Primal Estate: The Candidate Species Read Online Free PDF Page A

used at that location was either destroyed or reclaimed, accompanied by one carnate that was mistakenly transported to the Provenger Nation ship. The cause of the carnate rebellion was never discovered. Little did the Provenger know the cause was among them.

When the required gravitational supercriticality was obtained around the Provenger Nation ship, and thousands of years had passed on the planet surface, their phase completed, and the ship appeared across the galaxy at the rendezvous point with their own race. Only ten years would pass for the Provenger before their return. Over twelve thousand would pass on the planet surface.

Chapter 3
Earth, Ruin C anyon

12,893 years later

Our near future
Life brings the bold a continuous stream of surprises; this day was no different. Discovery of Indian ruins and lion attacks were not on his mind that morning as Rick Thompson parked his old Jeep Wrangler in the dark at the top of the desert mesa. Light was just barely threatening with a glow on the horizon and, even though it was not his plan to be in place before sunrise, he still wanted to get there as early as possible. He was at the eastern edge of Ruin Canyon, an aptly named gouge in the earth about 25 miles northwest of the southwestern Colorado town of Cortez. This area was known for its links to the ancient Anasazi, its ruggedness, its outlaws, and its secrets.

He wanted to make absolutely sure he had everything he’d need. He was already in the middle of nowhere and was about to go even further in. Rick reached up and disabled the interior’s dome light, opened the door, and got out of the driver’s side. He left that door open and, able to see only shades from black to gray, opened the back door to access his gear.
He didn’t want to bring too much as he had an area of cliffs to negotiate, then an even deeper descent on a slope to the bottom of the canyon. It was still dark and starting down the cliff now might be dangerous, he thought. It wasn’t really a lighting issue, though; it was a frost issue. Even though it didn’t seem that cold, especially for November, the night had brought a frost, and Rick knew from experience that almost every foot placement and handhold all the way down ran the risk of being on top of a thin layer of frost, between him and the smooth stone, every tiny crystal conspiring against his safety. Seeing it first was always helpful.

Rick had carefully packed everything the night before: water, a couple cold cooked sweet potatoes, a compass, a small first aid kit, knife, large black plastic garbage bag, a couple extra clothing layers, wool cap, a lighter, an extra magazine. Hanging around his neck, underneath his jacket, were his issued binoculars. They were much better than anything he could afford to buy on his own. He had experience with this type of thing and knew what he needed.
He put the backpack down outside the car, unzipped it, took out a sweatshirt, and considered it for a moment. It’ll probably get much warmer today. He threw it in the Jeep. One less thing to carry. He might need the extra space in his pack if he brought anything back. Next, he grabbed his rifle case, unzipped it on the back seat, and removed a full gray steel magazine from an internal pouch.

Rick picked up his rifle, an M-4 he’d had for decades, checked the selector with his thumb, and used the charging handle to let the bolt forward slowly and quietly on an empty chamber. He then clicked the magazine in place and put the rifle on his pack outside the car. He didn’t want to chamber a round before going down the cliff, and he had a method of doing it quietly along the way if he had to. He never liked climbing with a loaded weapon flopping around on his pack. If anything bad were to happen to him, he knew there wouldn’t be any help. This kind of thing was risky enough without inviting catastrophe.
Rick conducted a final personal check. He had his keys, wallet, pistol, binos, and his call was in his