by or falls off the cliff above during the night.” I tell them.

We are kept awake part of the night as a tropical electrical storm rolls in and it starts getting cold. “Fill up your water skins and get inside,” I say as the lightning flashes all about. It clears to a beautiful starlit sky with a bright moon. Other then a Bronto walking close by, the rest of our first night remains quiet.

By morning, we have now reached Level 10. “Wooden Spike Walls,” Joe says. “We can now craft up a low resource barrier to protect us from above.”

“Bolas too,” I answer. “We can immobilize any raptors that come after us or those herbivores we want to tame early.”

“Some basic furniture, a sawmill, Parasaur Saddle, more wood building materials, feeding trough, Lumber building materials, fence foundations, We can expand the pen as soon as we can construct a dino gate.” says Tod.

Tod, Sarah, Dr Sanders, and I head up the path to the cliff above gathering resources to craft up the needed spike walls on the way up. “I can't place this section down where I want it,” says Tod.

“Lets get this metal boulder out of the way first,” I say. “Pickaxes only.”

“Limestone?” questions Dr Sanders.

“One of the new resources,” answers Tod. “We will need limestone along with the clay stone we have been getting from the boulders for brick.”

“What about the crystal?” ask Sarah.

“Leave that for now until we get metal tools,” I answer. “We will only get stone from them for now.”

“A green loot crate up on the hill,” says Dr Sanders.

“Leave it for now,” I answer back. “We need to be level 15 to access its contents.”

Our trip back remains uneventful as we pick up some stuff in a white beacon which includes a Phioma saddle with some basic resources and another spawn bed.

At noon, with everyone working on gathering, hunting, and crafting, we hit Level 15 where a bunch of badly needed items show up.

“Excellent,” says Joe. “Finally bow and arrows. Fish trap and bait.”

“A wood raft for exploration and resource gathering,” says Tod.

“Stone plumbing, compost bin, compost bin, stone walls, foundation, and a Dino Gate,” I say

“A raptor Saddle,” says Sarah. “Lets go tame some.”

“Slow down,” I caution. “You should wait until we can make tranc arrows before taking on raptors. You can bola them so they can't get away. Meanwhile, we could use a pair of Parasaurs for berry harvesting until we can get the Trike saddle. Take the undergrads with you and go tame up a pair for the tribe.”

“We should get a raft built so we can go to the nearby islands to find tribolites for chitlin and oil,” say Mary.

As the raft is being constructed with the other items now available. I get a chance to talk to Chief Terry in detail about Ark and The Keepers.

“There is so much going on here,” comments Chief Terry. “This world is so amazing, so beautiful. I never knew so many creatures existed that could be tamed.”

“It's hard to know,” I answer. “The Incas, we visited two years ago, first learned about ark some 5,000 years ago in their written history. About 500 years ago, their chief, high priest, historian, and twelve of their best warriors were sent to Ark with the mission to save their history and gold from the invading Spaniards. We found the twelve that remained behind on that visit. They had only aged a year even though 500 years had passed on Earth. They currently live on Ark with their families which were returned to them by The Keepers. Last time I saw them, their technology had advanced into the Victorian Era. They were prospering quite well having turned their ark into a paradise for themselves and the creatures inhabiting it.”

“Is this indeed the promise land of our spiritual world?” ask Chief Terry.

“Unknown,” I answer. “It is how we chose to make it. The Marquis gang, a rival tribe we were forced to evict to another Ark has turned it into a living hell through greed and constant warfare with ever deadlier weapons. When we observed it last, it had been turned into a radioactive wasteland. Not a plant or creature remained. They condemned themselves into an endless cycle of dying a most horrible death from their constant fighting and the deadly environment they created.”

“So, we are free to control our own destiny in Ark?” ask Chief Terry.

“From the stories I have read that are considered to be fiction, Yes,” I answer. “Turok tribe lived in an area in the Western US with the last known survivors from the Dinosaur Age. There are no records of them ever taming any. They did obtain horses that has escaped from the invading Spaniards. Your sacred land, where we were doing the survey, could possibly be that location where they lived. It would explain the well preserved fossils we found the other day. Then again, given that a loot crate had appeared there, it is possible that there could have been a portal connected directly to Ark that Turok and his people actually entered and lived there for a while.”

“There are stories of other lost worlds having been discovered throughout history. One such world was supposed to exist high up on a plateau in South America near a place called Angel Falls. It could only be accessed through a lava tube. It has since vanished. Another was supposed to exist in a volcanic cauldron deep in the Antarctic where it was discovered by a stranded Nazi sub crew during WW2. It was destroyed by volcanic activity and eventually buried by the ice. A third was deep under the Earth in a huge cavern and and discovered by explorers who found an entrance to it in Iceland. They barely escaped with their lives when volcanic activity flooded the cave with lava. A fourth was on an uncharted island far in the South Atlantic that was home to King Kong, a giant gorilla. They captured Kong bringing him back to New York where he escaped and was eventually killed by the military. That happened during the 30s. Skull Island was never found afterwards. A fifth where a civilization on a lost island lived with tamed dinosaurs, some of which were intelligent enough to actually communicate with humans and speak their language. It was known as Dinotopia. It's location has remained a mystery.”

“As of any connection to The Keepers of Ark, that is unknown. They do not consider themselves Gods. They observe developing civilizations, studying them, testing them, something guiding them away from destroying themselves. Their Arks are artificial worlds created as places to preserve various extinct creatures from the past from ours and other worlds. They are laboratories to study how those beings interact with those worlds and the creatures in them.”

“We have never seen The Keepers in the flesh. I don't think that anyone has. We have interacted with a dragon named Draco on our last visit who is in contact with them on a regular bases. I don't believe that dragons actually existed in Earth's history as there is no physical evidence of any remains. Rather, they may be like Draco, able to teleport to a location.”

“There are so many mysteries out there that we don't have the answer for.” ( I'm leaving out the speculation of religion in this section. There is plenty of material available on the Internet to research that extremely touchy subject.)

“We will never know how intelligent those prehistoric creatures actually were back in their days. No humans existed back then to interact with them. The conditions here on Ark are artificial. The creatures here are adopted for us to interact and make use of them to aid in our survival.”

“Still, there is a lot we are learning from the fossil studies and our observations on Chief Traska's ark that suggest that many of those extinct creatures protected their young, lived in family groups, and hunted in packs with a leader, much like many animal species do today.”

“We have two rafts completed,” Mary tells us.

“Excellent,” I answer. “We should take our new arrivals over to one of the smaller island to gather and craft resources for a large wood enclosure. The one island between North and South Tropical is uninhabited except for trilobites. So, it should be safe for gathering the amount of materials we will need.”

“That would be a good learning experience for them.” answers Mary. “The gathering and crafting should get us to Level 20 so we can get tranc arrows and a Trike for berry farming.”

Just then, Tod and Sarah come back with Mike and Christina who are riding on a pair of Parasaurs. “We used the bolas to catch them,” says Sarah. “They did the taming.”

“Take good care of them,” I say. “They will serve you well.”

 

[rpicardi1]

Chapter Three. Island Adventure.

 

It is early morning as we have a breakfast of berries and Dodo eggs. Both rafts are outfitted with six crates, a firepit, and mortise and pestle, so we can craft and store items we make for the day. I take Dr Sanders, Chief Terry and Pauline with me. Tod and Sarah are on the other raft with Mike and Christina. Joe and Mary are going to stay at base to set up fish traps, start the farming plots, and prepare the area for a major expansion.

We set sail to an uninhabited island between North and South Tropical reaching it in after a short trip.

“What is that object floating over the island?” ask Chief Terry.

“It is one of the three Obelisk of The Keepers,” I answer. “Under them is an alter that we can access to travel to other Arks, or by placing tributes in one, be transported to a boss arena to fight what are called boss monsters.”

“Isn't fighting a boss monster extremely dangerous?” ask Pauline

“It certainly is, but its not required,” I answer. “We did so on our last visit for the experience, but only because we went together with a tribe of well armed experienced warriors. It was still a tough fight we won by getting both boss monsters to fight each other.”

“I see distant mountains along with that huge plateau to the South,” says Chief Terry. “Just how far can we travel in this world?”

“Ark is not like a world as we know it,” I answer. “As it is artificially created, it has a force field on its borders. We cannot travel to those distant mountains. We can travel over to the plateau once we craft better weapons and have strong tames. The Redwood forest there is inhabited by dangerous predators. We lost two of our tames in a surprise attack from an Allasaurs pack living there. Those were some really nasty high level ones.”

As we land at our destination, we spot several Tribolites on the beach. “Use your pikes to kill these creatures, then your hatchet to harvest them,” I tell the others. “We need the chitlin and oil they have for our use. Don't worry, they are so primitive that they live on instinct alone. Like most of the fish in the sea, they are too primitive to be tamed.”

“Put the fresh meat in the fire to cook and the chitlin, oil, and pearls into this storage box. More of them will show up from the sea to sun themselves on the beach, They are quite abundant here.”

After the hunt, we set to work cutting wood and thatch, collecting fiber, and crafting up the fence sections for the pen. Given that Tod and Sarah also have the crafting engrams for wood structures, we take the materials to them by the raft as they craft up the items to place in storage.

“We are getting seeds such as tomatoes, wheat, and barley while we gather thatch,” says Christina. “What should we do with them and these berries?”

“Give them to Tod and Sarah,” I answer. “They will sort through them for storage on the raft. You can also eat the berries if you are hungry. Save the Mejos, Narcos, and stimm berries for Tod and Sarah. Give any spoiled meat you have to them as well.”

As we continue with our harvesting, we start heading further across the little island. “What is that creature over on the other island with the big sail on its back?” ask Chief Terry.

“Lets get out of its sight,” I answer. “That is a Spinosaur. It is an apex predator as big and as dangerous as a T-Rex. So long as it is fishing, it shouldn't take any interest in us. Should it swim over here, we will have to leave for our own safety.”

We continue gathering resources which includes harvesting the boulders for flint, claystone, and iron ore. The flint and stone are converted into spark powder. We also pick up extra stone to convert to cementing paste with the chitlin from the Tribolites we continue to find on the beach.

Our new comers, as we call them, are starting to ask us more questions about Ark and its resources. Pauline, the Chief's wife and Medicine Man for the Navajos, has become interested in the berries and products we are now crafting from them.

“What is the cementing paste used for?” ask Pauline.

“We need it for crafting certain saddles and other items,” I answer

“The narco, mejo, and stimm berries?” she ask. “Why are you keeping them separate from the others?”

“Narco berries act as a tranquilizer to us and most any creature on Ark.” I answer. “We grind them up with spoiled meat to make narcs which will keep indefinitely. They are useful in the taming process of the higher level creatures. As soon as we reach Level 20, we will have the ability to combine the narcs with stone arrows to make Narc Arrows. Those will allow us to easily knock out a creature to tame without killing it. We will also be able to quickly take down the dangerous ones, such as that Spino by the other island. When we can craft a Crossbow, those narc arrows will become even more effective with greater range then from our primitive bows.”

“We now have trancs,” announces Sarah as she has been able to convert the spoiled meat with the narco berries we have been gathering.

“Stim Berries,” I tell Pauline, “act as stimulants for a boost of energy or as an antidote to being injected by a paralyzing poison by those creatures that attack with it. We can now make stimms from stimm berries and spark powder that will keep indefinitely. They will work on us and our tames to keep us from falling asleep or to give us a boost of energy when we get tired. However, they are very dehydrating to us so we need to have water with us to counteract their dehydration effect.”

“Eventually, we will have other skills available to us such as creating Medical Brew for healing injuries, Sweet Cakes for our herbivore tames should they get injured, Lesser Antidote to cure Swamp Fever, and Bug Repellent.”

“Work with Mary when we get back to camp and she can tell you more about the various potions and cures we can craft on Ark and how they work.” I answer. “I have a feeling that all these new seeds are going to have some very interesting uses once we learn more about them.”

It is mid afternoon as we have reached Level 20 from all of the crafting and harvesting. Tod and I are given 10 tranc arrows each from the crafting with the berries and spoiled meat. “Lets head over to the island across from the camp for the hunting skills,” I say. “We will let Mike and Chief Terry hone their skills on cleaning out the compys and dilos, then go tame up a Trike.”

We sail over to the island and turn loose the newcomers to clean out the predators. “When you see the dilo flare its hood, dodge sideways to avoid its spit.,” I say. “Watch that they, or the compys, don't try to flank you. We'll bail you out if you get in over your head.”

We watch over Chief Terry and Mike as they take on the local predators soon cleaning them out. Tod and I proceed to find ourselves a low level Trike and drop her with two tranc arrows. With a stack of Mejo Berries and some extra Nercoberries, we start the taming process.

“Such amazing creatures close up,” comments Chief Terry. “Why do you use mejoberries if they eat the others?”

“Mejoberries are the preferred food while they are taming,” I answer. “It makes the process go a bit faster.

“Why did you pick a low level and not the much higher level one at the other end of the island,” ask Pauline

“Since we only need a berry harvester for now, a low level one will do the job,” I answer. “The higher level one would take us all night to tame. This one will be done soon.”

With the extra hide from the local predators, and the levelup, we have a saddle for the Trike which we name Trixie.

“Take her out for a ride,” I say to Christina. “Gather berries for us with her.” Before long, we have a full load of berries and other items which we load the extras on the rafts, then place Trixie on board to sail back to camp.

“Everyone grab a load of foundations and wall sections and take them to Joe,” I order as we land. I grab the two dino gates and two door sections. Joe lays out the foundation as the rest of us put up the walls four high with a Dino Gate on each end. We finish unloading the raft and bring Trixie inside as darkness falls.

“That's much better,” says Joe. “We have a nice large secured pen with more room for housing. That should keep the higher level predators from bothering us during the night.”

“We spotted a Spino near South Tropical,” I answer. “That's the first time I have seen one so far East.”

“Trixie got us three stacks of narco berries,” says Mary. “That will give us plenty of narc arrows to deal with one if it gets interested in our base.

“With some more wall sections and ladders, we can put up some watch towers to fight from,” answers Joe.

“We have a smokehouse, hand mill, refining forge, and tanning rack,” says Mary. “We also caught some fish in those fish traps. Anyone know where we can get salt for the smokehouse and tanning rack?”

“Crystal can be ground down to salt,” answers Tod.

“That's going to have to wait until we get a metal pick,” I answer. “We'll plan a trip to the uninhabited island South of South Tropical in the morning. By the time we get an outpost established there, we should be at level 25.”

