Sounds reasonable, he thought. “Or worry the neighbors, I guess. Makes sense.”

“Come on in.” She turned and nodded briefly to the two guards who came to attention as she passed.

She pushed the flap aside and held it open for him. Matt felt the rush of warm air bathe his face. There was the smell of something unfamiliar that nevertheless picked at his memory.

Inside, the plastic dome cast a white glow over everything. Matt saw that the sides of the enormous hole had been reinforced with ribs of some type of synthetic material, and a cage elevator stood open and waiting at its edge. On the far side, a small crane was anchored to the ground, and it was silently lowering more equipment to the sinkhole’s floor.

A young man, also roughly about his own age, leaned against a railing with arms folded. His eyes flicked to Matt, but then went directly to Tania. The guy didn’t look military.

“Matt, I’d like you to meet – ”

“Howdy.” He came forward and stuck out his hand. “Andy Bennet, geology, nice to meet you. You’re another archeologist, huh?”

Matt shook the hand. It was rough and callused, and he was sure his felt the exact opposite. “Nice to meet you too, Andy. I’m Matt Kearns, and I just work with old languages. Nothing as glamorous as archeology, I’m afraid.” Matt went to lean out over the railing, and saw that floodlights illuminated the depths. Several people wandered about around the sunken house in bulky suits.

“Don’t sell yourself short, Professor. You’re probably the best in your field – both of you are. It’s why you’re here,” Tania said joining him at the railing.

Matt whistled softly. “Wow, how long have all you guys been here?”

“About twelve hours; we got here last night.” She looked out over the space, pride on her features.

“And you archeologists always wear HAZMATs?” He turned and raised an eyebrow.

Tania shrugged. “Sure, if some brilliant young geologist by the name of Andrew Bennet has said there was a strange substance in the hole that might turn out to be toxic.” She briefly nodded to Andy, and then tilted her head. “I’ve already been down there, and look…” she patted her chest “…still hale and hearty. But military rule number one: better to be safe than sorry, right?”

There was a commotion behind them, and Tania turned momentarily to see one of the guards stick his head past the front flap. “Captain, his partner?”

“It’s okay, lieutenant, let him pass.” She turned to Andy. “Oops.”

Frank bustled in, looking red-faced and pissed off. “Goddamn army assho–” He saw Tania and his lips clamped shut. He smiled and half bowed. “Ma’am.” He turned to glare at Andy, then Matt, and then looked out over the work going on. “Holy shit…sorry.”

Tania introduced herself, but Frank couldn’t take his eyes off the work in the sinkhole. He took off his cap and wiped his brow. “Looks like someone’s been busy.”