‘You’re all probably aware of the situation, but I’ll reiterate just to be sure. Two hours ago Hubris picked up a black spot on scan. It was bounce rather than absorption, so it’s probably an artefact. It is lenticular and about five metres wide by two metres thick. We’ve since learnt that it sits in a chamber about a hundred metres across. Hubris also detected a shaft leading down to it. The shaft was formed by methods we don’t usually employ.’ He paused for a moment. ‘It seems increasingly likely that no human agency made it. It could be that the object made the shaft, though it is itself larger, but this is all speculation. One hour ago Hubris sent a probe down. One kilometre down, the probe was destroyed.’

Cormac walked to one side and rested his hand against the wing of the shuttle above his head. Stacked before him were some packages ready to be loaded. He continued his monologue.

‘Whatever destroyed the probe is still down there. Now, it seems highly unlikely that this object has nothing to do with the destruction of the runcible, and I get suspicious when it appears something does not want us to see it.’ He nodded to Carn. ‘I want you to find out exactly what it is.’ He inspected the four Sparkind in turn. ‘And you know what your jobs are. Any questions?’

‘Has there been anything more on scan from down there?’ asked Gant.

Cormac shook his head. ‘Too deep. Hubris picked up the object only because it was a black spot. Very little else can be read that far down.’

Gant went on. ‘You detailed climbing equipment. We brought 2k reels of chain-cotton and motorized abseils. Is it a straight drop? Could be difficult if we run into trouble.’

‘No, the shaft runs down at about thirty-five degrees. There’ll be ice, though.’

Gant tapped the box he was sitting on. ‘Grip shoes. I didn’t like the footing last time we went down. How about lighting? I’d like to send drone lights ahead, if that’s possible.’

‘We’ll try it. Anything else?’

Carn spoke up then. His voice was soft but incisive. ‘You realize that if this object is impenetrable to scan, it may be impenetrable at close range to portable equipment?’

‘There is that possibility, I agree . . .’

‘I merely wish to ascertain that you are aware of the difficulties. It may be that the artefact will have to be . . . moved to the ship.’

From under two kilometres of rock?

Carn observed him, and his mouth twitched with repressed amusement.

Cormac suddenly twigged. He nodded.

‘That can wait. There may be other evidence down there we don’t want to destroy . . . like whatever got the probe. Is that all?’ They all nodded agreement. ‘Let’s go then.’

* * *