Dark Energy by carlsojos

Chapter 14

The tunnel was a simple straight path, with some wooden supports, but eventually goes through a wall made of metal. Looking at the cross section, I notice a large number of pipes and wires sticking out. This wasn't the original entrance. Stepping into the ruin itself, I am taken aback by the atmosphere. Everything is made of metal, a bit dulled from time, but still holds a little shine where hands and boots had disturbed the layer of dust. At many of the places where the plates end, what appear to be darkened lights protrude the wall. I am so absorbed in the strange appearance of the hall we stood in that I didn't notice Etirn behind me. Boo!

Startled, I spun around, claws ready. Oh, shit! Don't use those! The training knife hurts enough! I retract the claws and laugh, saying Then I suggest you behave yourself. Why don't you tell me why this looks so different from modern buildings. We start walking in a random direction as Etirn began talking.

For some reason, before the Great Collapse, most buildings were made in layers. They started with a strong framework, then ran conduits for electricity and other things, then attached a lighter-weight material for walls. For some reason, most of the ruins that feature advanced computer systems used conductive metals for interior walls.

We rounded a corner. What's a conductive metal?

Oh, you haven't learned about electricity. Basically, if something is conductive, you can transmit energy through it very efficiently. The primary form of energy back then was electricity, but the same principles can be applied to heat. To test this, hold the ends of a couple bars of different metal alloy over a fire. The one that would burn your hand faster is more conductive.

Why would they line this place with that, then?

We don't really know, but I've found that in most places, the walls seem to hold a slightly positive charge, or attracts electricity. I think the walls may act as the primary ground. He takes note of my confusion, but decides not to elaborate. We reach an intersection, and Etirn plays Eeny meeny miny moe to decide our next turn. We pass by what I think is a computer.

Etirn, is that the computer we are looking for?

No, that's a terminal. It's used to communicate with the computer, but without power, I can't gain access through it. We need the core itself, so I can access all its resources. We come upon a large group of machines that resemble the ones at the end of the Gauntlet. The only real difference is that instead of little pink blobs inside, there are green, almost manlike, creatures, with fins for hands. Akkosua walks out from behind one machine.

I wonder what creatures these are supposed to be. Find anything out, Akkosua?

Not looking up from a small field book, I do believe these are identical to the machines used in the Gauntlet. But I don't recognize these biomonsters. They definitely aren't the same.

I take another look at the monsters. I notice some small slits on the side of its neck. I don't recognize the species, but these appear to be related to some of the amphibious creatures that used to roam the shoreline north of Nalya.

Akkosua starts searching her mind, and draws her conclusion, If that's the case, then would that mean this could be the place that caused a spike in biomonster populations in the historical records? Someone should look through the archives in Piata.

Etirn nods, That's a good observation. Perhaps you might consider becoming a Post grad?

Who, me? Ha! I'm gonna find a rich old man, marry him, and put him in the ground.

Etirn starts laughing. ...Good luck with that. Regaining his composure, Dora, is there a radio link in camp? I can't get reception down here.

It arrived with the last supply convoy. It should be ready within an hour.

Good. Head back to camp, and contact Technology Department. Have them pull the archives for information regarding assembly and transport procedures for the monster chambers in the Gauntlet, if we still have it.

Can do.

Akkosua turns back to the capsules. If you don't mind, Dora, I'd like to stay here a bit longer to try to determine more about the biomonsters. You can see how they are in different stages of development. It's amazing to see these without dissecting a corpse.... I can find my own way out.

I'll see you at camp, then.

Hold up, Dora. Which way to the core? Etirn decided to get directions after all.

You go back to the entry tunnel, and you head the other way. It's just up that hall. This way leads to a door that goes to a really small room with no purpose. Dora walks off towards the way we came, and Akkosua turns back to the machines.

A small room with no purpose, Etirn?

I think I know what it is, but if I'm right, it would take over a week to use it, since we are too far underground to run a wire to a solar still. Let's head to the core. It is an uneventful walk to get to the system core.

Next chapter

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