Gaian Pyramids VI

- I can't believe solution was that easy. Who would have thought?

They have just managed to pass the wall that appeared in their way. Seemingly impassable at first, it was using a simple interface - if you knew how to navigate it, of course - and allowed John to open the path despite his initial guess being completely off.

The excited person, who was talking here was none other than Jackie - having a chance to get into contact with alien technology made him completely forget about the injury he got moments before, though being quickly healed surely played a part in his fast recovery.

While Jackie was still the loudest person in the group, other people were no less interested in discussing this recent encounter.

- Aren't you the one who got injured by trying to pass through this low security obstacle though? - one of the other scientists, named Alina, immediately asked him that question.

Jackie's face had a slight shade of red right now, but he made sure to keep up the composure.

- Back there, I wasn't careful enough. Besides, I'm mainly referring to the wall, and not the barrier right now - he explained - Obviously, this barrier is interesting in its own regard, and doing decent investigation would allow us to greatly improve our current systems, but I feel the wall should get more attention as it is something completely new to us. You saw how its structure behaves. It is some kind of programmable metal, so it will have much more versatile usage than energy-based barriers. Seeing what this thing is capable of, I just cannot help but wonder why would they leave the access to be so easy.

- It wouldn't be the case if Keira wasn't with us - Marlow pointed out - If she didn't do the analysis of symbols she found on the obelisks, we wouldn't have a clue what to do with the panel to begin with. Can you imagine pressing random symbols?

- Based on what you are saying, guys, it seems it was like browsing through some kind of menu and choosing options - Jackie continued the topic - It feels to me that those who made this wall did not care about security in the slightest. If you make security system, you usually use some kind of code, passwords, security keys or something like that, right?

- If you consider them being same as humans, then yes - Keira confirmed - However, I wouldn't be making this kind of assumption that easily. We have no idea about the culture of those, who lived on this planet, so we cannot be really sure what were these walls for.

- Yup, maybe it was to deal with local animals or nature in general? - John suggested - Who knows? Maybe their civilization did not have such conflicts as we did?

Jackie laughed.

- You are right, being a human, I cannot believe there could be no conflicts, but even if what you say is the case, don't you think it's risky to leave this kind of system easily accessed like that? Imagine working on some high tech for a long time, and then someone you don't know, someone you didn't verify, gaining access to it in a matter of minutes. Would you share it that easily, knowing there may be consequences?

- For now, we can only think of possible reasons creators of this technology had for leaving it that way - Keira said - We can make a number of theories without breaking a sweat, but to get something we could confirm, a solid research is a must. And I'd love to finally have a chance to focus on my field as I already have quite a lot of material to work on, but other matters are more pressing at the moment.

- Yeah, I understand that part, it's just hard for me to simply let such chances go, even if it is only temporary.

- Don't worry, you will have a chance quite soon, if we want to secure a proper safe route - Marlow assured him - We need to verify that using this track is not dangerous. After all, us passing it today doesn't mean the idea of including that area for final route is good. As it is now, I'm putting this zone as risk.

- I cannot wait until we finally reassemble - it was sarge who joined the conversation - Because of this disorderly landing we are now scattered all around, which makes it hard to operate properly. Only getting the main camp operational will let us all focus on our jobs properly.

- So, scouting was not your original assignment, sarge? - Alina asked him.

- It's hard to say about original assignment if you are a soldier - he replied with a slight smile - But I did have main job planned. Maybe not as exciting as the one I have right now, though definitely something I like better.

John actually managed to check everyone in their current squad, so he knew something about each person's profile.

- So you are really that much into engineering? - he asked the sarge.

- If I may, sir - Krawczak started officially - I heard quite a bit about you, and I think we have a lot in common. Main difference is, I was not allowed to prioritize engineering duties over my military duties, that is why I ended up guarding all the time since I was selected for this expedition. I really miss the military workshop I worked at back on Earth.

- What exactly do you specialize at?

- I am considered a handyman, but I specifically like constructing buildings. Probably because of the family tradition - everyone waited for him to continue - My father owns a traditional construction company, using oldschool craft, often working with natural materials like wood.

- I bet you are interested in these metal trunks then - Jackie was the one to say that - Traditional craft wouldn't work for cutting these for sure. Personally, I've been thinking about the best way since the first time I saw these trees, but I'm still unsure.

