Commander Kloo?
Huh? who?
Prime Thian speaking. You are experiencing what we Talents call the `stinggpzzt’ of Hive metal.
That wasn’t in my briefing. She sounded both relieved and annoyed.
I don’t believe the admiral accepts this reaction as valid. As you are currently surrounded by Hive metal, you `11 be pleased to know that such a reaction confirms the possession of latent Talent.
Thanks! was the droll response.
Anyone else in your team seem afraid in a similar fashion?
So far I’m the only one complaining, Prime Lyon, and her tone was resigned.
Thian, please, me.
How’d you know my nickname? Nevermind. Of course, you would.
How do I get rid of this stinggpzzt sensation? Or reduce its effect somehow or other. It’s rather … disconcerting.
It won’t hurt you but continued exposure might make you rather short-tempered.
Ha! I’ve already got that reputation so now I’ve a good reason.
So long as it doesn’t bite me, I’ll just get on with the job.
Shall we?
My brother, Rojer, is your guide, Rome. He can dampen the reaction to some extent. let him know you notice anyone else affected or if it begins to affect your judgement.
Thanks. Hey! That’s better. And hey, I didn’t know I could receive.
Rojer took over. Primes can manage two-way communications with much lower than a T-5, Rome. Now, I’ve ignited my guide globe and, ri you `11 just have your group follow it, we’ll begin Operation Illuminate on its way to the engine rooms.
I’ve got enough ladders to climb us back down to Mars. And hey, this beats staying on the combutton. Rojer could almost see her grin.
lit’s move it, and by the additional depth to her tone, they knew she was speaking aloud to her detail. Follow the yellow-brick road right!
Forries, you take left, Maumu, take right and plant those cells whooops, just lost Maumu down a tube. Oh, hey, that’s great!
Rojer retrieved the faller who was as shaken by the unexpected and almost instantaneous rescue as he was by an equally unexpected descent.
Well, slap a light beside the dam tied tube, sailor, was Rome’s testy comment. And if you were stopped before you hit the bottom, be glad we’ve got the Talents on our tails. Beg pardon, lighting our way!
As the various teams proceeded, the sphere slowly filled with details. Oval tunnels of varying circumferences riddled the periphery and evidently provided access for Hiver specialist lifeforms from one area to another. Few were comfortable for those exploring them but gradually, over the next week, a network in each quadrant and hemisphere began to emerge.
Rojer found the engine room and the incredible clutter of components that, when activated, gave Refugee its propulsion. Fuel was discovered in sealed tanks, each fed by intricate coils into one section of the vast engine mass. More powerful light units were requested by those who had had a harrowing trip down smooth, cramped oval tunnels. The engine room was not all that spacious either and seemed to be accessed by conduits much too small for either human or `Dini bodies.
`A combinant fuel,’ was one expert 5 immediate theory.
`Then why is the mixture apparently run over that large crystalline object so carefully bracketed in the housing?’ Opaque pipes around the chamber suggested some sort of lighting: a theory that was supported by the fact that the various feed lines and coils were colour-coded.
To prove it correct, the sphere’s power would need to be on.
`You’d have to be an acrobat to service this bloody affair,’ said a propulsion specialist from Earth. He was attempting to get on top of the main unit for a better perspective.
Several fascinating boards, of a control type, were discovered at floor level. They were segmented into different colours and were touch-controlled. Another few sections covered one of the lower ceilings of the large oval chamber. Judiciously removing some of the floor plates showed that these panels led directly either to the engine mass or the fuel tanks. Geting diagnostic machinery into the cramped engine room required both Rojer’s assistance and the removal of nearly a dozen specialists. By `removing’ them back to the main cargo bay where food was being served and remote screens had been sited did much to reduce their disappointment and anger at not being right on the scene.