walk towards the mountain. there's a very deep, very low, staccato tone intruding over their headsets.
exchange amazed glances. can't believe their eyes.
sit back, exasperated.
stare at this unholy juggernaut, alarmed. mcconnell turns to luke, whose expression is grim.
stare at this devastation, deeply moved.
step back, startled, unlinking their hands, and look at the circle of colored rings. these shade from yellow, on the outer rim, to a deeper yellow, then orange, then finally reds. inside the final, deep red ring is a circle of indigo blue, about a meter across. small points of light glitter here, like stars against a midnight sky.