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By Root 284 0

the wounded crew of the Sovereign, as well as the Russians who had sustained major injuries during the battle. The bottom of the gorge had been secured, the Russian ironclad yielding to the superior might of the Sovereign. Now the camp was entirely under Navy control. It bothered Folkard that Tereshkov had escaped, but K’chuk felt quite certain that if the mysterious Drobates had indeed taken him from the tunnel then he would not live to tell the tale. Although Folkard would have preferred to deal with Tereshkov personally, he knew he had to settle for what was. In the meantime he was having trouble getting his mind around what Doctor Grant had just told them.

According to Doctor Grant that metal wall was a thing called the Heart, an intelligence that lived in the centre of Luna. Although Grant did not know the particulars yet, he did know that it was the Heart that had created the Selenites in some way, given them their intelligence, which was why the Selenites worshipped the Heart as some kind of god.

“How do you know this?” Professor Stone asked.

When Grant had first come to, he seemed rather put off by Stone’s presence, until both Folkard and Miss Somerset had informed him that the professor was partly responsible for Grant’s rescue. Now the old doctor looked at his former colleague with begrudging respect.

“The Heart told me. It was communing with me when you arrived.”

“The glow?”

Doctor Grant nodded. “I see your deductive brain is still as sharp as ever, Professor Stone.” He had been quite intrigued when he had heard Folkard call Stone professor, and ever since Grant had put a peculiar emphasis on the word whenever addressing Stone as such.

“Thank you,” the professor said, looking almost abashed at the compliment. “I had previously theorised that the glow was some form of communication, similar to the smoke signals of the Indians.”

“Remarkably accurate,” Grant allowed with condescending frankness.

Stone ignored that. “The question remains, then, with what is the Heart communicating? The glow can be seen from beyond Luna, in the right conditions. Ergo, it must be communicating with something beyond this world.”

“That would follow. However I have yet to discover what that is, but with further communion between the Heart and I…” At this Grant chuckled. There was something about the chuckle Folkard did not like, almost as if it were verging on insanity. “The Heart did not wish to commune with Tereshkov, it could feel the pain and fear provoked in the Selenites by the Russians. But when it, uh, scanned my mind it saw I held no such desire for power.” Doctor Grant suddenly got up from his seat and headed towards the opening of the tent. “I must return to the Heart, it has so much to teach me. Things even I have never dreamed of.”

“I cannot allow that, Doctor, not until I have filed my report with the Admiralty.”

Grant spun on Folkard. “Captain, you cannot stop me. The Heart wishes to learn more, to commune with me. If you stand in my way, we shall turn the Selenites on you.”

At this Miss Somerset stepped forward. “Uncle, you cannot do that! That will undermine everything the captain and his men have achieved. The Selenites are beginning to trust humans now.”

Grant face was firm. Folkard would almost go so far as to say furious. “Then do not stand in my way.” He looked from his niece to Folkard. “By all means send your report. Indeed, tell them I require a full research team at my disposal. The discoveries to be made here are…” He shook his head. “There are no words!”

Folkard was not overly impressed, but he knew his hands were tied. He had to make a full report and there was no doubt in his mind that the British government would wish to set up a base on Luna, in effect doing the same thing the Russians were accused of. Contravening the Luna Treaty. “Very well, I will leave a contingent behind, to ensure your safety. Expect more Navy troops soon. The Russians will not take this lying down.” He turned to Stone. “Professor, you’re with me.”

Stone stood and said his goodbyes to Doctor Grant. He turned to Miss