Augustus leaned back from the terminal, his mind wrestling with the implications of what the data revealed. A controlled descent. Deceleration in the final moments. This wasn't an accident—it was precision. The kind of precision that suggested intelligence guiding whatever had fallen from the sky.
"Dr. Foster." Edmund's voice cut through his thoughts. "Your analysis."
Augustus turned to face the military liaison, noting the careful neutrality in his expression. Edmund stood with the posture of someone accustomed to command, his eyes tracking every monitor, every movement in the command center. There was something else there too—something that suggested Edmund wasn't surprised by the impact's controlled nature.
"The seismic signature shows deliberate deceleration," Augustus said carefully, watching Edmund's reaction. "Whatever hit the ice shelf was slowing itself down before impact. That takes sophisticated control systems."
"Could be a classified satellite," Voss suggested, but her tone suggested she didn't believe it.
"No satellite generates that energy signature," Marcus said, shaking his head. "And no satellite decelerates like that. The energy requirements would be—" He trailed off, looking at Augustus.
Edmund moved closer to the main display, his jaw tightening almost imperceptibly. "How long before we can access the impact zone?"
"The blast doors will remain sealed until structural integrity is verified," one of the technicians responded. "Estimated time is six to eight hours, assuming no further seismic activity."
Six to eight hours. Augustus thought of Zoey Huang, the communications specialist with her quick wit and sharper mind. David Okonkwo, the atmospheric scientist who'd been training for this position for five years. James Reeves, the equipment technician who'd shown genuine curiosity about the research beyond his job requirements. Three people trapped in the sealed section, with whatever had crashed through the ice.
"We need to attempt communication with the sealed section," Augustus said. "If they're alive, they might be able to provide information about what they saw."
Edmund's expression hardened slightly. "Communications in that section were likely damaged in the impact."
"Likely," Augustus repeated. "But not certainly. We have to try."
Commander Voss nodded. "Attempt all communication channels to section three. And Dr. Foster—" She paused, her eyes meeting his. "Find me answers about what just fell from the sky. Everything depends on understanding what we're dealing with."