Chapter Eighteen: Threads
Thursday, 28th October 1999.
Harry stood resolute outside the box, staring at the perfectly still cloud of darkness within. Ever since its failed attempt to take control of Padma, Anubis had been perfectly still and silent. They had no way of knowing if it was simply biding its time or if Padma's rescue had harmed it in some way. But with any luck, Harry would never see it again after today.
The others slowly joined him in the room, with the exception of Padma, who refused to step inside the space again. None of them blamed her, she had shared some of the nightmares she'd had since the encounter with him and Harry sympathized with her completely. He wished he could gouge out the memories he'd gleaned from Voldemort throughout the war. Surely the things in Anubis's mind had been far far worse than those.
Neville finally arrived, guiding the aged figure of Myrddin beside him. The Lantean looked a lot better than he first had upon revival, though he still didn't seem to have much interest in standing. Harry smirked to himself at the thought as Neville conjured a chintzy armchair and the Dumbledore look was complete.
Yet again he was forced to confront the similarities between the two figures. Both had physical similarities, sure. But they had similar personality traits as well. Brilliant and powerful in their own right, yet also willing to sacrifice themselves and others to achieve their final goals. A slight tendency to obscure the truth from those that might help them achieve their goals. And a resolute belief in the righteousness of their aims and actions. The more Harry got to know the real 'Merlin' the more he felt the reputation Dumbledore had earned in his life was appropriate.
Neville handed Myrddin a datapad, and the man began to run scan after scan on the still cloud of energy.
"It is most definitely the energy pattern of an ascended being," Myrddin said, this time in perfect English. Harry assumed the man had learned their language during his session in the chair overnight. "I am glad my research and notes allowed for the creation of such a prison. A being like this could cause untold damage to the lower planes if left unchecked."
"You've no idea," Padma murmured, and Harry gave her a supportive smile, which she lightly returned.
"I've got some idea, young one. I have lived many lifetimes." Myrddin replied. "This prison should also function for our desired purpose today as well. Merlin?"
Harry felt an odd disconnect every time he watched the face of 'Merlin' speak as though in the third person. While he hadn't recognized the figure when first seeing the hologram, the months since had been full of research on the mythical figure, and now it was an odd experience to see that he didn't respond to the name in any way.
"Yes?" The hologram replied.
"Can you modify the structure of Fundamenta to project this field over every surface? I'd rather be sure we don't put all of my former companions at risk. The energy should contain it, but better safe than sorry. At least until the Ori are dealt with."
Merlin nodded and vanished, and soon Harry felt an intense hum running through the floor as the field increased in strength.
"Place the Sangraal inside," Myrddin instructed, and Neville triggered the beam from his remote.
They all watched silently as the weapon formed within the box and still Anubis did not react in any way.
"I thought as much." Myrddin turned to look at Padma, still watching from the hallway. "You have a powerful mind, child. The burst of energy that freed you from your possession seems to have wiped the identity from the being."
Harry couldn't help but chuckle at the idea, drawing the others' eyes. "Sorry, it's just… Padma gave him the Lockhart treatment."
Only Hermione seemed to understand what he meant, so he waved for Myrddin to continue.
"Centuries of research and struggle, all comes down to this moment," Myrddin said as he entered a command on the datapad.
Inside the box, the Bloodstone began to glow a fiery red and the central crystal cluster glowed blue, a steady thrumming sound almost like an engine began, getting louder and faster. Within seconds, it reached a peak and the Bloodstone became even more intense, a red flash spreading throughout the entire box before the device shut off, both colourful glows vanishing and the sound disappearing immediately.
The dark cloud that was Anubis shuddered for a moment and dissipated almost anticlimactically given the trouble he had given them previously. Vanishing like a mist under the baking sun.
Myrddin gave a deep relieved sigh. "It works."
"You had doubts?" Harry asked, covering for the relief he felt at his own very real ones.
