dering woods log

dering woods log 1# (start of an exploration)

Today was my first day at the Global Forest Organization. I don't know what to say. I mean, obviously it was a cool day learning about these awesome/terrifying woodlands. From the age of 7, when I first learned about the amazing Amazon Forest, I became dedicated to joining an organization that explored and studied forests.
After that day, I started a large research project. I searched all the forests I could find and all the organizations, but I got something a little weird. So back when I was 7, I still had the 12- control app installed, and I couldn't search anything too disturbing or inappropriate for kids. Well, I could still see the title. It said Project 522 (Global Forest Organization). It seemed to be a global organization, but I was restricted from it. I tried to remember it, but I forgot about it the next day.
Now that I think back, I'm so stupid! Like... how could I forget something this important to me? But thankfully, I'm in the Global Forest Organization now, and I could actually try signing up for it... right? Like, there's no way this project is cancelled?
And with shaking hands and my jaw clenched, I clicked on the project kiosk.
And guess what?
The project's gone.
Not a single frickin' thing left.
Man, why is the only thing I'm interested in cancelled? Like, I see one project from, what, the 1980s still here. How does this make any sense? A forest exploration organization cancelling projects?! You think you're the FBI, cancelling cases?!
What was the project, huh? Now it's getting me so interested in it. Maybe I should ask why it's cancelled at the main information kiosk.
"Hello, Mr. Anderson?"
"Are you here to sign up for a specific project? I believe it's your first day out here?"
"Are you sure you can handle a project on your own, or are you in a team?"
"Uh, Ms., I'm not here to sign up for any projects."
"I'm just here to ask about Project 522."
"Project 522?"
"I believe with your authority, you won't be able to learn anything about this project."
"It is highly classified."
"It’s highly classified?"
"Yes, Mr. Anderson. This project is highly classified."
"May I ask you how you learned about this project?"
"Uh, I found out about this project when I was young. Like, 20 years ago."
"Well, that must've been around the time we had the information leak."
"Let me check some stuff."
"Well, I think we have something you can see with your authorization."
"I'll print it in your office. You can go now."
In my office? I thought my office was a private spot!? Well, I guess not. It's in control of the organization after all. They can even access my printer. Now I want to work at the information kiosk. But well, I should head to my office now. Hopefully this thing I got actually shows me some information.
Let me see...
Project 522
Date: 1995–2012
Participations: None
Assigned Area: ███████
What do you mean!? I can't even see the assigned area. How heavily classified is this project? And the rest, except the last line, is all blacked out. I guess I should take a look.
This project was cancelled due to the lack of participation and the 2012 information leak.
The 2012 information leak... is it talking about the time that I saw that thing 20 years ago? Man, whoever leaked the info, I really hate you. Well, at least I got some really useless info from that document. I really hate this.
Ring... Ring...
Huh? Who's calling me right now?
Let me see...
Dr. James.
Who is he? But if he knows my office phone number, he should be either a hacker or someone working here.
"Anderson? Is it you on the other end?"
"Yes, Dr. James?"
"Well, I'm your supervisor for your first month here. I don't know what to say, I just got promoted to supervisor. Mmm... Okay. Are you ready to get assigned to your first task? Don't worry; I won't give you something hard. I know it's your first day here."
"Dr. James, I think I'm ready. Oh, also, what is the task?"
"Well, I was thinking of assigning you to a 3-hour patrol in Pluckley."
"Hey, I know that place has rumors of being haunted. But come on, it's fake, right?"
"Yeah... it's totally fake, Dr. James."
"Okay, so you accept the task, Anderson?"
"Uhhh... I'll accept it, I guess? So what am I going to do?"
"You just have to search around for any sight of Hazel Dormice. I'll send you a picture soon."
"Am I allowed to enter the forest?"
"No, Anderson. The forest is insanely dangerous and restricted to enter, so don't go in there, as it's not in your task area. Special teams will be deployed once you find anything weird. You'll be on this task until my supervision ends, which is about a month."
