Daily Prompt: I Was Here

“Watch out for those hairy spider things; they’ll take your eyes out.”

That would probably make it in somewhere, even if there were no hairy spider things. Because long distance practical jokes are funny.

But other than that? I’d try to leave a record of what I’d learnt during the exploration of the planet, to help the next group of visitors. I’d try to leave a record of myself as well.

So, here’s the letter I’d leave:

To the brave souls who’ve just arrived on this planet.

Welcome, and good luck. May your travels be better than mine. I am the first example of Homo sapiens to visit this world. I have left this recording to provide you with some assistance on an alien world. It’s really not so different from Earth, once you get over the slightly stronger gravity and the parasitic creatures.

I would recommend making contact with the local sentient beings. They are called the Honahims and are very similar to Earth’s orangutans in form, except their fur is purple and they walk more upright. They are capable of complex communication and have some fascinating cultural traditions. They also know which plants are edible and medicinal. You will be glad of this information.

Do not stray far from your ships at night. The planet is quite wild although the Honahims have made some inroads into the ‘giant hairy spider things’ population. The Honahims name, in their own language, is rather unpronouncable. Giant hairy spider things is the closest I could translate. Beware of them, they’ll take your eyes out and eat then as snacks given the chance.

I started work, with the assistance of Hene, a rather important Honahim who I believe is a sort of scientist, to compile a reference work on the planet. It’ll be around here somewhere. Unfortunately, there was some sort of regime change and Hene’s family have fallen out of favour. I haven’t seen her for a week; I’m beginning to worry…

The planet is mainly forest, although towards the poles it becomes more savannah-like.
The continent is contiguous from pole to pole and covers about a quarter of the planet’s surface. There is a line of mountains and volcanoes running North-South and another running North-West – South-East that divides the continent. Volcanic activity seems to be cyclical with accompanying earthquakes.
The Honahims have a legend that on the other side of the ocean there is another continent. I have assured them that far from this being the case, the great ocean is dotted with islands but there is no mirroring continent. They do not believe me. I have shown them the images my craft took before we landed but have been unable to make much progress. They are a very slow-changing society; they do not rush at something but consider all the evidence. They are currently weighing their legends against my images. I believed until recently that scientific curiosity would win out but the new leader doesn’t seem to agree.

There are several large tree cities but most Honahim live in small towns and villages.
They are tribal in nature although the tribes have united in to several kingdoms. Do not be tricked by their outward simplicity. This is a highly organised society with a cultural tradition stretching back many generations.

Currently the climate is warm and damp, though I’ve only been here three years (approximately ten Earth years) at present and Hene has told me that it’s been getting warmer and there’s been less rain than historically. They have been undertaking research in to the cause. The advance of the grass has been causing some friction in the North. The unrest has recently spread to the tree city close to which I currently reside.

My ship is no longer able to fly, due to an insect that devours the polymer skin. I cannot leave.

I’m not sure how much longer…oh, drat I forget to lock the door…*scream, screen goes blank*

I quite like that I answered the daily prompt with a story. I haven’t written much fiction lately because I’ve been busy reading. It’s nice to flex the creative muscles for a change.

Bye for now.

Rose