Book 5: Chapter 44: Investigation
Howard
January 2344
Jabberwocky
Bridget wanted to explore more of the planet, but I was concerned enough about this Alexander business to want to investigate further. After some discussion, we compromised.
We started our day by finding a large updraft near the Hunter, which we would consider our home floater and base of operations for the moment. Riding the updraft, we were able to climb to an altitude of almost five klicks. A real dragon would be gasping at that height, but still able to operate. We could have gone higher, but it would have attracted attention.
From this height, the horizon was almost two hundred and fifty kilometers away, although, of course, things disappeared in the haze far short of that distance.
“Lots of haze,” Bridget commented. “Probably volcanic. I count”—she paused, turning her head—“forty-two individual hotspots. That’s a lot of activity.”
“Kind of surprised there’s as much complex life as we’re seeing,” I replied.
“The Siberian Traps caused the Permian extinction two hundred and fifty million years ago on Earth,” Bridget said, glancing at me. “That was way worse, and there was already complex life.” She paused. “That was a relatively sudden event. Something similar is happening here, it looks like, but much more gradually. It would explain why so many life-forms have taken to the air. It’s the only reason I can think of for a species to risk hydrogen flotation.”