“Meanwhile, we were able to get plenty of spark powder for the smokehouse,” I say.

“Oh, we need lumber and brick,” says Mary.

“I'll build the Lumber Station and we can craft up the lumber from wood,” answer Tod. “To make brick, we need to make clay with the claystone and limestone we got from the boulders, then cook the clay in the Refining Forge to make bricks. We will also need a Construction table.”

“Joe, Mike, Dr Sanders, Chief Terry, and I make a quick trip to the South of our camp for a wood run. After cleaning out some compys, we each get a load of wood and bring it back to camp. I get a forge crafted up after chopping up a boulder for the large amount of stone needed and using the hide from the Compys. With the additional stone, I craft up the Handmill

“How can something so heavy be carried by one person?” ask Chief Terry.

“Another one of those strange things about Ark,” I answer. “Once crafted, most items weigh far less in our inventory then the materials needed to craft them.”

With the extra wood, we head back to camp where I place down the Refining Forge with wood in it. Tod takes the hand mill placing it down and gets the clay made. I take it and light the Refining Forge along with all of the iron ore we have collected. As soon as we have the brick, Tod crafts the Smokehouse and we have a place to preserve our meat and berries.

“Way past time to turn in for the night,” I say. “I'll let the fire cook up the rest of the brick and iron overnight.”

Note on gameplay;

It took a while to figure out making brick. That was further complicated by a bug that renders limestone worthless after exiting and reentering Ark.

I did spot a Spino close by fishing on one of the small island. Tribolites are common on the uninhabited one where the wood harvesting and crafting was done. Those materials allowed for building a secure pen for the berry harvesting Trike that was tamed nearby.

[rpicardi1]

There will be a break for a while. I am going to reset the game to standard crafting so I can start one on Scorched Earth. Primitive Plus is not compatible with its new items.

Chapter 4. More Island Adventures.

 

The fire has gone out in the Refining Forge, but, the Iron has been refined along with a bunch more brick.

“We should reach Level 25 while over on the other island,” I report at our morning meeting and breakfast.

“We'll have metal tools crafted up by the time you get back,” says Mary. “Maybe a spyglass and some salt for the Smokehouse. There is a male Trike nearby we can tame, then, we'll take both of them up above for more metal and crystal.”

We set sail to the uninhabited island by South Tropical to gather more building materials as well as to set up an overnight outpost.

“Lets sail close by South Jungle,” I say as we spot the Spino fishing near by.

“There's another on the beach on South Tropical,” announces Tod.

“What is that on the beach of South Jungle?”ask Chief Terry in a bit of alarm.

“Quick, sail back towards South Tropical before we are spotted,” I announce in alarm as well. “That is a Gigasaur. They are far more dangerous then those Spinos or even a T-Rex.”

We continue sailing South as more details from the Redwood Biome start showing up through the haze and clouds.

“Those trees look huge,” comments Chief Terry.

“They are the same trees that formed those huge petrified stone logs on your reservation,” I answer. “As you can see, they reach into the clouds.”

“Once we get better weapons, we can set up an outpost up on the eastern cliff. Oh, look likes we have a loot crate coming down at our destination.”

Landing on the shore, we get the loot crate which contains a set of stone tools, a bed, and a couple of torches. We place them in the storage box on the raft and get to work crafting wood building sections, also stone pipe sections, crop plots, and making Spark powder.

I take Chief Terry with me to survey a place for an outpost when he spots Skull Island. “What is that? Some huge stone idol to a fire God?”

“No,” I answer. “It is called Skull Island. I don't know what The Keepers had in mind creating it on Ark. I do know that once we get metal tools, we are heading over there to harvest obsidian rock for crafting new items.”

“This looks like a good place to build,” says Chief Terry.

“As no creatures other then Tribolites show up here,” I answer, “ We can build a simple shelter with basic crafting tools, a spawn bed, and a Go Box inside.”

“What is a Go Box?” ask Chief Terry.

“It is a storage box that contains a spare set of armor, tools, and basic weapons,” I answer. “It can be used if one of us gets killed to respawn here, or since we have to travel naked if we use the Spawn Bed as a teleport, we have our supplies ready at a destination.”

“You can use the beds as an instant transport?” ask Chief Terry.

“Yes,” I answer. “but it is much more efficient to just travel there in the first place since one is either exploring or bringing back resources.”

“Level 25,” says Tod.

“Excellent,” I say. “Mary should have metal tools and a crossbow by the time we get back.”

Late afternoon, we head back to base camp. The Giga has moved on further South as we notice the Spino we dodged earlier is now doing battle with the sharks.

“Metal tools and crossbow,” announces Mary as we return with the supplies to build the watchtowers. “We also have some extra Blacksmith Tables for the remote camps and the spyglass.”

“Oh, Trixie has a buddy,” I say.

“We used him as a pack mule for getting metal and crystal,” answer Mary. “We now have salt for making leather and for preserving. And, we built some beehives for the bees we found in the wild. They are now producing beeswax and honey.”

“We have crop plots and stone pipe in the raft,” I tell Mary.

“Excellent,” Mary answers. “I can now get started on the garden for these new seeds. I still need fertilizer.”

“I guess we will have to go on a poop run,” I answer. “With all of the trikes and parasaurs wandering around in the area, we should be able to find all the poop we need for the compost bins.”

Joe and I get to work on the watch towers as the others go looking for dino poop. Mary plots out the garden with Pauline and gets it planted using the small poop as fertilizer for now.

At our evening meeting, Mary tells us about being able to eat more normal foods soon. “We will soon have honey. Also barley, wheat, tomatoes, rice, almonds, and a variety of other pioneer crops. We should be able to bake bread, berry juice, jellies and preserves, make beer, even tobacco products.”

“That's sounds a lot more civilized then cooked mystery meat, dodo eggs, and berries,” answers Dr Sanders.

“We're off to Skull Island tomorrow,” I announce. “With metal tools, we can go get obsidian and crystal from there.”

2:00AM, there is a ruckus outside the base. Joe and I climb up the watchtower to observe a pair of raptors attacking a cornered parasaur.

“Tod, Sarah, want to tame yourselves a pair of raptors,” I say.

“Where are they?” ask Sarah.

“Just outside the gate feeding on a Parasaur,” I answer. “Grab your bow and tranc arrows. We will help from the watchtower.

Tranc arrows from the crossbow hit both raptors in the head. They start to run off just as Tod and Sarah bola each one in the legs. Two more tranc arrows and they are out.

“Lets get the meat and hide from their kill,” I say.

“I have four raptor kibble,” says Mary to Sarah.

“How did you get the longrass to make it?” I ask Mary.

“We found some up on the plateau above the base,” answers Mary.

“Excellent,” answers Tod. “This will make the tame much quicker.”

“Can we take them with us to Skull Island?” ask Sarah.

“Most certainly,” I answer. “They can help us clean out the predators over there.”

It isn't long before the mated pair of raptors wake up tamed. Saddled, Tod and Sarah take them out for a quick ride along the moonlit beach taking our some compys and dodos around the point.

Our Parasaurs are a bit nervous as the raptors come into the pen, then settle down when they realize they are not on the raptor's menu.

“They look amazing,” comments Chief Terry at his close inspection of the raptors that morning. “Such great coloring on those feathers.”

Our gathering party loads up on the two rafts with a raptor on each one. “When we reach Skull Island, be on the lookout for the giant centipedes,” I tell the newcomers. “Use ranged weapons on them and avoid their acid spit. It will ruin metal tools, so use only stone and flint ones on them. And, if you see a dragon, leave him alone.”

“A dragon! You got to be kidding,” answers Mike.

“No kidding,” answers Tod. “We saw one there on our last visit. Fortunately, he was a friendly dragon.”

Landing on Skull Island, we carefully look around for the predators. Finding none, we proceed to harvest obsidian and crystal.

“Sure is hot here,” comments Mike.

“Lava Island is even worse,” I answer.

Working in shifts to cool off on the raft, we gather everything surrounding the lava core in the skull.

“We got a break on that one,” I tell our newcomers. “Normally, this place has those giant centipedes, bats, spiders and dung beetles.”

We reach Level 30

“Lets stop over at the nearby island so we can take the raptors hunting,” ask Sarah.

“While you are hunting, we'll get flint, clay stone, and more building materials.” I answer. “Also, tribolites.”

“We can get pteradon saddles,” says Dr Sanders.

“Lets see if we can tame some from here,” I answer.

It is mid afternoon with all of the smaller creatures killed off by the raptors and our raft filled with raw materials, we prepare to sail back to home base. We have tamed four low level pteradons and have harvested enough chitlin to craft saddles for them. Dr Sanders and I take Chief Terry and Pauline on them back to base as the others bring the loaded rafts back with them.

“We'll stop at the outpost and the uninhabited island we were at yesterday to rest them,” I tell them. “We don't want to end up in the ocean if they get tired. When they level up with more stamina, they can take us further without getting so tired.”

We land at base to a surprised Mary. “You got pteradons already?” she ask.

“Our crafting requirements are different here.” I answer. “The saddles were available five levels early. In fact, several other late level saddles are now available for us.”

“That's good to know,” answers Mary. “The new crops are well under way in the plots by the beach. We do need more poop and thatch for the compost bins.”

“We have lots of that on the rafts.” I answer. “Also, a ton of crystal, metal, limestone, claystone, and obsidian.”

“We do have one problem,” answers Mary. “Just about everything new needs cementing paste.”

“Then, we will need to put our pteradons to work raiding beaver dams,” I answer.

 

 

On my gameplay I found Skull Island to be lacking predators. Harvesting and crafting resulted in quick level additions. Tranc arrows dropped a pteradon for my use after losing one to drowning as it tried to fly off.

There are beaver dams on South Jungle that can be raided by my pteradon using one of the uninhabited islands for storage and resting.

I have noticed that fish is no longer the preferred food for pteridons in Primitive Plus.

I do have bees producing honey and wax which is needed for crafting some common items such as a canteen. I did see those Spinos and the Gigasaur.

[DaEndGame]

In the first chapter it says "medicine man Pauline, his wife". Would it not be 'medicine women'.

[rpicardi1]

15 hours ago, DaEndGame said:

In the first chapter it says "medicine man Pauline, his wife". Would it not be 'medicine women'.

Indeed. Or maybe not.

[rpicardi1]

Chapter 5. Our other adventurers;

 

At the time we started on our expedition to the Navajo Reservation in Arizona, Michael, Caroline, Denny, and Julia, are on a second honeymoon vacation in Egypt. Being the adventurers they are, they have booked a safari trip to a new archaeological dig in the Sinai Desert.

It is a one day trip by sand buggy to the dig site in a vary rugged area of the Southern Sinai. The area is hot and dry but the site does have a reliable water source at the base of a mountain where some ancient ruins have been discovered and are being excavated. There, they are introduced to Professor Narcy and his new wife Helen.

“Fancy meeting you here,” says Michael. “I thought you were still working at the box canyon temple in Peru.”

“We have finished on that work,” answers Professor Narcy. “It was time for something new. By the way, what is Dr Sanders up to these days?”

“He took Halsey, Joe, and Mary with four other students on an archaeological dig in Arizona.” answers Michael. “What brings you here?”

“We have made a discovery of some early ruins that date back to a time before the Pyramids.” Professor Narcy says. “A grant from Cairo University is sponsoring this expedition.”

Just then, there is a panic among the diggers and the security guards hired for the project as they go fleeing from the dig site. “Now what?” ask Professor Narcy

“They heard those ghost again,” answers his graduate assistant Ahab.

“Lets head back down and see what their problem is all about this time.” says Professor Narcy,

As they enter the ruins, Caroline notices something familiar about the paintings and carvings on the walls. “Where have we seen these before” she ask the others.

“They look like those we saw in the cave of the Redwood Forest,” answers Julia.

“Where have you seen these before?” ask Professor Narcy.

“We saw them two days after we visited Traska's Tribe on The Island,” answers Julia. “They were on the walls of some cave ruins in The Center.”

“Fascinating,” answers Professor Narcy. “They have appeared nowhere else on Earth.”

“Where is this Island and Center?” ask Ahab and his girlfriend Cleo.

“You don't want to know,” answers Professor Narcy. “You probably wouldn't believe us if we told you.”

“I hear that hum,” says Michael as he examines what looks like a door frame in the stone wall.

“So do I,” answers Denny. “Doesn't that sounds like an artifact crate?”

“If it does, then what is it doing here?” ask Caroline.

“Lets find out how we can unlock the door,” answers Michael. “There has to be another room back there.

A green pulsating light fills the room as the door opens and everyone enters the room. As soon as they are inside, the door vanishes.

“Where did it go?” ask a panicked Ahab as he searches for the missing entrance.

“It likely wasn't even there,” answers Michael. “Settle down so we can figure out what is going on here. We have seen this before.”

“That is definitely an artifact crate,” says Denny. “How do we access it without our, wait, I have mine.”

“We all do,” answers Julia, Michael, Caroline and Professor Narcy.

“What are these?” ask Helen, Ahab, and Cleo who are now in a panic over this unknown.

“Calm down,” answers Professor Narcy. “They are called specimen implants. They have been given to us by The Keepers of this place. It appears that they are going to send us back to Ark to observe us there.”

Before the others can ask more questions, the green pulsating light flashes brightly and they are rendered unconscious.

 

Chapter 6. Scorched Earth.

 

As they wake up naked on the hot desert sands, Michael screams out a warning, “Raptor, run for that rock outcropping.”

The raptor comes racing after us closing the gap as Michael shouts, “Run between those camel like things.” The raptor runs into one of the creatures which then attacks it. It's mate joins in the fight as they pin it against a boulder and kill it.

“This can't be the Ark as I know it,” says Professor Narcy.

“It isn't, but it has to be an Ark.” answers Michael as he gathers material for a pick. “There are floating Obelisks in the distance. Everyone, craft up some weapons. Show our newcomers what to do. Then we can figure out where we are and how we are going to survive in this hostile world.”

Wood and thatch is gathered from the Joshua Trees, fiber from the brush, loose stones on the ground, flint from the boulders, as the group quickly level up crafting the hatchet, spears and basic clothing.

Michael heads back to the dead raptor harvesting it for the meat and hide. “I'll save the hide for slingshots, then we can craft gloves and shoes.”

“What are we going to do for water?” ask Helen.

