“Why aren’t they swarming us?” asked Luiz, brandishing his bang-stick nervously.

 

“There’s a signal coming from this one,” answered Jordan.

 

“That’s weird,” said Ellie.

 

“Just hurry,” radioed Monica as she watched through the periscope.

 

Ellie pointed the jerry-rigged camera at the orb. Jordan tapped and swiped wildly at his tablet. Luiz waved his weapon around and sweated. The orb flashed color and texture.

 

“Is it working?” urged Ellie.

 

“No,” said Jordan. “I mean, yes, but this can’t be right.”

 

“What?” Monica asked.

 

“The pattern is like morris code.”

 

“Who’s sending it?”

 

“A person,” he stammered. “A human, I mean.”

 

“Shit.”

Chapter 78

Chapter 80