Ancient Relics (Shadow of the Ancients Book 1) by Ellema Ummia Page B

Gidim, however, the details also include a hazard
warning.
    Logan re-opens the channel to the bridge, “Commander,
I have coordinates, but there is a hazard warning affixed to them. It says the
planet suffered a major battle and was left uninhabitable.”
    “Another charred world I see,” Commander Asim notes
in response.
    Logan holds his head down and replies, “I’m afraid
so, Commander.”
    Commander Asim is heard informing the helm and crew,
“OK, making way to the Gidim system. Prepare for warp travel.”
    With that, the ship starts to hum from the engines
warming-up for the jump. Minutes later, The Wayfarer jumps into warp en route
to the Gidim system.

Chapter 15 - Gidim
    A scan of the Gidim system conducted before arrival
indicated the system housed two red dwarf stars and a few minor planets. Heavy
radiation emits from the system, showing that the system is in the processes of
complete decay.
    Being red dwarf stars, the system should have a few
billion years of life left in it. However, the system does not appear to have
much time left.
    Upon arrival, a scan of the system showed familiar
readings.
    The science station officer completes the scan and
reports, “The system matches a system already on file.”
    Commander Asim looks over to the science station and
asks, “How can that be? This region is unexplored.”
    “According to these readings, Sir, someone has been
here previously,” the young officer informs the commander.
    Commander Asim walks over to the science station
terminal and views the readings.
    “Terra Desolace?!” he exclaims inquisitively.
    The science officer looks up at Commander Asim and
replies, “Yes Sir. Discovered by an explorer named Emanuel Vega during an
expedition to chart the dark side of the galaxy about 150 years ago.”
    “Dr. Logan,” Commander Asim calls out to the ships
communication system.
    Logan reaches over to his communication terminal and
presses a flashing button, “Yes Commander?”
    “We apparently have been here before,” Commander
Asim informs Logan.
    Continuing his explanation, Commander Asim tells
Logan the brief story, “About 150 years ago, an explorer named Emanuel Vega
discovered this system and called the planet we are looking at Terra Desolace.”
    Logan quickly interrupts Commander Asim in
recognition of the name, “I’ve heard of that planet. The history files tell how
he named the planet due to it being a desolated planet, scorched and marred by
some untold battle or cataclysm.”
    “Ah, so I don’t need to tell you what this readout
says. Good. That will save time. How do you wish to proceed?” the commander
asks.
    As Logan works at his console, he provides Commander
Asim with how he wishes to proceed.
    “Let’s send some drones to the surface to do some
deeper scans. If they yield anything fruitful, we can send a small recon team
to secure the hot-spots and then conduct a more extensive survey,” Logan
replies.
    “Very well,” Commander Asim acknowledges.
    Turning back to the science officer, the commander
signals him to launch probe-bots.
    The science officer initiates a launch of twenty
probe-bots.
    Grouped in pairs of two, each group launches to
several geostatic points around the decrepit planet.
    Upon approach to each pair’s coordinates, a relay
probe records and sends data back to the ship while the other scans and shares
its data with the relay probe.
    The science officer then sends any updated commands
back to the relay probe for the pair to execute.
    “Sir, the probe-bots in sector Fifty-One read a
strong signal for potential artificial structures about thirty meters below the
surface,” the science officer announces to the commander.
    Commander Asim opens a comms channel to Logan and
relays the find.
    “Professor, we have a strong signal in sector
Fifty-One,” he states.
    The commander pauses for a few minutes to allow
Logan to activate a replay link before asking, “How do you wish to proceed?”
    Logan confirms