[IC] ~The Littlest Dictator~

[Scrivener]

Chapter 1: The Expedition

The mighty Amazonian Jungle. Some call it the “lungs of the planet”, an appropriate monicker due to it providing twenty percent of the Earths’ oxygen. Where the beauty and the dangers of the wild live in symbiosis. The mighty Amazon, beautiful as its flowers and as wild as a beast in itself.

To Hanjae, the Amazon's beauty was beyond appealing, and it’s dangers were indeed harrowing. But, Hanjae, or “Han”, would not let the dangers of the Amazon intimidate him. Not profoundly anyway. He stood at the bow of the small boat that glided along the hushed river. The boat was not of large size, but was adequate enough for an expedition into the deep jungle.

It was roughly the size of a small house boat with two decks. It was captained by a local man, Hugo Escalero, and his first mate and son Marco. The two had been hired by Hanjae and his companion as both guides and transportation for the pair. Hanjae had paid them with his own money, and the two hadn’t came cheap. Understandably so, as boating along through the Amazon for a week wasn’t exactly the most casual of things to be done.

Hanjae stood with his binoculars looking off ahead, though with little to be seen. It was just after sunrise and a heavy, thick fog hung over the water and hung throughout the thick tree lines on either side. Han lowered his binoculars and stepped back from the bow.

[Typical]

Currently, Marcella was poring over her notes, comparing her latest samples to those recorded. In plastic bags were leaf trimmings of various members of the Euphorbiaceae family, some already perspiring inside their containers. With them, though, were silica crystals inserted precisely to counter their natural humidity. As her goal was to collect samples for DNA extraction, Marla needed a way to collect and maintain the quality of her samples for the duration of the journey, and she’d devised this method several trips ago on advice from a fellow. The crystals, then, were there to soak up and humidity inside the bags, thus preventing the proliferation of bacteria that the Amazon heat and humidity naturally encouraged.

“Right, samples noted for the last stop” Marla said, packing her things back into her backpack. “Let’s make another stop in a few hundred meters, okay, Hugo?”

“No problema,” Hugo said, giving her a thumbs up around the oar he was holding.

“Obrigado, Hugo, Marco,” Marla said, smiling. Then, with one final bagged sample in her hand, she walked over to the bow of the boat to join Han.

“Hey, remember this? Alchornea castaneifolia—Professor Lorenzi went on about this plant forever back in the day. As much as I hated him for making us memorize all those random compounds found inside medical plants, those really came into use after I started studying Euphorbias. Poisonous sap aside, this leaf has been used to relieve pain by the locals around here. An islander friend actually showed me how to do it with a relative of this one, though this one’s apparently the go-to. Maybe we should collect some more, just in case someone gets a scrape.”

No one had missed the bright red box under the boat’s benches, especially not with the now-universal cross symbol to advertise its use for all to see, but Marla had only meant it as a joke. She herself had never had an occasion to use her medical knowledge of plants, at least not on trips. First aid and hospitals were her default choice, seeing as most tribal salves were a far cry from antibiotics and painkillers, but she could entertain the prospect. After all, these plants were the focus of her study, and she would have all this knowledge stacked away for nothing if she never put it to use.

[Scrivener]

@Typical

“Oh yes, I remember,” Han said, regarding Marla’s statement regarding their old professor, “as much as I love biology, even I tired of his demands of mass memorization. Still, it has come in handy, so I can’t blame him at all anymore. Not much anyway.”

Hanjae smiled to himself as he remembered the days at univeristy. Lorenzi would spatter out a barrage of terms and scientific names, expecting them to be perfectly memorized. Spelling included. Even with his own struggles, Hanjae was still at the top of Lorenzi’s class, as was Marla.

“I agree, it wouldn’t hurt to gather more. But let’s not go too far out of the way. Perhaps around high noon we could make a point of looking for some. Anything else on the immediate list for today? I mean regarding your specific interests.”

Hanjae had been leading their efforts for two days now. And today he was metaphorically giving Marla the wheel. He had hoped for a modest rain today, or at least a cool misty sprinkle. Though his hopes were for naught as the sky above was clear as could be. Only a few small puffish white clouds skirted along across the great blue above. Now all Hanjae could do was hope this insufferable steamy fog lifted soon. Today, he was more than happy to simply tow the line and nothing more.

“Alright Number One, what say you?” Hanjae asked with a smile as put away his binoculars and looked to Marla.

