Crash-landing and strange discoveries
July 09
[Audio diary excerpt]
[Soft moaning. Rustling sounds]
Lael: [groggy, disoriented] Ugh… my head… Where…? KD? KD, where are you? [pause, voice breaking] Elias… we were so close…
[Creaking of metal]
[Footsteps approach]
KD: Shush Doc! Keep your voice down. We’ve crashed. Shot out of the sky.
Lael: [gasps] What? How? We were cloaked, following the plan to infiltrate the compound…
KD: Unknown. Some kind of energy pulse. Fried our systems. You’re lucky to be alive. I have a bit of repair work to do on my systems.
Lael: [wincing] I guess there are some advantages to being a robot. Where are we? How far from Elias?
KD: Ha ha. Humans are so funny. To themselves. An isolated area of Luna Draconis. Cloaking device is miraculously still functioning. But we need to move. Search parties will be combing the area soon.
[Sounds of movement, Lael groaning]
KD: On your feet, doctor. No time for self-pity.
Lael: [breathing heavily] The air… I can breathe it?
KD: Terraforming’s been in progress for decades. Now move!
[Shuffling footsteps, sounds of exertion]
Lael: This landscape… it’s so alien. Those rock formations, the colors… [voice softens] Elias would love to see this. He always had a passion for xenogeology…
KD: Keep up, Bone Bag. Your wheezing is going to give away our position. We need to find shelter and regroup if we’re going to rescue your grandson.
Lael: Easy for you to say, Sparky. Some of us need oxygen, you know. [determined] But you’re right. We can’t give up now. Elias is counting on us.
KD: Focus on your footing, human. We need to put distance between us and the crash site.
[Several minutes of labored breathing, occasional stumbling]
Lael: [gasping] Wait… do you see that?
KD: Affirmative. Unusual structure ahead.
Lael: [awed whisper] A strange formation of tall stones… like some cosmic Stonehenge.
KD: Stay alert. Could be a trap. We have no idea what kind of defenses or alien tech we might encounter out here.
[Cautious footsteps]
Lael: The shadows… they’re falling strangely across the ground. Almost… pulsing?
KD: I’m detecting unusual energy readings. We should...
[Sudden whooshing sound overhead]
Lael: [panicked whisper] KD! Look!
KD: [urgently] Down! Now!
[Sounds of bodies hitting the ground]
Lael: [breathing heavily] What was that?
KD: Search drones. They’re sweeping the area with tracer lights.
[Faint buzzing in the distance]
Lael: [whispering] They’re coming back. We’re exposed out here!
KD: The stone circle. It’s our best chance for cover. Move!
[Frantic scrambling, heavy breathing]
Lael: [panting] We made it. But now what?
KD: We wait. Let them pass.
[Tense silence, punctuated by the occasional distant buzz of drones]
Lael: [softly] KD… look at the stones.
KD: What about them?
Lael: They’re… shimmering. Like heat waves, but… different.
KD: I’m not detecting any temperature anomalies. Did you hit your head back there?
Lael: Very funny, Rust Bucket. No, it’s not heat. It’s… oh!
[Sharp intake of breath]
KD: What is it?
Lael: [awed] Shapes. Dancing in the air. Can’t you see them?
KD: Negative. My visual sensors aren’t picking up any...
Lael: [interrupting] Listen! Do you hear that?
[Faint, ethereal humming becomes audible]
KD: Auditory input confirmed. Source unknown.
Lael: It’s… beautiful. Like nothing I’ve ever heard before.
[Humming intensifies]
Lael: [gasps] The shapes! They’re moving with the sound!
KD: Dr. Lael, I’m not detecting any...
Lael: [excitedly] It’s incredible! Translucent geometric forms, pulsing and swirling in perfect harmony with the music!
KD: [urgently] Doc! We need to stay focused. Finding Elias is our priority. Remember the mission.
[Loud drone buzz, alarmingly close]
KD: [harsh whisper] Incoming!
[Sounds of shuffling, heavy breathing]
[Drone buzz fades]
Lael: [whispering] That was close.
KD: Too close. We need to move soon.
Lael: [dreamily] But the dance… it’s telling us something. I can feel it.
KD: Your scientific curiosity is going to get us killed. We should...
[Humming suddenly increases in volume and intensity]
Lael: [gasps] KD! The stones!
KD: Energy levels spiking off the charts!
Lael: They’re glowing! Pulsing with light!
[Sound of crackling energy]
KD: We need to leave, now!
Lael: Wait! Look!
[Whooshing sound]
Lael: [awestruck] The center of the stones… it’s opening up!
KD: Some kind of portal. Doc, this is too dangerous. We don’t know...
Lael: [determined] It’s our only chance, KD. The drones will find us if we stay.
KD: The risks are incalculable. We have no idea where it leads!
[Drone buzz, very close now]
Lael: No choice! We have to jump!
KD: Doctor, wait!
[Sound of running footsteps]
Lael: [shouting] For Elias!
[Loud crackle of energy, followed by a whooshing sound]
Lael: [screaming] KD!
[Sudden silence]
[Audio recorder clicks off]
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