"Dr. James, do I get a resting place for the task?"
"Oh, for that, HQ will send you a tent tomorrow. Also, just to mention, if you're wondering why it's tomorrow, your task starts tomorrow, so don't be worried, I guess. Okay, I'll leave you be now. Bye. And if you have anything else to ask, just type #S2021, and you'll be able to send messages directly to me."
Beep... Beep...
Okay, so I guess I'm going to have to live in a tent for one month, am I? Why did I sign up for this? Am I stupid? I must be, ain't I? Well, since I agreed to it, I'll need to get prepared.
Wait...
I forgot to ask Dr. James about the supplies, since I don't know if I need to prepare them myself. I'm likely not going to have to do that, but just in case I do, I guess I'm going to ask Dr. James.
What was the number?
#S202... something.
Was it 5?
1?
Wait...
I think it was 1!
#S2021
Yep, I think that's right!
...Got in!
"Dr. James, do I get the survival supplies from HQ?"
...
...
...
Guh, why isn't he responding?!
...
...
...
"Oh, Anderson. Sorry for not responding. I have some work to do, you know, since I'm a supervisor."
"For that, yes. HQ is going to pack you with enough supplies. Just don't waste them. There isn't going to be plenty. HQ is running out of supplies these days."
"Got it, Dr. James!"
"Okay, see you later... I guess."
Nice!
I don't need to buy supplies myself.
A couple thousand euros saved.
Thankfully, HQ decided to give me the supplies because, as a new worker here, I barely get paid any money. I would not want to spend thousands of euros on them. Well, in the meantime, I should get lunch now. I'm starving.
"Yo, Anderson."
"Huh? Martin? Is that you?"
"Yep, it's me. Long time no see."
"...Wow, it's been like 10 years since we last met!"
"So, pal. Why are you here?"
"You know, I used to love forests, and because of that, I joined the GFO. Also, if you don't mind answering... why are you here?"
"Well, you know, I was one of our best students at G.W.U., and they thought that I would be perfect to work as a digital specialist. That's how I got here."
"Okay, I guess. Oh, also, are you going to have lunch right now?"
"Yeah. You too?"
"Yeah. What are you gonna eat?"
"Umm, pepperoni pizza, I guess. There's a good café nearby that sells some decent ones."
"You're going to eat one by yourself?"
"You know, they have nicely sized options for one person, two people, and custom sizes. It's not as big as you think."
"Okay, what are you waiting for?"
"Let's go!"
"So, Martin," "what have you been doing all these years? It's been a long time since I've seen you."
"Well, before coming here, I worked as a delivery man and a cashier at a 7-Eleven."
"Those days were rough, weren't they?"
"I don't know. For me, I didn't do anything after college. I was just so into studying and trying to join this organization. In fact, I thought about it so much that I couldn't stop thinking about it. So I continued to research and learn everything I could about forests and the species in each forest. It's jus-"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Before you start yapping about all those things you learned, do you mind me asking you one thing?"
"Yeah, totally."
"So, why are you so obsessed with forests?"
"Mmm... mainly the species that live in the forests, I guess. It just hooked my interest. Don't know why."
"Okay, I guess. So, what pizza flavor do you want to eat?"
"There are some different flavors here, but most of them have pepperoni on them, so it's not much of a choice."
"Is there one with pineapple on it?"
"There is one, but just to tell you, there's hot sauce on it."
"What, hot sauce on a pineapple pizza?! What's wrong with this place!"
"I know, I know. They aren't the best at pineapple pizza, but the normal pepperoni is decently good."
"Then let's just get a two-person-sized one. Are there any drinks?"
"There are drinks right over there in the fridge, though I believe they've been running a bit low these days. Last time I checked, only Coke was left."
"Then I'll get some Coke, I guess. Also, don't forget to order it."
~ding-dong~
"Okay, I'm done with ordering."
"Hey, Anderson, one thing to ask. What's your assigned task? I heard that you're just a new employee."