[Typical]

“I was thinking that we’d take some samples further down the river, but yes, we should probably try and cover more distance while the sun’s up,” Marla said. Though she’d prefer to take samples every inch of the way, that was neither a good nor practical idea, and she had to agree with Hanjae on that.

“I say we should make another stop an hour or so further down the river. That sound good to you, Number Two?”

Tucking the sample she’d referenced earlier into her bag, Marla took up post at the front of the boat. Judging by the clear sky, it seemed the crew was in for some heat today, especially since they’d be stuck on the river and in the sun. Had they been trekking, the leaves would have sheltered them from the rays to come, but Marla supposed that sacrifices had to be made for speed.

“Say, how about camping early and going on a trek today instead?” She pointed at the sky with a thumb. “Weather doesn’t look too cool after this mist clears up, so we might as well use this chance to get in some excursions into the jungle.”

For her research, samples from near the river were enough, but the nature of her research meant that her object of study was always expanding, and it was likely that samples from deeper inside the jungle would be pertinent in the future, if not now. She had, however, been hogging most of the spotlight when it came to sample-collecting, and she didn’t exactly want her first day as the de facto leader to be completely centered on her. As a friend, colleague, and fellow enthusiast of science, Marla felt that it was only fair to split the day fifty-fifty in terms of focus. Otherwise, the trip wouldn’t be mutually beneficial.

@Scrivener

[Scrivener]

“I agree,” Hanjae said ,”let’s ‘strike camp’ before too long and go on a trek. At least we will have the jungle canopy to shield us from the sun. With any luck we’ll hit a veritable jackpot. Of sample items that is.”

Han stepped away from the bow and pulled his canteen from his waist. It was full as he had just filled it an hour ago. He popped the cap off and took one big sip of the cool water, forcing himself not to indulge in several long gulps. Aside from not drinking half of his water at once, he didn’t want to go trapsing off into the jungle with a heavy stomach.

“So,” he said, wiping his mouth ,”stop in an hour or so and gather some local fauna. And then later on we’ll port ship early. Remember though, we’re not to go any deeper than one mile into the jungle at any time.”

Despite his personal dislike at moderated exploration, Hanjae knew the pair shouldn’t venture too deeply into the maw of the Amazon. Even with their basic skill, better men and women than they had disappeared into the Amazon without a trace. It was only sensible to set a boundary of sorts.

@Typical

[Typical]

"Good suggestion, Number Two," Marla said, turning to communicate to Hugo and Marco that they'd continue for a bit before stopping.

"So, you never finished telling me what your new research topic is. I know you're here helping me on my research, but no reason I can't try to help with yours while I'm here, so have at it. What is it?"

The discussion went on and on, with Marla asking questions and giving observations before they lapsed into theoreticals and picking apart minor details, and it went on until Hugo alerted them that they were docking soon.

"Right, sample collecting time," Marla said with a grin.

Using an oar to push the boat against the bottom of the river edge, Marco steered the boat towards the shore until it beached itself with a thunk. As before, Marco would anchor the boat to some tree or shrub by the shore and wait by it, ensuring that the four had a way back as Hugo led the two researchers into the forest. Now was no different, and Hugo slipped on a bag as he gave some final instructions to his son before joining Han and Marla on land.

"Let's head in, say, five hundred meters before we stop for samples," Carla said.

Hugo nodded, and the trio set off into the green. The last traces of mist gave way to the damp understories of the rainforest where moisture was everywhere, thin layers on foliage that gathered into drops to soak into the decay underfoot. Around them were the sounds of the forest: birds, insects, leaves, and wind, all combining into a steady song that easily drowned out the river. Soon, it became difficult to tell forwards from backwards by sight, and Marla was thankful for Hugo and his compass.

The trio continued into the forest, stopping in intervals of five hundred meters. When they got deep enough, Hugo retrieved a knife from his bag and started hacking down the dense shrubbery ahead, forging a path through the green. Though the din of the forest remained constant and unchanging, Marla couldn't help but feel like they were being watched, like the forest was alive around them, lying in wait for something specific.

A sharp sound echoed through the air, momentarily silencing the forest. Marla froze in the middle of packing up her newest sample, frowning as another bang broke the air.

"Is that... a gun?"

She looked to Hugo, repeating her statement in Spanish only for the man to shush her midway as another bang sounded. His knuckles were white around the knife hilt, and Marla quickly packed up her sample, righting her bag on her back.

