Dark Energy by carlsojos

Chapter 46

Demi starts pulsing the retro rockets as we approached Piata. The radio comes to life as we pass over a couple towns.

Mota U, this is Kadary. There are reports of an unknown object flying towards Piata. Is this something we need to worry about?

Negative. It's likely some proj.... Whoa, what the hell is that?!

Demi activates the microphone. Motavia University, Landale. Requesting permission to land.

Holy shit, it's huge!

I repeat, requesting- Etirn taps Demi's shoulder.

Just land it. They can't stop you.

Affirmative. The ship lands with a gentle bump onto the sands. I look out a window to notice that half the university is watching from the windows on the building. I spot someone reach at something at one of the ground floor windows.

Is that you, Etirn? I don't think that's the same ship you left in.

You would be correct, Sparky. Does Dora have a radio at her site?

Let me check the sheets. The person walks away from the window.

Demi looks a bit worried. I hope that this Dora isn't at Nurvus. An extreme amount of damage can be done if anybody tampers with the system.

The person is back at the window. What's a 'nervous?'

Etirn answers, Something that's very important. I think.

Yeah, Dora was issued Outerbeast 5. New design testing the first photovoltaic cell we've built instead of scavenged.

Thanks. Outerbeast 5, Landale. Respond.

The next report is tomorrow, if that's what you're looking for. The voice was quite gruff, definitely not Dora's.

She just went in with the rest of the shift. Gave me the radio since there's no reception inside. It's been slow going because we keep getting ambushed by these strange machines.

Demi goes into her thoughts for a moment. There are reports of unauthorized personnel in Nurvus. I hadn't noticed because nobody's reached the core yet. We need to stop them getting there, or the entire system goes to war.

I'm almost afraid to ask, but I do anyway, What does that mean?

All available combat resources on Motavia are immediately transferred to Nurvus, and given Shoot-On-Sight orders, until the facility is devoid of life or the alert is cancelled.

Jeetoh shakes his head. That doesn't sound very conducive to your mission, miss.

Hearing our coversation, Etirn grabs at the radio. This is Post-Grad Bay. I am issuing an emergency suspend operation for the Kadary dig. I repeat, all workers are to immediately evacuate Kadary ruins until cleared to resume.

Not even a second later, This is the principal. I override that order. Continue as normal.

Sir?! Etirn looked shocked at the principal pulling rank.

I don't know what you're doing, Etirn, and I normally would turn a blind eye, but you are now interfering with an investigative mission in which you have no rightful authority. Over the last month, you have become increasingly erratic in your behavior to the point where I'm now forced to question your ability to properly conduct yourself in the field.

If anyone reaches the main computer at that dig, it's game over for everyone there. Demi, tell him!

Who?

My name is Demi. I am an android, and the sole caretaker of Zelan and the Algo life support and terraform systems. By sending unauthorized persons to Nurvus, you are endangering both your archeologists and all of Motavia. Nurvus is the primary power distribution system for Motavia, and should not be tampered with.

A silence echoes over the radio. No, I will not take you at face value without proof that you are who you say you are. For all I know, Etirn bribed you to say that.

I am- Etirn pulls Demi away from the radio.

We don't have time to argue. I'm taking the Land Rover. Go! Etirn runs out and uses his key thing. The Land Rover bursts through a large wooden door on the old building, and starts careening towards us, a couple people falling off the thing as it swerves in the loose sand.

Ray whispers to me, I have a bad feeling about this.

I know, but we have to protect Dora's team! We climb into the vehicle, and Etirn buries the throttle so hard that even Demi sees the Great Light.

Next chapter

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