On the planet's surface the compound's
control room was electric with the energy of panic. Three Men and an
equal number of women with cybernetic interfacing units, called
techs, were spurting out small rants and noteworthy information
pertaining to the sudden loss of satellite communications. Their
frantic cries were coming from Cring's feet. His people forming a
ring around him as computers climbed the walls to the full circle
catwalk above even his eye line. His seat's arm rests had broken in
on themselves from his white knuckled hands. He didn't notice this
until his sweat beaded and slowly rolled down his brow to his eye.
His short and curly brown hair stayed put as he sprang to life, and
opened his mouth to speak. “Check the scanners!“ A woman's voice
yelled out from above the source of his. All other non-automated
voices fell silent. A loud metallic clang rang out as she stepped
forward onto the catwalk from a closing doorway. Her staff's impact
leaving a tiny crater in the floor panels. “Check them now!”
“Ca-Cathey, who activated you?”
Cring finally let loose with an unsteady tone. He stood slowly as she
jumped down next to him with. He took in the sight of her small
figure and chocolate hair, as the chair began to rotate. Her staff
tapped deliberately behind the head of a man whose seat they were
suddenly behind.
“She's right Cring.” The man spoke
up with a computer augmented voice. “Our installation's sensors
have picked up a small energy signature. It appears to be pealing
off, but one... No three even larger signatures are continuing...”
“...On an intercept course.” A
woman's equally automated voice finished for him.
Another man spoke up with a natural
tone, “I'm only reading two now!”
Cring turned to Cathey. “Is it?”
“Tetras. Yes. What else did you
think they would send?”
“Well then,” his voice grew
ominous, “That's why...”
“You have me,” she cut in. Her
staff arm extended outward and completed a motion akin to that of
stirring a giant kettle. Then she slammed her ivory staff down. At
that instant, in dark rooms, corridors, and store houses across the
complex, pairs of electronically red eyes activated. Cathey, smiled.
Cring stepped back, wondering what if
it would be enough. Another thought crossed his mind as an alarm
klaxon began to sound. What have I started?
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