Page 40 of The Lost Empress

“I’m not a squirrel, remember?” he said, climbing up on Emperor’s back when the dragon offered his wing, the gesture indicating that he could have a ride. When Faraday was back in the saddle, he looked down at Gen. “As a man, I was allergic to pretty much everything. When I became a squirrel, nothing changed.”

“I see,” Gen consoled. “Well, hopefully we’re getting closer and being up high on Emperor will help.”

“We’re definitely close,” Emperor said, looking ahead.

Gen and Faraday followed his line of sight, seeing what caught his attention. The dragon was right, they had arrived at the meteor site based on the way the ground was smoking, sending wisps of sulfur and ash into the air.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

THE DESCENT INTO THE ALIEN ABYSS

Santa Monica Mountains, California, United States

As Gen, Faraday and Emperor made their way up the rugged slopes of the Santa Monica Mountains, the air around them began to change. The once-clear sky slowly transformed into a hazy, ash-filled canopy, casting an eerie, grayish hue over the landscape. The acrid smell of sulfur assaulted their nostrils, growing stronger with each step they took.

Faraday, who was now perched atop Emperor’s head to give him the best vantage point and provide him with better quality air, scanned the surroundings with a mix of excitement and trepidation. His keen senses, honed by years of scientific exploration, seemed to detect the subtle shifts in the environment that signaled their proximity to the crater.

“We’re getting close,” he chirped, his tail twitching with anticipation. He glanced down at the device in his paws. “Yes, we’re nearly on top of the crater according to the activity I’m picking up on here.”

Gen, her shiny leather armored suit glinting in the diffused light, nodded in agreement. She could feel the heat emanating from the ground beneath her feet, the soles of her boots growing warmer with each passing moment. Wispy tendrils of steam curled up from the cracks in the earth, carrying with them the pungent odor of ancient, long-dormant gasses.

As they climbed higher, the terrain became more treacherous. Jagged rocks and loose scree threatened to send them tumbling down the mountainside, while hidden vents released sudden bursts of scalding vapor, forcing them to navigate carefully.

Faraday had jumped off the top of the dragon’s head where he was a target for attacks. He jumped into Gen’s arms and she cradled the little squirrel closely since his fur made him more flammable than the rider or dragon. Emperor, his scales glistening with a sheen of condensation, used his wings to shield Gen and Faraday from the worst of the steam.

Suddenly, a flicker of movement caught Gen’s eye. She turned, her hand instinctively reaching for Bellumferrum at her side, but then she remembered that the Weapon of War was unpredictable. Instead, she didn’t chance pulling out her only weapon, but rather tried to make out what was hovering in the distance, obscured by smoke and steam.

When the image before them came into view, Gen gasped at the sight in front of her. Hovering in the air were dozens of small, luminous creatures, their bodies pulsing with an otherworldly glow. They resembled a cross between a firefly and a hummingbird, their delicate wings buzzing as they darted about in intricate patterns.

Faraday poked his head out, observing the sight before them. His eyes widened with wonder. He went straight to work, turning the dial on his device as he struggled to move in Gen’s arms. He pressed on the earpiece, listening and attempting to communicate with the creatures. The little squirrel frowned with defeat. It appeared that where once there had been a clear connection, now there was only silence. The creatures, it seemed, were no longer responding or sending communications for him to interpret…or these weren’t the aliens he’d been speaking to at all.

Undeterred, Gen pressed onward, following the increasing intensity of the heat and the thickening veil of ash. The steam grew more frequent and forceful, creating a dizzying maze of thermal currents that threatened to disorient them. Emperor, his senses sharp and his instincts honed, guided them through the treacherous landscape, his wingbeats creating swirling eddies in the steam.

As they climbed, the glowing creatures became more numerous, their hypnotic light patterns casting a mesmerizing glow on the mountainside. Gen found herself entranced by the display, her steps faltering as she struggled to maintain focus. It was only Emperor’s gentle nudges and warning growls that kept her moving forward, reminding her of their mission.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of battling the elements and the creatures’ disorienting light show, the three reached the mouth of the crater. Gen, her brow damp with sweat and her lungs heavy with the sulfurous air, peered over the edge, her eyes straining to penetrate the dense canopy of vegetation that had grown over the ancient impact site.

Below them, the crater stretched out like a hidden world, its depths obscured by a tangle of trees and vines. The air within the crater was thick and heavy, the heat and humidity creating a shimmering haze that danced above the forest floor. Through the gaps in the canopy, Gen caught glimpses of the pulsating glow of the meteor fragments, their energy casting an eerie, otherworldly light on the surrounding vegetation.

At the center of the crater, barely visible through the dense foliage, lay a massive, dark shape—the remains of the ancient meteor. Its surface was pitted and scarred, a testament to the violence of its impact and the eons it had spent spiraling through space. Gen, Faraday and Emperor exchanged a knowing glance, their hearts racing with the thrill of discovery and the challenge that lay ahead.

They had found the crater, but the true test was still to come. To reach the meteor and claim the precious fragments, they would have to brave the unknown dangers that lurked within the heart of this alien landscape. With a deep breath and a nod of determination, Gen stepped forward, ready to face whatever lay ahead.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

THE BLINDING BEACON OF FIRST CONTACT

Santa Monica Mountains, California, United States

As Gen, Faraday and Emperor descended into the crater, the air grew thicker and more oppressive with each step. The heat was now a tangible force, pressing against Gen’s skin like a suffocating blanket. The glowing creatures continued their mesmerizing dance, their light patterns becoming more frenzied and erratic as the trio approached the center of the crater.

Navigating through the dense undergrowth, Emperor slashed a path through the tangled vines and branches. His claws pulsed with power, making loud ripping noises. The dragon tore easily through the thick branches and vines, his sharp claws gleaming in the eerie light cast by the pulsating meteor fragments. Faraday, his fur damp with sweat, clung tightly to Gen’s neck, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger.

As they neared the base of the meteor, the ground beneath their feet began to tremble. Steam vents erupted with renewed ferocity, creating a disorienting maze of scalding mist. The glowing creatures, seemingly agitated by the disturbance and their proximity to the meteor, began to swarm around them, their buzzing wings creating a deafening cacophony.

Suddenly, a burst of energy erupted from the meteor, sending shockwaves rippling through the crater. Gen and Emperor braced themselves against the onslaught, shielding Faraday from the worst of the blast. The glowing creatures, now frenzied, began to dive-bomb the trio, their tiny bodies glowing with an intense, searing heat.

Gen, her reflexes honed by years of combat, sprang into action. She swung her arms around her face, in wide arcs, trying to encourage the creatures back without hurting them. Her instinct told her that she should simply protect herself by not harming the aliens. However, this tactic wasn’t working well enough, and the flying creatures were scratching at her hands and arms, pinching her face when they got in close.

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