my ear. The comm connection was imperfect; I struggled to make sense of the technology’s words. “Sight-capture in an attempt to vindicate … unsuccessful. Be … ikthekal descend upon … hunting … invaders. BoKama’s health … fear for her safety.”
“VELMA,” I said. “I do not understand all that you said. Repeat.”
Silence in my comm. I batted at my helmet, but nothing changed.
“Esra,” I said. “Did VELMA contact you?”
“No,” she answered, looking up at me. We were in a small chamber tumbled with rocks from the last landquake and trying to determine which tunnel to take. Even though Joan had staked two more T-samplers into the ground across many veltiks, VELMA’s comms had diminished in quality and frequency.
Glancing at the robot, I saw that it stood charging with someone’s battery pack.
“Did CeCe say where they were?” I asked the group in general.
“No,” Joan answered. “I got the sense they were close, though.”
“They exited the Agothe-Fax tunnel and likely took the Bridge Pass from there,” Natheka said. “If they were on the land bridge when the quake came ….” His voice trailed off, and I grunted.
“This is a grim quest, indeed,” Hivelt said.
“VELMA attempted to communicate with me,” I said. “Her words were disjointed or missing. I am led to believe there was a sight-capture of some sort and invaders were mentioned. I don’t know if that means Ikshe has fallen under attack. In fact, I know very little, though I heard several concerning words.”
Pattee bowed her head and put her hand beside her helmet. I suspected she attempted to communicate with VELMA to get answers.
“There isn’t much we can do from here,” Raxkarax said, absently rubbing Joan’s back. “Let us reunite with Raxthezana and CeCe and let us complete our quest. We are as nothing when we are under the mountain. Time passes differently. We travel forgotten and alone, save for each other.”
“This is wisdom,” I said but looked around at the others. They nodded and pulled their mates closer. “We will set up camp here and wait,” I said. “And hope to receive a clearer message soon.”