Myrddin smiled at him, the blue eyes feeling very Dumbledore as they assessed him and Harry felt Myrddin could see the very thoughts that he was trying to hide.
"I was never much of a scientist. My job on Atlantis was as High Councilor. I was a politician for most of my first life. But I know that all scientists have doubts, Mister Potter. It is always rewarding to see one's hard work was not for naught. And I have put entire actual human lifespans into my work on this device."
A few more taps on the datapad returned the device to the Lab and the group relaxed. Anubis would be a problem no more, and they had proven the efficacy of the weapon. "Now for the real threat."
"What do you need us to do?" Luna asked, stepping over to Myrddin.
"You have prepared the Loquor?"
"Yes. It's ready and waiting."
"Then there is no reason to delay."
The entire group was surrounded by beam energy and were once more whisked to the cavern beneath one of the most well-known mythological sites in Britain. One which in this case, the stories had remained rather close to being actually accurate to its origins for a change.
Myrddin stood from the chair and walked to the plinth. Smirking at the sight of his Mantle embedded within its upper surface. He quickly entered a long string of commands on the Mantle and the crystal atop the Loquor began to glow, the Bloodstone lighting up in unison.
"The devices are linked. Merlin? Is this cavern adequately shielded as well?" He asked the empty air.
Harry noticed the air shimmer in the same place he had first seen the Merlin hologram as it confirmed the request. What had begun as the simple exploration of a few burial sites he'd found in the Black library had become an epic intergalactic battle of ascended beings, and now it was about to conclude. The gravity of it hit him all of a sudden and he couldn't breathe for a moment under the weight of the challenge.
"One last task, then. Before I rest." Myrddin noted to himself as he entered another command string on the Mantle and the Sangraal began to glow and thrum once more.
It sounded much louder when it was in the same physical space as they were, and reflected off the rock walls, growing even louder. The weapon charged for a much longer period and the glow of the three sets of crystals grew in intensity until they all had to close their eyes to shield themselves from the bright painful light. A deep whoosh filled the cavern and Harry felt every hair on his body stand on end as the energy pulsed out from the Sangraal and was drawn down the cavern into the Loquor sitting on the plinth.
There was a snap in the energy and suddenly all was quiet and dark once more. Harry glanced at the others and noticed they too seemed lost at what to think in the absence of an obvious result like they'd had with Anubis.
"Did it work?" Richard asked.
Myrddin tapped a few more commands on the Mantle and Harry felt a shift in the air and rock around them. The Lantean turned and focused on a point just in front of the Sangraal, and Harry's eyes followed the line of the ancient man's gaze. The air glowed and wisps of intense white light filled the space before a female form appeared within. Harry was surprised at the similarities the woman shared to Hermione, with her thick dark brown, though far less unruly, hair and lively brown eyes. It was hard to discern detail though, as her white clothing continued to emit a bright light that also seemed to emanate from her very skin.
"Hello, Lal," Myrddin said, unconcerned by the sight before him.
"Congratulations, Moros," Lal said, waving her hand as the Sangraal behind her crumbled into dust and disappeared. "I am to offer you a chance to return, for the service you have granted us."
Myrddin glanced at them all one by one, as if considering the options. "Perhaps, that is for the best."
Before any of them could move, Lal faded back into the wispy form she had arrived in, and moved forward, absorbing Myrddin's body. It brightened for a moment before it lifted up through the ceiling of the Lab and vanished from view. The cavern seemed incredibly dark in its absence and Harry couldn't think of a single thing to say.
A quick glance at the others showed he was not alone in that feeling. While they had become advanced by their own standards, what they had just witnessed was on another level altogether.
"What the hell?" Richard asked aloud, breaking the spell.
"That sucks." Luna pouted, "I had other things I wanted to ask Myrddin. He's just gone."
They all looked in silence once more at the empty air that the former Lanteans had occupied.
"My task is completed," Merlin said, the group turned to see the hologram looking at the empty integration pad.
