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“What about the universal translation matrix?” Xiong asked.
Tapping the console again, Davis replied, “Also ready to go. We know from the last run that the Shedai entity is likely receiving our signals. We think we were able to at least send a simple message through the translation protocols, but now that we’re synchronizing the harmonics to work more effectively with the orb’s interior crystalline structure, the translation should be more effective. Hopefully it’ll be enough to coax a response.”
Xiong nodded in approval at the report before turning to eye the self-contained chamber occupying the space at the center of the cargo bay. As before, all of its internal components had been activated and it now operated free of the Lovell’s other onboard systems. On one of the monitors at al-Khaled’s workstation, Xiong saw an image being fed to them from inside the chamber, that of the crystal polyhedron sitting in its cradle, waiting. The orb emanated its omnipresent violet glow, radiating a quiet menace that Xiong thought reflected the entity it contained. How would the Shedai react when a co
Will we find our path today? Only one way to find out.
“Okay,” Xiong said, nodding to zh’Rhun. “I think we’re ready to proceed, Commander.”
Zh’Rhun nodded before moving to a wall-mounted intercom set into a nearby bulkhead and activating the unit. “Zh’Rhun to bridge. Captain, are you monitoring?”
“Affirmative, Commander,” replied the voice of the Lovell’s captain, Daniel Okagawa. “Commander al-Khaled and Lieutenant Xiong can proceed at their discretion. We’ll leave this cha
“Acknowledged,” zh’Rhun said before looking to al-Khaled and Xiong. “It’s your show, gentlemen.”
With a gesture to Davis, al-Khaled turned back to his workstation and began pressing several of the console’s multicolored buttons in a prearranged sequence.
“Activating the frequency rotation protocols,” al-Khaled said, “and transmitting the first hailing message. Let’s see what happens.”
We call to you.
Another signal, this one of greater force and possessing a new level of clarity, now reverberated through the crystalline lattice that formed the Wanderer’s prison. Amplified by the crystal itself as well as the energy fields surging within the enclosed environment, every syllable was a spear of pain driven through the Wanderer’s mind.
Free me.
She pushed the message through the cacophony enveloping her, feeling the resistance of the protective fields holding her hostage. Who called to her? Not the Progenitor, of that she was certain. This did not feel like him, with its odd, maladroit rhythms and lack of sophistication. No, she decided, it must be Telinaruul who called to her.
The impudence. How dare they try to communicate with her as though considering themselves her equals.
We call to you. Do you understand?
That they had managed to effect a method of discourse that even resembled the high language of her people was an impressive feat, she conceded. It was not their apparent technical prowess that angered the Wanderer. Rather, it was their arrogance.
Free me. Free the Progenitor. Free us, and I may grant you continued existence.
She detected the shift in the energy fields surrounding her. What was happening? Something was having an effect on the crystal. A low drone was filling her mind, forcing aside her every thought as its intensity expanded.
We do not understand. Help us to understand.
Something else was happening to her. The Wanderer felt a renewed sense of strength welling up within her being. A vitality she had not felt since becoming a prisoner was begi
You will understand.
A status indicator on al-Khaled’s console changed from green to red, and Xiong pointed at it. “What’s that?”
“Power fluctuation,” the engineer replied, his fingers moving over the rows of buttons and other controls. “And sensors are picking up some kind of disturbance inside the crystal.”
The intercom on al-Khaled’s workstation whistled for attention, and was followed by the voice of Doctor Carol Marcus. “Marcus to Xiong. What’s going on over there? We’re detecting all sorts of odd readings from the crystal.”
Reaching across the console to activate the intercom, Xiong replied, “We’re picking up irregularities from inside the crystal, Doctor. Commander al-Khaled is diagnosing the problem now.”
In front of him, al-Khaled leaned forward, and Xiong saw his friend’s eyes narrow. “There are microfissures forming within the latticework. Kurt, reduce power to the subspace relay.”
At his own workstation, Davis replied, “Aye, sir. Reducing power.”
“Won’t that affect the signal?” Xiong asked, casting a glance toward the isolation chamber.
Al-Khaled nodded. “Yes, but if we keep the power at its present level, it might make the microfissures worse.”
“Is the crystal stable?” asked Commander zh’Rhun.
“For the moment,” al-Khaled replied.
Damn it! Xiong shook his head, feeling his sense of apprehension begi
Davis said, “Something’s wrong.” He waited until Xiong and al-Khaled moved to stand behind him before pointing to a pair of status monitors. “See this? Energy levels inside the crystal are rising. It’s almost like …”
“… a buildup to detonation?” zh’Rhun asked, completing the thought.
“Exactly,” al-Khaled said, his voice low. He looked to Xiong, and both men shared a look of horrific understanding before the engineer moved back to his console and called up another status graphic. “The microfissures are increasing,” he said, then reached for his station’s intercom switch. “Al-Khaled to engineering. Cut all power to the subspace relay. Stand by to divert that power to the isolation chamber’s containment field.”
“Mister al-Khaled,” said Captain Okagawa from the still-open cha
“Trying to keep the artifact from shattering, sir,” al-Khaled said, his fingers almost a blur across his console as Xiong watched him work. “If we can’t do that, then we’ll have to eject the chamber.”