Strand pointed at the smaller hologram of floating numbers. “Seems pretty close to its parent star.”
“Yes,” Zeno said. “There is a high degree of radioactivity present due to the short distance to Epsilon Carinae, so any unshielded activity on the surface during the daytime is not recommended. Vehicles must be heavily shielded and hard e-suits would be ideal.”
“We can modify our Armatus to look like standard hard suits,” Strand said. “So no obvious weapons, but I like the added protection and the enhanced strength.”
Viniimn flicked his tongue in the air. “And both the Union and the Concordance chose this world as a showcase for their mutual cooperation?”
“Yes. The system is located in the neutral zone, and serves as one of the main transit points between Union and Concordance space,” Zeno said as he activated a larger hologram showing the star system’s outlying dark matter fields. “There are two major shadow zones, located at opposite rotating ends of the star system. The Union controls the one closest to the planet, while the farther one is under Concordance rule.”
“What’s the history of this world?” Creull asked.
“Horizon would have been nothing more than a backwater mining planet in the best of conditions,” Zeno said. “No side fought over the system during the war, and it was only after the joint survey teams from both factions accidentally discovered the artifact that the planet started to matter.”
“Interesting,” Creull said. “Go on.”
“Rather than fight it out all over again, the Union and the Concordance mutually agreed to set up a joint colony for their propaganda purposes, but kept the real reason secret from their own citizens. If it weren’t for our hack of the database, we wouldn’t have known about it either,” Zeno said.
Strand narrowed his eyes. “How does this joint colony operate?”
“Both factions maintain separate facilities,” Zeno said. “There are underground tunnels linking both colonies, and they serve as immigration control borders for either side. Two orbital stations as well, for obvious reasons.”
“Are the research labs for the artifact inside their respective colonies?”
Zeno shook his head. “No. The research outposts lie within the equatorial region—that’s where the artifact is located. The area is officially labeled as a radioactive quarantine zone, so no civilians are allowed over there. You would need to be members of pre-approved science teams in order to get close to the artifact.”
Strand sighed. “Well, this is going to make things complicated.”
“We may be able to generate passes and false identities from our decryption of the Azusa Station database to mimic Institute personnel, though I’m not sure how effective that would be,” Zeno said. “It’s highly possible the Institute already changed their codes and security protocols since they know we breached them back in Kolob.”
“I’m sure we’ll find a way to get to the science outpost once we’re on planet,” Strand said. “We could hijack a transport vehicle heading towards the equator, or something like that.”
“How is the security on either of those shadow zones around the system?” Creull asked.
“I’m afraid they’re quite robust,” Zeno said. “Since Horizon is a major transit point, both of the fields are heavily fortified. Remote laser satellites, drone mines, and missile bases for the Union side, and equivalent bio-weapons over in the Concordance shadow zone, no doubt.”
“I wouldn’t recommend sending the Nepenthe through either of those fields,” Viniimn said.
Captain Dangard shook his head. “She won’t. Can you find alternative means of getting into the system, Lieutenant?”
Strand let out a deep breath. “It’ll be risky, going into the lion’s den with no means of extraction. I know of a smuggler who might get us in there, but he’ll be asking for a high price.”
“We’ll pay the credits,” Dangard said.
“Oh, getting in there won’t be the problem,” Strand said. “It’s going to be getting out when all hell breaks loose. I honestly don’t even know what it is we’re supposed to be doing.”
“Zeno thinks this artifact might empower Maeve’s energy field,” Creull said. “We need to know what she is truly capable of.”
Strand wasn’t too keen on the plan and he wanted them to know it. “This is all just pure speculation and wishful thinking. We hardly know the secret of all these discovered artifacts everyone found. That thing on Horizon could explode, or do something else entirely, or might even be a dud. All we’re doing is rolling the dice, and risking our lives at the same time.”
“This mission is strictly voluntary because of the risks involved,” the captain said. “You’re free to refuse to participate in this operation if you wish.”
Strand grimaced. Ripoll Keo wanted to go, but he knew the youth was too inexperienced to deal with any possible risks. They would surely assign it to the spacer sergeant if Strand refused to take command of this. I can’t let that happen. “All these spacers are like my kids. If any of them are going into danger, I need to be there with them.”
“So you are volunteering to lead this mission then?” Creull asked him.
“Yes,” Strand said tersely. “Only because there’s no other choice.”
“You make the decision on whether to continue once you’re on planet,” Dangard said. “If you decide to pull out quietly because of the risks, then it’s not a problem.”
“Okay,” Strand said. He looked up at the synthetic. “Can you give me all the information you have on the artifact?”
“Yes, Lieutenant,” Zeno said, activating another hologram, this time showing a virtual simulacrum of the object. “It seems to eerily resemble the exact same relic that was recorded in New Zion: a jutting cone made of unknown material.”
“Are you saying that the builders of the artifact on New Zion might have visited that planet too?” Viniimn asked.
“The records are incomplete, so I can offer no definitive conclusions,” Zeno said.
