A tall man stood under the hot blazing sun. He took out a handkerchief and blotted his brow.
"Okay men, that's it," he yelled. "Careful now, don't let it fall!"
The machines pulled at the heavy glass, as it weaved from side to side. Finally, it was lowered to the sand with a heavy "thump".
"This is it boys," he said smiling, "This is the moment we've all been waiting for."
The sharp sound of picks on glass echoed across the desert, as the doctor sat in his tent speaking with the director.
"It is the only book remaining on earth," the doctor said, "It links us with an ancient civilization that was so advanced it would make your imagination run wild. Don't you understand the possibilities this holds?"
"Yes, but forgive me Doctor Myers, haven't the D'ni been dead for hundreds of years?"
"No, Mr. Pearson, they are a race that has existed for millions upon millions of years. I have yet to conclude that they have simply vanished without a trace. That's why this discovery is so important; all our questions will be answered, if we take a chance."
"Yes, but with no linking book, how can we get back?"
"That is the risk, but as someone who has studied the D'ni for many years, I am willing to take this risk. The D'ni may have a linking book there linking back here or we could work our way through their extensive tunnel system back to the surface."
"But Doctor, if we can get to the city through tunnels, why travel through the book?"
"Simply because it would take forever to work our way through the extensive tunnel system, nobody has a map that shows us the way. The D'ni were great builders with rock and great borrowers through it. For some, it was their life. It's much more complex than you or even I can conceive."
A young man approaches the tent.
"Father, may I come in?"
"Yes, Alex, please join us."
"Hello, Mr. Pearson. Father, I think you should be the first to know, they have the book."
"Excellent!" the doctor exclaimed.
The three men stepped out of the tent, the doctor leading the way.
"Sir," aboy said holding out the precious book to him.
The doctor took the book and examined it in his outstretched arms. It was deep green with a single D'ni symbol carved into the aging cover. The doctor knew at once, the name of this book…Life…the city D'ni carved in letters beneath. Indeed D'ni held life for all the people there. It had since before the beginning of time.
"Well," he thought, "this is it…"