Chapter 37: Nigel.
THROUGH THE TANGLED, dew-slicked foliage, Nigel watched. His four tentacles, usually relaxed, now curled tight, poised to spring. The rest of his body remained still, a predator's deceptive calm, as he balanced on the balls of his feet.
Waiting. Observing. Assessing. Every sense screamed intruder.
A ship. Here? No ship had pierced Umicore Prime's atmosphere since... no. He bit back the thought. As far as his memory stretched, no vessel had ever dared to land on his forsaken world. Not since his creator and mum walked the land.
The giant cylindrical vessel powered down, leaving a sudden, unnatural silence over the swamp. Its lights dimmed, painting long shadows across the trees. Thick, acrid black smoke, smelling of burnt plants and alien fuel, slowly diffused int