"I guess that it's time for us to find a new purpose then," Luna said, smiling at the hologram.
"Well, I don't know about you lot, but I sure can't go back to acting like there isn't a whole galaxy out there," Richard noted.
"More than one," Hermione added.
"Maybe we should head home, and consider our options," Harry suggested. "This is the first time since we found this place that we haven't had a galactic threat hanging over our heads."
Padma looked at him darkly. "There is very much still a galactic threat out there. One which the other explorers on this planet seem intent on engaging and upsetting."
"Speaking of the SGC, how is the dialer rewrite coming along?" Luna asked, redirecting the conversation.
"I do not know," Merlin replied. "There are several tasks I left unattended over the past few weeks while focusing on the Sangraal."
"So we've really quite a bit to be getting on with." Natalie smiled, glancing at each of the younger members.
"Please take us home, Merlin," Hermione asked the hologram politely and the cavern filled with the sound of beam energy once more.
ϟ
"Harry." Merlin's voice sounded and he glanced over at the control panel to his room, the voice having come from there.
"What is it, Merlin?"
"I require your permission to run a scan and create a new subroutine."
Harry sighed as he stood up, heading to the door where he found the hologram waiting outside in the hall. "Why would you need my permission to run a scan? Wait, you're scanning us again?"
"No. I have not done so since you voiced your concerns about such actions. Nor have I scanned anyone you or your friends have brought to the facility. Including Miss Padma's sister and the elf Dobby."
"Then what is it you want to scan?" Harry asked, noting the almost petulant way the hologram had stated his compliance.
"Dobby."
"So go ask him. I am not his master, Dobby is a free elf and he makes his own decisions." Harry grumbled at the absurdity of asking him for permission regarding Dobby.
"I have Dobby's permission. But as the head of this facility, you created a lock on my ability to do so when you voiced issues with my scanning subjects without authority."
"The what?" Harry asked incredulously.
"Please clarify."
"In what way am I the head of this facility? It was built millions of years before I was born. And Luna was the first person to interface with it after it was found. I don't want to be in charge of anything."
"It seemed to be the consensus of the others. They all talk of your leadership skills and prowess. You have shown the traits of a leader multiple times and the system extrapolated that you were the leader of the group, despite Hermione's parents being the oldest of you, and Hermione the wisest."
Harry closed his eyes and pinched his nose, trying to fend off the headache this discussion was already building in his mind. After a moment of silence, Harry glanced at Merlin and tapped a meeting request into his remote, passing through the hologram and walking down the hall, headed for the small side room Luna had transformed from a storage room to a small meeting place.
As he walked inside, he noted that Luna was already inside and that the room had changed again since the last time he was in here. What had previously been a simple round table for eight or so, was now far larger and had a big opening in the centre. He glanced at Luna who smiled.
"Do you like it?" She asked as she approached.
"It's nice. Been redecorating much?"
"For a few weeks now. Given we mostly live here now, I felt it could use some homey touches. I had some grander ideas, but they're hard to achieve in the current layout."
Harry smiled wider, Luna had an innate ability to distract him from his concerns. It was one of the things he most appreciated about the girl. She had always been able to keep him from stewing too much, whether by kind word or a boot up the butt when needed.
"That is not a bad idea. I might have to get you to pretty up my quarters. They're a bit bland right now."
"It is on my list." She replied, taking a seat opposite the doorway.
Harry nodded and sat a couple of spaces down, as the others began to filter in and take seats as well. There were almost twenty to choose from now, and it amused Harry to see each one consider which seat to take, and the haphazard way they arrayed themselves about the space. Hermione was the last to enter and she walked over to take the seat next to Harry.
"Sorry to interrupt you all, but I just learned a rather annoying fact. It seems that Merlin took it upon himself to declare me in charge of this place because I was 'leaderish' a few times. Which is just stupid."
"Agreed," Luna noted, "you should be in charge because you're the best at it."