- I feel that sonic cutter would work best - Alina suggested - With this kind of density, using lasers or physical cutting disks would be consuming too much time and energy.

The team ended up splitting into smaller groups to discuss topics they had in minds. Talks were pretty heated at times, and were interrupted only after one of the soldiers notified them about yet another abnormality.

- Wind is getting stronger in this zone - he highlighted the area on the display - We did encounter something similar during one of the patrols, but it was there - he marked a different zone with another color - Back then, we ended up getting into a really big hurricane. Remember, sarge?

Sarge nodded with a grim look on his face.

- To be honest? I thought we were goners, and I had a chance to see F Six tornado several years ago in Texas. Even with these anchors brawlers are equipped with, I was not sure we are going to make it.

Others also looked at the data.

- So, it's really close to our set route - John started analyzing - Given the direction of the wind, isn't it possible it will reach the woods where we are supposed to camp?

- Indeed, it's very likely to happen - Alina confirmed - Sarge, you've said it was like F Six tornado. Do you feel we are going to be safe on spot?

- If we were to stay in the woods, then I wouldn't recommend it - sarge replied - However, the cave is really huge and should be a good place to wait for the storm to pass, as long as nothing dangerous made a lair there.

- Then, let us hope there are no unexpected events on the way to slow us down - said Keira, who was observing vast clouds through the window - I didn't say it before, but I'm not really good with hurricanes.

She sat just next to Marlow, and was slightly clinging to him right now. Major was not sure if she was using this as opportunity or was really afraid of such a weather, but given the circumstances, he let her stay that way.

They were going through the open area right now, no cover around - their target was still kilometers away so they had to be fast and avoid any accidents as staying without cover could end up fatal for the whole group.

Fortunately, this time there were no complications and they managed to reach the forest according to plan, though first strong gusts of wind were already felt there, while getting to the cave still required a bit of time.

- Better hang on - said the driver - It's going to be a rough ride.

They were using all the systems brawlers were equipped with to withstand the hard weather conditions, but even with these in place, everyone could feel when the gusts hit the vehicle, and driver had a hard time to keep the vehicle on the track - more than that, they could hear in comms that the second vehicle had similar problems.

- Woah, I've never seen anything like that! - Jackie was the only person who look more excited than scared with his eyes fixed on the window - It looks stronger than F Six, sarge!

- You no say!? - sarge was sitting next to the driver, having four-point belt and additional safety wire on, and keeping his hands tightly on handles - Just keep it to yourself, okay!?

- Hearing someone like sarge behave like that makes me scared even more - miss Evergate had the same set of safeties on her, but was also holding Marlow's arm now - How far to this cave?

- Not far, about two kilometers in the straight line - driver informed - But we cannot rush because of how the terrain in the area is.

A moment after he said that, their brawler flew a several meters through the air, landing hard on the ground and bumping on one of the tree trunks.

- Damage report! - sarge called a command to the vehicle's computer.

- Superficial damage to right back's outer coating. Right back support wheel inoperational. Support drive disconnected. Vehicles operational status at ninety percent.

- Phew, thanks God - Krawczak smiled slightly - It's not that bad. Second unit, what's your status?

There was no immediate reply.

- I repeat, what's your status?

Still no reply.

- Kris, c'mon, answer!

- Apologies, sarge! - finally there was an answer - We have a bit of a situation here. Our brawler flipped over! Had to switch to secondary comms!

- Okay, hold on, we are going back for you! - sarge shouted immediately, but then looked at John - Apologies, major, if you agree...

- It's your team - said Marlow - I leave the decision to you.

Krawczak nodded, gave instructions, and their brawler turned around, going back to their colleagues.

Indeed, the second brawler got hit quite hard, but armor integrity looked fine, therefore they decided to try and put it back on wheels.

- Isn't this going to take too long? - Keira was slightly panicking, seeing what is happening behind the window - Can't we just have them ride with us?

- If we leave this brawler like this, we are likely losing it - sarge explained - Besides, it's safer for everyone inside to put it back on wheels.

The whole operation took only a couple of minutes. Nevertheless, the wind was getting stronger with every second, and they could easily see huge twisters approaching.

Once they confirmed all systems of the second brawlers allow further ride, they continued to rush back to their original track. Both vehicles entered the cave minutes before one of the twisters reached the forest's border.