OCCULTA

Written by: Chris Fennell, Anne Grimm, Megan Hasenwinkel, and Rachel Seow

Written for Vibs Petersen, FYS 27
December 11, 1997

CHAPTER 3

"Simeon, this is Dawn. Come to my office."

"I'll be there momentarily.", replied Sim as he pushed the transmit button on the communicator attached to his left ear. He looked over the workplace and quickly sealed and stored all the open samples. It was about time to stop running component scans, so this call made for a good excuse to leave the laboratory. When he finished meeting with Dawn, he decided that he would go to the research terminal to analyze the data he had spent the last two hours accumulating. Hopefully the sodium content in the soil would be high enough to transport to Agrilane refinery. Top-soil is very difficult to synthesize, so Agrilane needs specifically proportioned soil sights from which to culture new batches.

When the containers were all closed and atmosphered, they retracted back into the wall, where the System catalogued them into the appropriate branch of the storage nexus. Sim could come back and recall them whenever he wanted, having the soil in his hands almost instantaneously.

The System ran the storage nexus just as efficiently as it coordinated the rest of the departments in the Science Center. He breathed a sigh of relief as the room returned to the ideal climate. The System constantly adjusted the air in the lab in order to cater to the sample being studied. These continuous changes of climate made him feel uneasy, since he couldn't change garments accordingly. Today was a pink day, and it felt odd wearing pink clothing in a room with yellow weather. He always felt relief when the room returned to the day's standard climate, which was maintained in all buildings of the city.

Sim stepped out of the laboratory and set out at a brisk pace towards Dawn's office. Dawn was head of the research department, and that put her high on the information pyramid of the Science Center. Normally, Sim reports his experiment findings and project petitions to Jace, his division coordinator, so he was surprised to get a direct call from Dawn. It's well known that she likes to keep up with the status of the various projects handled in research. If this was today's case, chances are that she only wants a first hand update on how the ground in the eastern development zone is turning out. However, in her summon she sounded more direct, so it could be something entirely different. He will just have to wait and find out.

On the way, he made a quick stop at the refresher in order to sterilize his hands and get a drink of water. He was parched from those long uncomfortable hours spent in the laboratory. Feeling recharged, he exited the refresher and quickened his pace so as not to keep Dawn waiting.

Sim arrived to find the door open with her standing at the desk, eyes cast downward upon the built-in terminal screen. Her head snapped up at the sound of his footsteps, but her gaze was still somewhat downcast due to her height. Sim's modest 6'4" build usually meant that he would end up looking up to many people, but it was something he had grown used to.

"Come in and close the door.", she said. "I received a transmit that you should look at."

Sim stepped through the opening and pressed the release panel that held the door open. It slid shut silently behind him as he walked over to the desk to look at the terminal previously occupying her attention. On the display was video footage (undoubtedly taken by the orbiting meteorological satellite) of a massive pit, violently spewing forth smoke and flaming debris.

"What is it?", Sim asked, unable to take his eyes off the startling images.

"I don't know.", she replied. "Apparently Storm Sat. picked up a massive thermal spike a few hours ago. When it was moved to investigate, these images were received. According to the attached data, it's only four hundred miles to the southwest."

"This is fascinating. What are we going to do about it?"

"Well, we plan on sending you out to investigate."

"What? Why send me?", asked Sim, startled at the prospect of facing that fiery inferno.

"You were requested by The Executive. You will travel in one of the hoverlifts, and once out there, you can collect soil samples and study the surrounding ground. Your opinion as a pedologist is of the highest value in understanding this phenomenon."

This last statement really eased up the tension surrounding a project so different and unpredictable. It was true that his knowledge and expertise would be essential in deciphering the cause of such a strange and unexpected occurrence. He had been groomed for this position for as far back as he could remember. After his years at the School Box, Simeon was immediately placed under the apprenticeship of the Science Center's former pedologist. This arrangement lasted until his predecessor's death, not three years back. Sim assumed the title of Center Pedologist, and he is expected to remain in this place until it comes time to pass the torch off to the next generation, as it was handed off to him. This cycle of generations ensured complete passing of professional knowledge and individual development of specialized skills and abilities.

This importance and professional duty overshadowed the fact that he had done outdoor fieldwork only once before, and that was when he was an apprentice. It was only during projects of this magnitude that automated presence would not be enough. However, Sim could not recollect a single expedition that took place so far outside. This project would remove him from the safety of the city for it's duration. Such an experience would be totally alien, but these risks are required by his duty to the profession.

"The decisions of The Executive are always for the betterment of the people," replied Simeon with unexaggerated conviction. "Will I be assisted in any way during this expedition?"

"You will travel alone, but you will be in constant connection with the Science Center through the communication systems aboard the hoverlift. You have full freedom of action in this matter. I know this entire situation is different, but such an odd occurrence requires a unique handling."

"When do I leave?"

"The hoverlift is already being prepared and should be ready in an hour.

Fast action is essential, so you will leave when the craft is readied. Go change into gray travel garb and collect any necessary supplies. Be at the lift bay in a half an hour to load up the craft."

With the meeting at its end, Sim exited the room and headed back to his residence. There he would change and pick up any specific personal supplies. If the craft was being prepared, then they would already have all the specific observational instruments taken care of. Today's accumulated laboratory data could wait awhile; right now he had a task that was the will of The Executive. This new mission definitely took precedence.

Continue to Chapter 4