As the others all nodded, Harry leaned forward and banged his head on the table, stopping them all. "I don't want to be in charge of anything. Haven't I made that clear by now? I just want to be Harry Potter, normal bloke."
"Harry," Hermione said, drawing his attention as he turned his head which was still pressed into the table. "You both are, and never will be, a normal bloke. By your very nature, you are an exceptional individual. Everyone seated at this table is. Padma is brilliant, and surprisingly courageous given she was the Ravenclaw twin. Luna thinks outside the box like no one I have ever met. Neville has a heart of gold and has proven that the lost little Gryffindor boy of our first few years has long since grown up. I'm not much for self-aggrandisement, but I too am rather clever, and somewhat voracious in my desire to learn more. And I learned that from the two people sitting right over there."
Hermione paused and rubbed his back for a moment as he slowly sat back up. "And you. You've mastered every bit of powerful magic you've challenged yourself to learn. You have defeated a man most people can't even speak the name of more times than any other person, alive or dead. You are a natural leader when it is needed most, taking charge of situations without even thinking. And ever since you found that cave, you've been outstanding at driving us all forwards to our goal.
"You might not want to be, but you are our leader, in most of the ways that count. But most importantly, you're willing to listen to us. You take advice, you share information. I for one have no trouble calling you the leader of this group."
"Why don't we copy the Lanteans?" Luna offered, drawing the attention off of Harry and making him immensely grateful. "Moros was the last High Councilor of Atlantis. Harry can be the first High Councilor of us. A council of seven. Mathematically it's a sound choice as it will mean very little chance of not having a majority on any vote."
Harry was torn on how to feel. A council took some of the stress off his shoulders, but being head of that council kept it there.
"I think that is a wonderful idea, with one adjustment." Natalie offered. "Richard and I will count as only one vote," She smiled at her husband who shrugged simply, "so that the council can retain seven votes and add another member. Come in please."
The others looked to the door in unison as a rather sheepish-looking Dobby entered and stood by Natalie. The woman patted the top of the table, and with a glance at the others, Dobby climbed onto its surface and sat with his legs hanging on the inside edge.
"Dobby should have a seat on the council as well." Natalie finished.
"Dobby doesn't need that. Dobby is more than happy with his family the way it is."
"She's right though, Dobby. You were just as much a part of this discovery as I was. And we all value your input." Harry said, happy to give his friend something like this, he paused for a moment to consider what he was about to say, but decided to bite the bullet and go ahead with it. "I'd be honoured to be Head Councilor if you were a member of the council."
Dobby seemed to be choking up at the trust that he was being given, and simply nodded his consent.
"So that settles it," Hermione noted, happily. "Or should I say, here opens the first meeting of…?"
They all chuckled slightly, all feeling a little of the weight of legitimising what they'd been doing for half a year already. Natalie drew their attention once more as she placed a small box on the table and glanced at Richard who spoke up. "As the first act of the council, I'd like to give this to our small friend. It took a little work to resize it properly, but if he's going to be a member, he's going to need one."
He pushed the small box to Dobby, who opened it one-handed. Inside was a remote, but it was not in bracelet form, like theirs were. Instead, it seemed designed to fit on his shoulder. In fact, Natalie stood and helped the elf fit it into place and it looked rather fetching on his form. The elf simply looked at it, stunned.
"Thank you." He murmured and they all smiled at him.
"I can speak for everyone here when I say you've earned it, Dobby," Harry said. "On that note, the whole reason I called you all in was Merlin requested permission to scan Dobby, who has already given his permission?" Dobby nodded as glanced at the others, seeming a little out of his depth for the moment. "Any objections?"
Everyone shook their heads and smiled at the wee elf. "Alright. Merlin?" The hologram appeared in the centre of the table. "You have authority to scan Dobby at his convenience and he has the authority to rescind that permission at any time."
