Page 4 of Nebula Hearts
The contrast is noteworthy.
“Good.” I make a note on my datapad. “Then we can proceed with the coupling--.”
The ground moves.
Not much. Just a sharp jolt that rattles the relay structure and sends loose equipment sliding across the platform. An aftershock. Minor, maybe magnitude two or three. But enough to make the damaged struts groan ominously.
Aris and I both freeze, waiting to see if it’s going to intensify. After five seconds of silence, I allow myself to relax slightly.
“That was fun,” Aris says. Her voice is only a little shaky. “Let’s not do that again.”
I’m already climbing back onto the platform, rescanning the damage. The aftershock opened a new stress fracture in the foundation. Not critical, but not encouraging. “Dr. Saavik, I need a new structural assessment. Check for any changes in subsurface stability.”
“On it.” She’s moving before I finish speaking, scanner out, already taking new readings.
I continue my own assessment. The coupling damage hasn’t worsened, but one of the support struts now shows additional stress. We’ll need to reinforce it before attempting repairs or risk the entire structure shifting during power restoration.
“We have a problem.” It’s not just the words. The tone of her voice makes me freeze.
I climb down to ground level. “Additional damage?”
“No. Well, yes, but not what I mean.” She angles her scanner so I can see the readings. “The aftershock created a new fissure. Smaller than the others, but it extends under the relay foundation. If there are subsurface chambers, if the structure is actually hollowed out beneath us...”
“The foundation could collapse during repairs.” I understand immediately. “We need to verify there’s no hidden instability.”
“Right.” She glances at the cliff face, and this time she doesn’t look away quickly. “That opening. If it leads to underground chambers, we need to know. We need to map the extent ofany subsurface structures before we risk putting stress on the foundation.”
She’s not wrong. As much as I’d prefer to focus solely on the relay, we can’t make repairs on a foundation that might collapse. And if that fissure does lead to chambers, if there’s any possibility of hidden voids beneath the relay...
We need to investigate.
“How long to survey the opening and map any connected chambers?” I ask.
“Depends on what’s inside. If it’s shallow, maybe an hour. If it connects to extensive underground structures...” She trails off, but I can fill in the rest. Unknown timeline. Potentially significant delay.
But a necessary one. We can’t proceed without this information.
I look at the relay. At the damaged foundation. At the fissure that might lead to structural instability beneath everything we’re trying to repair. Then I look at Aris, who’s trying very hard not to look too enthusiastic about getting to explore the geological anomaly she’s been thinking about since we arrived.
Her enthusiasm is obvious in the way she’s holding her scanner, in the slight forward lean of her posture, in how her fingers tap against her thigh. She wants to investigate.
But she’s waiting for me to make the call, respecting the chain of command even though every instinct she has is probably screaming at her to just go look already.
I appreciate the restraint. Suspect it’s costing her considerable effort.
“Dr. Saavik.” I shut down my datapad and secure it in my jacket. “Let’s investigate your geological anomaly.”
Her face lights up. Actually lights up, like I’ve just given her the best news she’s heard all week. “Really?”
I feel the corner of my mouth twitch. An involuntary reaction to her enthusiasm. I force the expression away before it can form a smile.
“The structural integrity of our repair site depends on understanding subsurface conditions.” I keep my voice level, professional. “This is a necessary survey, not an indulgence of scientific curiosity.”
“Right. Absolutely. Very necessary. Completely professional.” She’s already moving toward the fissure, scanner in hand, practically bouncing. Then she stops and turns back. “But also, if it happens to be really cool ancient architecture, I’m allowed to be excited about it. Professionally excited.”
“Professionally excited is acceptable.”
Her mouth does this thing. Not quite a smile, but close. Just the corner lifting slightly.
