Threats from within.

[Ryummel]

72 hours later. Planet Sprague. 11:29 SMT.

After a clean descending into the atmosphere, our shuttle flew over the barren landscape of Sprague. [color=#CCCCCC]“Estimated time of arrival… 5 minutes” said Jeff. I began to read the data-pad which contained the mission intel: Apparently, a millionaire idiot managed to rebuild part of the xeno-archaeological outpost which was destroyed eighteen years ago. The place still held research material about the K’Hara as well as deactivated artifacts. – Which were buried by tons of rocks, though the mining machinery could dig up the entire place in a few weeks-. Two days ago, two of their mining lasers stopped working for unknown reasons. They will be waiting two “engineers”, Jeff and me. “Dealing with a bunch of looting-addicted guys who want to enrich themselves a bit more… That’s an easy job.” I noticed a small settlement around a huge hole dug near a cliff. The shuttle landed in an improvised pad located a few meters from the rusty buildings which seemed to be the quarters of the people working in there. “Alright Jeff, pick up all the material. I'll talk with the welcoming committee.”

Four individuals walked out the settlement towards me. Three of them were carrying rifles and wearing rusty armors –Nothing special, just grunts-. The fourth one looked tidier. He stepped forward and greeted me. “Mr. Esterbrook, right? Nice to see you here.” He shook my hand. Jeff showed up, carrying a few toolboxes. “Oh, Mr. Loxley” The man nodded at Jeff and shook his hand. After this, we were escorted through the excavated galleries until we reach the main ‘hall’, linked with the rest of inner galleries.



“Gentlemen, as you might know, we had to stop our work because our main mining machinery broke down. That’s why you’re here.” A woman on her middle 20’s and wearing a scruffy technician suit –Though she was handsome, to be honest- appeared from one of the galleries and walked towards us. “Hello! Eh… Who of you should I take for fixing the first mining laser?” She asked. “Me” I answered quickly before Jeff could react. He whispered me “Good luck.” Then, we took separate ways: I followed the woman while Jeff stood with the group.

“How rude of me… My name’s Veronica. I’m monitoring all the machinery we use here, but the guy who is running this ‘business’ can’t afford proper tools and equipment for this operation… Pathetic, isn’t it? At least I’m well-paid for this job.” She smiled at me. I just nodded and replied “I’m sure you’re aware of the illegality of this ‘business’, huh?”. She sighed “Yeah, we’re mere raiders under Bretonian authorities… Especially in this place, full or artifacts. Oh, here is the mining laser!”

She started to talk things about the machinery, specification, configurations, etc. I just was glancing around the gallery, looking for the best spot to place the explosive charge. They were here to unveil the K’Hara secrets, I was here to bury them. “I’ll need a plasma cutter, Veronica. I swear I had it in the toolbox…” She nodded and walked away. I took another gander until I noticed the ventilation machine near the mining laser. I stood before it, opening my toolbox. I took carefully the device and placed it inside the vent attached to the machine. The device began to emit a blue glow. It was armed. I enabled my communicator “I’m done here, Jeff. Have you finished?”

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