Back at the Drop Zone, I found myself aimlessly fiddling with a tool I had picked up, lost in thought. The weight of leadership, the endless planning, and the constant pressure to make our camp functional were always at the back of my mind. I was so engrossed in my thoughts that the sudden change in the Portal's colour jolted me back to reality. Its vibrant swirl of hues, unlike anything on Earth, always signalled something new, something unexpected. I couldn't help but hope it was Beatrix returning with another caravan, considering our pressing need for more living space.

However, to my surprise, it wasn't a vehicle or a caravan that emerged from the swirling Portal, but two people, strangers to me. "More people," I found myself muttering under my breath, a mix of concern and resignation in my tone. Just when we were finally getting a handle on our living arrangements, it seemed we were on the verge of another setback.

I continued to tinker with the tool in my hand, pretending to be absorbed in it, all the while casting sidelong glances towards the newcomers. A part of me was hoping Luke or Beatrix would quickly appear to take charge of these new arrivals, sparing me the immediate responsibility of their orientation in our challenging world.

Thankfully, moments later, Luke did emerge from the Portal. I felt a wave of relief wash over me. At least these strangers weren’t left to fend for themselves. Yet, that sense of relief was short-lived as Luke caught sight of me and beckoned me over. With a resigned sigh, I walked towards him, steeling myself for whatever stories or complications these newcomers might bring to our already complex situation.

“Paul!” Luke called out, his voice ringing with an unexpected cheerfulness. His buoyancy was almost contagious, and as I approached, I noticed an air of positivity that seemed to pervade the group. Not such an unfortunate arrival after all, I thought, my initial apprehension slowly giving way to a budding curiosity.

“This is Grant and Sarah Ironbach from the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary in Tasmania,” Luke introduced them effortlessly. They appeared to be in their late thirties or early forties and had a remarkable composure about them, considering they had just stepped through an inter-dimensional portal.

I raised my eyebrows in surprise. Luke's decision to bring these two here was intriguing. Their calm demeanour amidst the surreal backdrop of Clivilius was notable. Yet, something didn’t quite add up. The ease with which the couple were accepting this new development felt almost unnatural. There has to be a catch, I thought to myself, my mind already bracing for the impact.

"As discussed," Luke continued, his tone brimming with an overconfidence that instantly set off alarms in my mind. His assured demeanour was one thing, but it was the piercing intensity of his gaze as he spoke that truly heightened my suspicions.

“They’re here to do the initial assessment for the construction of the new wildlife sanctuary here,” he elaborated.

“Oh, are they?” I couldn’t help but question, my voice laced with skepticism. The idea struck me as far-fetched, even considering Luke's penchant for grand schemes. A wildlife sanctuary, here in Clivilius, felt like a leap even for him.

“Shouldn’t take us more than a week or so,” Sarah interjected, her voice imbued with a steadiness that seemed almost out of place.

“And then we’ll be back to Bonorong. These things don’t manage themselves,” Grant added, his confidence suggesting a swift return to their previous life.

That was the moment my skepticism reached its peak. The notion that they could simply treat Clivilius as a temporary stopover was ludicrous to me. I felt my eyes widen in disbelief, a reaction I couldn't suppress, as I processed their naïve statements. This was the catch I had sensed earlier. Luke’s latest escapade had evidently brought two people utterly unaware of the real challenges of life in Clivilius.

As Luke gestured for a private conversation, pulling me away from the group, I found it hard to mask my irritation. Following him away from Grant and Sarah, I confronted him, “Luke, what are you doing?” My voice was a low hiss, sharp with frustration.

“I’m Brad,” he corrected me swiftly, though his shifting gaze betrayed a sense of unease.

“And what trouble is ‘Brad’ into this time that I need to bail him out of?” I pressed, my tone dripping with skepticism. There was also a hint of weariness in my voice, born of the continuous, often unexpected challenges the Luke brought with him.

“It’s not like that,” Luke insisted, his voice tinged with a mix of frustration and urgency.

I sighed deeply, my patience wearing thin. “Another ‘accident’, then?”

“Not exactly,” Luke responded, his vague answer doing little to quell the growing storm of concern inside me.

Fixing him with a stare that demanded transparency, I waited for him to elaborate. “They seem to already know about Clivilius and Portals,” he began, which only made me scoff at the sheer absurdity of the situation.

“Then why do they seem to have the impression that they’re going home in a few weeks?” I pressed, my mind racing to piece together the fragmented puzzle Luke was haphazardly presenting.

