When John entered the room, there was already a number of people inside, listening to Ryan's instructions.
- Approach with caution, be sure to scan the area before getting anywhere close to the structure. I want to save as many as possible, but it would be pointless if we lose anyone in rescue group. Remember about your own safety first, and do not do anything aside from rescuing. Is that clear?
Everyone in the unit he was talking to confirmed with a short "Yes, sir!" and left. Once that happened, colonel McRae immediately moved his eyes towards Marlow.
- Good thing you are here, John. You've already seen what's happened there, so any thoughts what could that be?
- Based only on the shockwave and damage around the pyramid, the first thing that comes to my mind would be an energy overload, but I wouldn't rule out the possibility of some kind of safety system triggering.
- So either the device broke or its defenses reacted to our team? We've already approached the area many times, so should the latter be still considered?
John shrugged.
- We know way too little about mechanisms this construction relies on - he explained - There may be requirements for defense systems to trigger, and someone might have done that without knowing. Still, based on the damage to the structure itself, some kind of malfunction is more likely. After all, this pyramid is really old.
- I guess it was too much of positive thinking, seeing nothing was happening for a long time since we arrived here. I don't want to delay our departure any longer, but it seems adjusting route more sounds like a good idea.
Marlow nodded.
- I agree with you. There's no point risking lives for saving some hours of travel.
- Yeah, I know you've mentioned that before. Still, these additional hours may also mean a chance for our convoy to come upon something similarly dangerous. I need to revise the whole plan.
- And what about this pyramid?
- It's going to be off-limits from now on. And yes, I'm aware there will be those who will complain, but it's better than losing more people.
- Any specific orders for me?
Colonel McRae was eyeing him for a longer while before saying:
- I'd much appreciate it if you could join one of the scouting parties. They are supposed to check the alternative passage, avoiding the pyramid's location at a safe distance, up to our first stop. It should take you over one local day to get there, given the data I got is correct.
Ryan displayed a map for John to see.
- I see scouts were working hard to scan such a wide area - major gave his praise - So I guess you've got a better estimate as to how far we are from our target?
- Yes, and it's positive, because it's not over nine thousand kilometers from us, rather around eight thousand to the megacity's external wall, though depending on how many obstructions there may be, we can look into more. Still, it looks better than I initially thought.
- Ok, and you already selected the spot for the first stop?
McRae nodded, and pointed at a specific area on the map.
- I did a review of the nearby zones. We are in the central part of the northern hemisphere, which means variety of landforms to pass through before we reach the upland, which was selected for our main base's location. From what I already see, getting there from here won't be easy, so we need to be really careful about where to make temporary camps.
- So, the first one is in the woods? - Marlow was surprised - It doesn't give us that much of a cover as our current camp. Why this place specifically?
- You've seen how the trees on this planet are... Or at least majority of the ones we've seen so far. These basically have trunks made of metal, so we should easily use them as a cover. But, obviously, you are right it wouldn't be enough, and that's why I chose precisely that spot. Just have a look.
Getting a new footage for reference, John did not need any additional explanations as he immediately noticed the most important thing there.
- So there's a cave there, and it does look big enough to fit a number of savages, brawlers and even some of the pods would get through. Then again, are we sure nothing uses it as a lair?
Colonel McRae smiled as he waived his head.
- That's one of the reasons why I need the scouting unit to go there. Last time they were there, they didn't see any suspicious traces there, but it was only an hour or two of investigating, which is far from enough to be completely sure. Places we can use for rest must be completely safe for everyone. Without them, leaving here is pointless.
- Still, it means another delay.
- Believe me, there is no one else who hates delays as much as I do. So, can you go?
Obviously, Marlow would always prefer to choose the safest option, but - on the other hand - how can they complete this expedition and go back to Earth if they stay in one place, doing nothing?
- Someone has to do it, I guess - he said it finally - I just hope we get a strong squad for that...
- The best scouts we have here, and some additional renowned fighters just to be safe.
- Well, I didn't expect anything else from you.
- I'm glad you trust me, but don't be so sure it's always possible to get a good squad together. After all, our current resources are quite limited.
John was well aware of that.
- Do you have any documentation from the last investigation I could borrow?
- There is not that much, but - colonel tinkered with his PEC for a moment - here you go. I granted you an access to all the data I have about the scouted areas. Feel free to update the data as you proceed - it's never too much information, right?
- Of course, you can count on me.
- And that's the spirit. I hope everyone safely returns in one piece.
- I sure hope so too.
After that short conversation, Marlow went outside and sat down by one of the metal trees, reviewing the materials McRae gave him.
Short analysis of the route and notes from Ryan showed not only colonel's deep understanding of logistics, but also his thoroughness in learning about this new planet - while using vast military experience he must have learned back in Solar System, McRae made numerous choices involving knowledge about the local environment too. It was not only about the trees he mentioned in their previous talk - it turned out the plan was taking into consideration habitats of dangerous animal species and weather conditions.
John considered himself to be quite studious, and memorized everything they told him from the very start of his participation in this mission - still, making good connections between specific facts and applying recent knowledge were both things requiring a significant skill.
People have been talking behind colonel's back on numerous occasions, especially among the science crew, and major had a chance to hear really bad opinions about Ryan so far.
For many, it would have been enough to avoid such a person. However, John preferred to find the truth on his own and his current opinion about colonel McRae was now much different from the usual gossip. Moreover, after giving it a bit of thought, Marlow had to admit such stories could be intentionally made up - power struggles between different teams often make use of dirty moves after all.