“There has to be a spring or oasis around here somewhere,” answers Denny. “Meanwhile, eat the berries you have gathered. Just don't eat the black ones and especially don't eat the white ones. They will dehydrate you.”

“There could be a canyon to the North,” says Ahab. “It may contain a spring down there.”

“Were going to have to get out of this hot sun and soon,” answers Michael. “Or we will die from heat stroke.”

“Lets try for the shade in that rock outcropping,” says Michael. “That should help some until evening arrives.”

“What is this blue bug that just landed?” ask Cleo.

“Catch it,” says Denny. “My engram says it is a water jug bug.”

“A weird water source,” answers Professor Narcy. “We better take advantage of it given how rapidly our water meter is dropping in spite of eating the berries.”

“107*F and climbing,” says Denny. “We better get under that cliff face now.”

The group heads for the cliff face finding that the overhang is providing some relief from the extreme desert heat which has reached 120* F. Water is remaining a concern as dehydration is starting to set in.

“Build some boxes for storage and transfer your excess items into them,” says Denny. “I'm going looking for water.”

“Be careful out there,” answers Julia. “This is far worse then any survival challenge we have ever taken.”

Several minutes later, Denny returns with some good news. “There is a water vein over by that thatch foundation I placed for a marker. Go get a drink, then gather resources as you return to the shade.”

With a water source nearby, the group is able to ride out the mega heat of the afternoon. As it cools off, they spread out gathering materials to build a shelter for the night.

“What now?” ask Michael. “I suppose that it will now get freezing cold for the night.”

“Actually, it can,” answers Ahab. “The Sinai can get quite cold at night, sometimes even below freezing.”

“Look what I found,” says Cleo as she comes back with a cute little fox eared mammal perched on her shoulder. “My engram says it is a Jerboa.”

“Have you seen anything like this in the Sinai?” ask Professor Narcy.

“No,” answers Cleo. “Nothing even remotely looks like this.”

“Then, it has to be unique to this environment,” answers Professor Narcy.

“Wonder what they are good for other then for meat and hide,” ask Denny.”

“We may find out soon,” answers Michael as the Jerboa starts making a low growl sound as a darkening sky approaches.

“Looks like a storm coming,” says Denny. “Lets get back to our shelter.”

The storm is like no other ever witnesses on Ark. Jagged bolts of lightning flash all around. We watch a nearby Joshua Tree vanish in a brilliant flash of lightning. Then, the wind comes with blowing sand followed by hail and blinding rain. As quickly as the storm hits, it is soon over with a clearing moonlit sky. As the temperature drops rapidly as we hear the Parasaurs and camel like creatures grazing nearby.

“So long as they are peacefully grazing, it should be relatively safe out there,” says Denny.

In the distance, we hear a howl of a Direwolf followed by a growl of a sabercat and some unknown creature, all coming from the direction of the canyon.

“Sounds like heading to that canyon may not be such a good idea,” says Denny. “Predators are attracted to a watering holes like flies to garbage.”

“Excellent, we can now craft slingshots and boomerangs.” Those should prove useful for taming and defense.”

 

[rpicardi1]

Forum software cut off some of the story as usual.

“In the morning, we should see if we can tame some of these camel like creatures,” says Michael. “They could offer us some protection from predators we may find in the canyon.”

Gameplay note; My character, Desert Pete, was promptly killed by a raptor when he spawned in on top of one. Upon respawn. he landed in an area clear of them and started gathering resources. He watched two Morellatops kill the raptor by pinning it against a boulder, then harvested it for the meat and hide. Then, the megaheat hit. The shelter of an overhanging cliff worked to stave off heatstroke as he crafted a Go Box and sleeping bag, but water was becoming an issue as the berries were not enough. A quick dash out found a water vein. That was enough for him to ride out the megaheat which reached 120*F at one point. Desert Peat is doing well and has his Morellatop for transport.

[rpicardi1]

Chapter 7. The Canyon.

 

It is morning when Michael walks out to check out the nearby grazing unknown creatures. “Morellatops,” says Michael when he returns to camp.

“We can now craft saddles for them,” answers Denny.

“Lets see if we can knock one out with our slingshots,” says Michael.

Finding the one by itself, Denny and Michael hit it in the head with stones only to find that it and his mate come charging after them. “Watch out, they are fast,” warns Michael as Professor Narcy and Ahab come in to help.” They are soon knocked out by the Water Vein after the male has trashed the thatch hut marker.

“This is interesting,” Michael tells the others upon close examination of the unconscious creature. “We can use their hump to store water for us.”

“A good thing,” answers Denny. “Our waterskins are useless here if we can't fill them from the jug bugs or the Water Vein.”

“We can now craft up a well to place over the Water Vein,” says Ahab. “Where can we get the chitlin needed for it?”

“Go kill some jug bugs,” answers Denny. “Be sure to take the oil from the oil ones before harvesting them.”

A well is soon built and placed where it begins to fill to capacity. Denny fills some waterskins as the taming progresses.

As noon approaches, Denny notices that the waterskin he filled earlier is almost empty. “You might as well throw those waterskins away,” he says. “They are worse then useless the way they are losing their water so rapidly.”

One of the Morellatops wakes up followed by it's mate. Walking them over to the well, Denny and Michael find that their humps are now full. “One problem solved,” says Denny. “We now have a reliable way to carry water. Lets see what else this creature can do for us.”

“Most useful,” says Michael. “They are super efficient at harvesting the bushes and cactus for resources. We'll have no problems in gathering berries, thatch, sap, even silk, and other useful items. Not only can they carry a lot on them, they appear to be quite fast. Lets get some more tamed up so everyone has a ride.”

“Primitive bow and stone arrows,” announces Helen. “Save the Narcoberries and spoiled meat. We can have tranc arrows soon.”

Just then, Cleo's Jerboa starts chirping and looking at the sky. “Everyone back to the shelter,” warns Michael as he sees the massive dust cloud moving towards them”

“Sandstorm,” warns Ahab as we go inside.

“The growl before the electrical storm hit, now, the chirping and looking at the sky. Those guys must be weather forecasters,” says Michael

“That is going to be most useful,” answers Denny. “They can give us plenty of warning of changing weather conditions so we can get to shelter before it hits.”

“What makes the sandstorm so dangerous other then we can't see well?” ask Professor Narcy. “Oh, it drains stamina by just standing in it. That's not good.”

“It appears that it does the same to our tames,” reports Michael after taking out one of the Morellatops for a short trip.

“When the storm is over, Denny and I are going to survey a route to the canyon floor and check it out,”

“Better tame a Jerboa for yourself before you head out,” says Caroline. “Pack a tent with you for shelter if you need it.”

With a tent, a newly tamed Jerboa, and armed with stone arrows, Michael and Denny head out on an exploration North as the others work on taming another pair of Morellatops.

“There is definitely water down there,” says Michael as he looks over the edge of the cliff.

“Looks like all kinds of Dire Wolves, Terror Birds, Sabercats, Carnos, and some alligator like creature I've never seen before,” says Denny. “Lets head East and see if we can find a way down. It seems to be quiet in that direction.”

Heading East, the pair find an old stone temple with a ruined alter. Nearby, a pair of scorpions are on patrol. “Lets see what these guys can do against them,” says Michael. Two scorpions soon bite the dust.

“Excellent,” says Denny as he harvested the chitlin and hide from the dead scorpions. “Very little torpor damage from that attack.”

“Here's another water vein,” says Michael. “It is certainly possible that we could set up a series of watering well in the area should we decide to set up our camp as a permanent base.”

They have located two other water veins when Denny spots something over a ridge. “Look at the size of that skeleton.”

“Just like something out of that Ridd!ck desert planet movie,” comments Michael. “Oh oh, raptors ahead.”

“Lets pin them to that wall,” answers Denny as he urges his Morellatop into a charge.

“Finally, a way down,” answers Michael after harvesting the fresh kills. “With a bit of guidance, these guys are awesome.”

Reaching the edge of the canyon, they find the area relatively free of danger and head into it to the oasis on the East end. Denny's Jerboa starts chirping about and rubbing his head like he wants to dig into the ground.

“What's bugging your pet?” ask Michael.

“Look to the East,” says Denny. “The Megaheat is coming out of that sand desert.”

“Lets see if we can shelter from it at the oasis,” answers Michael.

The Megaheat hits with a vengeance as the few nearby creatures seek shelter among the rocks. “130*F. That's insane.” says Denny.

“Lets being the Morellatops into the pond with us to wait out this heat.” answers Michael.

“Much better,” says Michael. “We have Coe in here as well.”

Like the first day on this Ark, the Mega Heat seems to be a daily afternoon event. It does not let up until late afternoon. We find some metal rocks nearby and harvest them.

“We better get back before it gets dark,” says Denny.

As the adventurers return, they see that the others have been busy with shelter construction with two more tamed Morratops. “An Adobe House,” says Denny.

“We got that built just before the Megaheat hit,” answers Julia. “It made a huge difference with staying much cooler inside.”

“How was the exploration?” ask Professor Narcy.

“We found some more water veins and a small temple ruin,” answers Michael. “Our Morellatops are more then a match for the predators in the area as long as we don't try to take on too many of them at once.”

“The sand desert to the East appears to be the source of the sandstorms and Megaheat. The Jarboa gave us a warning that it was coming. We saw it distorting our view as we entered the canyon and took shelter in the oasis.”

“The Adobe hut protected us well from that last blast of heat,” answers Ahab, “Even the Sahara, it doesn't get as hot as it did here. All the wild creatures hid from that last one, even our new tames huddled against our adobe shelter for protection.”

“Until we can get better protection for ourselves and our tame from that afternoon furnace, we are going to be limited to how far we can explore and forage,” answers Denny. “We should make this place home base until we can find a way back to civilization.”

“What does that mean?” ask Cleo as her Jarboa starts making crying like sounds.

“I don't know,” answers Denny. A few minutes later, with evening approaching, some clouds roll in and a gentle rain starts falling.

“Well, that's different,” answers Helen. “Our little weather forecasters must have a specific sound for every weather event.”

“Lets plan to gather more resources tomorrow so we can get a Morellatop for everyone,” says Michael. “Then, we can plan for some extended expeditions together and look for a way out of this awful place.”

[rpicardi1]

Chapter 8. The Center Primitive Adventurers.

 

With the high requirement for Cementing Paste for crafting and the limited number of Tribolites on the small islands to get chitlin from, an expedition to South Jungle Island is planned. According to The Survivor's handbook, there are beaver dams in the ponds on the south slope. So, we plan to check it out and raid them for the resources.

The mission is dangerous enough that Joe, Tod, Sarah, and myself will conduct it. “This is not a mission for our newcomers,” I announce. “Beavers are extremely defensive of their lodges. We have to sneak in, grab the cementing paste, and bug out before they attack us. There is also a chance that the Giga we saw the other day may show up. If it does, we may have to go to the Center Island.”

We take one of the rafts with Joe sailing it. I make an exception to the newcomer rule and let Chief Terry come along on the 4th pteradon. “We'll circle around the pond landing next to the lodge where the beavers are not,” I tell the Chief. “We will have a couple of seconds to grab only the cementing paste and rare flowers. Do not take any of the wood. It is much too heavy to attempt to make a fast getaway.”

Joe finds one of the deserted islands to park the raft as the rest of us head inland to find the ponds. We find one near the shore. “One at a time go down to a lodge while the others watch,” I say. “If you can, land on top of it.”

Sarah goes down first making a successful landing on the lodge near the shore. The beavers rush in to attack but she is gone before they get there. That leaves the lodge on the far end unprotected as Tod goes after it. Chief Terry successfully raids another. I see him dump wood as his pteradon struggles to take off. He is quick enough to lighten the load before the angry beavers can reach him.

I go next having just enough time to get the cementing paste when I see the Giga coming in to attack as Tod shouts a warning. I am out of there in time as the Giga goes after the beavers wiping them and their lodges out.

“We got that just in time,”I say to the others as we fly back to the raft.

“Lets hope that it hasn't destroyed the other ponds,” answers Joe as we unload the cementing paste and rare flowers to storage on the raft.

We conduct another raid on the pond further up the hill. Coming back, we see another pond that had dead beavers and smashed lodges everywhere. We find the Giga busy nearby in a fight with several herbivores that soon bite the dust.

“That thing is a killing machine,” says Chief Terry. “It just kills and leaves the bodies.”

“I hope that we don't have to deal with it,” I answer. “We won't have the ability to make the weapons capable of taking one down.”

With the storage boxes on the raft packed full of cementing paste, we head back to home base.

“We managed to raid two of the three ponds on South Jungle.” I tell Mary. “But, we won't be able to use those ponds again for a long while. That Giga we saw the other day has wiped two of them out already.”

“We did fill all of the storage crates on the raft with cementing paste,” says Joe, “and we got a bunch of rare flowers as well.”

“That should be more then enough for our needs,” answers Mary.

“Just in case, we should establish outposts on Secluded Island and near The Center so we can get cementing paste from the beaver dams up there.” I answer back.

“Good idea,” answers Mary. “It will give the others something to do as we work here to build a sustainable village for our pioneering study.”

Mary, Dr Sanders, Chief Terry, and Pauline continue work on the pioneering village. Interesting that a tepee tent is one of the crafting items which Chief Terry checks out. The four of them discuses what pioneering life must have been like as the rest of us head on the raft to establish the outposts.

We stop at the south outpost crafting up enough materials to build the structures for the outpost. A short stop on Skull Island gives us a storage crate full of metal so we can construct the Smithy for them. As of the last trip, that island is lacking of any danger.

We set up the outpost at the large crag on Secluded Island, place down a spawn bed, refining forge, storage containers, grindstone, etc.. and get some metal cooking for a Smithy and clay for bricks. We are soon able to craft a second set of those items for the Tundra outpost.

“What are those oversize seagulls?” ask Christina.

“They are Pellagoris.” I answer. “Probably the largest flying feather creature to ever live on earth.

“Can they be tamed?” ask Christina.

“Yes,” I answer. “There is a saddle for them. They are the only flying creature in Ark that can land on the water. Their limitation is a weak attack and the ability to carry a lot of weight.”

“Right now, we don't have any fish for them, so taming will have to be done another day.”

“Meanwhile, if one lands on the beach to rest, you can get pretty close to them to examine one.”

It is the next morning when we load up the two rafts to establish the Tundra outpost. By noon, we have constructed the outpost and crafted up some more fence foundations and other materials.

“Can we go over to the Tundra and see what it looks like?” ask Mike.

