Butterbeans and the double down

She paces back and forth. The water glass shimmers. She is aware, that it is aware. However, she doesn’t sense any sort of malice. She tries once again to catch any scent from the depths of the strange glowing circle. It is here, but has no scent that she can attach to it. She takes a seat on her haunches, and waits for Alex.

He has almost reached Butterbeans when he hears her bark in response to his whistle. She is just ahead. He marvels again at the density of the forest in the narrow valley. It is such an unexpected thing. Additionally, as he gazes skyward, his vision is met with cavern rock and stalactites.

Butterbeans and the doubledown

The view is only slightly disorienting. If he had not repelled down the chasm walls he thinks it would be different. The underbrush is thinning, as he ducks around a closely grown knot of trees. He receives word through his earpiece. The rest of the team have arrived on the valley floor.

Alex knows they will arrive soon. He steps around a particularly knotted tree and discovers his friend waiting patiently. Butterbeans races to Alex. He greets her with great praise for her outstanding work! Butterbeans is more than happy to accept the reunion joy and wags her tail and greets Alex with an intense enthusiasm.

As he pets Butterbeans, and praises her good work he takes in the scene in the clearing. They have something completely unexpected. This strange circular object appears to be a part of the ground. Alex sees that the surface seems to shimmer, and waver, in a way that makes it seem as though it is liquid.

Additionally, it is large. Almost ten meters across. If this was some sort of gateway, it was large enough for machine travel. In fact as Alex surveys the scene he sees something that causes him an uneasy feeling. There are tracks leading away from the strange glass object.

Butterbeans and the Double down

However, Alex’s thoughts are cut short, as the rest of the team arrive at the clearing. The Sergeant whistles appreciatively as soon as they reach the clearing. The stunned silence that follows is palpable. As everyone takes in the strange glowing pool that is seemingly from nowhere the Special Agent speaks up.

“Everyone, this has now become a top secret mission. Furthermore the company will now be taking over this scene. Everyone is ordered to complete secrecy and will be debriefed once back on the top side.” He looks around at everyone appearing to assess each one and then asks a bit harshly, “Understood?”

Butterbeans is excited about this discovery. But not about that agent. She has been troubled by his scent since he joined them. It is a dark scent. Furthermore she knows where this is heading. She can sense the agent’s intentions are not pure. With this in mind she does what she knows is best and leaps into the glowing pool of glass and disappears.