Shadows of JiangXi

[Shazbot11]

The communications console crackled as the transmission signal pierced through the radiation interference; working quickly, the marine tuned the receiver to provide a more stable connection.

"Coming though, Sir, confirming a stable comm-link. Just need another secoUUURGH!"

Mobius wasted no timing in shoving the marine out of the seat.

"HELLO, MR. ISCARIOT! I pray everything is going quite well on the surface! You'll be happy to know that I've come up with quite a few ideas for remedying our planet's little radioactive plight! Yet, as all such exquisite plans go, I will require some more details to refine them!"

The marine slowly stood up, grimacing a bit.

"You know, you could have just told me to move..."

Mobius shot him a wicked glance.

"THERE IS NO TIME FOR IDLE CHIT-CHAT! Any who, Mr. Iscariot, I would like to get some ionization readings from the planet's soil and atmosphere. There are some details from the archived logs of our...formerly-living associate that caused this little event of ecocide, yet it's simply not enough to isolate the prime elements responsible for such a wide-spread effect. OH! You could also get your Coalition friends to help out too! Ahh, such a marvelously-morbid scavenger hunt for information!"

A gleeful cackle echoed through the engineering bay, followed quickly by Mobius clearing his throat.

"You could expedite this process by performing some scans close to ground-zero of the radiological event. As always, more meticulous scans will yield more accurate results! Oh, and don't worry about the near-fatal levels of radiation. Your sperm will only scream for a second before being silenced for an eternity."

Silence fell over the communication channel for a minute before Mobius piped up again.

"AH YES! What of those fantastic little beasties down there? Anything interesting? How many limbs do they have? Do they wear pants? Please, please, PLEASE try to bring one back intact! I'm sure Dr. Ludwig would have a wonderful time performing a splendid vivisection on a good sample!"

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Maybe some day, they'll see a hero is just a man who knows he's free.