“If it doesn't get too cold, we can check it out.” I answer. “We just need to watch out for the wolves.”

The weather turns hot as we sail over the short distance to the Tundra. It cools down comfortably as we reach the shore.

“The Ark Gods are smiling on us today,” I comment. “It is usually quite cold here.”

“Are those Dire Wolves I see in the distance?” ask Christina.

“Yes,” I answer. “And a unusually large pack of them.”

“We better leave before they spot us,” warns Joe.

I put the spotting scope on them as I count 12 in the pack. “You are not going to believe this,” I tell the others and then whistle to call the pack to us. “These are our tames from our last visit.” With that, each of us soon have two happy Direwolves mauling us for attention.

“How is that possible,” ask Tod. “Didn't the Traska Tribe take all of our tames with them for our care?”

“Yes they did,” I answer. “But we had left the dire wolf pack here to live independent from us.”

“We should bring them back with us,” answers Sarah. “But, how are we going to fit so many of them on our two rafts?”

“Lets make a ferry from the spare raft that is big enough to take them all,” I answer. “We can place foundations and ceilings on it with a loading ramp and place them in a 3 by 4 formation.”

As the materials are already on board the two rafts, we place down the spare and craft the platform that will hold them all. With the wolves loaded in a 3x4 formation, there is enough room for me to pilot the raft at the others sail back with me for home base.

We are greeted by a surprised Mary as we ride back into the growing village with all of the Dire Wolves. “What did you guys do, go on a wolf taming spree?”

“No,” I answer, “These are our tames from our last visit.”

“I thought that Traska was going to care for all of our tames.” says Dr Sanders.

“Apparently, we forgot to tell him about our wolf pack,” I answer.

“I have heard about them in our legends,” answers Chief Terry.

“They are every bit as cunning and dangerous as the ones that roamed Earth in prehistoric time,” I answer. “Our tames are gentle and intelligent enough to be ridden without saddles. They will defend you to the death. We lost two of them on our last visit when we were surprised by a pack of four high level Allasaurs over in the Redwood Forest. Even though we were armed with high powered rifles with tranc darts at the time, it was still a tough battle.”

“Well, lets settle in for the night,” answers Mary. “Then, we can show you in the morning how we are progressing with our pioneering experiment.”

[rpicardi1]

Chapter 9. Back at the Dry Wash Camp.

 

The sun comes out bright and hot as it burns off the freezing chill of the night before. Michael's tribe get their assignments where to gather resources as Denny and Julia go looking for another pair of Morellatops to tame and find them close by. Ahab and Cleo take their two Morellotops down to the canyon to find more metal. With stone building materials now available, a pen is being built to protect the tames from the roaming raptors. The cliff above is fenced off to protect that side of the camp. “Metal tools,” announces Denny as the tribe reaches Level 25.

“We have a problem,” announces Michael who is supervising the pen construction. “Our Morellotops are too fat to fit through a dino gate. We will need a larger one.”

“Lets go tame a Dodicerous,” says Julia. “Soon as we get the saddle, we can use it to speed up stone and sand harvesting.”

“Lets get one of the Parcers as well,” says Caroline. “We can use it for a pack animal.”

The weather cooperates as the tribe conducts the difficult job of dropping a Parcer and Dodicerous to tame. Professor Narcy and Helen take care of the taming process with their newly tamed Morellotops nearby. They take turns shuttling wood back to the base and babysitting the taming creatures.

With the Dodicerous tamed, he is put to work on the boulders where he quickly gathers the stone needed for the Behemoth Gate. With the Parcer tamed they both bring back a crafted gate along with a ton of sand and several hundred cactus sap. The pen is soon finished with the big gate and the second smaller one by the cliff.

“We saw what looked like a pair of wolves up on the ridge,” announces Ahab as he and Cleo come back from the canyon.

“If they are Direwolves, that would be excellent,” says Michael. “When we get some crossbows crafted up, we need to go tame them. That will give us some fast recon mounts that can hold their own against the raptors and other predators out there. Denny and I will go after them first thing in the morning.”

“We can now make a complete set of desert clothes for everyone,” announces Julia. “We only need some more silk from those purple flowers. The goggles will have to wait until we can crystal and pearl.”

“We saw pearls in the pond while getting metal ore, but no crystal” says Ahab.

“We'll probably have to go up into the mountain to get it,” answers Michael. “Lets do that after we tame the wolves.”

As evening approaches the camp Jarboas go crazy growling at the sky. It soon blackens as jagged bolts of lightning light up the horizon. “Better get everybody inside,” says Michael. “It is going to get nasty out here.”

The storm soon hits with blowing sand but little rain. One jagged bolt of lightning hits the stone wall above the cliff sending bits of hot stone splattering around the shelter. Another bolt hits at the well. All the tames huddle against the wall and shelter in order to escape the worst effects of the storm.

Like before, as quickly as it arrives, it blows out leaving a cold starry night in its wake. The Direwolves on the ridge howl at the rising moon.

In the morning Michael and Denny go to check on the well. “It's been damaged by last night's storm,” says Michael after inspecting it. “We can't get water from it.”

“Our specimen implant says we need building material items to repair this,” answers Denny. “We should have those back in the camp.”

Fixing the well, Denny spots a dead Parasaur nearby. “Must have been hit by that lightning bolt during the storm,” comments Denny.

“Here is the raw meat we need for the wolf tame,” answers Michael.

Meeting with the others as they come down for water, Michael tells them what happened last night. “We were lucky to repair the well last night,” he tells the others. “Until we can safely set up a base in the Oasis, we should place a backup well over the water vein by those ruins.”

“We'll get to work on that before we continue crafting more adobe building materials,” answers Professor Narcy.

Armed with crossbows, raw meat, and trancs, Denny and Michael head up to the ridge in search of the wolves. “Yep, they are Direwolves,” says Denny.

“Lets get up on this boulder and bait them to us,” says Michael.

The take down and tame goes as before with Michael and Denny having a pair of mate boosted Direwolves by noon.

“We should take them up to the nearby peak to find some crystal.” says Denny.

“Lets go bring a tent along so we don't get caught by the Megaheat,” answers Michael.

Heading West, they soon start climbing up a path in the mountain, dodging and occasionally getting into fights with the predators in the area. “Why so many Terror Birds?” ask Denny.

“Finally, we have crystal,” answers Michael.

“We also have sulfur,” says Michael as they get to work.

Nearly done Denny spots an odd yellow colored boulder. “Michael, what is this?”

Approaching it the ground suddenly shakes as the odd colored boulder comes to life transforming into a giant rock creature. “Lets get out of here,” shouts Michael as the two of them run to their wolves.

“Incoming” yells Denny as a huge boulder comes flying towards them. Michael's wolf yelps in surprise as the boulder hits to the side missing them by inches.

“Watch out, there is another one to the side,” warns Michael.

Fortunately, the rock monsters are too slow to catch them. It soon loses interest and returns to its boulder shape.

It is getting mid afternoon and getting brutally hot as Michael and Denny return to the shelter of camp. After taking the wolves down to the well so they can get a drink, they bring them into the adobe shelter for Ahab and Cleo to examine up close. Then, they tell Professor Narcy about the rock creature that nearly killed them.

“Rock Elementals,” answers Professor Narcy. “They are not suppose to exist.”

“Neither do Morellatops, this variety of Jarboas, Jug Bugs, or moths big enough to fly on,” answers Ahab.

“He's right,” answers Caroline. “This ark has creatures that can't possibly be from Earth's past but have to be from some alien desert world.”

“Then, we will have to be extra careful when we go exploring,” answers Michael. “Those skeletons we have seen are far larger then any Titansaur we saw on The Island. We have yet to explore the canyon or sand desert in the distance. No telling what else will show up out there.”

As the temperature cools off, Denny and Michael make a quick run to the oasis in the canyon where they find pearls in the water and shore line. Heading back, they kill another pair of raptors that decide to press their luck. With the wolves well fed, they head back to camp for the night. By morning, there are spotting scopes and desert helmets.

“We have enough supplies to build an outpost at the oasis,” announces Michael.

“Then, lets do it,” answers Denny. “The oasis and canyon will offer us better shelter from the heat and storms then up here. We can use it as a base to find our way out of this Ark.”

Packing everything on the tames, the caravan heads the short trip to the oasis below. A suitable place has been located on the last visit as the tribe sets to clearing the area placing down an adobe hut for shelter, then an expanded pen with an adobe barn for the tames.

It is mid afternoon when all of the work is done. Ahab and Cleo have been out exploring along the canyon towards the North. They have taken along crossbows and tranc arrows and have managed to avoid combat with the area raptors and sabercats when they spot some ruins blocking a sandstone wash entrance.

“Why would there be a structure built across this,” ask Cleo.

“Unknown,” answers Ahab. “The door is broken but it looks too dark to explore for now. We can come back with the others.”

“What is that strange looking lizard?” ask Cleo. “OW! OW! OW! It just pitched quills at me.”

“Tranc it!” yells Ahab as it comes running towards them. It soon drops from the effect of the trancs.

“A Thorny Dragon,” answers Cleo as she pulls the quills out of her arms and legs. “And, it is tame able.”

“Raptor!” warns Ahab as both of them grab their pikes to dispatch it quickly. “It has stone and tranc arrows,”as he harvest it for the meat and hide.

“At least, we have meat for taming this.”

“He actually looks quite cute,” says Cleo. “Can we make a saddle for it?”

“Not here,” replies Ahab after checking the requirements. “It requires a Smithy.”

It is getting close to evening when Michael and Denny come looking for them on their direwolves. “What is that thing?” ask Michael.

“A Thorny Dragon,” answers Cleo. “It is just about tamed.”

“This place gets all the more weird the longer we are here,” comments Denny as the dragon wakes up tamed.

“Well, lets bring it back to camp and see if we can craft a saddle for it,” answers Michael. “Then, we can make plans to explore that sandstone canyon you discovered.”

“How was your trip in the other direction?” ask Ahab as they start heading back.

“We found a vast sand dune desert,” answers Michael. “It was getting too hot to go check out the dome stone structure near the horizon. We will check it out early in the morning when it is cooler out.”

Back in the oasis camp, everyone checks out the Thorny Dragon. “There is nothing like this in Earth's History,” comments Professor Narcy. Michael checks out the crafting requirements for the saddle. “A lot of stuff, but doable. I'll get one built.”

Placing the saddle on the newly tamed Thorny Dragon, Michael notices something unusual about it. “This is a good find,” he announces. “This saddle appears to be a mobile Smithy. We can use it to repair our desert outfits and our metal gear.”

[DaEndGame]

Ahh, another one! I really need to find time in my day to read all of these chapters and the other great stories on the forum.

[rpicardi1]

Michael and Denny are going to make what they think will be a short recon visit to the domed ruins in the Dune Desert. It will be their most frightening experience yet.

This is the dry wash base from the story. I will soon be ready to build the one in the canyon on the right once I check it out either with the moth or my wolf.

[DaEndGame]

"Ahhh, Spoilers!" -River Song             Thats a Doctor who reference.

But If I had any more rep points left tonight, I would 1up you right now.

 

 

[rpicardi1]

The "Spoiler," chapter. I'll be taking a break for a while.

Chapter 10 The Dome Ruins.

 

It is early morning as Michael and Denny leave on the wolves to the Dune Desert. The have managed to craft up some canteens that hold more water much better then the nearly useless water skins. A tent is packed on one wolf just in case their Jarboa warns them of approaching sandstorm or mega heat. With berries for food, they head off Southeast down the canyon to the Dune Desert in the distance.

“How desolate,” comments Denny as they enter the dunes with its blowing shifting sand. “Except for the dome ruins, there is nothing as far as the eye can see.”

“We'll keep the Obelisk behind us for a bearing,” says Michael.

“Well, there are some living things out here even if most of it is not friendly,” says Denny. “Looks like scorpions, snakes, dung beetles, those giant centipedes, and even praying mantis.”

“Some water jug bugs too,” says Michael. “What the Hell!” as the ground suddenly starts shaking as a mound of sand starts heading their way.

“Run to the dome!” yells Denny as a huge worm like creature explodes out of the sand and crashed back into it just behind them. Both wolves bolt in full panic towards the dome ruins where the sand ends in solid ground.

In the safety of the stone ruins they dismount their frightened wolves and attempt to calm them down. “You got to be kidding,” comments Michael when he is finally able to leave his wolf and place a spotting scope on the giant sand creature.

“I see another,” says Denny. “They appear to be called Death Worms.”

“They look like a cross between the giant sand worms of the movie Dune and the other sand creature in Tremors,” says Michael. “Our movement must have triggered them to attack.”

“There is even an alpha variant of them,” answers Denny as he spots an orange glowing one further out. “Thank goodness they haven't followed us to solid ground,” Denny's Jarboa starts growling at the ever darkening sky.

“Just what we don't need at this time, a blinding electrical storm.” says Michael.

“Lets shelter in the dome structure,” Denny responds.

As the storm rages all around them and the wolves start calming down, Michael starts looking around to assess their tactical position. The dome structure appears to be providing them with needed protection.

“There appears to be a tunnel behind this door frame going into the cellar,” says Michael. “We should explore it while we are stranded here.”

“Oh, oh,” answers Denny. “Our wolves won't fit through that narrow opening.”

“Lets unpack the tent and spare items just in case something scares them away,” answers Michael.

With the spares and tent placed in storage, Michael and Denny start down the long winding passage that opens up into several rooms where holes in the ceilings let in light and a shower of sifting sand. One such room has a huge stone wall complete with an Egyptian mural painted on the wall.

“Really interesting,” comments Denny. “Professor Narcy would like to study this.”

They head further down into the cave system where the temperature is all over the place. “Crazy,” says Denny. “Hot, then freezing cold.”

As the passage opens up into a huge cavern with a huge pit and more ruins up way ahead, the ground seems to come alive with movement. Scorpions, bats, Titanboas, the giant centipedes, even several smaller Rock Elemental start appearing from everywhere. “Time to Leave and quickly,” says Michael as they both start running as fast as they can, dodging boulders being thrown at them, the way they came into the cavern.

Making it back to the wall painting room, they slow down to rest and look behind them. “Doesn't appear to be anything coming up after us,” comments Michael.

“Good thing,” answers Denny. “We certainly don't have the firepower to deal with that.”

Coming back to the cellar the weather has now cleared, but it is now high noon and Denny's Jarboa is warning of mega heat on the way. “Too Far to chance running the dunes back to the canyon,” says Michael. “Lets check out this area before we are forced to shelter.”

