Augustus moved away from Edmund's gaze and returned to the terminal, his fingers trembling slightly as he pulled up the complete impact analysis. The more he studied the seismic signature, the more unsettling the pattern became. The deceleration curve was too precise, too calculated. It suggested not just intelligence, but a level of technological sophistication that made his scientific worldview feel suddenly fragile.
Marcus was still staring at the main display, his face illuminated by the phosphorescent glow of the monitors. "Augustus, look at this," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "The electromagnetic readings. They're still climbing. Whatever's down there isn't dormant—it's active. It's doing something."
Augustus leaned in closer, his eyes widening as he absorbed the data. The electromagnetic signature was unlike anything in their instruments' calibration range. It pulsed with a rhythm that almost seemed organic, wave patterns that suggested not random radiation but intentional transmission.
"That's not possible," he murmured, echoing Marcus's earlier words.
From across the command center, Edmund was on a secure communication line, his voice low and clipped. "Yes, sir. Confirmed impact event. Unknown origin. Yes, I understand the implications." He paused, listening to whoever was on the other end. "The facility is secure. Dr. Foster is analyzing the data now. No, sir. He doesn't know what it is yet."
Augustus felt a chill run through him. Edmund's last statement carried an undertone that suggested the military liaison knew far more than he was revealing. The way he'd responded to the controlled descent data—not with shock, but with grim recognition—indicated this wasn't entirely unexpected.
Commander Voss was coordinating with the technicians, attempting to establish communication with the sealed section. Static crackled through the speakers, occasionally punctuated by what might have been voices, but nothing intelligible.
"Dr. Foster." Edmund had ended his call and was approaching the terminal again. "How long until you can provide a comprehensive analysis?"
"That depends," Augustus said carefully, "on how much information you're willing to share with me about what you already know."
The tension between them crystallized in that moment, unspoken but unmistakable.