The tension on Helios-3 was palpable. A day had passed since the Leviathan task force's arrival, and their presence already rippled through the colony. In the meeting room aboard the Dauntless Horizon, Dr. Calder Vrenna, the task force leader, sat across from Marian LeVane. The CEO of Leviathan Industries, on a secure video call. Behind him, his team worked diligently, analyzing data on the black pillar.
On the screen before Calder, Marian exuded her usual calm authority, her piercing gaze locking onto him. The faint hum of machinery filled the silence before Calder began to speak.
“Ms. LeVane.” Calder said, leaning forward slightly, “Our advanced equipment has confirmed the presence of an energy signature within the pillar.”
Marian tilted her head. “How faint?”
“Faint enough that our initial scans couldn’t detect it.” Calder explained. “It’s almost as though the energy signature is... dormant. It doesn’t pulse or radiate outward like most known energy sources. Instead, it’s concentrated. Localized entirely within the structure.”
Marian frowned, considering this. “Localized energy of that nature suggests purpose. Something functional.”
“Precisely.” Calder said. “We believe the energy might be tied to whatever purpose the pillar once served. However, its signature is too weak to allow for thorough analysis. We’ll need a physical sample of the material to study its properties.”
Marian’s expression remained unreadable. “A sample?”
“Yes.” Calder confirmed. “Just a small piece. We’ve developed a specialized method to extract it without destabilizing the structure. But given the artifact’s significance, we wanted to consult you before proceeding.”
Marian’s fingers steepled. The request wasn’t unreasonable, but she knew this decision couldn’t be made lightly. The implications of tampering with the artifact, positive or negative could reshape the corporation’s future.
“I’ll need to confer with my executive board before I can authorize this.” Marian said. “I’ll reconvene with you after I’ve made a decision. For now, continue your observations without taking any samples.”
“Understood." Calder replied, though his expression betrayed his impatience.
Meanwhile, on the planet’s surface, the colony’s routine continued, albeit with added tension. Inside one of the mining sites, Finn, Tessa, and Quinn were helping process ore deposits from a recent excavation.
“Do you think the task force is actually making progress?” Quinn asked as he loaded chunks of raw material onto a conveyor.
Finn shrugged. “Depends on what you call progress. They’re definitely doing... something.”
“Something.” Tessa echoed dryly, wiping sweat from her brow. “I mean, they showed up with all their fancy tech, but they still seem just as stumped as we were.”
Quinn smirked. “Maybe we should’ve just waved a spanner at the pillar. Same results, less effort.”
Finn chuckled but didn’t respond. His mind kept drifting back to the strange image he’d seen on the scanner the previous day. The red eye, its black pupil focused directly on him. He hadn’t mentioned it to anyone, unsure if it had been real or just a trick of his exhausted mind.
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A few meters away, Elias Crane and Clare Voss observed the workers while engaged in a quiet conversation.
“I’m not sure about this task force.” Clare admitted. “Something about Calder doesn’t sit right with me. He’s too... clinical.”
Elias crossed his arms, his expression thoughtful. “That’s probably why Marian sent him. He’s not here to make friends. He’s here to solve a problem.”
“Yeah, but at what cost?” Clare asked. “The pillar’s been here for God knows how long. What if they mess with something they don’t understand?”
Elias glanced toward the horizon, where the task force’s ship gleamed faintly in the distance. “I’ve been asking myself the same thing. It’s not just about the pillar anymore, is it? It’s about control. Whatever’s in that chamber... it could change everything for Leviathan. And Marian isn’t the type to leave something like that untouched.”
Elias sighed, running a hand through his graying hair. “Let’s just hope they know what they’re doing.”
Later that afternoon, Marian reconvened with her executive board in the sleek conference room of Leviathan’s orbital headquarters. The atmosphere was tense, the weight of their discussion evident in every furrowed brow and exchanged glance.
Seated around the table were familiar faces. Alaric Voss(Head of Research and Development), Elena Karros (Chief Legal Officer), Victoria Malik (Head of Security Operations), Hugo Ren (Head of Logistics), Darian Wolfe (Chief Financial Officer), and Lena Corvin (Head of the Exploratory Initiative).
“Calder has requested permission to extract a sample from the artifact.” Marian began, addressing the room. “A small piece, for analysis. Thoughts?”
Alaric was the first to speak. “Scientifically, it’s the only logical step forward. Without a physical sample, we’re working blind.”
“I disagree.” Elena interjected. “Tampering with the artifact could have unforeseen consequences. If something goes wrong, the legal ramifications could be catastrophic.”
“We’re already walking a fine line just by being here.” Victoria added. “If this thing is tied to something dangerous, do we really want to poke it?”
Hugo leaned back in his chair. “On the other hand, if we do nothing, we gain nothing. The colony’s resources aren’t enough to justify our presence here. The artifact is the key to making this venture profitable.”
“That’s not a guarantee.” Darian countered. “Spending resources on a gamble could sink us further. We’re already stretched thin on other projects.”
The debate grew heated, with voices overlapping as each executive defended their position. Finally, Marian raised a hand, silencing the room.
“Enough.” she said. “This decision isn’t one I’ll make lightly. If Calder’s team takes a sample, they’ll be working under strict guidelines, with accountability at every step. I want a vote.”
The room fell silent as Marian called for a show of hands.
“Those in favor of allowing the task force to extract a sample?”
One by one, hands rose around the table. Alaric, Hugo, Lena, and eventually, Darian. Albeit, reluctantly.
“And those opposed?”
Victoria and Elena raised their hands, their expressions grim but resolute.
“The majority has spoken.” Marian said. “Calder will have his sample.”
A few hours later
That night, under the cold glow of portable work lights, Calder’s team prepared to extract a fragment of the black pillar. The chamber was eerily quiet, the usual hum of equipment muted as everyone held their breath.
Using a laser cutter calibrated to the highest precision, the team carefully scraped away at the pillar’s surface. Sparks flew as the tool made contact, and the chamber seemed to groan faintly, though it could have been the workers’ imagination.
After what felt like an eternity, a small shard of the pillar, no larger than a fingernail broke free. Calder quickly caught it in a sterile container and sealing it immediately.
“We’ve got it.” he announced, his voice filled with both relief and triumph.
As the team exited the chamber with their prize, the air seemed heavier, as though the artifact itself was aware of their intrusion.
Deep within the black pillar, the Flesh God stirred, its consciousness brushing against the edges of reality. It had watched them work, felt the faint vibrations of their tools against its prison.
“They’ve done it.” it thought, its voice cold and mirthless. A low, rasping chuckle echoed through its mind, though no sound escaped the pillar.
The strength of its prison had diminished over the eons, worn down by time. While still formidable, it was no longer impervious. The tools of these humans, primitive yet precise had accomplished what it could not.
“They think they’ve gained something..” the Flesh God mused. “Fools. They’ve only ensured their downfall. Piece by piece, they’ll unmake the chains that bind me. And when I am free...”
Its thoughts trailed off, replaced by a silent promise of vengeance along with ambition beyond that. Once more, a low chuckle echoed through its mind.
"I will remind them all..."