“Excellent, Jug Bugs. Lets get them so we have water and something to feed our wolves with. Their meat has all spoiled from this heat.”

“Here is a salt deposit,” says Denny. “Lets bring some of it back so we can craft preserving salts.”

“Time to shelter from the mega heat,” says Michael. “Lets hope that it cools off by the afternoon so we can get back before dark.”

It is late afternoon by the time the mega heat goes away. The shelter of the dome structure has provided them with sufficient cooling that the tent didn't have to be pitched. “We can probably leave the tent and extra items behind,” says Denny. “It should let us bring back the salt without encumbering the wolves with its weight.”

“I agree,” answers Michael. “We need to move quickly in case those death worms show up.”

“Lets run the ridge back,” Denny responds. “It will give us a good view of any trouble ahead.”

It is late evening as Michael and Denny make it back to the edge of the Dune Desert. They are met by Ahab and Cleo on a mated pair of Spiny Dragons with Professor Narcy and Helen on a pair of Morellotops.

“Where have you been?” ask Professor Narcy. “Your wives have been worried sick about you.”

“Have any of you ever watched the sci fi movie called Dune?” ask Denny.

“I have,” answers Helen. “Are you telling us that there are sand worms out there?”

“We sure did see something like them and just as huge,” answers Denny. “As we barely outran them on the wolves, your little caravan would have been instant lunch. We not only saw three of them, we saw an alpha variant. They are as huge as those in the Dune movie. We were only able to escape them by sheltering in the dome ruins which is built on solid rock. Between the storm and mega heat, we were trapped there until it started cooling off.”

“Have you any spare raw meat on you for our wolves?

“Yes,” answers Ahab. “Take some off of the spiny dragons.”

“We also found a wall with an Egyptian painting on it in a cave under the Rock Dome. There was a cavern further on with extensive Egyptian ruins in it but we were chased out by an overwhelming force of cave predators and rock elemental.”

“We had the same issue with a cave we found in the sandstone canyon,” answers Ahab. “We had to walk in it since it was blocked with a narrow doorway. We didn't fully explore the canyon but it looks like that it may have a couple of outlets that we can ride tames down into.”

“Lets get back before it gets totally dark out,” says Michael “Then, we can trade stories of our adventures today. We found a salt deposit out there. Hopefully, we can use it to make preserving salts for this raw, cooked meat, and other items that spoil so quickly.”

 

 

On game play on the You Tube videos, a team of two, heavily armed with flame throwers, homing rockets, assault rifles, and compound bows with metal arrows, went into the cave of the Dome Ruin. They met very heavy resistance in the huge chamber where a dead end passage led to a freezing room with the artifact. They got to it but used up all of their ammo fighting off rubble elementals and wave after wave of snakes, centipedes, scorpions, bats, and other creatures. Only one of them made it out alive.

[DaEndGame]

"The "Spoiler," chapter." 

This made me laugh so hard

 

"I'll be taking a break for a while."

It is more then deserved. You have been putting out chapters like a madman. I should really get around to polishing off Chapter 2 of ISoBS.    

[rpicardi1]

A short chapter, then, it is on to search for the others.

Chapter 11. On The Center.

 

In the morning, Mary conducts the tour of explaining the new items we have available in our Primitive Plus village.

“The Lumber Station, a portable sawmill, has allowed us to saw up the trees into boards and planks that we can use for building many new items. Those include the Apiary for the wild bees we have found in the area, complete structures out of lumber, storage boxes, wood cabinets, a water well and a windmill.”

“The wild creatures have been giving us poultry, fish, spare ribs, bacon, and fats in addition to fresh and prime meat. The fish traps have worked well for catching coe and salmon.”

“Our crop plots can grow many new varieties of food who's seeds have been found growing wild in this area. Those have been grains such as barley, rice, wheat which we can use for bread and other prepared foods. We can also have fresh vegetables such as tomatoes, cabbage, carrots, maze, and other similar foods. There is even sugar cane and grapes. There are also cashew, tea plants, coffee, and tobacco.”

“We can refine the sugar cane to sugar and produce juices and jellys from the berries we and our herbivore tames rely on.”

“The bee apiary are producing honey and bees wax which has been useful for making candles. And, Dr Sanders says he should be able to craft beer and wine from the grains and grapes.”

“The leather rack has been turning hide into leather which has been most useful for making durable leather goods.”

“With the new raw materials, we have been able to make cement and brick to add to our ability to construct comfortable pioneer housing.”

“The tepee is a tent that serves as a sleeping bag and can be picked up and placed where needed. Unlike a sleeping bag, anyone in the tribe can use it.”

“Looks like we are going to be kept quite busy with construction and farming,” says Joe.

“Lots of gathering and composting for farming,” I answer.

“We could place compost bins on the several close by island.” answers Tod. “That would speed up making compost where it is easier to find poop for the bins.”

“I could see using that one nearby uninhabited island for farming” answers Chief Terry. “You wouldn't have to worry about a parasaur or trike stepping in the plots.”

“There are plenty of resources on that island for crafting the plots and irrigation system,” I answer. “We could get a team with Mary going on that while the rest of us place down composting bins on the small inhabited ones to get the fertilizer we need for the crops.”

That became the plan with Mary, Dr Sanders, Chief Terry and Pauline heading to the uninhabited island to construct crop plots with an irrigation system. The rest of us head to the inhabited small island to set up compost bins and pack them with thatch and poop. We tame a second Ankylo to get the needed stone, flint, and claystone as Mary has taken our other one to get stone for the crop plots.

The project takes several days to get the fertilizer needed for the extensive garden, but, the crops are soon under way heading towards maturity in this accelerated environment.

Meanwhile, after several trips to get limestone from the cliff above, the brick making is coming along just fine. A stone fence is extended for the tames. A main shop and bakery is built from brick and wood. Individual huts are constructed from similar materials.

In no time, our little pioneer village is finish with a harvest coming in from the nearby island allowing us to expand our food to include many of the pioneer prepared meals of both the European Settlers and Native Americans.

In our evening meeting, we lay plans on what we should do next. “The Keepers and said that on this visit we would be divided into two groups to see how we would handle life in a primitive environment.” says Mary. “I wonder if it is time to start looking for them.”

“Professor Narcy told me that he would be working on an archaeology study in Egypt.” answers Dr Sanders. “He was taking a digging team supervised with two Cairo University graduate to excavate a newly discovered ruins in the Sinai Desert.”

“Michael told me that he, Caroline, Denny, and Julia would be visiting Egypt to test their survival skills,” answers Joe. “I wouldn't be surprised that they hooked up with Professor Narcy while doing their challenge.”

“Then, they could possibly be somewhere on The Center,” I answer.

“Most likely, on one of the distant lands,” answers Joe. “Otherwise, we should have seen them by now.”

“Then, lets conduct a detailed search of The Center before we attempt to sail past the boundary of this Ark,” I answer.

 

[rpicardi1]

Chapter 12. New Biomes on The Center.

 

In the morning, we organize the search parties for the others. Dr Sanders, Chief Terry, Pauline and I, are going to take the Pteradons inland to explore the river shoreline and ruins. Tod, Mary, Mike, and Christina are going to take the ferry raft with the wolf pack and search the entire tundra area starting at the North. Joe and Mary plan on taking the supply raft to sail around the volcano islands and as far North as they can go. They take the raptors with them. There has been another time quake during the night, so, we need to find out what has changed in our Ark at this time.

Traveling light with only the basic weapons in metal and the crossbow with trancs, my group heads West towards the entrance to the Center of the Ark. I want to show Chief Terry this entrance to an underground world as well to see if the others may be down there. The area is clear of any wild Argys. Flying over it, I find that my pteradon is not afraid of flying down in the confines of the shaft, so, I tell everyone to light a torch and follow me.

“So much easier flying down then using grappling hooks and fighting all of the creature below,” says Dr Sanders.

“We'll be fine so long as we don't agro the bats,” I answer.

We land at the shaft base to rest the fliers, then head down the long tunnel flying above the snakes, spiders, scorpions, and avoiding the occasional bat. We soon find the giant mushrooms, then see the glow of the central cavern ahead.

“Is that a structure over there to the left?” ask Chief Terry.

“Lets check it out,” I answer.

Landing, I discover that it is our old camp from our last visit. “Nothing new,” I announce. “This is our old camp for repairing our metal tools from our last visit. There are no signs that anyone has been here since.”

“ Lets continue on,” says Dr Sanders.

“Here is that West tunnel, it look bigger then it was when we could only walk through it the last time? And, there is a stream flowing into it from the cavern lake.”

Flying down the now larger tunnel, we find the stream terminates into a large lake where there are waterfalls cascading down into it from all sides. “We are under The Floating Island,” I announce. “Lets rest here for a bit but watch out for leaches. They can sometime fall down from the swamp above.”

There is a tremendous splash close by as we all get soaked by the spray. A frightened Parcer scrambles out of the water as we scatter to avoid being stepped on. It runs over to the entrance of the cave where it stops to looks at us, then collapses unconscious. Several Coe and Piranha are tossed up on the shore by the wave. Our Pteradons go on a feast as we spear the ones in the edge of the water for food.

Checking out the unconscious Parcer, I determine that it has been in a fight with Titanboas above and had ran off when its torpor went way up from being bitten several times. “We could tame it,” I announce. “But, then there is no way to get it out of here.”

“Could we stay here for the night to make sure no harm comes of it while it remains unconscious?” ask Pauline.

“This would be as good a place as any,” I answer. “Better place some berries in its inventory so it doesn't starve. Chances are you are going to have a big friendly pet by morning.”

We fly up to explore the caravans on the floating island finding many new and interesting things in them. With darkness approaching, we head back to the unconscious Parcer and set up camp for the night.

As morning arrives the Parcer wakes up becoming a pest for attention around Pauline. “You are right,” says Pauline. “Such a big affectionate pet.”

“He would be quite useful if we could find a way to get him back to camp,” I answer.

Just then, we see four riders dressed in Fur Armor with a pack of ten dire wolves approach us from the West. It is Tod's group who has found a way down to where we are.

“We thought you were the others,” answers Tod. “How did you get down here with a Parcer?”

“We found another way into the underground center,” I answer. “The Parcer fell from the swamp after being attacked by Titanboas. How did you get down here?”

“We found a major addition to Land's End,” answers Tod. “At first, we could see extensive details to the inaccessible terrain way below. Then, we found a shelf of terrain by the big waterfalls that extends along the cliff. We came down a ramp along the cliff to the shelf. Following it, we ended up in a huge cave containing an ice palace. A tunnel with a stream flowing out of it continued East until we ended up here.”

“Do you think that the tunnel is big enough for the Parcer to go through?” I ask.

“Yes,” answers Tod.

“Excellent,” I say. “We can pack cementing paste on him from the beaver lodges above, one of you can take him back to base with the ferry, then sail it back to the South Tundra to pick up the others.”

That becomes the plan for the morning as we gather cementing paste for the Parcer. Sarah takes him back to the base as the others continue their search of the new area. We fly along the West past Penguin Pond looking for any signs of a camp or outpost. With evening approaching, we head back to the camp in the lake below the floating island for the night.

In the morning, we find a cave on the north side of the circular waterfalls. It doesn't contain anything of interest. We then head back along the ruins of the rivers that separate the Jungle Islands.

We find where the Dire Bears have been hiding on this visit. Several small caves have appeared along the rivers. The bears have been hibernating in them in groups of 3 to 5. As we don't need any at this time, we leave them alone.

Arriving back on North Tropical, we are greeted by the Parcer who has missed us after being left at the village. “He sure does miss being the center of attention,” says Pauline.

“The only thing worse is a pack of happy Dire Wolves,” I answer. “It is bath time if you have been gone for a while.”

About then, Tod's group arrives and we get mobbed by the dire wolf pack. “Told you so,” I say as we all share in their affection.

“We finished exploring all the new terrain as far as the Redwood Forest,” reports Tod. “Then, we sailed along the shoreline of the redwood forest looking for any signs of a camp. We found the old outpost up on the cliff to the East, but no signs of any activity.”

“Then, it is safe to say that the others are not on The Center Ark unless Mary has found them on Volcano, Half Burnt, or Scorched Island.” I answer. “If they were there, we would have known about it days after we got established here.”

It is mid morning when Joe and Mary finally get back from their search minus their raptors. “What happened?” I ask.

“After circling Half Burnt and Volcano Island, we decided to sail North to the island on the horizon. After sailing most of the day, we landed on a beach of a sand dune desert with mountains on the horizon with Obelisk in the distance. We built a marker tower on top of a big dune, then rode the raptors inland to a dome structure in the distance. A massive electrical storm started coming our way so we took shelter in the dome for the night.”

“In the morning, we found evidence that Michael and Denny had been at the dome a couple of days earlier. They had left a note telling us that Professor Narcy, his wife Helen, Caroline, Julia, and two Cairo University graduate students, Ahab and Cleo were with them back in the canyon at an oasis. We found two sets of Dire Wolf track inside of the dome ruins, so, it appears that they may have been their tames.”

“During the night, our canteens lost all of their water to evaporation and all of the meat spoiled on the raptors. We found something called Jug Bugs which gave us water and some food for the raptors. Then, we got pinned down by a raging sandstorm followed by heat so bad that our Gille Armor could barely protect us from it.”

“Towards late afternoon, when it had cooled off some, we made a dash back to the coastline and the raft. It is a good thing we placed the marker on the sand dune or we would have not made it back.”

“Just before reaching it, the ground started shaking as a mound of sand started moving towards us. A huge sand worm burst from the dune causing the raptors to buck us off in a panic. The sand worm went after them as we ran for the beach. They were both killed when it came up from behind and landed on top of them. We made it back only because the sand worm could not travel on the solid ground of the beach to get to us.”

“Then, we need to go back and find them once we are better prepared to deal with the desert heat,” I answer.

“Dire Wolves are faster runners with much more endurance then raptors,” answers Dr Sanders. “They may be why Michael and Denny had them for tames.”

“Foxes and coyotes are natural desert animals of the Southwest,” answers Chief Terry. “The Dire Wolves are likely their ancestors that can just as easily tolerate the heat using their fur as a natural insulation.”

“Then, they are a natural to use for our transport.” I answer. “We only need some fliers for long range survey that are tough and can carry a lot of weigh. We will need a pair of leveled up Argys before we make the trip. They can be used to spot the sand worms so those below can get out of their way.”