Luke’s response was a noncommittal shrug. “I’m not sure. But I think they’ve been working with another Guardian team. Apparently, Brad is a Guardian.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be Brad?” I questioned, my confusion deepening with each revelation. The layers of Luke’s plan were unfolding like a poorly-scripted play, leaving more questions than answers.

“No… and yes,” Luke replied, his words seeming to tangle up even in his own mind. “I was on a reconnaissance mission at the sanctuary. Got caught up in a case of mistaken identity. It seems I was there at the right time.”

“Right time?” I questioned, skepticism lacing my tone.

Undeterred by my doubts, Luke continued, “Well, we got the Director and Assistant Director of the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, didn’t we?” His voice held a hint of pride as he brandished a handful of folders. “And we have their plans for the construction of a new wildlife sanctuary in Clivilius,” he added, his grin broadening as if unveiling a magician's final trick.

Despite my reservations, a flicker of hope sparked within me at the prospect. “I guess that can only be a good thing,” I conceded, allowing a reluctant smile to break through my initial skepticism.

“Great!” Luke exclaimed, clearly pleased with himself.

At that moment, Sarah and Grant approached us. “Is everything alright, Brad?” Sarah inquired, her tone tinged with genuine concern.

“Everything is just perfect,” Luke replied, his smile not faltering as he handed me the folders. “My brother is going to accompany you back to camp and debrief you on the situation.”

“And you?” I asked, my gaze fixed on Luke, not even attempting to guess at his next move.

“I have other important Guardian duties to attend to, but I’ll see you all later this evening,” he replied, his voice carrying a note of finality, as if closing a chapter in a book.

Suppressing the urge to roll my eyes at Luke’s typically vague response, I gestured for Grant and Sarah to follow me. “We’re extremely excited to have you here,” I told them, leading them away from Luke and the potential for any more unexpected revelations.

Leading Grant and Sarah back to our modest camp, a wave of responsibility and apprehension washed over me. Each step felt heavier than the last, burdened with the gravity of what I had to convey – and more importantly, what I couldn't reveal just yet. It was a delicate dance of words, balancing on the thin line between being welcoming and withholding the harsh reality of their one-way journey to Clivilius.

"So, Grant, Sarah, welcome to Bixbus," I started, trying to infuse my tone with as much hospitality as I could muster under the circumstances. The camp, with its cluster of caravans and tents, seemed almost quaint against the stark, desolate landscape that stretched beyond.

"It's... different from what I expected," Sarah commented, her eyes scanning the surroundings with a blend of curiosity and a hint of unease.

"Yes, Clivilius is quite unique," I agreed, carefully selecting my words. "But we've managed to make it somewhat homey here." I tried to sound reassuring, hoping to ease their initial shock at the stark contrast to what they must have been used to.

Grant nodded, his gaze thoughtfully sweeping over the camp. "It's impressive what you've achieved in such a short time. The wildlife sanctuary project here... it's going to be challenging, I assume?"

"Absolutely," I replied with a nod. "The environment here is... unpredictable. But that's precisely why the project is so crucial. Adaptation to the local ecosystem is paramount."

Nearing the final crest leading to Bixbus, a chilling reminder of the harsh reality of Clivilius greeted us. The grotesque head of the Shadow Panther, staked firmly in the ground, served as a grim welcome. I noticed Grant and Sarah's expressions shift to a mix of unease and professionalism. I thought of offering some explanation but decided against it. The last thing I needed was to complicate matters further with explanations about our defensive measures against the dangers we faced.

The camp was unusually quiet as we approached, a relief in a way. Fewer people around meant less risk of the Ironbachs learning the full truth about Bixbus prematurely. The caravans stood silently, like sentinels of our small sanctuary.

But then, Karen appeared. Her presence, usually reassuring, now filled me with apprehension. Her candid nature could inadvertently expose the harsh truth I was trying to shield the Ironbachs from. I hastened my pace to intercept her, whispering urgently, "Don't mention anything about them not being able to leave." Her sharp glance and a flicker of understanding in her eyes told me she grasped the gravity of my request.

“Karen, this is-” I began.

“I'm well aware of who they are, thank you, Paul,” Karen interjected, her voice laced with a hint of contempt as I started the introductions.

“Karen, what a surprise to see you here,” Grant greeted her with a firm handshake.

"Yeah, small world," Karen replied with a casual smile.

As they exchanged pleasantries, my tension grew. Every word, every nod, felt like a step closer to the edge of a precipice. I was determined to keep the conversation light and away from any revealing topics.