“Wait,” Strand said. “If this identical artifact is deadly against the symbiotes, wouldn’t the Concordance have figured this out by now?”
“From the analysis we retrieved, I’m not sure what the Concordance suspects,” Zeno said. “The Union Institute researchers cautioned their counterparts in the Concordance not to approach the object a few years ago, but without telling them the reason why. It seems the Concordance researchers agreed to their warnings, and instead have only been observing it from a distance. This is according to the Union report logs.”
“Any reason why the Concordance just decided to go along with it?” Strand asked.
“No information on what the Concordance thinks about it is available in the Union database we filched,” Zeno said.
Strand leaned back on his chair. “Maybe the parasites know something the Union doesn’t. I’m going to have to find a way to access their findings when my team is on planet.”
“Don’t take too many risks,” the captain said. “The last thing you want is to be killed or captured by either of them.”
“The study of these artifacts has always interested me,” Viniimn said. “These lost objects were attributed to the antecessors, and they seem to defy the laws of science and have technological capabilities way beyond our current understanding of the universe. Have there been any conclusions as to which of the antecessor species these relics might be attributed to?”
“Only mere speculation and unproven theories,” Zeno said. “Many religious humans believe the antecessors all came from one single, all-powerful race, while researchers have currently tabulated different numbers when it comes to how many species of antecessors there are.”
Viniimn adjusted his cyber-harness for a tighter fit around his neck. “Based on your analysis, what do you think are the best theories floating out there about the artifact Maeve was exposed to?”
“One of the most probable ones in my view didn’t even name an antecessor species in he
r paper,” Zeno said. “The Institute academic researcher simply stated that whoever built the device might have been hostile against a race who were the ancestors of the symbiotes, or it might have simply been an unintended side effect that proved lethal to their species type.”
“Just more questions and not enough answers,” Strand said. “How long have they been studying the artifact?”
“Since not long after the war, so close to a hundred years, I would expect,” Zeno said.
“And still nothing to show for it? This just keeps getting better and better,” Strand said.
“It’s almost certain that at least a number of symbiotes and their hosts must have been exposed via proximity contact with the artifact over the years,” Zeno said, “but since the Concordance don’t share their findings and maintain a separate field research schedule at the site, we don’t have a copy of what they know.”
Strand bit his lip. If he was looking for better intel, then his team would have to infiltrate the Concordance research station. “How tough would it be to try and pass ourselves off as a Concordance science team?”
“Good question,” Zeno said. “The problem would mostly be a matter of appearance. The Concordance have similar technologies to the Union, but there are major differences as to how they’re built. Their e-suits, for one, are not made of inert composite materials, but rather living organisms designed to protect their wearer from hostile environments. Their security arrangements are focused on things like pheromones and emitted biological chemicals rather than com-link passcode signals.”
“So I guess that’s a no,” Strand said.
“We may be able to reverse engineer their equipment, but we would need samples first,” Viniimn said. “And plenty of time.”
“That would be two high-risk missions rather than one,” Creull said. “Better to keep things simple.”
Strand threw his arms up. “Like I said, it was just a question.”
“There’s a third possibility,” Zeno said. “In recent years both sides have allowed mining consortiums to be set up in order to take advantage of Horizon’s mineral resources. Your team may be able to pose as one of these unaffiliated mining outfits to get close to the artifact, Lieutenant.”
“Going in with the smuggler sounds more and more like the best insertion method for this particular mission,” Strand said before glancing over at the nytini chief engineer. “Can you build us a vehicle that could mimic what one of those mining outfits uses?”
“Not a problem. Our onboard industrial printers can build one from scratch in a matter of days,” Viniimn said. “The vehicle would lack some refinements, but it ought to hold up for the length of one mission. I’m assuming it won’t be a skimmer, yes?”
“No,” Zeno said. “Prospectors on planet are only allowed to use ground all-terrain vehicles. With all the loose sand and rock lying around, I would suggest multi-wheeled suspension for better speed as opposed to tracked.”
“Better to use a ground vehicle anyway,” Strand said. “We might be able to hide using the terrain better. An aerospace craft would be spotted in an instant from their orbital stations.”
“The intense radioactivity also provides good ground cover,” Zeno said. “It would be hard for any orbital sensors to pick up your signal during the daytime. Com-link range will be limited though.”
“I guess the team just has to be careful of any hull or suit breaches,” Strand said. “We’ll be sure to bring a lot of anti-radiation pills too.”
“We can make the vehicle more robust than usual,” Viniimn said. “It may look like just another prospector’s ATV once you’re out there, but it will be heavily armored.”
Strand’s lips turned up in a faint smile. “Could you add in some mounted weapons too?”
“It’s possible,” Viniimn said. “But don’t you think a vehicle turret would make it too obvious?”
“Then make it hidden,” Strand said.
The nytini engineer nodded; it was one of the first human expressions he had learned. “We could do that. Something concealed along the sides and maybe the hood.”
