Searching - Quantum Fold Chapter 9/1
On Axiom5, Adrienne and Kayla worked alongside the Arcturiaen science team as they scanned for signs of the reptilian nest.
The concussion of missiles being intercepted and detonated rattled through the ship. Lights flickered and a hint of acrid smoke crept into the room. The ship had not returned to level since an earlier missile impact and listed to one side.
“That makes 126 sites across the southwestern United States that we have scanned,” reported Edlon, the lead science officer, his voice clipped with fatigue. “No anomalous heat signatures. Not a single viable nest candidate. Shall we widen the search?”
Adrienne leaned forward. “How deep can your sensors penetrate?”
“Maximum depth is approximately one sector,” he replied. “That’s about one of your miles. Sensitivity depends on local density and magnetic properties of the soil.”
Kayla’s brow furrowed. “That won’t be enough.” She shot Adrienne a look—tight, frustrated. “The nest could be buried far deeper.”
Adrienne turned back to Edlon. “Then maybe we’re looking in the wrong way. What if we trace the underground tunnel networks instead? Look for a central hub—something accessible, strategic.”
“I’ll have my team run the overlay,” he said, as he stood walking down to another team member.
Kayla’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Just as I feared. They’ve got no data on reptilian biology. No nesting behavior. If their scans can’t reach it, we’re flying blind.”
Adrienne nodded grimly. “Then we need the coordinates of every site they’ve scanned. We jump back, investigate ourselves. At least we’d have something more to work with.”
“Over here,” Edlon called. “This site—look.” He pointed to the screen. “Thirty-two tunnels converge across four adjacent zones. And it sits directly on the intersection of two ley lines.”
Kayla’s eyes lit with recognition. “Of course! They’d be drawn to ley lines. What are the coordinates?”
Adrienne studied the map lit on the computer screen, which lacked identifying boundaries or names. “I’m not positive but judging by those rivers I think that’s Arizona. "What are the coordinates?”
Before he could answer, the ship’s alarm system erupted. A voice boomed through the comms: “Missiles inbound. Brace for impact”
Axiom5’s defense systems intercepted and detonated missiles but were unable to stop them all.
A direct hit. And another. The ship lurched violently. Adrienne and Kayla clung to the console as Edlon barked, “hang on!”
Two, more intense explosions followed—one dangerously close. The ship rolled to the side, tossing everyone.
The lights flickered. Then darkness.
Emergency systems kicked in, casting the room in a red glow.
But the screens stayed dark—blank. After a few moments Adrienne’s voice cut through the silence. “Eldon, did you get the coordinates of that site?”
Edlon shook his head, grim. “The system crashed before I could retrieve them. We’re trying to get the computers back.”
Adrienne retrieved her VDD, brow furrowed. The device pulsed in her hand, a strange light flickering on its surface.
Adrienne whispered to Kayla, who leaned over to look. “It vibrated… and that light—I’ve never seen it before.”
Kayla squinted at the display, then gasped. “It’s detected another VDD!”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You can view Quantum Fold episodes in order from the beginning in her album titled, Quantum Fold:
www.flickr.com/photos/199076397@N02/albums/72177720326169...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is an A.I. image generated using my SL avi.
I hope my pictures make you smile ♥
If you like what you see, please toss me a fav and follow me. I love seeing your comments. They make my day and keep me motivated!
I love my followers. You guys totally ROCK! ♥♥
And if you're taking time to read this you are SO awesome!!! Thank you!!!! ♥♥♥
Here's a link to my other Flickr photos/ images:
www.flickr.com/photos/199076397@N02/
Searching - Quantum Fold Chapter 9/1
On Axiom5, Adrienne and Kayla worked alongside the Arcturiaen science team as they scanned for signs of the reptilian nest.
The concussion of missiles being intercepted and detonated rattled through the ship. Lights flickered and a hint of acrid smoke crept into the room. The ship had not returned to level since an earlier missile impact and listed to one side.
“That makes 126 sites across the southwestern United States that we have scanned,” reported Edlon, the lead science officer, his voice clipped with fatigue. “No anomalous heat signatures. Not a single viable nest candidate. Shall we widen the search?”
Adrienne leaned forward. “How deep can your sensors penetrate?”
“Maximum depth is approximately one sector,” he replied. “That’s about one of your miles. Sensitivity depends on local density and magnetic properties of the soil.”
Kayla’s brow furrowed. “That won’t be enough.” She shot Adrienne a look—tight, frustrated. “The nest could be buried far deeper.”
Adrienne turned back to Edlon. “Then maybe we’re looking in the wrong way. What if we trace the underground tunnel networks instead? Look for a central hub—something accessible, strategic.”
“I’ll have my team run the overlay,” he said, as he stood walking down to another team member.
Kayla’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Just as I feared. They’ve got no data on reptilian biology. No nesting behavior. If their scans can’t reach it, we’re flying blind.”
Adrienne nodded grimly. “Then we need the coordinates of every site they’ve scanned. We jump back, investigate ourselves. At least we’d have something more to work with.”
“Over here,” Edlon called. “This site—look.” He pointed to the screen. “Thirty-two tunnels converge across four adjacent zones. And it sits directly on the intersection of two ley lines.”
Kayla’s eyes lit with recognition. “Of course! They’d be drawn to ley lines. What are the coordinates?”
Adrienne studied the map lit on the computer screen, which lacked identifying boundaries or names. “I’m not positive but judging by those rivers I think that’s Arizona. "What are the coordinates?”
Before he could answer, the ship’s alarm system erupted. A voice boomed through the comms: “Missiles inbound. Brace for impact”
Axiom5’s defense systems intercepted and detonated missiles but were unable to stop them all.
A direct hit. And another. The ship lurched violently. Adrienne and Kayla clung to the console as Edlon barked, “hang on!”
Two, more intense explosions followed—one dangerously close. The ship rolled to the side, tossing everyone.
The lights flickered. Then darkness.
Emergency systems kicked in, casting the room in a red glow.
But the screens stayed dark—blank. After a few moments Adrienne’s voice cut through the silence. “Eldon, did you get the coordinates of that site?”
Edlon shook his head, grim. “The system crashed before I could retrieve them. We’re trying to get the computers back.”
Adrienne retrieved her VDD, brow furrowed. The device pulsed in her hand, a strange light flickering on its surface.
Adrienne whispered to Kayla, who leaned over to look. “It vibrated… and that light—I’ve never seen it before.”
Kayla squinted at the display, then gasped. “It’s detected another VDD!”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You can view Quantum Fold episodes in order from the beginning in her album titled, Quantum Fold:
www.flickr.com/photos/199076397@N02/albums/72177720326169...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is an A.I. image generated using my SL avi.
I hope my pictures make you smile ♥
If you like what you see, please toss me a fav and follow me. I love seeing your comments. They make my day and keep me motivated!
I love my followers. You guys totally ROCK! ♥♥
And if you're taking time to read this you are SO awesome!!! Thank you!!!! ♥♥♥
Here's a link to my other Flickr photos/ images:
www.flickr.com/photos/199076397@N02/