Both Martin's group and Rashid managed to take care of their work much faster than within two hours, therefore Jean's people could proceed with their additional tests sooner.
Since this work was not originally planned, the remaining crewmates did not have much to do at the same time, therefore everyone was tagging along the scientists.
- Ok, so anything else you need aside from the probe? - Martin asked once they helped with setting up the equipment for EMF measurement.
- Actually, I'm thinking about capturing the actual visual of the waves - Jean said, while calibrating the device - The problem is, we need some adjustments to tools we've got here. Can you do some tinkering?
- As long as you give us instructions, and it's within our reach, I don't see problems.
Jean explained them what was needed. Johnson immediately understood the concept since it was actually really similar to how PEC scanner's module for color depth functioned. The biggest difference was that they were supposed to capture visuals of the wide range, making invisible visible.
Basically, visible spectrum is a piece of electromagnetic spectrum human eye can see, so they needed a device to translate invisible wavelengths to optical reference visible for everyone.
When making photos, people can set the exposure time to adjust the brightness, and here, they needed to do something of a kind, but focusing on the spectrum people could not see, adding a color to it in a way. First step was to set sensors accordingly, and a corresponding program was to follow up to make use of the adjustments.
Fortunately, task turned out quite easy for Martin's team, and - within a short time - they had an impromptu, custom equipment ready.
Getting everything done made all scientists excited.
- Okay, here we go now - Jean said, starting up the device - Let us hope this will work. We do as we talked before - he turned to others - Focus on the chunks, and tell me if you need something where we expect the peaks.
- I've already noticed something - one of female scientists pointed at the screen - Here, you see that?
- Let me calibrate a bit, Karla - Jean squinted his eyes, using one of side-screens - A bit more, and... you are right! This part here, but weird... It's outside of our previous prediction... Let's keep an eye on it for now.
Martin, Julian and Rashid were sitting behind the Jean's crew, observing what is happening, but the only thing that could be seen on the screen was something like a blueish mist moving within the inner circle without a clear consistency. On the other hand, regular pulses generated by the obelisk were producing much clearer images.
- So, this mist is this noise you've mentioned before? - Julian was showing quite a lot of interest - It's irregular indeed, but is it really that unusual? Maybe it's just a sign of malfunction?
- That's actually one of things we are taking into consideration first - Jean replied - While it's obviously too soon to say anything for sure, I'm still confident it's not an error. Quite contrary, it may prove an important trace. Just give us a bit more time for analysis.
- I would love to say we can do that - Rashid said - The problem is, we don't have that much time. Two more hours. No matter what you manage to get, we are leaving after we reach that deadline. Staying longer would be too risky.
The scientist sighed, but did not argue with Rashid since the older guy had a higher rank within the crew's hierarchy. However, there were some guys who did not pay much mind to ranks, including a specific person who went with them.
- Can't we just give them more time? They look like they are having fun - it was the youngest in the group, Julian - Not like we can say that about ourselves though, right, Rash?
Rashid and Julian had a history of getting into arguments since the very first moment they met, but - over time - they actually started get along. Nevertheless, the old guy had to often remind the younger to behave. From Martin's perspective, it looked like watching grandpa taking care of his grandson.
- Serioously, after what we've been through so far, learn how to appreciate these boring moments - the botanist actually looked like he was enjoying the current situation - Complaining often leads to things getting disturbed, so please watch your tongue more often.
It seemed as if these words came out in not very fortunate time. Shortly after that, one of the guards contacted the rest of the group.
- We've noticed a group of scythes north-east from our current position - the man informed - They are still quite far, but it's a matter of minutes before they arrive if the group continues proceeding into the same direction.
- Ok, be sure to avoid them at all costs - said another guard who was staying with Johnson and most of the scout group.
Martin was not surprised by the reaction of the guard and people who were not scientists focused on the research. Everyone who actually focused on this conversation and knew about scythes, would quickly prepare to leave the current location.
Scythes were a type of bug, or rather - creatures similar to Earth insects based on their bodies, although much bigger and really dangerous. The official name researchers came up with was a sword bug, and scythes was a nickname Johnson's camp came up with after spotting these animals a couple of times - the reason behind using names referring to cutting weapons came up from big blades each sword bug had. To scientists who reviewed the species of the planet using probes associated the shape with a sword, however, those who managed to see the bug in real life quickly noticed the motion during the creature's hunt was similar to how a tool called scythe was used.
Then again, it did not change the fact that these insects were considered a very dangerous species, which should be avoided by the expedition. Not only the blades were capable of cutting human bodies - scythes were also equipped with huge stingers, and no one wanted to learn how bad these could be to humans.
- Why is everything against us? - Karla complained as they were forced to leave the observatory station they just set up - Can't you just shoot them? - she asked one of the guards.
The military guy looked at her, making a confused face.
- You are a scientist, so you know what kind of bodies creatures on this planet have, right?
- I'm not a zoologist, but I know that everything has a weak spot.
- Just stop complaining and move out! - Rashid shouted at them.
As they stopped arguing, a loud scream reached their ears.
- What was that? - Martin asked looking around.
It took them a moment to notice a silhouette of a person running into the direction of the obelisk.
- What in the hell is he...? - Julian started, and cut his question in the middle, seeing the reason why that guard was running away - Are you fucking kidding me!?
One of their brawlers was lying on the ground, flipped and seriously damaged, and two scythes were chasing the guard fleeing.
All guards in the main group readied their weapons.
- What do we do? - sergeant asked Rashid - It's your call.
The old guy looked conflicted for a moment, but then he said:
- Try to save him.
- Roger that.
Soldiers attacked the scythes. Oversized insects quickly stopped, visibly confused what to do - after a couple of seconds, fortunately for humans, they retreated.
Sergeant called the other brawler, learning the whole crew aside from that one guy who fled was alive, though wounded.
- It looks like they are sensing movement - one of the soldiers was giving a report - Once the vehicle stopped moving, they lost interest, but Bell panicked, got out and started running away. Speaking of Bell, did he...?
The man who was chased by the bugs continued running for a bit longer, as if he did not notice sythes gave up. He only realized that once he got past the field encompassing the obelisk.
- Okay, this is crazy - Jean was commenting on what he was seeing on the screen they previously prepared to observe the unusual noise - It's moving towards the guard. Is it capable of sensing living beings?
- Wait, but isn't that bad? - Martin had an ominous feeling about it - Can someone reach him? We need to have him leave the field!
Sergeant tried to contact the soldier.
- It's no use, too much interference.
They could just hope the guy gets back on his own. And, indeed, the man called Bell started walking into their direction, but then - he collapsed.
- What was that about? - Jean was making quick hand movements, reviewing the footage - The mist disappeared upon contact with the guard.
- Wait, doesn't it mean these wave hit him? - Karla looked both worried and excited at the same time - Was he electrocuted? Or was it something else?
Sergeant cursed under his nose, checked with Rashid, and took two men to go for Bell.