Merlin nodded. "Understood. I have a few other matters for the council." The hologram said, smiling softly as though the creation of it had been his goal all along. "Unfortunately the first is somewhat urgent. The ice above has melted through far enough that the humans across the ice have detected the heat this facility is generating. A report has been filed in the SGC and an exploratory force is to be dispatched via McMurdo Station."
"What?" Hermione asked. "What can we do?"
"The Lanteans did have cloaking technology, however, they incorporated it into the shielding technology. So in order to mask our presence, we would need to lower the shield."
"And it's still currently holding a few thousand tonnes of ice and snow back." Harry groaned. "Thoughts?"
"My first thought is to create a dedicated cloaking circuit. What moron thought tying stealth and protection together as an either/or proposition was a good idea?" Richard scoffed.
The others nodded before Neville spoke. "Ones who never had to make the distinction, I'd guess. Why don't we move?"
"We can hardly pick the whole building up and roll it down the road." Padma scoffed.
Harry considered it for a moment. "Why not?" Everyone turned to look at him for a minute and he swept his fingers over the table, drawing a command keyboard hologram in place. He tapped away at it and Merlin shifted as a map of the area came up, showing the ice-filled valley in which Fundamenta now sat. "Why can't we move it over here?"
He tapped instructions and the map zoomed in on the nearby Transantarctic Mountain range, particularly the highest peak of the inner ring. "With the beaming technology, we can move the entire structure over here. This spot was good a few million years back, when Antarctica wasn't fully covered in migratory ice flows always shifting outwards from the pole. Staying here is just going to be a permanent massive power drain. If we shift there, we won't need the shield at all."
"Instead of moving the structure as is," Luna countered, looking excited, "why don't we rebuild it from scratch? We can design it as we like, built into the face of the rock itself. And if we make the exterior look like rock and ice, no one will be the wiser to its existence."
"That's brilliant. How long would it take to accomplish?" Natalie asked.
"Calculating. Relocation of the structure as is could be done within a day. Full reconstruction from scratch, approximately a month, depending on the design."
Harry looked at the others and most seemed to feel this was the way to go. "So, we agree we move?" They all nodded. "Alright, when is the exploratory force due?"
"Three hours. The secrecy of their program works in our favour. The nearest troops with the necessary clearance they could send were in Australia."
"And you're just telling us now? Nevermind. Can you move the facility in its entirety over to here," Harry pointed out a flat expanse of rock that was mostly uncovered by ice near the mountains, "before they arrive and engage the cloak?"
Merlin closed his eyes and ran the math before he replied. "No. I would need to create a dedicated powered beaming station, to take up the matter before it could be moved properly. And this much mass will take time to disintegrate and reintegrate. But I can consolidate a large buffer and emitters into the chair platform to contain the structure temporarily and move it over there while the force assesses the area.
"It will be difficult. With the only suitable power source built into the chair platform, I will need to overcharge the beam circuits of the rest of the building while I relocate the chair and potentia. But achievable. Once they find nothing, we can construct the new facility in place into the mountain. With the cloak active, we can complete construction without the nearby station being alerted."
"And here? What about the residual heat signature?" Padma asked.
"One of the reasons this location was chosen was a rich geothermal vent underneath. I can make it look like a burst of heat came from that vent." Merlin replied.
Harry noticed an odd look on the hologram as it delivered this information. "What is it, Merlin?"
The hologram turned to face him and seemed to consider him for a moment before it spoke. "I feel something odd. I believe it to be sorrow, which is strange as I was not programmed to feel proper emotion."
"Sorrow? What for?" Natalie asked softly.
"Fundamenta. This is the oldest structure on this planet. It was built when this continent was still closer to the equator. It has been upgraded several times over its history, but that history in roughly this location extends back many millions of years."
They all sat in shock for a moment. "Wow," Neville said in awe.
"If you've another option we can use, I'm open to suggestions," Harry said. "But from what I understand, the cloak is illusory. It won't stop the team that is coming from getting too close and finding the building."
