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Dream-State: Part Three
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Dream-State: Part Three |
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Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296Purgatorial Incarceration 
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***** An hour and a half later found the three of them sweating and tired, but otherwise intact at the site of their controversy. All around were members of their group, bustling along like worker ants intent on their duties. The scene closely resembled a beach party, but Jarris knew that each person was involved in precision research. Together, the three stared across the seeming chaos and up at the hill. Each was lost in their own thoughts and it took a while before Jarris broke the silence. “I thought you said it was a hill,” he whispered. The “hill” rose up into the air over a hundred meters above them. It was barren of all plant life as was the surrounding area. Black and imposing, it’s centered presence seemed to command all attention. Small cloud wisps hung low, cowering around the edges of it’s blunt peak as if they were afraid to touch it. It terminated suddenly into the black sand surrounding it. Coral rock was strewn all around it, dotting the landscape in an unrecognizable pattern. To Jarris, it looked like a volcanic region. “Well,” Geoffrey started. “Geologically speaking, it is a hill. Compared to the mountains on most other islands this guy here’s just a baby. And before you ask -‘cause I can see it in your eyes- this is not a volcanic region. That was our first though too. But Joey took some of this “sand” back to camp and analyzed it. Know what it is? Crushed aeschynite.” Jarris stared blankly at the man. Geoffrey moaned, then cast a pained stare at Kris when she jabbed him in the side. “Aeschynite is one of the rare earth oxides. It has a fairly heavy gravity, say 4.8 or so, which is pretty high for a non-metallic mineral. At first we thought it might be fugusonite which would fit this area, but it’s not. Joey ran it through some chemical tests and it came up as aeschynite.” “Ok, so again, I ask. What’s the big deal?” “Well, theoretically, aeschynite shouldn’t be here. It’s found in places like Russia, Urstad and the likes. Highly mountainous regions with a history of seismic activity. How it got here...” He trailed off, unable to come to a conclusion. “But, but,” Jarris caught himself. “How? Should that even be possible?” The two shrugged their shoulders. “No, it shouldn’t. We don’t know how Jarr. I know there must be an explanation, but have no idea what it might be.” “Ok,” he said. “So where do I fit into this? It sounds to me like this is way over my head. I’m having a hard time following, much less coming to a point where I can help.” Kristalyn beckoned him and started walking toward the hill. Jarris started after her, closely followed by the somewhat bemused Geoffrey. The young scientist seemed to find Jarris’ discomfort amusing. They walked across the distance of the open space, Kris fending off questions while Jarris nodded greetings. Jarris knew their destination as soon as they approached the base of the hill and he stepped up his pace, arriving before Kris. He knelt down before the black mouth of the cave, sparing it only a momentary glance. He wiped his sweaty palms on his pants and looked up at Kristalyn. “Did you find it just like this?” He asked her, his voice quiet and hushed. “Yeah, no one’s touched it.” “But,” he stammered. “You’ve been saying that a lot today Jarris,” Kris smiled at him knowingly. “We don’t know how.” “But as well preserved as it is...” He shook his head and ran a finger over one of the fossilized bones lying partially buried in the dirt before him. They were greyish white, and it was evident at first glance that they had to be thousands of years old. Jarris lifted the end of a digit slightly, peering inside. “There’s no residual marrow, not even the slightest. As well preserved as this is, there should be at least a little crystalized around the joints.” He pushed away a little more of the sand to reveal the start of a tail. With infinite care, he brushed even more away, blowing gently when he got closer to the actually fossilized remains. “With such obvious silification, there should at least be some marrow left, yet it looks like there’s none. I halfway want to say that something had this fella here for dinner,” he sighed, wiping his hands again. “But if that were the case, there would have to be some sign of struggle. I would expect at least dismemberment. But there’s no indication of any post-mortem dislocations. Or any before death for that matter. From all appearances, this creature just up and died and became a fossil. Period.” “Do you know what it is?” Geoffrey asked. Jarris looked at the fossils again before answering. “Without a more in-depth study, I’d have to say some species of feline. None that I recognize, but that in itself isn’t so unusual. There are new discoveries almost every month, and many of them are creatures previously un-catalogued. What is weird, is that if it wasn’t for the fossilization, I’d say it was one of the big cats, say a cheetah or panther.” “A lot of weird stuff,” Geoffrey said to no one in particular. Kris and Jarris both nodded their heads absently. “Has anyone been in the cave yet,” Jarris asked, inclining his head in that direction. Kris shook her head. “No, we wanted to wait for you.” “Good,” he said, still lost in thought. “Likely there’s nothing there, but it could also be home to something you don’t want to meet without being armed.” He laughed at the look of astonishment on Kris’ face. “As I said, likely nothing, but better safe, eh?” ***** |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
Good doesn't describe this. (Get yourself a rich patron! Quit your job! Do this full time!) I love it. |
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Jana Tovey Member
since 2000-05-30
Posts 257USA |
My only complaint is that the next installment is not here yet!!! Great drama. I'm really looking forward to the rest. |
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Butterflies_dont_cry Member Elite
since 2000-03-06
Posts 3733Michigan |
I'm lovin this...yes I am!!! Now where is part 4???????????? |
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Dusk Treader
Moderator
Senior Member
since 1999-06-18
Posts 1187St. Paul, MN |
How could you Chris??? Stopping there? I want more! (So call me greedy..) Abrahm Simons "Flew too high and burnt the wing Lost my faith in everything" - Trent Reznor, "Somewhat Damaged" |
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Severn Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704 |
Mere placation: Let me get through my exams and these will have my critical...er...riveted attention...  K |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
excellent and very impressive as its obvious you are reseaching and doing background work to make this so real and accurate... its inspiring to see a writer work so hard on a piece. you have us all hanging on your words... and that "hill" more please....*smile* later-prose master-gator.  jm I think I could need - this in my life I think I'm just scared - that I know too much I can't relate and that's a problem I'm feeling ... If you're gone - maybe it's time to go home There's an awful lot of breathing room But I can hardly move If you're gone - baby you need to come home cuz there's a little bit of something me... In everything in you. ~MB20~ "What the caterpillar calls the end ... The world calls a butterfly" ~Lao Tze Tao~ ~Butterflies are meant to be free~ |
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Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296Purgatorial Incarceration |
I want to thank everyone who's read and commented on the story (Except you K.)  so far and has been patient for each piece. So here's to set off the next piece... |
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Severn Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704 |
Well! Phooey to you too! K wanders off in a humph...  |
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