"Should we head back?"

@Scrivener

[Scrivener]

Hanjae explained that in truth he was merely after samples. Although, granted, a rather diverse and excess amount. Primarily though, he was focused on liquid and secretion samples. Aside from various leafy plants, mushrooms, and vines, he also sought out water based fauna. Algae collections and water based fungus primarily.

Hanjae followed along willingly, letting Marla take the lead while Hugo cleared a path with his machete. The Amazon was a miraculous sight without doubt. A proverbial playground for any biologist, zoologist, or entomologist. Hanjae took to focusing on a particular fungal growth on a rotten log, and had just scraped it off into a small plastic bag when he too heard the gunshot.

Standing he looked around nervously, turning to Hugo as Marla had though awaiting the Brazilian man’s answer. Hugo looked around carefully, his eyes keen despite his age. He shifted his feet nervously before turning back to the pair. “Si, that would be best. We should head back to the boat and move further down river. It could be locals... or poachers.”

Poachers were infamous across the Amazon, and they did not take kindly to witnesses or trespassers on their hunting grounds. Going back and moving downriver was the best thing to be done.

[Typical]

Poachers—the word sent a pang of anger through Marla. While she knew most hunters were driven to smuggling out of the desire to provide for themselves and their families, empathy never worked as well as facts to convince her, and the facts of the situation left no room for argument: Overhunt and overharvest created imbalances in the local ecosystem that could easily cripple the delicate balance of an environment like the Amazon Rainforest, which supported upwards of ten million species.

However, though she felt a moral pull to stand up for the natural provider of her research, Marla also knew that trying to face down poachers was impossible. Hugo had packed a gun, as all guides did, but whether it was on him or back on the boat was unclear, as was the usefulness of one or two firearms against a whole group. In addition, many poaching groups tended to take liberty with their methods, even resorting to killing witnesses to keep the cash flowing. Not even quietly leaving, then, could be guaranteed, so naturally the hike back to the boat was done in silence, the trio crouched over and nervous as they headed back. With their way back already carved earlier through leaves and branches, following the trail was a simple matter, and soon enough Marla heard the river's sloshing through the leaves, the forest opening to reveal Marco beside the boat, looking warily around him.

"Marco! Untie it," Hugo hissed as he moved beyond the leaves of the forest edge.

[Scrivener]

It was then that a cry erupted from Hugo, the older Brazilian man freezing in place, as if petrified instantly. He was looking ahead where Marco and the boat were, the first to see the terrible sight that awaited the trio. The first thing to be noticed was the boat; a plume if fire lapped away at the air above from the rear of the boat. Crates and containers were scattered across the deck and onto the sand across the small shore. Hugo’s boat had been ransacked, and whomever was responsible had then set it alight.

“Marco!” Hugo cried rushing forward, he held his machete out at his side and drew a small revolver from a leather holster his waist. “Marco!” he yelled out again, his son nowhere to be seen. “What the hell?...” Hanjae moaned ,”Who did this? The boat!...”

”Donde es mí hijo? Where is Marco?” Hugo demanded, his voice cracking frantically as he looked to the two scientists. Hanjae opened his mouth, but no words came out. This was beyond unbelievable. Someone had ransacked the boat while the three were in in the jungle. Although Hanjae dared not say it aloud, he had a feeling that the would-be plunderers had done something with-or to-Marco.

[Typical]

Marla took in the scene with dismay. With the boat wrecked and Marco gone, it didn't seem like they were going anywhere anytime soon, and when Hugo turned on Hanjae and her she could only shake her head.

"No lo sé, Hugo. Lo siento," she said.

Glancing again at the wreckage, she swallowed, then looked down the river they came. They'd sailed too far to cover on foot in one day, and their camping supplies had been on the boat. Unfortunately, it didn't seem like they had a better option at the moment, so it was between tracing the river bank and counting on Hugo's map and compass. Hugo, though, was in no state to be leading the scientists out of the forest at the moment, and Marla wondered if there was anything she could say to help him ground himself. After all, given that they were probably dealing with poachers, the chances of Marco being alive still were slim to none.

Marla's eyes caught on something on the ground, and she froze. "Hold on, Hugo, mira. Footprints."

Indeed, at the edge of the greenery were a set of footprints leading into the forest, and Marla walked towards them, brows furrowed.