Chapter 13

“The samples we took suggested that it was younger the further we dug. The outermost samples matched findings that date tens, perhaps hundreds of thousands of years in the past. It was as if it were growing from deep inside the ice, like a plant in reverse. Somehow it thrived in an area never exposed to sunlight and only seasonal planetshine. It broke the laws of nature..”

Lena’s understanding of geology went about as far as anyone else who spent the majority of their life in a spacecraft. She had trouble following, but the way Moja described her bizarre discovery was certainly chilling.

“We were so close to finding the source. However, our research was stopped almost immediately after our last report. UN and the local Zarminan forces raided the camp. We were told our study was completed. Once Zarmina was sectored in the ‘60s, the area was permanently restricted.”

Moja paused.

“Only two of us escaped.”

“Wait, what? Escaped?” Lena asked, confused.

“The forces that came in, they didn’t just send the geology team back home. They wanted the find to remain hidden. They offered everyone new cells as a reward for their service. Most obliged. Unbeknownst to them, the new cells would wipe their memory during the transfer process. The location of the object is now known by only a few.”

“Why do you think this thing is so important?” Lena asked.

“That I do not know, Lena. That is why we are going to Vogt. The other escapee, Andie, surely knows the rest of the puzzle. I was only an intern then, about your age,” Moja smiled slightly, “Based on what Kenny provided us, I’m going to find him. For over thirty years, I have lived in hiding, organizing what resources I could manage.”

Lena thought for a moment. So much information had been presented to her. For every question she asked, two more appeared in its place. None of her questions about the murder and abduction of synthetics had been answered.

“We’re going to Vogt, and you’re willing to risk your life on a rumor?”

“To stay here is now the bigger risk,” answered Moja.

A twinge of grief stung Lena. But why? Surely these treacherous people deserved justice for their crimes. Lena held onto the belief that the job she undertook was the right thing to do.

“But you have come to us. I just hope that most of my family will be able to escape in time. Come. We are to meet Jazun in the rotunda.”

Moja and Lena continued through the tunnels down zigzagging flights of stairs, turning ever so often, obscuring Lena’s sense of direction. Finally, Moja slid a large wooden door on its track, revealing an immense, hangar-like room. It was the bottom of the chasm they had crossed earlier. The husks of ancient excavation equipment sat dismantled. On the far wall, a solid metal gate sealed the chamber. It was barred from the inside.

Bark! Bark! A grey wolf emerged from the shadows, running directly at Lena. She had no time to react, only to draw in a sharp breath and withdraw slightly, anticipating the attack.

“Aufhören!” Moja shouted.

The wolf immediately halted its charge a few meters from Lena. It did not break its eyes from hers. It growled deep.

Lena’s heart raced. “That’s yours!?” she asked shakily.

“Caesar, bringen,” Moja commanded.

The beast approached slowly.

“That’s Caesar. He’s the leader of his pack, but the only one that comes and goes within the complex,” Jazun spoke, wiping his hands on an oily rag as he approached them, “He’ll protect anyone in here, but he only takes commands from his master.”

Caesar closed in on Lena.

“Stay still, and keep your hands at your sides,” Moja commanded.

The wolf circled Lena, sniffing her as she trembled. It wandered back to Moja.

“Zurückkehren,” she commanded.

Caesar retreated to the shadows from which he emerged. Lena exhaled the involuntary breath she held.

“That thing tried to kill me!” she shouted.

“Caesar does not kill...” Moja defended. “...unless I command.”

Moja turned her attention to Jazun.

“The repairs are finished?” Moja asked him.

“Components are all there. Cosmetics are questionable,” Jazun answered.

“Thank you. I’ll meet you at the dock in fifteen if you are ready.”

“Yep, see ya there.”

Moja left Lena to Jazun.