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Sure enough, initial scans and desomoter readings from the Scalawag indicated that roughly 10-20 meters underground were areas of far denser material than the surrounding terrain. The group landed the ship down, set up a temporary laboratory protected from the thin atmosphere, unloaded excavation equipment, and began to explore the tundra. Over several days they were able to uncover stone ruins set in a circular pattern, each etched in intricate symbols and logographs.
One stone section was removed for further study in the temporary laboratory and over dinner Dr. Brintt explained his exciting discovery to the crew. Initial isotope dating of the material indicated the site was very old. However in depth scanning of the removed stone section showed the engravings were etched using advanced tools and then the surface section was molecularly bonded to the standing rock frames, a sort of stone ‘dry wall’ procedure. This was far more advanced than what would be expected for the technological period at the time. More interesting, it is quite possible these written sections were prepared at a different site and then added to the structure.
Further, the engravings proved Dr. Brintt’s major hypothesis. There was a universal framework of mathematical concepts which provided a foundation of discipline knowledge to all species. This would lead to a working primer of quantum physics and eventually jump drive technology. Could it be that the same aliens which spread humanity and other uplifted species from Sol also imparted the primer of higher level math and physics too? He continued with an even more exciting discovery, there was indeed a seventh dimension which can be traversed. This opened the possibility that other drives and means to travel beyond 6 parsecs was possible.
The following day the group continued their excavation when disaster struck. Bren while boring holes for explosive charges broke open a small chamber that was teeming with aggressive alien creatures. As Bren was brought down with the insect-like creatures teeming over his body, the crew managed to destroy all the beasts. But Bren was dead. With no close relatives to send his remains to, Dr. Brintt suggested he be buried near the site. It was a somber evening and every crew member spent their time alone, with some even getting off ship to walk the icy surface in quiet contemplation.
The following morning a proximity alarm went off at the Scalawag’s bridge. A sleek craft entered the atmosphere and touched down. Several figures emerged, most in tactical HEV suits sporting hefty automatic weapons, save for one figure. A high rez image scan displayed a recognizable face through the suit helmet. It was Rexan Rin.
Both Grog’s and Syn’s minds raced. They had sent off a communication to Rexan telling him the system Dr. Brintt would be exploring, but this was on Qasanzaia prime. Even by the fastest x-boat communication it would take a week to get to the Etudques system. It was impossible that he would have been able to travel here so quickly. Had one someone else informed Rexan of their destination weeks earlier?
Their thoughts were shattered a moment later. Roxie cooly put her body pistol to the side of Dr. Brintt’s head and fired two shots. With practiced ease she produced a detonator, activated it, and the entire site and laboratory shelter were demolished as a ring of fiery explosions went off. The stunned crew stood motionless as fine stone debris rained down on the hull of the Scalawag and Dr. Brintt’s steaming corpse lay sprawled out on the deck before them.