"There is no better option with the time we have. Relocation is a sound strategy. I just did not expect to feel something about it." Merlin replied.
"We will be using the material that makes this structure to make the new one." Luna offered, smiling. "Fundamenta may be moving and changing, but the atoms that make up this facility will continue on."
Merlin returned the smile. "Of all the humans I have met, you are by far the most unique."
Luna glowed at the compliment. "Thank you."
"Is this the first time you have felt actual emotion, Merlin?" Hermione queried, redirecting the conversation once more.
"It is. I was initially programmed to be able to imitate it, but was not programmed to feel it."
"Myrddin did spend a couple of hours last night using the chair," Richard noted. "He said he wanted to understand the galaxy as it stood right now, while you were assembling all the parts. Maybe he made some changes while he was in there?"
"Seems the most likely assumption," Padma said. "If only we had time to explore it now."
The others were reminded of the approaching force and the ticking clock they were under.
"Well, I guess that means we need to vacate the premises for a while." Neville chuckled. "Back to the real world for a bit of R and R."
"I'm not overly fond of being in the real world over Halloween." Harry groaned and Hermione gave him a soft hug.
"Sounds like it's high time we started changing that for you, Harry." Richard smiled.
Harry realized that he was being invited to spend the holiday with Hermione and her parents, though he guessed they would be doing so at number twelve, given all four of them lived full time at Fundamenta these days. Harry laughed as he realized he was basically moving house today, in the most sci-fi way he could imagine.
"Sounds good to me," Harry replied, happily.
ϟ
First Lieutenant Elizabeth Riley gazed out the forward viewport of the speeding hovercraft, watching the barren white landscape rush by as they shot through it at speed. You could barely tell that it was verging on 11 pm given the permalight of day covering the area at this time of year.
"Two clicks out, lieutenant." The driver, Staff Sergeant David Thomas informed her.
Riley checked the other bodies in her vehicle at the comment, she was down on manpower, but the one star who had assigned them to this mission had assured her it would be fine. Half her usual recon squad were headed back to Pearl Harbour after the previous day's exercises in the Australian Outback, but the five troops with her had been held for further debrief on their suitability for inclusion in some top secret program run out of Colorado Springs.
The general hadn't been specific about what exactly they were expecting to find on this excursion, but the implication had been clear to Riley. This was a babysitting job. A third member of her squad sat in the back of the cabin appearing to be listening to the technobabble coming from the three scientists they were accompanying to the site. Private First Class Simon Grady was still new to the recon team, but his performance was excellent so far. Riley had quickly come to rely on the private for some of the more difficult assignments they'd tackled.
"How are the others?" Riley asked Thomas.
"'Bout thirty metres behind us, same speed. We'll arrive together."
"Good. Any further instructions?"
"Nothing. What are we doing out here, lieutenant?"
Riley sighed as she checked her gear. "Being tested, Thomas. Get us as close as is safe to do so."
Riley stood in the hold and she noted that Grady mirrored her, distracting the scientists they were accompanying from McMurdo to investigate the odd heat signature the research station had detected earlier that morning. She keyed her radio and called for a check-in from the other hovercraft.
"Mawes, ready." Her second in command replied.
"Johnson, ready."
"Arthurs, ready."
"The cargo?" Riley asked.
"Chattering away and eager to disembark."
"Keep a close eye and make sure they don't get too close without being secured. I want both boats one hundred metres apart and everyone secured to the running board."
Her hovercraft began to slow and Riley glanced out the front viewport once more, noting the big empty space in the ice ahead of them. There appeared to be steam emitting from the sinkhole, which was a surprise down here. She checked the instruments and noted that it was hovering about minus ten degrees celsius outside right now. She shuffled in her thick jacket and turned to the door.
As soon as the hovercraft came to a halt, she yanked it open and the scientists all gave a shudder at the sudden burst of cold air and secured their own cold-weather gear that had been opened in the warmer cabin of their transport.