"My assignment... ohh! It was near Dering Forest. I think it was around Pluckley."
"Pluckley! Do you not know that that place is cursed?"
"Come on, Martin. Stop being a chicken. Who believes that?"
"Oh, you think that I'm the chicken, huh? Well, after lunch, go search Pluckley on your PC. I doubt that nothing good's going to pop up."
"Also, Martin, one thing to ask."
"Do you know about Project 522?"
"Project 522? How do you know about that?! I won't be able to tell you too much since it's, you know, 'highly classified', but I will tell you that you right now should not be worried about that."
"Why?"
"You know, Anderson... sometimes, there are things you shouldn't know, alright?"
"Bu-"
"I'll have to go now, Anderson. I have a lot of work to do, you know?"
"Fine."
"See you later."
Even Martin won't tell me anything about Project 522. How highly classified is this project? It's only a forest project! Gotta leave now. I do have, like, a mountain of paperwork to do. Gotta get back now. Why do I have this much paperwork as a new employee?!
Job Hazard Analysis
1. Be aware that the assignment you've signed up for has to deal with wildlife threats and the possibility of getting heavily injured.
2. No emergency healthcare groups will be sent with you during a patrol project.
3. If you show any signs of pollen allergies or any allergies that are common in the wilderness, for your own health, please discontinue the assignment.
Non-Disclosure Agreement
1. The assignment you've signed up for is considered heavily classified and should not be shared with anyone or anything.
2. Even against other employees, any restricted information should not be shared.
This crap isn't stopping!!! What do you mean there are Hazardous Duty Pay Forms and Insurance or Benefit Forms? Why would I want to sign them?! And why would there be something like that in here?! There's absolutely 0 reasons to read all this stuff.
~Ring Ring~
Oh, Dr. James is back.
"Anderson, I have to announce that your project is ahead of schedule due to most deployed helicopters being occupied tomorrow. You'll have to pack up your stuff and leave tonight."
"What!" "Today?!"
"I know, Anderson. This was a little too early for you, but it is what it is."
"Fine."
~Beep Beep~
God dang it! I have to go tonight?! It's like 30 degrees outside. I'll start packing up some stuff. All the other supplies should be on the deployed helicopter... right?
~Ring~ ~Ring~
"Anderson, are you ready?"
"Yep, Dr. James, I'm done packing up."
"Good. Head outside to the heliport. An air crew will tell you the precautions of the project. Good luck."
"Dr. James, where is the heliport?"
"Just follow the map you have on your PC. If you can't memorize it, just download it and send it to your phone."
"Got it."
"I have to leave now, remember. Just download the map onto your phone. It's simple, and you should know how to do it."
~Beep beep~
Okay, so I'm supposed to open the map... then click download. Wait, that's not it. Which map is it? map.jpn? No way that's the one... It is?! Okay, I guess. Download. Got it!
So I'm supposed to go down to B1 by the staircase or elevator on the far right of the building. Then turn right, and that's it. Okay... so go to the right end of the building and take the elevator to B1, then turn right and I should be there...
I think I'm here? There's a helicopter here, so it should be here.
"Hey, you! Stop there."
"Show me your badge."
"Badge?"
"Oh!"
"Here."
"Anderson, that's you, right?"
"Yep, that's me."
"Get on the helicopter, quick."
"Okay, okay. So Dr. James said that someone here is going to show me the precautions, am I right?"
"Yep. Hand the precautions to him."
Precautions for Dering Woods Project
Note: This assignment only stands for projects near Dering Woods or in Dering Woods. Please hand assignments of precautions with care, as if an employee assigned to a different area mistakes this for their precautions, some life-threatening activities could happen.
1. Dering Woods is not a cursed forest. No scientific clues of "haunted creatures" have been found in the forest.
2. If you hear any howls, do not wander into the forest. Even though the forest lacks any large carnivores, red foxes have still been spotted around the forest.
"For now, that's it. You'll be landing in Pluckley after 30 minutes, so get ready."

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