Progression in Interdimensional Travel (38)

Lucy's eyes narrowed as a survey drone hovered overhead, its sleek body rotating slowly to capture every detail of the operation. The drone projected a holographic display mid-air, mapping the excavation progress in real time. Lines and grids overlaid the terrain, marking areas of high mineral concentration. Tiny markers blinked on the hologram, signaling where additional machines would be deployed.

The mossy ground surrounding the portal was quickly transformed into a network of grid-like trenches. The once-soft terrain now revealed layers of dense, mineral-rich substrate interspersed with shimmering crystalline veins. The moss, displaced but still faintly glowing, was gathered by smaller, specialized machines that carefully separated organic matter for analysis.