Contents
1.1 LIGHT
Overview
Special Projects is awakened when a moon in Prospector413 broadcasts an overwhelming radio storm. After weeks of failed attempts, a single drone core returns with brief, compelling footage of vast briar-like structures and a shimmering latticework organism in total darkness.
Despite lethal conditions, Bartokh orders more probes and specimens, setting a costly campaign that Shroud will resist.
Summary
Juna Ceelander recalls being awakened with Special Projects as their vessel diverted to the Prospector413 system, where a tidally locked moon blasted chaotic radio across all frequencies. Opportunities split their module off to investigate, hoping for exploitable discoveries amid the electromagnetic storm.
Orbiting the moon, the team’s instruments were deafened by the noise; every probe sent into the darkness failed. Weeks of attempts bred frustration and pressure from Opportunities, while internal tempers frayed under the unrelenting “roar.”
At last, Deep Drone Fourteen’s shielded data core clawed back to orbit. Most visuals were static, but a dozen seconds showed towering, barbed, basketlike “briars” with segmented, blooming parts and taut lines vanishing upward. A large, latticework organism, haloed by fine hairs and moving with alien gait, briefly crossed the light before static devoured the feed.
The data confirmed Shroud’s surface was lethally hostile for humans, yet proved complex life existed. Bartokh immediately tasked Jerennian with salvaging more footage and ordered better drones and ground-level sampling to impress Chief Director Advent.
The chapter closes with looming stakes: months of effort and fifty-nine more drones would follow, and Shroud would win.
Who Appears
- Juna CeelanderNarrator; Special Projects member who reviews the first drone-returned evidence of Shroud’s life.
- BartokhSpecial Projects lead; bullish, pressures the team, demands better drones and specimens despite risks.
- JerennianData specialist; tasked with cleaning and salvaging the drone’s corrupted recordings.
- Hari SkienGeologist; vocal skeptic who demands clarity when the team first wakes.
- Shemp RastomaierBiologist; cynical about his role, argues with Hari, assesses implications of hostile biosphere.
- OpportunitiesManagement cadre; diverts Special Projects to Shroud, applies pressure for exploitable results.
- Chief Director AdventSenior executive; an anticipated audience for Bartokh’s hoped-for specimens and proofs.