Chapter 124: END (YEAR 2052)

Report: Park

Just off the coast of Nova Scotia.

Canada.

The remains of an Alliance base.

Former designation: "The Firmament"

Six hours later...

Powerful halogen floodlights scanned the ocean surface, making the water shine. The blinding glow traced along the sides of the tower, across the film of oil and over floating debris.

The fires that had consumed the Firmament were almost gone, leaving charred metal and burning oil in their wake. The flames provided little to see by-even the moon was hidden by clouds, so the searchlight was necessary.

I stood in the cockpit of the dropship, staring down at the water as the vessel scanned the detritus. If something useful was found, the ship's mechanical arm system would target it, snatching it from the oil slick and pulling it inside.

It had continued like this for over ten minutes, with little more than scraps discovered.

"We have to go, Taewi," the dropship's pilot demanded. Her eyes were wide with worry, and her hands were a tan blu