Chapter 687 The rest of the plane (1)
In the passenger seat of Kael's armored vehicle, Erik sat, his gaze sweeping across the stark expanse of the White Desert.
The morning sun cast a soft, golden hue over the landscape, illuminating the snow-white sands that stretched before them.
The sand, pristine and unmarred, resembled a vast, frozen tundra under the gentle light of the sun. Shadows of the vehicle and occasional rock formations were etched against the pale ground, creating a striking contrast.
The monochrome panorama of the White Desert, with its undulating dunes and the gentle play of light and shadow, presented a scene of tranquil desolation.
The convoy had been searching for the remaining parts of the crashed plane for a while, and they got tired.
As Erik observed, the expressions on the faces of his comrades revealed their thoughts and feelings. Their bodies were weary, and they longed for some rest. Their wish was to go back home.
"Kael, any updates from the AI?" Erik turned his gaze to his friend, who was focused on driving while giving occasional glances to a small screen displaying data.
"The AI suggests the rest of the plane should be nearby, based on the trajectory and last known coordinates," Kael's eyes still glued to the road. Though the white desert was empty, and he didn't have problems looking at the screen.
"And the black box decryption?"
"It's still in progress. The AI hasn't completed it yet," Kael said, a hint of impatience in his voice.
Erik nodded, understanding the urgency but also the limitations of technology. However, he was eager to know what happened on the plane.
The attack may have been perpetrated either by an individual or by an external force. He was uncertain about the potential for a technological failure.
In addition, that individuals would attempt to attack the plane implied they possessed substantial financial resources, as hiring someone to target a heavily protected aircraft would require significant funding.
The issue at hand stemmed from the fact that, in the event of an attack on the plane, it seemed odd the attackers did not seize the cargo, especially considering their financial resources.
That unless their intentions were focused on a specific aim or driven by a desire for revenge against the plane owner. However, to Erik, it didn't seem to make much sense.
Although he believed that something had attacked the plane, he couldn't help but wonder what kind of creature could have possibly done it.
Aircraft ascended to great altitudes in the atmosphere, primarily to evade the threat of Thaids, and were engineered to sustain significant damage.
It was also required to them to near the point of exiting of Earth's atmosphere, almost venturing into the vacuum of space.
In these immense heights, conditions were incredibly hostile. Temperatures plummeted drastically, reaching levels where even the most robust materials and sophisticated technologies were pushed to their limits.
The intense cold at such altitudes was a stark contrast to the relative warmth of the Earth's surface, posing a significant challenge to any form of life or machinery.
In addition, the air was thin, with oxygen levels significantly lower than those found at sea level. The scarcity of this essential element created an environment that would be uninhabitable for life forms, thaids included.
As one ascended, the atmospheric pressure decreased. This decrease in pressure, coupled with the frigid temperatures and oxygen deprivation, had created a trifecta of extreme conditions.
All of this raised a question: what kind of creature could have endured such an environment? It defied the conventional understanding of Earth's known creatures and their capabilities.
With his focus redirected towards the vast desert landscape, he held onto the hope of spotting any clue that could guide them to the remaining wreckage, all while anticipating the conclusion of the AI's ongoing procedure.
…
…
…
Following an additional half-hour of thorough searching, signs became visible. Scattered boxes lay partially buried in the sand, some torn open, as they didn't resist the crash, their contents strewn everywhere.
Along with various objects, there were also weapons scattered all over the place. Yet, there was something conspicuously absent—no thaid bodies, no food supplies.
However, what really caught Erik's attention were the scattered bones found in the area, which appeared to be from both animals and possibly humans.
<Looks like the perishable items had been devoured by the Thaids.> He then decided to check around.
"Stop the convoy." Erik ordered into his radio, and the line of armored vehicles came to a halt.
Upon leaving the vehicle, his boots sank a little into the sand, leaving imprints behind. The air was of such high temperature that it could fry an egg on a rock. Erik observed his team, witnessing a blend of relief at the discovery and apprehension regarding its implications.
"Let's collect what we can and continue the search. Be quick about it. We don't want to become part of the desert's next meal."
His team acknowledged with a nod and dispersed to gather the dispersed items. Erik's gaze returned to the bones, serving as a stark reminder of the unforgiving nature of the desert.
Kael made his way over to Erik, his expression composed but his eyes revealing a hint of concern. The rest of their team was occupied with the cargo, oblivious to their conversation.
"No news from the black box yet," Kael said, his voice steady.
Erik exhaled a heavy sigh. "Damn…"
Kael observed him closely, noting the crease of worry on his brow. "You seem really troubled. If the others see you like this, it might stir some anxiety in them."
Erik ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "I can't help it. This whole situation feels off. What if we're dealing with something like a swarm of flying Thaids?"
Kael's response was matter-of-fact, almost resigned. "It means we die."
Erik nodded grimly. "Exactly. I'm thinking the merchant who assigned us this quest was hiding something. He likely knows what happened here, but said nothing."
"We'll avoid working with him in the future, then."
Erik's expression darkened as he shared more troubling information. "I've had some people look into him. Turns out he's not as straightforward as we thought. He's got ties to the Band of Giants and several political figures in Nokisi Point."
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Erik's face got serious. He wanted this quest to end. He turned to Kael. "Follow me." Then he picked up the radio.
"To everyone collecting: continue with the task. I'm heading out to scout the area," he said into the radio, his voice conveying both command and caution.
Kael made his way to the steering wheel. He started the engine and gave gas, steering the vehicle through the undulating dunes.
The minutes appeared to stretch endlessly, with each one feeling more protracted than the one before, as their search persisted. Erik's eyes never wavered from the landscape, scanning for any sign of the wreckage.
"What's on your mind?" Kael asked.
"Nothing, it's just that I want to find the rest of the plane as soon as possible and leave this place…"
Following that, the other half of the plane materialized from the horizon like a phantom. Unlike the tail end they had found earlier, this was the front part of the aircraft.
Submerged in the desert sands, the plane presented a haunting image, its nose jutting upwards toward the heavens, almost in a silent protest against its demise.
The most striking feature which caught Erik's attention was the clean, almost surgical cut that had divided the aircraft. The edges of the severed metal were sharp and defined, suggesting the work of a large blade.
This thought sent a shiver through Erik as he envisioned the sheer force and precision required to inflict such damage.
"We've found it," Erik announced into the radio, but he was not that happy about it. "I'm going to check it out."
As soon as Kael reached the plane, he brought the vehicle to a halt, and Erik, stepping out, approached the wreckage with his boots crunching on the sand.
"Stay here."
"Are you sure you want to go alone?" Kael asked.
"You can't help me anyway if there is danger inside." Kael lowered his head in resignation.
With each step he took towards the wreckage, the details of the scene became more and more apparent—broken cockpit windows, mangled metal, and an eerie silence that seemed to fill the air.
As he reached the plane, he circled it, examining every single detail with his eyes. The cut was clean, almost surgical, raising more questions than answers. What could have the power to do this? And more importantly, where was it now?
His radio crackled to life. "Boss, we've collected most of the cargo around. What's the status on your end?"
"We've found the other half of the plane. There are more boxes here. Come pick them up,"
Erik's voice was steady despite the unsettling discovery. "We're not alone in this desert. Come here fast."
After powering down the radio, Erik's eyes lingered on the halved plane, its skeletal structure standing as a bleak testament to the perils that lived within the desert.
Taking a deep breath, he turned around and prepared himself for the arrival of his team, his mind filled with a flurry of questions, theories, and above all, a heightened sense of caution.
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