Author's note: I own nothing new in this chapter. I apologize if this chapter is sub par, but I have been busy and I am a bit out of practice. The next chapter will certainly be more exciting.

Pikmin Worlds: Day 16

The Energy Field

"Crackle! Crackle! Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz!" The Porpoise's control panel made wonderfully annoying sounds as Captain Olimar pounded on it mercilessly. "Computer!" cried the captain angrily, "I need you to repair the Geiger counter on this ship; it started going haywire and it won't stop!"

"Captain, my sensors indicate that there is nothing wrong with the onboard Geiger counter," droned the onboard computer's voice over the intercom. "The instruments are indeed picking up a large amount of radiation."

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"Captain, you are aware that the Geiger counter's function is to detect radiation, correct?"

"Of course I do!" In reality, though, Olimar had never learned what the annoying clicking instrument was used for. "It's just that all space suits are shielded against radiation nowadays, so I don't need to know about it anymore."

"Affirmative, Captain. Would you like to investigate the source of this radiation? A course can be set to land in said area immediately."

Olimar was confused. "The radiation is coming from the planet? Computer, make another scan. Are you sure that there were no solar flares or any other similar activity?"

"Scan complete. The radiation's source is on the planet with 100 certainty."

"Set the course to land, then; I want to investigate."

The Porpoise hurtled toward the planet surface, its white nozzle pointed directly towards a patch of land below. Olimar looked out of the window and took out is notes to write down the description of the area. Shallow pools of stagnant water settled into the soil right next to small clumps of reeds. Not a tree was in sight, but the sight of some Unmarked Spectralids proved that this area could support life. The most unusual aspect of this small meadow was the fact that the grass covering its surface refused to grow in certain places, forming an eerie pattern of brown paths in the mud. The Porpoise landed inside of a perfectly circular mud ring, with the Onions following close behind.

Captain Olimar hustled out of the ship, almost dropping his notes in his hurry. "Honey, Chip, Sadie, we don't have much time, as it is already noon. Go gather a small party of Pikmin and let's see if we can find the source of this radiation."

Julie hesitated for a moment. "Would the radiation hurt the Pikmin?"

"No, it's not strong enough," was the reply. Olimar was carrying a handheld Geiger counter and was pointing it in seemingly random directions. Julie and the kids joined the father along with thirty red Pikmin.

"Okay, everyone, keep your eyes open while I try to find the source." The group had hardly taken a step when an unusual glow appeared in midair. Chip instinctively threw a Pikmin into the air, causing the Honeywisp to drop its egg. The ground was so soft, though, that the egg did not break.

"Dad, was that the source of radiation?"

"No, that was just a Honeywisp. Feel free to check that egg, though."

"Okay!" Chip ordered the Pikmin to swarm the egg, but as soon as it was opened, they ran madly away from a swarm of Mitites. The kids gathered the runaway Pikmin as the harmless yet odorous insects burrowed into the mud. "Hey Dad, I have a question." asked Sadie. "How do Mitites get into Honeywisp eggs?"

"I'm sorry, Sadie, I can't hear you," spoke the captain, who was still trying to find the source of the radiation. Finally, a very fed up Julie marched up to her husband. "Olimar, I'm starting to think you're working too hard. What you need is a few days off. We're all going to bring these Pikmin back to their Onion and it's straight back to the Porpoise!"

"What are you saying, Julie? I'm not overworked at all. I'm in the best shape of my life, I can work through this mission, and I'm … OOF!" sputtered the captain as Julie grabbed his helmet beacon. "At least let me write down my notes!" he cried, but Julie snatched the papers away from her husband. "No, I don't want you to even think about work for a few days. You never got the break you earned from your previous mission, and it's taking a toll on your mind. The kids and I can handle ourselves while you relax."

Seeing that it was pointless to argue, and his notes were gone, Olimar started making mental notes in his head as he was dragged back to the ship.

Maybe Julie is right. I feel like I have been focusing more on the mission than I have on the family. I'm sure Julie knows what's best for all of us, but this place … I cannot put my finger on it, but something is very wrong here. The reading on the Geiger counter is the same everywhere on the ground, but it should be getting stronger as it gets closer to the source. I must remember to call this place the Enigmatic Meadow in my notes …

Olimar was still thinking to himself as Julie took his helmet off back on the ship. Leading her husband to the sleeping quarters, Julie gently helped him into a nap sack. "Don't worry, dear, you will not be disappointed," Julie whispered, giving her husband a tender kiss on the nose. As the Porpoise drifted in orbit, Olimar drifted into a well-deserved slumber.