Regardless of that, John had to focus on another important aspect of his current assignment - the team he is going to work with. Until now, he always had some acquaintances working with him, with the only exception being emergency evacuation from Future's board. However, this time the type of job was different, and it seemed unlikely to have someone from the usual group join.
Of course, whoever it would be, professionals need to work in all circumstances, but - despite considering himself to be an individualist - he knew good chemistry in the team can help a great deal.
It came with quite a surprise when he learned Keira was allowed to participate in this mission too. Apparently, she got involved in the works on data analysis, showing advanced skills, and was the only person around with knowledge about deciphering forms of writing - not that she had anything solid they could rely on so far.
Then again, while miss Evergate was definitely a person he already knew to some extent, it could not be said about the others - scouting team they were joining was the one proceeding farthest until now, therefore their time around in the camp was limited.
When John met the rest of the team, a tall guy with strong build was the first one to greet them.
- Major Marlow, sir! Ma'am! Sergeant Krawczak, at your service!
The guy's voice matched his overall looks well. Others greeted them afterwards - military team, aside from sarge, included four more people, while science group, aside from John and Keira, included three more people. To sum it up, total of ten people departed to check the route.
- How far away from the camp did you go, sarge? - miss Evergate started asking questions just after they left - Is the route safe?
Krawczak shrugged.
- Not sure what do you consider as safe - he said a moment later - If you mean dangerous creatures, then yes, we met some on the way. On the other hand, none of them was a big deal against our weapons, so I guess it's safe enough. Though we only scouted about three hundred kilometers away from the camp.
- Only that much? I heard you spent most of the time away from the camp. I rarely saw any of you around.
- Well, that's probably because you are only thinking of the distance and not the area, ma'm - one of corporals jumped in - Scouting around and doing scans to map surrounding areas takes time. And, as sarge already mentioned, sometimes we had to deal with some unexpected trouble.
- I saw the maps, and I must say you did a great work so far - Marlow praised them - We will count on your experience here.
- And we hope you will help us with getting things done faster - replied sarge with a smile.
They left the camp shortly after sunrise, so nature was only waking up for a new day as two brawlers continued to proceed through the wilderness. At this point, it was still the plain, but as they proceeded, the landscape started becoming more and more varied, with both trees and gigantic mushrooms appearing in the view. Especially the latter caught eyes of science group.
- I would like to take a closer look - one of scientists raised a request immediately after spotting the unusually big, green mushroom.
- Negative, these are currently considered too dangerous - replied one of the soldiers.
- What do you mean? I didn't see records concerning examination...
Sarge smiled at these words.
- We don't need examination to determine if something is dangerous or not. What we see is the most important for our reports, and we saw these mushrooms doing crazy things, killing predators included.
This time it was the scientist who looked surprised.
- It doesn't seem it has any organ that could affect other living things.
- Because it's not visible before it gets active. When something alive approaches, its gills split, extend and touch the animal. Not sure what exactly happens, but we've seen a number of animals die just moments after.
- So, is it some kind of poison?
Krawczak shrugged.
- We are not specialists here. Still, if something can get you killed, better avoid it.
- But it can be only effective on local creatures, not necessarily us.
John sighed after listening to this conversation for a moment.
- Jackie, you should have plenty of time to do research once we reunite with everyone and establish the proper base. Now is not the perfect moment for taking a detour.
- If I'm to be honest, I could just stay in the current camp - said Jackie in reply - It's enough to conduct research as it is.
- So why didn't you stay?
- Colonel forced me, using the contract.
- Well, we are all bind by contracts here in the end.
The topic was concluded with that, and the travel continued with small chitchats, and no issues happening for a longer while. It was only until halfway through when they came upon a major complication on their way.
Suddenly, the two brawlers stopped, and drivers started looking through area scans.
- What's happening there? - sarge was the first one to ask - Why did we stop?
- Apologies, sir, but something is off. The data we have does not match the current state of the area.
- What do you mean it doesn't match?
Krawczak went to the front, and cursed at what he saw.
- We cannot go through this route anymore - he informed the people in the back - The path is blocked, so we need to choose alternate one.
- Wait, what could possibly...? Oh, shit... - Jackie was the first one to jump in front after the sarge, but he suddenly cursed and was silent for a moment - Tell me, sarge, is this a first time you are seeing something like this?
Krawczak shook his head.
- We had one such situation during our patrols before. It was among the reports we submitted to colonel, so you should have received it.
The scienist named Jackie apparently did not read the documents, contrary to John who was familiar with first such occurrence one of scouting parties described.
- Ok, so this is mysterious black wall? - major was personally interested in its origin - Didn't you notice signs of the structure being under the ground?
- Our mission is to secure safe routes as soon as possible and we do procedural scanning for scouting purposes, so details about full ground composition are not gathered - explained the soldier responsible for instruments - We only make sure that outer layers are stable enough for our vehicles to pass through.
- How long will it take for establishing an alternate route?
- We already have one, based on backup passages for this sector.
- I know that I said something contradictory not so long ago, but I would like to have a look at the wall's structure - John referred to the previous talk with Jackie - It looks way too clean for something hidden in the ground.
- Hey, don't look at me - Jackie was the one to say that after sarge's eyes met his - I'm always interested in such investigations, but keeping an eye on the clock is not my job here.
In the end, a decision was made for one hour stop.