BrandonIV isn't the nicest planet in the galaxy. It's vegetation is heavily fungal. Chances are that three out of four of the plants you see at any one time will be a fungus. There are animals, too, but most are small lizardy things that run swiftly away at the approach of anything bigger than themselves. Most of the time, you never see them as they prefer to stay hidden. Only when they come out in the mornings to catch some sun, do you have much of a chance of seeing one. Mostly, Brandon's fauna are not dangerous to humans--but there are exceptions. There are some nasty little predators who can chew a nasty gash around your ankles if you get too close. The Vilemouth is one of them. It doesn't have venom, but it does have a mouth full of toxic waste--much like the saliva of the Kumodo dragon back on Earth. One bite and all kinds of nasty microbial beasties will be swimming down your bloodstream like some living gangrene. Untreated, you will be dead within a couple of days. The Peacekeepers carry a small pharmacy to treat almost any emergency one can anticipate. They have stuff for the Vilemouth and its ilk too; but not so much that you can remain for days in the field. No, you get bitten, you take the meds and get your butt back to the base or field hospital closest to you. Each of them has enough medication to give you three days to do that. If you run out before you can reach it, you have one day left to reach help. You'll lose the arm or leg but you'll live. Five days? You don't have five days. Keisha Shigeta's buddy, Mark Danielsen, was bitten on his left leg by a Vilemouth. With her supply added to his, Mark has seven days. Today is the sixth since Mark was bitten. Keisha is worried for her pal. They had been on a long range recon, dropped off by hovercraft a week ago. They weren't expecting to be picked up for another two weeks, but there's always the com unit. Yeah. Right! Keisha tried to use her com to notify command. Nothing. She tried Mark's. Nothing there either. Something kept blocking transmission. She attempted contact every couple of hours. Nodda. All Keisha could do is keep Mark conscious and walking. He kept trying quit, but Keisha wouldn't allow it. "Keep moving, Mark. It's only a little way now." A little way now. They both knew it wasn't true. Camp was nearly five hundred kilos away. If they covered twelve in a day, they were lucky. Unless a miracle happened, her buddy was doomed. Perhaps, so, but Keisha determined that she would keep trying as long as Mark breathed. Every kilo Mark seemed heavier and Keisha grew more exhausted. She desperately wanted to fall to the ground herself, but she wouldn't--she couldn't give up. _________________________________ I keep hearing the old folk song, "Five Hundred Miles," when I look at this render. What I like best about this one is Keisha's expression. It just seems to say it all. Thanks for looking. Also your past comments and visits are much appreciated. Jeremy CREDITS: Vue6 Studio Pro, Poser 6.0, PSP 5.0. Ecosystem: Created from the "AlienPlants" pack by OrestesGraphics. Male Figure: DAZ Michael 4. Female Figure: DAZ Victoria 4; "Chihiro" face morph freebie; "Keisha" V3 skinmat converted to V4 by me. Her hair is by Adam Thwaites. Uniforms: Two new ones for V4 and M4 by Xurge3d.