The Future Frontiers (Shadow Veil Saga Book 3) by Miroslav Kucera

Author:Miroslav Kucera [Kucera, Miroslav]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-05-23T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 17

Olivia stood before the assembled crew in the dimly lit briefing room, the holographic display of the anomaly casting an eerie glow on their faces. She met each of their gazes, seeing a mix of fear and determination reflected back at her.

"I know the anomaly represents the greatest unknown we've ever faced," Olivia began, her voice steady despite the uncertainty gnawing at her gut. "But this is also our chance to make the discovery of a lifetime - to venture where no human has gone before and unravel the mysteries of the cosmos."

She tapped the controls and the hologram zoomed in on the anomaly's swirling vortex. "Based on our scans, we believe the heart of the anomaly lies through this central passage," she explained, tracing a winding route with her finger. "It won't be easy - the gravitational forces are immense and our sensors are nearly blind in there."

"What about those...things we saw on the edge?" asked Jensen, the burly security chief, a flicker of apprehension crossing his normally stoic features.

Olivia nodded grimly. "We have to assume the anomaly contains hostile entities. Non-terrestrial life forms, or something else entirely. We'll need to stay on high alert." She looked around at her crew - engineers, scientists, each the best in their field. They had trained for this, but nothing could fully prepare them for what lay ahead.

She steeled her resolve. They had come too far to turn back now. "We'll take it slow, stay in close formation, and watch each other's backs. Whatever happens in there, we face it together. Understood?"

A chorus of "Aye, Captain" rang out as the crew snapped to attention. Olivia allowed herself a moment of pride. They were ready. As ready as they could be.

"Suit up and report to the airlock in ten," she ordered. "It's time." The crew filed out, moving with focused intensity. Olivia lingered behind, her gaze drawn to the swirling anomaly. Her pulse quickened, curiosity and trepidation warring within her. Every instinct screamed at her to turn the ship around, to flee back to the safety of Earth. But she knew she could not shy away from this, humanity's first foray into the true unknown.

They assembled at the airlock, a dozen figures in gleaming spacesuits, pushing aside their fears with gallows humor and pre-mission rituals. Olivia took her place at the front and punched in the outer door controls. Hydraulics hummed as the thick blast door opened, revealing the rippling mouth of the anomaly, energy dancing across its surface.

"Onwards into the abyss," Olivia whispered to herself, the old explorer's mantra steadying her nerves. She stepped through the shimmering barrier - and the universe twisted around her. Colors and shapes bent at impossible angles. Gravity lurched sickeningly as senses struggled to interpret the alien surroundings.

They had breached the anomaly, plunging headfirst into a realm beyond human conception. Olivia pushed down her rising panic, fighting to think past the relentless disorientation. The crew needed her clearheaded and in control.

She checked her tether and suit

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