Joe and I head over to the peak of Mid Jungle Island where we spot a pair of mid level ones. We play Argy tag dropping both with crossbow tranc arrows in short order. “We got a pair of good ones,” I tell Joe.

“We will see what the stats are when tamed,” answers Joe “and go from there.”

By afternoon, a mated pair is tamed with good stats of what we are looking for in endurance, weight and speed. We take them both out to level up further over on Half Burnt Island where we clear out the raptors, scorpions, saber tooth tigers and gang attack a carno.

Landing back at the village, I tell Mary, “Horror and Terror are now ready for that trip to the desert to find the others.”

“Then, we will get prepared to deal with the desert heat and take along preserved foods for us and our wolf pack,” answers Mary.

[rpicardi1]

Chapter 13. The Cursed Land of Scorched Earth.

 

Back at the oasis camp, Michael and Denny recover from their ordeal of the day before. “We left a note with a map in case the others finds the Dome Ruins.” says Michael. “When we left The Center last year, the airship captain told us that we would come back to Ark as two separate groups that would later get together.”

“He did say that it would be a primitive environment,” answers Denny. “He just never mentioned that it would be such a dangerous world as this.”

“We need to have some flying creatures for recon from above, something much faster and stronger then the moths,” answers Michael. “I did see Argys in the mountains just before we ran into those stone creatures. We should go back and tame up a pair.”

“It's going to have to be done the hard way,” answers Julia. “There is no way to make Argy kibble under these harsh conditions.”

“Then, it is tranc arrows and crossbows.” answers Michael. “We can have Ahab and Cleo follow us on the Morellotops with a spare tent and Argy saddles. Our wolves can get the raw meat from the local wildlife as we need it.”

Taking a spare well with them, as they know the location of a water vein at the foot of the mountain they are headed for, the caravan starts off for the place where they gathered crystal and sulfur days earlier. With the wolves on passive, they look for a safe place to lure in the two Argys they want, and crossbow tag them until they drop.

Ahab and Cleo set up camp next to the downed Argys just as Michael's Jerboa growls a warning of a coming sandstorm. “We better get extra meat quick before the storm hits.” They clean out the nearby raptors below and drop a sabretooth above before the storm forces them to shelter from it.

It is early night into the tame when the Jerboa gives out another warning of mega heat. Being already cold and getting colder, the mega heat only serves to bring up the temperature to a more comfortable level.

By morning, there is a tamed mate boosted pair of Argys.

After stopping at the well for water, Michael sends Ahab and Cleo back to the oasis base with the wolves and Morellotops. “We'll level up the Argys, do a quick areal survey, and see you back at base by noon.”

From the air, the land of Scorched Earth shows it's vast size and variety. The view to the Southeast to the Dome Ruins shows the vastness of the Dune Desert. They spot several small structures that were missed during the trip with the wolves to the dome. Three hidden water veins are found along with a small pond at the edge of the desert.

Flying along the canyon back to base, Michael spots another way into the sandstone canyon. “This way isn't blocked by anything. It's big enough to fly through or ride in with our tames.”

“Better get back to the oasis,” answers Denny. “I'm getting a storm warning from my Jerboa.”

“Lets fly through the sandstone canyon,” answers Michael. “That should be the quickest way back and we should get some protection from the storm as well.”

The storm hits as they enter the canyon from the East. It provides much needed protection as the wind howls from above with lightning flashes lighting up the interior as the thunder echos through the canyon and the sand starts filtering down. Reaching the stone gate barrier, Michael and Denny are finally forced to land until the storm ends.

“Where were you?” ask Caroline when they finally are able to return late afternoon.

“We were forced to take shelter in the Sandstone Canyon until the storm ended,” answers Michael. “Our Argys couldn't fly in those conditions. We did find a back way in that is not obstructed with a gate.”

“We also found other water sources and a small pond on the path to the Dome Ruins. There are also several other ruins scattered about. We also spotted several other spots with vegetation in the vast Dune Desert. The Argys are proving to be good scouts.”

“We have located a map of this place called Scorched Earth,” announces Professor Narcy. “Cleo and Ahab found it in an abandoned structure next to the huge skeleton when they were out gathering oil from the Jug Bugs.”

After a moment of examining the map, Michael reports, “If the others are here with us, it is going to be difficult to find their camp given the number of ruins we are finding so far. We will continue our search in the morning by heading north through the canyon into the Dune Desert of the North.”

It turns into a dark and stormy night as a sandstorm comes blowing through. Then, it is another mega heat warning. Since the temperature is below freezing when it hits, the results are a night with the temperature warmed up to the mid 70s F.

As the sun starts coming up, Michael and Denny, take out the Argys for a quick hunt for their food, then head to the canyon to fly North to the Sand Desert.

“Looks quite busy down there with all the creatures,” comments Michael.

“Watering places in a desert have a habit of attracting the wildlife,” answers Denny. “Incredible, there is even a waterfalls coming out of the cliff side to the ponds below”

The end of the canyon comes up as they enter the Dune Desert.

“Do those look like giant mantis down there?” ask Denny.

“They sure are,” answers Michael after placing a spotting scope on them. “Lots of vultures here as well.”

“I see some vegetation to the Northeast,” says Denny. “We should check it out.”

“Oh, oh,” says Michael. “Here is the force field. Yet, I see a Death Worm and other predators way past it.”

“It must be there to limit our range,” answers Denny. “At least, this little patch of green appears accessible. And, there is a water vein we can place the spare well on.”

“Then, lets rest there for a bit until we have water for us and the Argys,” answers Michael.

It is noon by the time Michael and Denny are ready to leave. “Lets head for the Green Obelisk and hope we don't run into the Mega Heat”

On the way, Michael spots something shiny by a sand dune. “That looks like a deep sea loot crate,” comments Michael. “Watch out for sand worms while I land to check it out.” A few seconds later, Michael returns leaving the loot crate undisturbed.

“What was in it?” ask Denny.

“Would you believe a Ramshackle Plesiosaur saddle?” answers Michael.

“That is totally worthless here in this desert,” responds Denny.

As they enter the northern edge of the badlands, Denny spots what look like black colored water veins and ask, “What are those?”

“Lets find out,” answers Michael.

“Oil seeps,” says Denny. “Now I see why there was an oil pump in one of those loot crates we found the other day.”

“That will make getting oil a lot easier then chasing Jug Bugs all day,” responds Michael.

“One thing is for certain,” says Denny. “Resources are very scarce in this area. Just rocks, rocks, and more rocks. No water, trees, cactus, just scorpions, raptors, bugs, scrub brush and oil seeps. No way the others could be surviving in that.”

“Lets check out the Green Obelisk,” says Michael.

It is a huge contrast from the barren badlands where the Green Obelisk is located over a natural bowl with a oasis in the center. There is an abundance of date palms, trees, plants of all kinds, and lots of creatures including some wild Argys from the hill nearby.

“Even though there are plenty of resources here, there is no signs of the others.” answers Denny.

“Lets head back to base before it gets too hot,” answers Michael.

 

Last night in Ark, I found a drop at the edge of the Dune Desert. I contained an oil pump and a ramshackle Thorny Dragon saddle. It was not one of the deep seas drops.

 

[rpicardi1]

Cheated in a lightning wyvern to just explore all of Scorched Earth. Then I reset the game back to continue for this adventure.

Chapter 14 The Great Split

 

At the evening meeting, Michael reports to the rest of the tribe on the exploration of the day. “We found the Northern force field during our exploration of the Sand Desert. Most interesting is that the creatures of this Ark were observed to be living far beyond that boundary. This seems to indicate that we may be on an alien world instead of in a simulator.”

“The oil pump found in the drop does have a use after all. We have found oil seeps in the badlands to the East. Like the water vein, the oil pump can be placed over one.”

“There was a water vein with a patch of vegetation far in the Dune Desert. We placed a water well there for future use.”

“The Green Obelisk has a large oasis in its center with a small lake. The entire surrounding area is all scrub brush badlands.”

“So far, there has been no signs of the others.”

“We explored the Northern Cave near the Red Obelisk,” answers professor Narcy. “It was predator free until we were way inside near the ruins where the Rubble Elementals lived. The cave is loaded with crystal, metal, obsidian, sulfur, and other rare resources. We plan to make a second trip in the morning with the Parcer and the rest of our tames and get stocked up with the hard to obtain materials.”

“We now have canteens. They will hold water a lot better then those leaky water skins or those heavy jars.”

“We plan to fly West to continue our exploration and look for the others,” answers Michael.

Michael and Denny leave for their western trip early that morning. The others pack their tames in preparation to mine the cave.

As Michael and Denny fly around the Southern Peak, they see an unbelievable sight in the Dune Desert ahead. “That looks like an entire city with a coliseum,” says Denny.

“It looks half buried by the dunes,” answers Michael. “Lets check it out.”

Landing in the coliseum, they both marvel at the huge stone statue sitting on the corner. “A Manitcore,” comments Michael. “If that is the boss creature on this ark, it looks far more dangerous then what we faced on The Center”

“Thankfully, we won't have to face it here,” answers Denny. “As one has to be teleported to a Boss Arena, this place can't be it.”

“Lets continue checking the ruins.”

After resting the Argys, the flight continues West through the ruins of the abandoned city. “Force Field,” says Michael. “Like the wild creatures, the ruins continue far past where we can travel.”

“Lets continue North towards the mountains.” answers Denny.

It isn't long before a huge split in the ground, lined with giant basaltic columns comes into view. Deep below, a lava river becomes visible.

“Wow! Looks like the Ark just split apart here,” says Michael. “This crack is huge and deep.”

“Is that Draco in the distance?” ask Denny.

“No,” says Michael after placing the spotting scope on it. “It is a two legged dragon, a wyvern.”

“I see a green and blue ones in the split below,” says Denny.

“Whoa, there is a wyvern fight with some Argys in the mountain,” says Michael. “A blue one just fried an Argy with a lightning bolt.”

“We better get out of here,” warns Denny. “Two have taken interest in us and they don't look friendly.”

“Head for those peaks and fast,” says Michael. “We have a green one closing in fast.”

“Incoming,” warns Denny as a pair of glowing green pellets go flying close by and impact into an argy nest ahead.

“Fly close by those wild Argys,” instructs Michael. “Then look for some cover.” The wild Argys take off to the North as two of the wyvern go after them. The green one continues after Michael and Denny.

“Crossbows and Tranc Arrows, Argys on Passive,” instructs Michael. “We make our stand here.”

The Green wyvern fires another shot which flies over them as Michael and Denny cut loose with tranc arrows to it's head. The third volley drops it.

“Untameable,” comments Michael as he inspects the green wyvern. “We can't force feed it narcs even if it could be tamed.”

“What is Wyvern Milk?” ask Denny.

“Lets take it and get out of here before it wakes up,” answers Michael.

Flying further up to the summit, they land using the rocks as cover to observe the green wyvern below. “Wow, she didn't stay knocked out for long,” comments Denny. “At least, she is flying away from our position. Oh drat, this Wyvern milk spoils in 18 minutes. And, it doesn't matter if I place it in the Argy's inventory or not.”

“Might as well throw it out, It will be all spoiled before we get back to base,” answers Michael.

They make it back to base by afternoon as the rest come back from the cave with the raw resources.

“We need to have faster Argys,” reports Michael to the rest of the tribe. “We ran into huge flying creatures called Wyverns in the Western Desert. And, they are fast.”

“Then, the Survivor's Handbook we found this morning is correct,” answers Professor Narcy. “These fantasy creatures actually exist.”

“We dropped a green one that we were unable to outrun,” answers Michael. “It fired glowing green pellets at us which just missed. We found that it cannot be tamed, so we grabbed its milk and fled. The milk soon spoiled so we pitched it.”

“You were lucky that it was a poison wyvern that was chasing you.” answers Professor Narcy. “Their range attack is not accurate.”

“Yes, we know,” answers Michael. “We saw a blue one fry an argy at range with a lightning bolt.”

“And, the red ones breathe fire,” answers Professor Narcy. “Fortunately, they don't fly far from the great split which is their home.”

“While the Survivor's Handbook states that wild Wyverns are not tamable, you can steal their eggs and tame the babies. With preserving salts, you can knock out the adults and steal their milk to give to the babies until they become adults. As adults, they can be leveled up like any other tame.”

“Sounds like something so dangerous as to not be worth the risk,” says Michael. “We need to level up our Argys for speed and stamina before we head back there again.”

“We found the ruins of a city South and West of the Great Split.” reports Denny. “It was complete with a coliseum with a statue of a creature called a Manitcore.”

“We will need to study it more once we can find a way to deal with death worms,” answers Professor Narcy.

“Our trip to the cave was quite profitable. In addition to finding the handbook, we gathered plenty of rare resources from the cave.”

“We still need to explore North along the mountains and check out the Blue Obelisk.” answers Michael. “Then, we will know for sure if the others are here with us or in another Ark.”

The next morning, Michael and Denny complete their survey on the eastern side of the mountains. They fly to the Blue Obelisk where an oasis is nestled in the depression bordered by badlands, the mountains and the Dune Desert. Ruins are scattered about in it. They fly around the North, then West of the mountains until they find the Great Split. Then, they head back to base.

“Nothing at the Blue Obelisk,” Michael reports to the tribe. “There are no other suitable places to set up a camp in the North West. It is all badlands, desert, or wyvern infested.”

“Then, we have to assume that the others are not here with us.” answers Professor Narcy. “We'll continue leveling up to get the technology we need to deal with the new threats. Then, we can plan an expedition to the abandoned city to look for clues what to do next.”

 

 

My game play of October 3rd found a lightning wyverm flying near the small mountain to the Southwest of my base. Overall, they appear to be rare even along the Great Split.

[rpicardi1]

Chapter 15 reunited.

 

Back at North Tropical, we prepare for the trip to Scorched Earth to search for the others. The past several days have been spent in preparing preserved food for us and the tames we will be taking with us. We will be taking the entire wolf pack on the ferry raft and the two argys on the two supply rafts. Spare rafts have been crafted and stored on the supply rafts for bringing back the others and their tames. We have crafted extra canteens that are resistant to leaking and gille armor for everyone to combat the heat of the Dune Desert. Everyone will be armed with crossbows with both tranc and fire arrows to deal with the predators. We will be using the two Argys to scout for sand worms and will work out tactics for dealing with them if forced into a fight with one.

“Did the sand worm use any kind of a range attack when you ran into it?” I ask Mary.

“No,” she answers

“How did it attack?”