Pressing her gun to her shoulder, Riley jumped down onto the ice, sweeping her eyes across the flat expanse. They weren't expecting any unfriendlies this far south, as McMurdo was by far the closest station to the anomaly, but there was more to be wary of than just people in the harsher places of the world. Though far fewer of them were present in the southern tundra compared to the northern one. There were no enormous white bears out for a snack on this ice at least. Most of Antarctica's predators were swimmers.
"Thomas, rangefinder results?"
The sergeant paused as the device swept over the icy expanse. "Negative. No one but us for miles."
"Alright people," Riley said, dropping her ready stance and noticing Master Gunnery Sergeant Terri Mawes doing the same a hundred metres away. She turned to those inside her hovercraft. "Dismount, strap onto the running board. No one is to go anywhere near that hole unless they're strapped in. Understood?"
The three scientists nodded as Riley clipped her own tether to the bar running about the outer edge of the hovercraft, now sitting facing along the edge of the hole, before Grady jumped out and aided the three scientists down onto the snow.
Large suitcases were passed from inside by Thomas as Riley stepped closer to the anomaly they were here to inspect. It seemed for the most part to be another crevasse formed in the ice, mostly round and she'd estimate about two to three hundred metres across. There was definitely steam emitting from the depths of the sinkhole, but otherwise, it appeared as normal as any other she'd seen.
"Lieutenant?" One of the scientists called, squatting in front of a large open suitcase. "We need to lower this into the hole."
"Grady, assist the Doctor."
"Yes, lieutenant."
Riley silently observed her squad as they helped lower all manner of sensors and equipment into the hole. It was almost an hour before the head of the scientists, one who had been in the other hovercraft came over to her.
"Doctor Michaels. What have we got?"
The woman smiled at her as she checked the laptop in her arms. "Exactly what we thought. A geothermal vent that created a cavern, then built up steam until it popped."
"Popped?" Riley asked.
"Yep, like a zit. See all those chunks of ice out there?" Francine pointed to the large lumps stretching out over the horizon. "Those are chunks that would have been blasted outwards when the pressure became too great."
"A geothermal vent?" Arthurs asked, coming up behind them. "In Antarctica?"
The Doctor smiled and pointed out in the direction they had come from. "You see that tiny peak in the distance? The one that sits right on Ross Island near McMurdo?"
Arthurs turned and nodded. "Yeah."
"That is Mt Erebus, which is an active volcano. There is a persistent phonolitic lava lake near the summit. One of five such lakes on Earth. Antarctica isn't a dead frozen wasteland, corporal. It's very much alive. You never know what you might find down here."
Riley watched the doctor closely, noting the look of delight on her face. She had a feeling this woman was already studying such a site somewhere in this icy expanse.
"How much longer, Doctor? As fascinating as all this is, it's not exactly a lovely evening for a stroll." Riley queried.
"About half an hour to collate all the data. Rivers is testing the bed and trying to find out how deep the vent is. Most of our other tests are finished. Doctors Woods and Osbourne have already climbed back into the hovercraft to do their write-ups."
"You love it down here, don't you?" Riley asked the excited woman, who simply smiled in return.
"One of the most exciting places on Earth," Francine replied, an odd emphasis on the word Earth, and Riley once more got the feeling there was more to the statement and look. "We've pulled things out of this ice you wouldn't believe."
Riley watched her for several more seconds before nodding. The doctor walked back over to the others, her tether scraping along the ground behind her. Riley wondered how they were faring on this test of theirs, and just what it was that they were being tested for. Babysitting excited scientists was fun and all, but she hoped whatever they were looking down the barrel of came with its fair share of excitement by her own standards as well.
End of Book Two
A/N: Hope you all enjoyed the Sangraal arc. As with last time, there will probably be a short break between books, though the first several chapters of Book Three are already written, and will be continued in this story here, no need to follow a second fic just yet.