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Is it glass?
No, an unbreakable transparent epoxy from what we can gather at this time, Lenard answered again.
Is the crystal itself holding some sort of material? It appears that way to me.
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That is our impression as well.
Could it be an explosive of some sort?
Unknown, but doubtful.
Can any of you tell me anything for certain?
The technological is not really our area of expertise, Commander, Lenard said dryly. The majority of
people here at the moment are archeologists and geologists. Excavation was not expected to uncover
anything like this in nature until the end of the winter. The team assigned to research and technological
development won t be arriving until summer.
Malory grunted thoughtfully. Did we at least think to bring the empty container up as well? I want to
look at it.
They re working on it as we speak, Commander, McNeely answered.
She spared an approving nod. Understandably, no one can tell me anything concrete, so I d like to hear
guesses. Do we think it s a power source of some kind? It appears to me that the box holds the crystal in
a sort of stasis, anyone concur?
We tend to believe its not a power source, Commander, Lenard said, obviously the spokesman for
the group. The spacecraft we believe was of a Y shape construction and we speculate that the center
and most forward section was responsible for propulsion. In our estimation, any power source would
most likely be found in that area. We assume this container to be nothing more than cargo.
That would be the section as of yet uncovered and buried deepest within the ice, correct?
Yes.
Why do we assume that the forward section would be responsible for propulsion?
It s all theory at this time, of course, Lenard said. But the deepest section is buried a considerable
distance from the others, suggesting an impact with an irresistible force behind it. The craft had to be
traveling at an unimaginable speed to bury itself so deeply within the ice.
Forgive me for being a layman, gentlemen, Malory said. But if it was traveling at a speed anywhere
near what you suggest, how did it survive so intact? I would think it would pretty much disintegrate on
impact.
The material that the craft is constructed from is impossibly resilient. We ve been unable to damage it in
the slightest, barring of course, exposing it to a nuclear blast.
Alright, what do you make of this thing and do you believe it dangerous?
We re still very much differing in opinions at this time, Lenard said. But we tend to think that the
container is a kind of automobile airbag for the crystal inside.
Hmmm, she grunted. So you think the interior of the cube provides an impact cushion for the cargo?
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Exactly, Commander, Lenard agreed. How, we don t know or can even guess at this time.
Very well, Malory said standing to her full height. If the crystal inside this box was important enough
to our alien friends that they felt the need to pack it in a safety box while gallivanting around in an almost
invincible starship, we will follow their example. You have until tomorrow at noon to provide me with
additional information. At that time, if opinion hasn t altered radically, and you can manage to convince
me otherwise, the container will be isolated and secured from further study until it can be examined or
transported to the appropriate authorities for investigation.
But, Commander& Lenard started.
Malory held up a hand. You just stated that you re not the people qualified to investigate a discovery of
this nature, she interrupted. Honestly, I have a hard time picturing anyone that is , but I ll not have a
potentially dangerous artifact being subjected to casual experimentation. You have until noon tomorrow
to study it, then it will be shelved until the right people either take it away or offer me irrefutable proof
that it presents no danger.
She paused and waited for her words to sink in. Mr. McNeely, you will assign a guard to watch over
the find until it is stowed.
Aye, skipper, he said immediately.
There will be no attempts to breach the interior of this box, she continued. The guard will have
instructions to intervene immediately if my orders are disobeyed in the slightest. Have I made myself
clear?
She met every pair of eyes in the room to convey her resolve and when satisfied, she turned to the
Sergeant Major. Join me outside, Mr. McNeely, she ordered and strode from the room.
Corky entered the mess that evening and smiled reflexively upon spotting Malory, a grin that quietly
evaporated as she noted the Commander was conferring quietly with her non-commissioned officers and
Lieutenant Ring.
Slightly disappointed that she couldn t join her, she got her meal and chose a seat next to Clovis, who
was so deeply involved in a discussion with his gathered colleagues that he didn t notice her.
Feeling somewhat left out, she went about eating her dinner and let the surrounding whispers fly over her
unheard as she was quickly immersed in her own thoughts. In fact, she had spent the better part of the
day engrossed in the contemplation of her relationship with the infamous Malory Lovecraft. Where once
the mere mention of the woman s name was a death by torture offense, it was currently cause for an
internal celebration. Now that she had fully indulged in her attraction to the Commander, she couldn t
deny the emotions the woman instilled within her. She still wasn t ready to openly admit the depth of her
feelings, but internally, she could no longer deny the power of her sentiments.
Hey, Corky, Clovis said pleasantly.
Hmmm? she said distractedly, emerging from her thoughts.
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Clovis chuckled knowingly. Are you feeling alright, Doctor? he asked mischievously. You haven t
been yourself lately.
Quiet chuckles rumbled from a few of the men and she began to blush in anticipation of another round of
teasing. Thankfully, Clovis took pity on her before it got started.
Give her a break, fellas, he said jovially. It s been an eventful winter.
She smiled gratefully at her friend, her blush painfully obvious.
I was just telling my colleagues here, Clovis gestured to the surrounding men. That as much as we
regret the Commander s decision it would be extremely foolish not to honor it.
Corky was suddenly curious. What decision was that?
To isolate our discovery from study until the arrival of the R and D team.
What discovery?
Where have you been today? Clovis asked inquiringly. It s all anyone has been talking about.
In Medical, of course.
I m surprised you don t know, Clovis said. We were able to enter the section of spacecraft
uncovered by the cave in the other day. We found a container with some sort of crystal floating inside.
Really? Corky asked intrigued. What is it?
We don t know, Clovis replied. We hadn t had it in the lab for half an hour when Lovecraft informed
us that we only had until lunch tomorrow to study it before it went into storage.
Why did she do that?
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