The screen flashed, “Warning! Device poweroff will reformat device. Please use reset command to reset device.” Bepergian was beginning to get irritated by the device. Without an instruction manual or anyone to tell him how to use the device it was increasingly difficult to determine what to do with it. He briefly imagined throwing it as far as he could, but he knew it was the only answer to his missing Faro and now to his location.

The throbbing in his head had receded to a dull ache. He sat up on his knees and peered over the tall grass he was in. He appeared to be in a savanna of some sort with a tree line off in the distance. He could hear insects buzzing around and he could still hear the trickle of running water. He did not see any signs of civilization nor any animals. Just in case he checked the utility belt around his waste and was relieved that it was intact down to the knife he wore.

Still looking warily around, he stood up and looked all around. The sun stood high in the sky, so he assumed it was about midday. That made determining direction difficult. So he looked for the closest stand of trees. That happened to be in the direction of the sound of the water.

He looked again at the device in his hand, then placed it in a pouch in his belt. He would try to figure it out later, after he got his bearings and found a safe place for shelter.

He started off toward the water and trees. He walked about fifty paces when he found the stream. It wasn't very wide. He could easily jump over it, but it was surprisingly deep. If he tried to wade through it he would be up to his knees. He crouched next to the water and watched to see if there were any signs of life. Sitting very still he was able to see some fish swimming in the depths of the creek. They would surface to snatch a flying insect that buzzed near the water. As far as he could tell the fish appeared to be typical fresh water fish of earth. Indeed from all that he could see, hear and smell. He was on an uninhabited area of Earth.

Taking a chance he scooped up some of the water in his hand to taste it. It tasted fresh and sweet. Realizing he was thirsty he went to scoop more water. As he did so one of the fish surfaced and went for his hand as if it were an insect. Startled Bepergian jumped back. The fish submerged again, but not before he got a look at the mouth full of sharp teeth the fish had.

Now he really wondered where he was and what year.