“It traveled underground pushing up sand as it approached us, then, it burst from the sand to look directly at us for a couple of seconds. It then leaped back into the ground as it attacked the frightened raptors taking them with it.”

“That couple of seconds could be used to our advantage,” I answer. “If we time it right, we could go after its eyes with the argys as the wolf pack hit it's body from all sizes.”

“That might work,” answers Joe. “Just be sure to jump to one side when it comes crashing back down into the sand.”

“If we travel all night, we should reach Scorched Earth by early morning. We can then travel through the Dune Desert to reach the canyon oasis before it gets too hot to travel.”

“We should be able to see the marker in the morning sunrise,” answers Mary.

The navigation is good as we find the marker right away after sailing all night. The tribe ties up the rafts as Joe and I take a survey flight looking for any danger.

“That's an odd looking loot crate,” says Joe as he spots it in the sand. “There is no beacon marking it.”

“I think it is a deep sea loot crate,” I answer.

“It would make sense in a sea of sand,” answers Joe.

We land as I check it out. “A real odd find,” I tell Joe. “A super shock Lance, Super Test Meat, and a dozen infinite shelf life wyvern milk.”

“What is a wyvern?” ask Joe.

“I don't know,” I answer. “Lets go ask Mary.”

“A wyvern were those fictitious two legged dragons of the Middle Ages,” Mary tells us. “Likely about the size of Q-Bert. They are fast, can spit fire, lightning, ice, or poison, and are to be considered very dangerous.”

“Since their milk was in the loot crate, we must assume wild wyverns are living on this Ark,” I answer. “With a super shock lance, super test meat, and milk, it may be our destiny to tame a young one.”

“Lets get on our way before it gets too hot to travel,” answers Joe.

Flying on the Argys, Joe and I guide the others away from any danger in the dunes as we head to the Dome Ruins. We find a large pack of raptors circling the dome structure as an electrical storm approaches.

“Take out those raptors with the wolf pack,” I instruct the others as Joe and I go after four other raptors coming in to join the pack. They are cleaned out in short order as the storm hits forcing us into the dome for shelter.

The wolf pack goes on alert as we see a dark gray purple colored creature slightly smaller then a Quetz with a dragon's head cowering in the corner. Three dead raptors litter the floor nearby.

“Stand down,” I order. “It's badly hurt and scared out of its wits.”

Checking the Shock Lance, I find that it has been rendered inoperable by the storm. The young injured wyvern makes eye contact with me. We stare at each other until I am interrupted.

“Should we tranc it?” ask Joe.

I can see the fear in it's eyes, but can sense that it doesn't want to harm me. “No,” I tell the others.“We might accidentally kill it in this weakened condition. I'm going to try for a passive tame.”

Carefully approaching this frightened injured creature, I finally get close enough to give it the Super Test Meat which is carefully taken from my hand. There is a sigh of relief as it slowly eats it and lays down facing me.

I read her stats from my Specimen Implant. “Female Juvenile Lightning Wyvern, Level 82.” Her health is very low but is slowly improving. Her food, very low and dropping. “Mary, Bring me some medical brew and raw meat from those dead raptor,” I ask as I place my hand on her trembling head.

I use the medical brew to continue the healing process. The young wyvern is calming down, no longer shaking in fear, but she won't eat any of the raw meat I give her. On a hunch, I give her some of the wyvern milk. She takes several of them imminently. Her hunger bar improves dramatically as she starts healing a lot faster.

“We have ourselves a late juvenile female Lightning Wyvern,” I tell the others. “Be gentle when you come to examine her. She is still unsure of us.”

As the rest of the tribe approaches, Mary asks. “How do you think she ended up here?”

“My guess is she somehow got separated from her mother, then ended up here where she was attacked by the raptors. It is a good thing we arrived when we did or she would be dead by now.”

“This had to have been arranged by The Keepers,” answers Joe. “Finding the drop with the specific items we needed and finding her in need of our assistance, do you think that we will eventually need her for some unknown purpose?”

“Strange things happening on Ark appear to be the norm.” I answer “When the storm clears, the rest of you continue on to the oasis before it gets too hot. I want to stay with her until she heals up and reaches maturity. That shouldn't take much longer. My implant says she should be there soon.”

The storm soon clears as the others continue on with Mary on my Argy following Joe. I stay with the young wyvern stroking her head, talking words of encouragement to her, as she lays beside me. She is well on the mend when she surprises me by asking for the last of the milk. Fully healed, she hits adulthood. She ask me for the raw meat and eats several pieces of it. She then ask me to climb up on her back so she can take me back to the others. Not needing a saddle, I get on her shoulder and we take flight.

What a pleasure she is to ride. Fast, nimble, with good stats for a young adult. Most amazing is that I am not physically controlling her in the normal sense like using the reins of a bridle on an Argy. She is learning my balance and cues as I learn how to read hers. Or, simply, I just tell her what I want her to do. It is similar to how Jake was communicating with the flying creatures on Avatar, but without the biological connection between them. We just keep talking to each other. I am so fascinated to be talking to this creature, she is so thankful we decided to help her.

Catching up to the others, I find they are doing battle with a Sand Worm. It is an Alpha that is giving them difficulty with our agreed upon tactics. It has proven far tougher then they had expected. Assessing the situation, this young wyvern tells me how she can help.

“Stand Clear,” I yell down as I come charging in on the wyvern. She cuts loose with a blazing electrical discharge blasting the sand worm square in the head. With acrid smoke coming out of the hole in its head, it drops to the ground dead.

“That was awesome!” shouts Joe as we land next to the dead sand worm. “I now see why wyverns were so feared in the Middle Ages.”

“50 Death Worms spikes,” Tod answers. “They must serve some importance. Plenty of raw meat for the Argys, wolf pack, and Electra.”

“Electra, a most fitting name,” answers Sarah. “She sure saved the day.”

“I'm really glad that we saved her,” I answer “She is so fascinating to be with. She's been talking to me ever since we left the dome. I never knew wyverns could be so intelligent. She just told me we can call her Electra.”

“Then, Electra it is,” as everyone comes up to give her a pat on the head.

We continue on finally reaching the shelter of the canyon and the pond marking the edge of the Dune Desert. I can see the base ahead and fly towards it, but, everyone is taking up arms as I start coming in to land. “Lets get out of here,” I tell Electra as two argys, carrying armed individuals, come chasing after us.

Racing back to the others, I tell Joe and Mary, “You better fly ahead and tell them Electra is no threat. She just scared the wits out of everyone there.”

Joe and Mary intercept the two argys coming our way carrying two other individuals armed with rifles. After a short meeting, they fly over to the wolf pack where the two others are dropped off to ride the wolves back.

“You scared the wits out of us when you flew over our base,” says Michael as he and Denny come flying alongside me. “We have seen what the wyverns are capable of. We tranced a poison one the other day but couldn't tame it. You are going have to tell us how you managed to tame this one.”

“I don't believe Electra is a tame.” I tell Michael. “Her readings from my specimen implant are not registering as one. She's very intelligent. She has been talking to me non stop ever since we left the Dome Ruins where we found her in need of our help. I'll fill you in when we land.”

Landing in the Argy pen, we are all introduced to each other as I introduce everyone to Electra. “Hard to believe the legends of wyverns appearing in the Middle Ages was true.” says Professor Narcy.

“Electra tells me that there is no known history of wyverns living on Earth.” I answer. “She tells me that survivors from Earth long ago have battled with them in the past on Ark.”

“Then, that would explain those stories from the Middle Ages,” answers professor Narcy.

I tell them the story of how we found Electra, the strange loot crate, the raptor fight, nursing her back to health, and killing the Alpha Death Worm.

Michael tells me about their encounter with the wild wyverns of the Great Split, their extremely aggressive behavior, and how they tranc a poison one that was chasing them, but found they couldn't tame it.

“Electra now tells me she was chased to the dome and hid there when her parents were killed by their leader, the Red Alpha.” I answer. “She says the Red Alpha is the reason for their aggressive behavior.”

“That may explain the unusual find in your deep sea loot crate,” answers Michael. “We found one the other day but it contained a worthless Ramshackle Pleoasaur saddle.”

“The strange drop, finding Electra hiding in the dome ruins, her becoming my loyal mount, It is possible we may have to deal with that Red Alpha?” I ask. “Michael, take the super shock lance. If we are forced into a fight with it, you may have to use this while the rest of us keep it busy.”

The others soon arrive where they are awed by the unusual tames in Professor Narcy's base camp. “The Jerboas, Morellotops, Jug Bugs, Moth, and Thorny Dragons are unique to this Ark.” he tells us. “Like the wyverns, none of these creatures ever existed on Earth. I believe that we are not in a simulator but on an alien planet where these creatures exist for real.”

“That would explain us being able to use the raft to sail beyond what should have been the boundaries of The Center to this desert land.” I answer.

“We do have a force field of sorts in effect here,” answers Michael, “Given that we have observed ruins and creatures far beyond it indicates that we must be on another world in a controlled environment.”

“What are these Death Worm Spikes useful for?” Joe ask Professor Narcy.

“According to our Survivor's Handbook, they are used for passive taming the giant mantas. How did you obtain so many at once?”

“They were on an Alpha sand worm that attacked us that Electra took out with her lightning attack.” Joe answers. “Should we try to tame some Mantas? I saw two by the sandy patch South of your camp.”

“We can craft saddles for them,” answers Julia.

“Let me check with Electra to see if I can leave her here for a while,” I answer. After a moment with her, I return to the others.

“She says I can go with you. She would like to have Tod, Mary, and Sarah keep her company for a while. She need the assurance of our friendship after losing her parents.”

Armed with the spikes, two saddles, bug repellent, and pikes, Joe and I head South over the plateau to the desert where we find a pair of the giant Mantas. We soon have a pair passive tamed in no time.

“Hey, these guys are pretty smart,” I tell Joe “We can equip them with weapons and tools.”

“Looks like Star Ship Trooper is not such a fantasy after all,” responds Joe as we test out their ability to use our tools. “Lets go show the others.”

We return to camp before the heat gets too bad showing everyone the capabilities of our new tames. “Very useful, all around tame,” says Joe.

I head up to the Argy pen to check on Electra. “She's awesome!” Sarah reports to me. “She had quite a conversation with us. It was hard to believe that we were talking to a creature about everything and anything.”

“She wanted to know what was in my Medical Brew,” answers Mary. “She told me it was most soothing.”

“She was interested in my relationship with Sarah,” answers Tod. “I had to explain to her that we were just good friends on this expedition.”

“I'm so glad that she is starting to fit in with the rest of us.” I answer. “I been getting concerned that she would become too attached to me after the traumatic event of what happened to her this morning.”

Electra at base camp.

[rpicardi1]

A lot of content has been added to Chapter 16 explaining why Red Alpha had been so aggressive towards us. If you want an alternative ending to this story, look up Ark, The Adventure Continues, Alternative Ending.

Chapter 16 The final showdown.

 

Trading stories of our adventures, we start preparing our caravan for exploring the abandoned city to look for clues of this ark and its origin. Everyone has been so fascinated with Electra and her ability to communicate with them as an intelligent being. Everyone has taken turns getting to know her. She is becoming more relaxed among us, no longer having that fierce look. I have even observed her taking some of the students for a ride to show them Scorched Earth from the air. I'm so glad that I had that gut feeling to attempt a tame instead of taking advantage of her weakened condition to kill her. She has proven to be so valuable to our visit on this Ark. Yet, I believe that she's been studying us as much as we have been studying her, that she was placed with us for some unknown purpose.

We will be packing tents for our temporary shelter in case we are surprised by sandstorms or megaheat. An adobe shelter has been packed on the Parcur. The Morellotops will be coming along as a water source. All the wolves will be in use to clear out raptors and other dangers. The Argys will be flying recon as well as I on Electra.

But, I am soon sensing a problem as we prepare for the expedition.

Electra tells me she is very nervous about going on this mission. She tells me the city is close to the southern edge of The Great Split where the wild wyverns and their leader, the Red Alpha lives. I ask her if we should abandon the mission and leave Scorched Earth. She tells me no, the expedition is too important to abandoned it.

I tell the others about her concern. Michael tells me that he is also concerned about the danger we may face given his encounter with the wild wyverns the other day and how close the ruins are to The Great Split where they live. I have given Michael the super shock lance. We plan an attack strategy should we be forced into a showdown with the Red Alpha.

Michael and I spend the rest of the day leveling up Electra and the Argys for maneuvering, speed, and endurance. She is so happy to be flying over the Badlands with us as it has taken her mind off the expedition. I soon feel confident that we should be able to deal with any threat and have the ability to outrun it if things go wrong.

It is now early morning as the convoy starts off heading South to the foot of the mountain. Michael and I head for the Argy pen. Electra is totally petrified as I prepare to ride her.

“What's wrong with Electra?” ask Michael

“This mission frightens her,” I answer. “She's afraid that the Red Alpha will attack her there again.”

“Do you want to stay behind with her?” ask Michael.

“No,” I answer “Let me try to calm her down. It is important that we stay together with the convoy.”

I try to give Electra some of my confidence, but, in reality, I'm as scared as she is. There has to be a reason for the strange drop we found, the strange events that lead to obtaining her, our close bond, and now, that awful feeling we will be facing our ultimate test in aerial combat with a creature as dangerous as a boss monsters backed up by every wild wyvern in the area.

I finally tell her just how scared I really am, even more so then the day I was ambush while on a night rescue run in Vietnam. Still shaking like a leaf, she tells me lets get it over with and we take flight.

As the convoy rounds the Southern Peak with its ruins on the top, I spot a lightning wyvern in the distance to the North. It appears to be flying over our camp inspecting it. Thankfully, it hasn't spotted us. Electra sees it and goes into a panic dive as I hang on for dear life. The wyvern soon vanishes.

Michael flies close by on Horror as I tell him what we saw over the base camp. “If it's anywhere as intelligence as Electra, their leader will definitely know where our base camp is by now. Should we turn around and head for the rafts?”

“No,” I answer. “If they come looking for us, they will have us at a disadvantage. We will be better off if we have the ruins of the abandoned city to take shelter in. Fly close by her until I can calm her down.”

It is noon by the time our convoy reaches the city ruins. A camp is set up, then our adobe shelter. Michael calls for a short meeting.

“Halsey and Electra spotted a lightning wyvern snooping around our base. It is safe to assume that their leaders knows we are in the area. We best be prepared for a possible attack.”

