The crawler ratcheted down the crater’s steep curve. A prototype Alpine rescue vehicle, it looked like a snowcat with a gimbal-mounted cab that kept occupants upright at all times.

“Transmission status?” Though looking calm to the rest of the team, Seifert’s heart was a triphammer as the crawler drew near the unidentified life forms.

Rast’s voice crackled in his headset. “All readings nominal. The energy spikes from the ULFs have stabilized.”

“Have we determined the cause yet?”

“No, sir. But analysis says we’re still within safe protocol.”

Seifert wondered if the analysts would change their tune if they were down here with him.

The crawler clanked to a stop. His team’s expressions of excitement and fear were evident even through the hazard suit faceplates.

“Base to First Contact One. You are go.”

Seifert nodded to Gygax, who triggered the exterior display to scroll the binary equivalent of peaceful greetings.

“Affirmative, Base.” Seifert adjusted his hazard suit and clambered from the crawler.