“Make sure it can pass through an orbital security scan,” Creull said. “Otherwise the powers that be might just blow up the whole thing before it even gets on planet.”
“Of course,” Viniimn said. “Lasers would be the best bet. We can just tie it in as part of the prospecting gear that’s routinely installed in these vehicles. A casual security scan won’t reveal anything out of the ordinary.”
“Lieutenant, this smuggler friend of yours, how reliable is he?” Creull asked.
“He’s greedy, but we’ve known each other for a long time,” Strand said. “I first met him while I was still an officer with the Star Force. He’s good at what he does.”
“He’s not going to betray you to the Union or the Concordance, is he?”
Strand shook his head. “Nope. He hates both sides. Just like me.”
“Sounds like it’s all set,” Creull said. “How close are these mining prospects to the artifact site?”
“Mining sites are dotted all over the planet,” Zeno said. “The choicest ones will be near the equator due to the ongoing volcanic activity exposing new mineral veins. There is a heavily contested site about two hundred klicks from the quarantine zone. A number of consortiums have made bids, but none have been approved as of yet.”
“That’s where my team makes our insertion,” Strand said. “We lose ourselves amongst the other consortiums and we head towards the relic’s location once an opportunity arises.”
“Yes,” Zeno said. “I think that area would be your best bet.”
“Looks like this meeting is over,” Viniimn said. “I’ll get my engineers to work on building and assembling the ATV right away.”
“I’ll go contact my buddy,” Strand said. “He ought to be chomping for some quick money.”
Just as everybody began getting up, Zeno raised his hand. “By the way, there is something else about Horizon that I need to tell you all about.”
Strand clenched his jaw. “Uh oh, here comes the good news.”
“Most of the native lifeforms on the planet are harmless except for one species,” Zeno said.
Strand’s eyebrows shot up. “There’s life on that world? I thought you said it’s blanketed by harsh radiation exposure during the day.”
“Most of the lifeforms consist of radiation-resistant algae that grows on the carbonyl lakes and riverbanks of the equatorial zones,” Zeno said. “The mid latitudes and polar regions are pretty much devoid of life.”
“What’s this harmful species you mentioned?” Viniimn asked.
“They’re called griglaks,” Zeno said. “A hexapedal organism with an average length of two to three meters. They vaguely resemble terrestrial amphibians, but their bodies are armored with chitinous plates.”
“So it’s an armored, six-legged frog is what you’re saying,” Strand said. “Now tell me the good news.”
“That is the good news,” Zeno said. “The bad news is that they are highly aggressive, possibly even cannibalistic. They attack colonists on sight.”
Strand winced while rubbing the back of his neck. “Oh for crying out loud. How dangerous would they be for us? My team won’t be looking for them.”
“These griglaks are one of the reasons why the research teams from both the Union and the Concordance have made very little headway with regards to finding out more about the artifact in question. You see, these creatures tend to congregate mostly in the quarantine zone.”
Strand frowned. “Right where the artifact is located? Wonderful.”
“Yes,” Zeno said. “The research teams have to be armed for their own protection when making field studies out near the artifact. A number of scientists from both sides have been reported killed over the years due to griglak attacks.”
Strand resisted the urge to roll his eyes. “Those things are that dangerous?”
“Griglaks seem to use ambush tactics to attack
, and may even cooperate with each other when large numbers of scientists are out in the field in order to take them on,” Zeno said.
“Fekk me,” Strand said. “Are they sentient?”
“Researchers aren’t sure,” Zeno said. “Several studies have postulated the griglaks may be semi-sentient, but there are no definitive conclusions. These animals refuse to be taken alive, and attempting to observe their behavior is very dangerous. They’ve even been known to attack drones on the ground.”
“Interesting,” Viniimn said. “You mentioned the only other native species on the planet is algae. Wouldn’t these griglaks be herbivores instead of carnivores?”
“It’s the biggest mystery about these creatures,” Zeno said. “It seems Horizon should have a simple ecosystem of just blooming algae and nothing else other than microbes. No one can seem to postulate how the griglaks evolved, since they are the only animal species on the planet.”
“That is strange indeed,” the nytini engineer said.
“A number of theories state these griglaks might not actually be native to the world,” Zeno said. “One academic paper even claims these creatures might have actually been transplanted to the planet by the antecessor species who built the relic, as guardians of a sort, since the griglaks spend most of their existence burrowed beneath the mud flats until they detect nearby explorers.”
Strand drew in a deep breath. “Wonderful. Just another element of risk.”
Creull was by the door. She turned and looked at the young lieutenant. “Too much risk for you to handle?”
“Nothing’s too much for me to handle,” Strand said. “If there’s good news then no one is going to complain too loudly about us bringing weapons to the planet’s surface.”
“Don’t forget that miners aren’t supposed to be allowed into the quarantine zone,” Creull said.
“You leave that to me,” Strand said.
The captain remained seated at the far end of the room. “Have you decided who you want on your strike team?”
Nepenthe Rising (Stars in Shadow Book 1) Page 20