DEAD SPACE MARTYR PART FIVE COLLAPSE Part 43
43 Altman was on yet another descent, this time with a researcher by the name of Torquato, someone from Markoff’s inner circle. He had with him a simple black box, homemade, with a single knob on it and a needle readout. The technology was old enough that it could have been made in the twentieth century. As they descended, Altman tried to make idle conversation to pass the time. “You’re what,” he asked, “some kind of scientist?” Torquato shrugged. “You could call it that,” he said. “Geophysics?” asked Altman. “Geology? Volcanology? Something more theoretical?” “It’s hard to explain,” claimed Torquato, “and not very interesting.” But Altman was interested. He was descending into the heart of the crater with a man who was being deliberately vague. Something was up. “So what brings you down here today?” he asked, trying to sound casual. “A few measurements,” said Torquato. “What’s the box about?” Altman asked. “This?” responded Torquato, pushing at the box with his thumb. “Oh, it’s nothing.” A few more questio…