Seeing an opportunity to move on, I stepped in. "Let's find you a place to settle in for now," I suggested, eager to guide them to a caravan and away from further probing conversation.

Walking towards the caravan, I couldn’t help but glance back at Karen, ensuring she understood the importance of discretion. "We've been fortunate enough to secure these as living quarters. They're quite comfortable," I said, trying to sound confident.

Grant seemed to accept the arrangement, but Sarah's skeptical gaze swept over the surroundings. "And when do we meet the team working on the sanctuary?" she inquired.

I hesitated, buying time with a brief pause as I carefully crafted my response. "We're still in the process of coordinating that. For now, we'll help you get acquainted with the camp and its resources," I replied, hoping to gently steer her expectations without revealing too much.

Upon reaching the caravan, I opened the door without knocking, revealing the simple yet functional interior. "This will be your space. Please, make yourselves at home. We operate on a communal basis here, with everyone contributing as best they can." My voice carried a note of warmth, though internally I was grappling with the implications of what I was doing.

Sarah stepped inside, her gaze surveying the caravan with a thoughtful expression. "We're looking forward to making a meaningful contribution. It's not every day you get to start a sanctuary from scratch," she said, her voice carrying a mix of enthusiasm and resolve.

I managed a smile, though it masked my inner turmoil. The reality that I had just assigned them Nial's caravan weighed on me. "Indeed. We're grateful to have experts like you on board," I assured them, trying to sound as convincing as possible.

Grant, who had been mostly silent, finally chimed in. "What about communication with the outside world? We'll need to report back on our progress." His question was straightforward, but it struck a chord of guilt within me.

"We're actively working on improving our communication systems. It's a bit of a challenge here, but progress is being made," I answered, the words feeling hollow even as I spoke them.

After making sure they were settled, I excused myself. Walking away, the weight of their oblivious optimism pressed down on me. I knew that eventually, they would have to face the reality of Clivilius.

Then, an idea struck me. Karen's familiarity with Grant and her experience in wildlife conservation made her the perfect candidate to be their 'induction-buddy.' It was a role she could play naturally, easing the Ironbachs into life at Bixbus while keeping the more troubling aspects at bay for now. With this plan in mind, I went to find her.

Watching Karen's retreating figure as she meandered towards the river, I quickened my pace, my shoes kicking up small clouds of dust. "Karen!" I called out.

She turned, her face transitioning from a distant gaze to one of mild surprise. "Oh, Paul! Didn’t hear you coming."

I fell into step beside her, matching her leisurely pace. The river's soft murmuring created a tranquil atmosphere, contrasting with the tension I felt inside. “You’re familiar with the Ironbachs, aren’t you?” I inquired, my curiosity piqued by her earlier interactions with them.

Karen's eyes lit up with recognition. "Ah, the Ironbachs. Yes, our paths crossed in the world of conservation. Smart and committed, both of them. They'll undoubtedly be great assets here."

Feeling a sense of relief, I ventured a suggestion, "Would you mind meeting with them then? To help them integrate more fully into our community and understand our work?"

She contemplated the idea, her gaze drifting towards the gently flowing river. "Yes, I can do that. Their sudden arrival did surprise me a little. What role are they expected to play here?"

I paused, gathering my thoughts before divulging the uncertainties surrounding their arrival. "Well, that's where things get a bit murky. Luke seems to think they've been involved with another Guardian group. They’re here for the Wildlife Sanctuary project," I explained, extending the folders to her. "These plans outline the initial concept."

Karen took the folders, her fingers flipping through the pages with keen interest. "This is intriguing," she mused, her eyes scanning the documents.

I shifted uncomfortably, a crucial piece of information weighing on my mind. "There's one more thing," I began cautiously. "I don't believe Grant and Sarah are aware that this trip to Clivilius... is a one-way journey. They still think they’ll return to Bonorong."

Her expression hardened slightly, the gravity of the situation evident in her eyes. "I see. That's delicate," she acknowledged solemnly. "I'll approach this carefully."

I felt a sense of gratitude wash over me. "Thank you, Karen. This means a lot."

She offered a small, reassuring smile, her gaze momentarily returning to the river. “I'll speak with them shortly,” she said, her tone contemplative.

“Whenever you're ready,” I responded, respecting her need for a moment by the river. Internally, I couldn’t help but hope she wouldn’t take too long. The situation with the Ironbachs was a ticking clock in my mind, one that needed careful handling sooner rather than later.