“A bird in the tree is never free, a bird in flight is always right.”

-Kozan superstition meaning “never take the easy way out”.

This Silicarite’s structure was all too familiar to Mercury. The five-sided facet on its front, the distinctly blue mineral structures. The stocky, 1.5 unit tall structure.

“Pentagonal Prism.”

“Mercury. You’re here seeking the Heart too, aren’t you? I should have suspected you would,” Pentagonal Prism’s refractions flickered through its structure with menacing intent, almost blinding Mercury’s perception with its intensity. Penta’s own AR unit also automatically translated its Silicarish into Battus’ vibrational language, with a similar degree of severity.

“Mercury? What’s going on? Do you know this guy?”

“That Silicarite is a mineral seeker named Pentagonal Prism, also known as Penta, or more infamously, The Killer Quartz. You may easily surmise how it acquired that title,” Mercury assumed a more defensive stance, partially shielding Battus. Thankfully the canyon separating the group from Pentagonal Prism’s position was likely enough to prevent physical assault, but Mercury was not absolutely certain.

Penta’s upper limbs were currently formed into rounded clumsy clubs, with a cluster of particularly sharpened crystals at the terminus of each, an effective wrecking ball for smashing its own path through the labyrinthian cave. Presumably it had been tunneling directly to the signal source.

The Killer Quartz never had the delicate touch Mercury upheld when it came to mineral seeking. It was always seeking the quickest paths to its targets, and destroying anything in its way. A significant number of times, that obstacle had been Mercury itself, ending on multiple occasions in direct conflict. It seems that this mission was no different.

“You are certainly the cause of the destruction of my vessel. Do not feign ignorance,” Mercury was completely still, its only movement being subtle changes in its internal structures to communicate in Silicarish.

“I cannot get anything by you, can I? Very well, I admit that I did shoot down a Silicarite ship, but the fact that it was yours is just a bonus. All is fair when it comes to propagite hunting, after all. And you’re still here to tell the tale.”

Penta readjusted its stance, facing Battus more directly. “And you found yourself a pet. Do you really feel the need to follow protocol out here? No galactic officer is going to check on anything happening on a planet this technologically underdeveloped.”

“I, for one, respect the protocol on a basis deeper than the prospects of repercussion from authority. Not that a glorified pebble like you would understand,” Mercury’s upper limbs crossed across the middle of its structure, a defensive stance that represented its animosity towards Penta. The two Silicarites were stationed at a standstill across the pit from each other, a tense standoff between mineral seekers.

Mercury. You have to tell Pentagonal Prism that the Heart isn’t here. Crystal’s communication in Mercury’s mind conveyed a meaning beyond words. She was apprehensive, uneasy. Fearful. I know what it's capable of, and we can’t let the Crystalline Heart fall into its possession.

Mercury refracted to itself, taking care to be dim enough so the translator and the other Silicarite would not be able to discern it. “It has already detected the signal, Crystal. Penta will not be so easily deceived, particularly in the case of such a valuable artifact.”

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The signal isn't there anymore.

Mercury interacted with its AR interface, verifying that the signal had indeed vanished. The last known coordinates were still displayed, but the system was no longer able to update. In fact, all communication was non-functional here, a most unusual phenomenon. Mercury had been able to traverse down into planetary cores and still have instant galactic communication. Something else was blocking it.

“Pentagonal Prism. The Heart’s signal is no longer here. I believe that someone else may have already claimed the Heart, or that it was never here to begin with. A false report,” Mercury refracted across the chasm. It shifted between its base columns. Penta utilized its own AR unit.

“...this information is correct, but your guess may be just as misleading. Why should I take it at face value? Perhaps you already took the Heart and blocked its signal,” Penta refracted accusingly.

“...if I already had the Heart, I would leave the planet as soon as possible. Especially since you make for unpleasant company during the most opportune times,” Mercury refracted truthfully.

“Certainly. But, your ship has been destroyed, as you admitted yourself. So how are you planning to leave, with or without the Heart?” Penta’s smug refractions caught Mercury off guard for a moment, but this was a battle of wits. Mercury had the advantage over Pentagonal Prism here, as long as the situation did not escalate to violence, which was unlikely due to the physical obstacle between them. The clear victory in this precarious situation lay in following the logic to its natural conclusion.

“I have already arranged for transportation for my companion,” Mercury lied. “I will simply tag along when it arrives. In the meantime, however, I was attempting to seek out any other smaller deposits of propagite within these caves,” Mercury paused, waiting for a response from Penta. The Killer Quartz did not move. Perhaps a minute amount of further convincing was required.

“If the Heart is indeed off-planet at this point, I will unfortunately be unable to pursue it until I can obtain a replacement vessel,” Mercury hoped that Penta would be able to make the final logical connection; if it were to draw its own conclusions, the deception would be complete.

“In which case… I will have an immense head start. Goodbye Mercury,” The other Silicarite turned, disassembling another wall forcefully with its limbs. Penta shifted through the new tunnel it had created, adjacent to the other it had entered through, making one last refraction towards the group. “I hope you die on this miserable speck.”

And with that disdainful remark, Pentagonal Prism made its exit and disappeared, its blue light fading from the cavern walls.

Battus exhumed air forcefully. Mercury realized that he had not cycled atmosphere through his body for the majority of the encounter with Penta. Most unusual.

Tintin began scanning the environment once more and re-established its connection to the AR unit. The MAR-U’s usual data stream had apparently been severed while Pentagonal Prism was present, presumably a safety precaution to prevent any data leaks.

“...what the hell was that guy’s deal?” Battus vibrated.

“Pentagonal Prism is….” Mercury trailed off, attempting to find the correct phrase to describe Penta.

Pentagonal Prism is the reason I had to save you in the jungle. Crystal emerged from Battus' jacket. Her glow progressively lit up the cave more and more. It has no respect for this place, it has no respect for the life around it, it has no respect for you. Crystal’s mood was somber, as opposed to her usual lighthearted disposition.

C’mon, we’re almost there. Crystal flew through the air, further along the path into the tunnels ahead.