A Snippet from "Relics of the Fallen"
See what you're getting into!
“These ones, the tetras,” Tanya said, gesturing to the other cribs, “when they’re asleep, they all have a tiny bit of measurable activity. We’ve recovered a lot of them from orbit, drifting alone. Given sensitive enough instruments, we can find them that way even in the black.”
“From orbit? Like, space?”
“Yes. But when they’re brought into proximity to each other, it increases and syncs up. Even when they’re not active, there’s still a low level of communication.”
“Is it safe to let them…uh, communicate?” asked Guy.
“Oh yes,” said Tanya. “This effect has been observed for decades.”
“So, what are they saying to each other?” asked Dan, looking down the room at the other cribs.
In response, Tanya stepped forward and tapped at the terminal’s keyboard. She frowned and then tapped some more. Grunting in satisfaction, she pushed one last key and then looked up at the room’s speakers, in the ceiling.
A willowy, lilting series of moans sounded. Dan and the other two newcomers stared, amazed, at the speakers, listening. The sound went on and on, semi-regular but never repeating exactly. It was like whale song, but with musical undertones of anger, yearning, loss, and purpose.
“What…what are we hearing, Tanya?” asked Dan, finally. In the corner, Gomez smiled down at the floor.
Tanya turned from looking through the glass and her eyes were wet.
“They sing to each other.”
You can find more about Nick and his work online here on Substack or at nicknethery.com, and buy his books (which you absolutely should do!) at Amazon, Preorder Relics of the Fallen at Amazon today!
Tags: Relics of the Fallen, Wormwood, Nick Nethery