Thread by @quasimondo

Found a hideaway in the wastelands of #BigGAN.

A strange artifact in the distant mountains. Too far away for me to reach it with my scarce water supply.

I am a bit worried about my food supplies. So far I abstained from considering the wildlife in the surrounding areas for dietary purposes.

I am in luck. Last night's sandstorm has brought a flock of Tumbleweasels right into my camp. These spherical mammals can travel over hundreds of miles just using the force of wind.

Now that my larder has been restocked my little companion has nothing to fear anymore. The natives call it "The nightingan of the desert" and I agree - it's song is most delightful when it untucks its beak from behind the scarf that protects it against the relentless sandstorms.

Another storm is approaching fast. I could take three pictures before having to go underground.

Being confined to my quarters I passed the time by tidying up when behind one of the shelves I discovered these strange symbols engraved into the wall.

Upon closer examination I found a concealed button in one of the hieroglyphs. After pressing it a hidden mechanism slid back the wall and revealed another room behind it that contained these two alien apparatuses.

A while ago my feathered friend took the decision whether to touch these devices or not out of my hands. It landed on what seems to be an activator switch and the machine came alive for a minute.

Wait, I can hear some roaring outside, let me check what is going on.

Something is descending from the sky...

The landing site is still covered in a gigantic dust cloud. It's hard to breathe and the temperatures force me to stay in the safety of my bunker.

The dust has settled, the extensive heat is making the air shimmer.
Some figures are approaching, but it is hard to make out their shapes with the light playing tricks on me.

I must have lost consciousness. When I woke up the vessel was gone and I can't detect any traces of its passengers.

But wait. There are some pictures on my recording device I don't recall having taken.

What is this? This was not here before I passed out.

It's moving.

Uh oh, I better step back a little.

What is happening? It grows at an unbelievable speed.

The sky has turned green and the air is filled with what seems to be some kind of pollen.

Rain is starting to pour down like I have never seen.

The water keeps rising, the entry to my shelter is blocked, but I could hold on to some flotsam and will have to see where the currents will take me and my feather balled companion. It at least seems to enjoy the new scenery and is twittering happily on my shoulder.

After drifting for days I finally reached firm ground. Strange seedpods and other creatures have arrived at the beach as well.

What dangers and wonders will wait for me on this island? Will I find food, water and shelter? And where the hell did that cape suddenly come from?

Maybe to be continued on another thread.