Page 247 - The Chronicles Ser2 (6-10)

Hylon and the Hybrids
Dagnor was reading through the reports of the first aerial scout survey; and the latest
transmissions from the fleet back at the platform. Maps and stellar cartography didn’t match with
what they were seeing now; compared with the ones sent from the platform. There had been
extensive changes. The artificial system seemed to have shifted position in relation to the other star
systems. The land scape below had changed too. The vast open plains and farmlands; interspaced
with large settlements and cities. The layout reminded him of the Taxxan territories before the last
exodus was forced upon Terra. From what the surface scans showed, there seemed to be a lot of
mechanisation of infrastructure and systems. The stealth ability of the remote drones meant that
population centres could be looked at; from a discrete distance. There appeared to be distinct
colonies of individual species; each one being a species taken by the Aradash or the Hurabash. But
the figures didn’t match up. There should have been greater numbers. His intercom buzzed.
“Yes; what is it?” he barked
“Commander T’luha asked me to inform you that the special landers are ready and primed sir!” the
young ensign’s voice said
“Thank you Ensign Tuulk. Tell her I’m on my
way” he responded and singed off. He; like
the others was puzzled by the scans. He left
for Engineering and arrived just as T’luha and
Midas were signing off the preparatory work
sheets. The two landers were of a new
design. They looked vaguely like ancient
dirigibles with propeller drives. The design
had been chosen to be “less aggressive” in
appearance. To him they just looked
antiquated; but that was deceptive.
“What are those pod things for?” He asked. Midas looked at what he was pointing at.
“Ah; those are secondary sensor array pods. The lateral “seam” hides the main sensory and weapons
arrays, not that we expect to need weapons of course” he replied.
“Humph! I just think they look a little stupid. Makes the ship look like it’s got some kind of skin
disease” Dagnor commented. T’luha looked about ready to explode then burst out laughing
“I guess they do at that!” she giggled “Seriously though; they contain the latest tech from Venosia
Prime and Mars Planetia developments. They cover a greater spectrum than the ones on the
Endeavour’s secondary array. And judging by those initial reports; we may need them. Overhead
scans of one of the Northern population sensors seem to indicate most of it is underground” she
added
“Well the Eloi did say that they have been out of touch with their central government for decades.
The same would seem to be true for this place” Dagnor noted “Have the teams been assigned?” He
asked
“Yes; and all the portable equipment and supplies are stowed. We just need your go ahead for
launch; as soon are we are aboard that is” T’luha replied
“I’ll head back to the bridge you two get to your respective ships. May the Maker be with you. You
may launch when ready” Dagnor ordered and headed back to the bridge. Midas and T’luha went
their separate ways and the two “Airships” launched and headed slowly into the atmosphere of
Hylon. T’luha’s target was originally an Untharan habitat near to what appeared to be a grain and
produce centre. Midas was to explore the large settlement they’d found near the equator. The scans

showed no obvious signs of life; to all intents and purposes it
appeared deserted. It was situated near the coast of a vast
inland sea; and stretched back inland for hundreds of
kilometres. A huge “island” off the coast appeared to be some
kind of city in its own right. Some signs of decay were present.