“We know it is relatively easy to tranc a wyvern, more so now that we have tranc darts for the long neck rifles. The materials are here, we should prepare several stone cages to hold them when they wake up. We can use Electra to measure how large they need to be.”

With that thought, everyone sets to work gathering and crafting the components needed for several wyvern cages.

“What is wrong with you and Electra,” Sarah ask me.

“This area of Ark frightens her,” I answer. “This is near where the Red Alpha killed her parents. It is scaring the wits out of me as well.”

“Incoming, three wyverns,” shouts Professor Narcy who is on watch. “There's a fire, poison, and lightning coming in fast.”

“Let us take care of this,” Michael says to me.

I stay with a most frightened Electra as four teams of Argys go out to confront the wild wyverns. She wants so badly to fly away from here as fast as she can and hide. My presence appears to be the only thing keeping her from taking off and abandoning us as I hold on to her tightly. The Argy team flank the faster lightning wyvern dropping it with four tranc darts, then take out the fire and poison ones in turn, as the rest of the group ride out on the wolves to cage them.

Then, the Red Alpha shows up and it is mad as hell.

“Electra, come on,” I shout to her. “If we don't do something, that thing is going to kill our friends.”

In spite of her fear, she flies out to confront her worst fears.

Having a greater range then fire, I unleash her lighting charge. It hits the Red Alpha head on causing it to focus on us instead of the others building the cages. It gives Michael's Argy team the chance they need to give chase and hit it with tranc darts as Electra and I continue to kite it away from the others.

Michael soon catches up with me shouting, “The tranc darts are not working and there are more wyverns on their way.”

“Plan B,” I shout back as Michael turns around to alert the others.

“Electra,” I tell her. “You are not going to like this but it has to be done. You are going to fly straight for the Red Alpha and attack it. Be brave, for all of us, especially for me. When it uses its fire weapon, duck under it, then pull up hard and grab it by the throat, Hold on, pushing it back as hard as you can. Michael will do the rest.”

In spite of her fear of the Red Alpha, she does exactly what I tell her. My gille armor does a good job of preventing me from being burned alive by the fireball that comes flying at us. The timing is perfect as I hang on, nearly being knocked off, first by the collision into the Red Alpha, then the violent shaking that soon follows. Electra has a solid grip on its throat and she is not letting go. I can sense the exploding anger, how mad she is at The Red Alpha for killing her parents. The Red Alpha is screaming in anger, then pain, as it struggle to break loose from Electra's choke hold.

With the Red Alpha immobilized by our attack, Michael flies his Argy in from above and behind it. He jumps off landing on the back of the Red Alpha and thrust the Super Shock Lance into the base of its neck. There is a massive crack of lightning as the lance is fired. Paralyzed by that massive shock, we all go crashing to the ground.

It seems like an eternity as we all lay there, paralyzed, unable to move. I am aware of wild wyverns circling around us, watching us, in communication with each other, seemingly arguing among themselves, but making no effort to attack anyone.

I am finally able to struggle to my feet and rush over to check on Electra with a great fear that she's been killed. My implant tells me that she is out cold and totally exhausted, but otherwise appears to be in good shape after such an awful ordeal. She has a large chunk of bloody flesh in her mouth. I struggle to pull it out so she doesn't choke on it.

I look over to where the Red Alpha is laying. There is a great gaping hole in its throat. “It's dead,” says Michael as he struggles to his feet and comes over to help me.

The others are already running over to check on us as Michael and I sit down by Electra stroking her head, telling her to rest, we're here for you.

“What are the wild wyverns doing?” ask Denny.

“I don't know,” answers Joe. “Are they confused over losing their leader?”

“This is very strange,” says Michael as he looks up, “Not only are they now landing in a circle close to us, the ones in the cages are no longer making an effort to escape.”

Electra soon wakes up with a start but quickly relaxes as she sees us stroking her head and neck in comfort. “Your nightmare is over,” I tell her. “The Red Alpha is dead. Rest until we can figure out what's going on.”

While Electra is recovering, Michael and Denny go over to examine the dead Red Alpha.

“What are these shackles with the broken chains doing on its legs?” ask Michael as Denny checks the inventory of the Red Alpha.

“Interesting,” Denny answers. “Metal armor, a pike, and this iron key.”

Extracting the key from inventory, Denny checks to see if it is for the lock on the shackle. It is. They get a horrible shock when they open up the shackle exposing the festering wound caused by the spikes inside.

“How cruel,” says Michael “Whoever did this has to be as sick as those VC that raided the local village butchering pregnant mothers in front of their village leader. No wonder the Red Alpha so hated us humans. The pain from those things must have drove it insane.”

“Such a terrible waste,” says Denny. “If it had only asked for our help we could have ended that torment.”

A strange orange glow seems to flow over Electra as I finally allow her to get up. She ask me if I know what is going on. “It looks like you are now Alpha Leader of the wyverns.” I answer. “I'm so proud of you, you were so brave.”

A fire wyvern approaches us, then comes in and embraces Electra. They are so happy to see each other. After a couple of minutes of excited conversation, the fire wyvern looks at me and says, “My name is Paragon. A friend of Electra is a friend of mine.”

“I don't believe it,” says Michael after using his spotting scope on the rest of the wild wyverns. “All the wyverns no longer register as wild.”

Sarah walks over to the nearest one, a high level female fire. She lowers her head so Sarah can pets her. “It's true,” she says. “I can communicate with her. She tells me she is so glad the Red Alpha is dead. She is so astonished over our friendship with Electra.”

“Better let the other three out of the cages.” I say. “This is going to be a most interesting afternoon.”

We find that all 18 of the wyvern of Scorched Earth are as intelligence as Electra. They all tell us the same story, their fear of the Red Alpha, how glad they are that it is dead, and how surprised they are with our close relationship with one of their kind.

Most interesting is the behavior of the three wyverns we release from the cages. They can't seem to stop apologizing to Michael, Denny, Joe, Tod, and the others for attacking them. The Red Alpha had always told them that humans would come to kill them. The poison one can't stop talking to Michael. She tells him she's most grateful he didn't try to kill her when she attacked him a week ago.

“Do you think she would let me show her how to hunt using her poison attack?” Michael ask me. “After all, I knocked her out twice with tranc weapons.”

“Why don't you go ask her?” I answer. A minute later, I see Michael on the poison wyvern flying towards the mountains. In fact, everyone soon has paired up with a wyvern more then eager to talk to us and show off their skills, even the doubting Dr Sanders.

Paragon has stayed with us as the others take off for an adventure of a lifetime. She wants me to fly on her so she can learn more about my relationship with her good friend Electra.

I ask Electra if it would be OK if I take Paragon out for a ride. I get her blessing as she is so emotionally worn out that she wants to rest for a while. I give her a hug, then hop on Paragon for a flight.

I get the grand tour of The Great Split as Paragon, tells me her story about growing up with Electra. She apologizes to me for the aggressive behavior of her kind to our tribe. I tell her not to worry about it as we humans were just as afraid and aggressive towards them in the past, that she had good reason to fear us.

She then tells me how she and Electra had been observing Michael's tribe ever since they first appeared on Scorched Earth. They had watched how Michael and Denny had knocked out the Argys to tame them, how the tribe had treated their tames to keep them safe, how angry the Red Alpha got at the wild argys when it saw Michael and Denny flying over the Great Split, and how angry it got with Electra when Denny and Michael dropped Sleeper.

Paragon then tells me that she was about ready to attack them but decided to see what Michael and Denny were doing with the unconscious Sleeper. She was a bit surprised that they stayed nearby until she woke up.

I tell her that Michael was interested in taming her after he and Denny knocked her out to stop her attacking them, but let her go when he found out that it was not possible.

I tell her how Michael was still curious about her abilities, but was concerned about her feelings after having knocked her out twice.

Paragon is so curious about my close relationship with her good friend Electra, so, I tell her my story about the strange supply drop, finding a badly injured Electra in need of help, nursing her back to health, and how a bond of friendship formed between us.

Paragon then ask me about the fight with the Red Alpha.

I tell her how scared Electra was dreading that encounter with her worst enemy, how brave she was overcoming that fear to protect us, and how angry she got when she got a grip on its throat.

Paragon then tells me how all the wyerns were ordered to kill us, but decided to wait when they seen that we hadn't killed the advance attackers, but only knocked them out and caged them. They then observed us coming to the aid of Electra after the Red Alpha was killed. When they observed Michael and Denny removing the shackles and heard their comment, they decided that we were not the threat that the Red Alpha had insisted we were.

I ask Paragon why she made the decision to risk approaching us to talk to Electra. She tells me she had feared Electra had been killed when she and her parents never returned after the Red Alpha went after them. She was just so glad to see her again.

I ask her where are the male wyverns. She tells me the Red Alpha killed them off one by one until none were left.

Later, she flies me into The Great Split and shows me her nest. It has an egg in it. My implant tells me that it will hatch in two Ark days. She ask me what will happen to it now that all the wyverns have made a commitment to serve our tribe.

“Nothing will happen to your egg,” I answer. “In a couple of days, we are sailing back to The Center to eventually leave Ark, possibly forever. When you bring me back to our camp, you are free to go. Take care of your young one when your egg hatches. Hopefully, there will be a male so your species can continue.”

“And Electra?” Paragon asks.

“I know it is going to be emotionally hard for her given what we have gone through and how we have become so close,” I answer. “But, she now has a greater responsibility. We will be leaving the Ark soon. Even if I could take her back with me, I would be placing her and the rest of us in extreme danger. I'm sure she will understand when I tell her why she needs to remain with the rest of you on Ark.”

It is late afternoon as we fly back to the arena. With a quick meeting with the others, I tell them what they need to do. The wyverns are most grateful that we have release them from their commitment to serve us. They ask us why we have done this. We tell them it was the right thing to do.

I have a long talk with Electra who has had the afternoon to rest and think about the day's event. After telling her how we got here and how we would be leaving soon, she tells me she understands. After giving her a hug, she takes off to join the other wyverns in The Great Split for the night.

Michael tells us that evening about his flight with the poison wyvern Sleeper. “What a great combat mount she would make with a bit more leveling up and some further training. All I know is that I wouldn't want to be on her bad side now. She would definitely be on target with those poison pellets instead of shooting them over us. Even most amazing is that I only had to tell her what I wanted her to do. Like her name, whatever she hits with those poison pellets goes to sleep instantly. We both thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon.”

“A most interesting experience with zippo,” answers Sarah. “We had a long and interesting conversation while she showed me around Ark. She showed me her nest after we flew along the Great Split. I told her I would let her go to care for her egg when she brought me back.”

“So unbelievable that these creatures of our past are so caring and gracious,” responds Chief Terry. “We never knew how intelligent they really are.”

“Electra was so scared yet so brave,” I tell the others. “When she realize that you were all in extreme danger, she overcame her fear and did what she had to do.”

“She put everything she had into that attack,” answers Michael. “I still find it hard to believe how angry she got, after being so scared all morning, when she grabbed the Red Alpha by the throat. She held onto it long enough for me to bushwhack it from behind. She is our hero of the day.”

“I have to admit that she scared the hell out of me when she went to being scared out of her wits to taking out her revenge on the Red Alpha.” I answer. “I lost all control over her at that moment. That was 'Fun and Games' of the ultimate kind.” (A dark humor reference of combat.)

“Electra's friend Paragon was so interested in our relationship. We spent most of the flight talking about how I met her as well as how she and Electra had been observing Michael and the others on Scorched Earth.”

“The lightening wyvern Halsey and Electra saw earlier today wants to apologize to all of us.” says Tod. “Tesla had been ordered to find and destroy our base. We flew to it to see what was damaged. The adobe shelter has been demolished. But, she didn't have the time to do a complete job. The water wells are still there and the chest with the rafts still intact. Unfortunately, our tames we left behind were killed. Knowing how devastating her lightning weapon is, I don't think that they felt a thing. I told her not to worry about it, that she had no choice but to do what she was told.”

“Well, that is some good news among the bad,” answer Mary. “When we are done here, lets head directly for the beach. We can send the Argys to get the spare rafts and supplies, and prepare to sail with the tames we have with us to The Center.”

That night, I have this really weird dream that I am on Ark as a gray male wyerm spending a most wonderful night with Electra. Strange, I think when I wake up. That experience felt so real.

In the morning, we are treated to quite a sight. The wyverns have cleared out every threat in the area. Electra, Paragon, Sleeper, Zippo, and Tesla, drop us off raw meat for our carnivorous tames. They have even brought us berries for our herbivores, campfire wood, and several metal drums with water.

“How did you know?” I ask Electra who is so glad to see me again.

“In the evening, we were called to the Green Obelisk for a visit by The Keepers. They were so pleased with how things worked out between your tribe and us. They provided us with the metal containers so we could bring you water from the oasis.”

“Then, that confirms the special contents from that strange drop before I found you,” I answer. “The Keepers gave us the tools needed to restore the balance on this Ark. It was your destiny to be the key to that success.”

“Why the sad face?” I ask her.

“The Keepers asked me to tell you that in seven Ark days, your tribe will be returning to your world possibly leaving us forever.”

“Don't be sad,” I tell Electra. “We knew that day would be coming once their study was over. Rule wisely over this Ark with your new friends. Help raise their youngsters. We will certainly not forget you and your friends who gave us a most thrilling adventure. There is always that chance that we will be back again.”

[DaEndGame]

My only problem and the only problem i will ever have. Spelling and grammar mistakes...

Being a grammar freak really annoys me. I wish i could stop.

[rpicardi1]

8 hours ago, DaEndGame said:

My only problem and the only problem i will ever have. Spelling and grammar mistakes...

Being a grammar freak really annoys me. I wish i could stop.

Because the entire chapter was written yesterday, some typos in grammar had slipped through. There is a us when there should be a is (Keyboard and fast typing.)

I am not yet done with the wyverms in this story. A paragraph just added to yesterday's story; (Ark Survival Primal.)

“Well, that is some good news,” I answer. “When we are done here, lets head for the beach. We can send the Argys to get the spare rafts and supplies, and prepare to sail with all of our tames to The Center.”

That night, I have this really weird dream that I am on Ark as a gray male wyerm spending the night with Electra. Strange, I think when I wake up. That was so real.

In the morning, we are treated to quite a sight. We have 19 wyverns that have cleaned out every threat in the area. Electra, Paragon, Michael's poison wyvern, and Telsa, drop us off some raw meat for our carnivorous tames. They have even brought us berries, campfire wood, and several metal drums with water.