Gamma radiation, at least according to the basic lesson Eve had given Alan, was deadly. It also emerged from highly energetic events: black holes, supernovae explosions and the like. That it was contained within a crystal, which didn’t seem to leak any of the light elsewhere, was amazing. If this facility depended on such power sources, Alan wasn’t sure how he’d ever find a suitable replacement. Alan switched back to his normal, see in the dark vision, in which the crystal was black.

Next to the ring of crystals was a small, glowing circle. When Alan concentrated it, it became clearer, manifesting into a solid teal circle of color that rose up and became a cylinder.

A Capture Point, Eve let Alan know. The Predecessor must be the area boss.

The Predecessor turned to face Alan.

“What is the delay? Come in.” It spoke in a gravelly tone, as if it hadn’t used its voice in years.

“And, uh, what if I don’t want to?” Alan nervously said, backing away from the door way a bit.

In a single step, before Alan could react, the Predecessor was at the doorway. It looked down at Alan.

“Then I will end you. Even if you are a figment of my imagination.” It widened its teeth in a vicious smile.

“Um, I’m real, please don’t hurt me.” Alan swallowed nervously, stepping into the room, deactivating his armor’s so-called advanced stealth mode.

“Good.” The Predecessor attempted what it thought was a calming smile, though to Alan it looked more like a grimace. “Why are you here? Another search of Aleph, perhaps?”

Hands trembling slightly, Alan brought out the small violet crystal. The Predecessor narrowed its eyes.

“Um, I'm here to recharge the power or something like that.”

“Why don’t you leave here and never return?” The Predecessor rested its massive hand on Alan’s shoulder.

“And, um, why would I do that?”

“Do what? That was simply an errant… suggestion.” The Predecessor punctuated the last word by gripping Alan hard enough that his shields quickly drained, halved by the simple squeeze. Alan winced as there was a crushing sound, and a message popped up notifying Alan his armor was damaged.

“Sorry, that was an accident. I hope nothing worse happens if you stay here longer,” the Predecessor said, staring at Alan menacingly.

Alan looked up blankly at the Predecessor, not taking the hint. “Um, okay? Here’s the crystal, to help with the, um, quest?”

Alan, I believe the Predecessor was threatening you, trying to get you to leave.

Oh, he was? Why would he do that?

Unclear.

Um, right.

The Predecessor stared down at the miniscule human holding out the little crystal, then let out a throaty chuckle. It took the crystal out of Alan’s hand in a blur of movement.

“Ha! That’s good, quite good. The stones on you, eh? Very well, I suppose I’ll deposit this bit of energy. What are a couple more centuries of imprisonment, anyway?”

Trying to hide from the Predecessor that he had been obtuse, rather than brave, Alan hurriedly said, “What do you mean, a couple more centuries of imprisonment?”