Page 19 of Spectral Seas (Spectral Worlds #2)

L ETA WAITED NEAR the entrance of the cave with Uhggwa and his guard as Abby found a point midway between the entrance and the far wall to plant the tripod Nahl had given him. “How about here?” he asked. “It’s near center where the blue orb appeared.”

“Yeah,” said Leta. “I think that’s a good spot.”

He opened the tripod then placed a small grey spherical device at its apex. Confident the ball was settled, he pulled the remote from the side pocket of his suit, flipped back the hinged safety cap with the side of his glove, then squeezed the first of two buttons. A thin horizontal bright blue ribbon lit up from beneath the surface, ringing the center of the small sphere. “That’s it,” he said. “We’re set to go.”

Uhggwa’s digitized voice filled Abby’s helmet. “Are you sure that crystal charge will be enough to simulate the apparition?”

“Yes,” said Abby. “Nahl told me that they use these crystal quant charges to clear debris. I think it’s large enough to do the trick. ”

“Without doing any damage to the garden,” added Nahl.

“Right. Without doing any damage. Just be sure your men are ready to act on Captain Serene’s signal.”

“And you’re confident this will help us catch the phantom?” asked Nahl.

“Don’t you worry about that,” said Abby. “I told you in the habitat, the only way to get to the bottom of what is happening here in the mine is to apprehend the Umbra the Captain came across here in the garden. I figure he’s as curious about that orb as we are. First sign of an event, he’ll come running like he has every other time.”

“Yes,” said Nahl. “But you said the caveat was that he could not be hurt. I still don’t understand this.”

“Again, Premier,” said Leta, “he’s not a phantom. He’s an Umbra, like me, and I believe that he too is investigating the origin of the blue orb, the true catalyst for the incidents occurring in the mine.”

“Okay,” said Abby. “Everyone, take your place.” He knelt behind the tram next to Uhggwa and Nahl.

“Benediximus,” whispered Nahl, “how is that you know how to trap a phantom?”

“An Umbra,” repeated Leta. “He’s an Umbra.”

“Yes,” said Nahl. “A phantom Umbra. How do you know of this?”

“Because it used to be his job,” said Uhggwa.

A wave of guilt washed over Abby that he decided he needn’t share. A thought to another time, when his job entailed hunting the same people he now worked alongside. But that was war. “Premier,” he said, “there will be time for questions later, after we’re finished here. Everyone ready on my count?”

A cascade of agreement filled his helmet. “Okay. Shield your eyes. Three, two, one.” He squeezed the second button on the remote. A loud crack came from beyond the cart and the walls flickered brightly.

“Leta,” said Abby.

“I’m shifting,” she said. “And I’m in place.”

Uhggwa leaned forward, ready to pounce from behind the tram. Abby held up his hand—a signal to wait. It would take a moment for the other Umbra to arrive. If Leta could quiet her mind enough not to scare him off.

Then from the silence, Leta yelled, “Now!”

Abby and the commandos rose in unison. Nahl gasped to see Leta materialize, her arms wrapped around another being in a suit. Leta flung her arms wide, stepped back, and the commandos fired taser netting, covering the other Umbra before he could shift spectrum. A hundred small bolts licked across the threads of the net as the tall, suited Umbra crumbled to the cavern floor.

~*~