-Hmmm. The former orbit of the planet. Yes, that could explain a few things. But how can we do that?- asked Roy.
-What about the radiation?-one of the engineers stood up- I shall be able to reprogram the sensors to be able to point out the differences.
-Okay, get to work. How much time do you need?
-About 24 hours should be enough.
-Right. In this case everyone can stand down. Next briefing shall be held in 24 hours.
Everyone left the bridge, except some at the controls.
-Let's take up a further orbit around the planet. Who knows what defenses did they have...
Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought.
In the midst of the preparations, Henderson's bodyguard approached him and whispered "There is an incoming transmission for you, it's urgent" Henderson raised his head and sighed, as if he expected it, he excused himself and went for his transport that was moored with the Equinox.
After nearly and hour, he returned to the bridge of the Equinox, attempting to hide his infuriated state - "I...need to leave for a few days. There is a sensitive matter that needs my presence, I will return along my men that have been summoned already"
Then he just left, without any approval or further explanation, engaged his transport's engines and headed towards an unknown direction.
Roy looked at the scanner showing the transport heading away from the Equinox.
-Sir, we've got an incoming transmission from the Shasta Orbital Skyhook. It's professor Dawson!
-Put him on the main screen immediately!- The professor's face appears. There are a few scars on his face, but otherwise he seemed rather good.- Professor! It's good to see you again!
-Ah, captain! I was trying to contact you for days! We are already moving towards Cambridge with the new ship. It's a decent vessel, let's say only this. Okay. I couldn't even think that it is possible to have such a great ship with these equipments all around! I wasn't able to visit every labour yet, my leg still hursts because of the accident.
-Professor, I think we have almost finished here, we need only two or three days, till the AI drone is functional again. So I suggest meeting somewhere on route. How about the Cortez system in 4 days?
-Yes, that's a good idea, indeed. Planet Curacao is a very nice place. You and your crew deserves a few days off. -The old man turns away- Miss, could you close the communication channel? -The head dissapears.
-Okay, send a remote controlled drone, to take the AI up. Also, prepare three groups to enter the facility. Use the speacial clothes to be able to withstand the conditions. Take weapons too. I'll be leading one of the groups. We go down when the drone arrived back. Let's do this!
Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought.
The AI drone has been towed into the hangar of the Equinox and taken closer to an ion storm, where they have released it.
During that time the three groups have searched the whole facility.
Not much of interesting have been found as the technological level of the builders were far inferior that of the current Sirius technology.
Most of the computers seemed to be running on an ion-powered system and were completely destroyed by the artificial ion storm.
Only some systems such as the life support, the station control, the shield generator and a few personal data disks were undamaged.
The team copied everything they found. The variety reached from simple personal logs,
over scientific logs about the use of ion as an energy source and plans of the underground complex,
up to blueprints of the now disabled defense units within the facility.
In one of scientific logs there was a reference to an "old floating robot"
which they found on the surface and from where they seemed to have the general idea of ion-powered systems.
The final report was written by Roy, and he stated that the life forms which lived at the planet extinguished
themselves thanks to the continuous fighting. Somehow they managed to obtain a technology they couldn't handle and finally vanquished their own race.
Most possibly they built some "too large" bombs, and managed to delete the life from their own planet.
Only the energy field which surrounded the old facility prevented every proof of the race's existance to be destroyed by their mistake.
After having packed all their stuff the scientists left the building and sent the report to their employer.
Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought.
![[Image: CptRoyKhan2_www.kepfeltoltes.hu_.png]](http://kepfeltoltes.hu/120716/CptRoyKhan2_www.kepfeltoltes.hu_.png)
