The Horicon Experience Read Online Free PDF

chain reaction that could destroy their whole planet, possibly their entire solar system.”
    The debriefing officer mulled over the implications for a minute. The development of cosmic weapons was always dangerous with underdeveloped planets. And Citti was right. A few had destroyed their own planets and others besides. Such advancements, coupled with a high degree of civility in the social institutions of a planet, usually marked the opening of relations with the Axia. But given the violent nature of the people on this planet, it was likely the Axia would have to intervene to try to save them from their own excesses and to protect their galactic neighbors as well.
    Taking George’s report, he sealed it in a courier envelope and handed it to Trooper Citti.
    “As soon as your ship is repaired, I want you to take this directly to the Observation Department on Shalimar and tell them everything you told me.”
    “Yes, sir,” replied George. He set his coffee cup on the corner of the officer’s desk, saluted, then left the office and returned to the repair bay to check the progress on his ship.
     The debriefing officer looked at his copy of the report. This could be one of the darkest events in galactic history, he thought as he flipped through the pages again.
    ∞∞∞
    Painstaking was the only word to describe what the archaeological team was experiencing as they explored the ancient ruins. By chance, a damaged ship had landed and discovered clear evidence of an advanced civilization. That it happened right under their noses caused quite a stir throughout the academic world of Galactic Axia.
    A check of Axia records showed no indication of such a civilization, or even a log concerning the planet Horicon. Granted, the Axia had expanded so quickly in its early years that large areas of the galaxy only received cursory examination. But to find that they had missed a whole planet was disturbing, especially since this planet was revealing artifacts of an advanced culture – a culture that predated the Axia by at least a million years; maybe two.
    Sifting slowly through the ruins, the archaeologists determined the Horicons were much larger than humans, although no image had yet been uncovered. Doorways and hallways were much higher and wider than humans would ever build for normal use. The supporting undergirding of even their simplest structures were reinforced to hold many tons.
    It was also determined that in spite of the Horicon’s extreme advancement, there was still no evidence of any attempts at space flight. In fact, the more the teams dug, the less they learned about the extinct race.
    To date, all of the buildings they uncovered had been in near total ruins. With exception to the nearly dead stars around which the planet orbited, it was still a mystery of what had destroyed such an advanced culture. Painstakingly translated written records revealed no clue to explain the culture’s demise. Essentially, it appeared that some time in the distant past the Horicons had simply ceased to exist. Not even their bones remained behind to prove they ever existed.
    After removing the debris and ancient flooring from the central building, the team began to explore the next level. Unexpectedly, they uncovered a buried entrance leading downward into what they thought was only a single underground chamber.
    The passageway wound downward several hundred yards before ending at the entrance of a large, sealed chamber. They carefully drilled a hole through the massive door and inserted a probe. Atmospheric tests showed that it predated the foundation of the Axia.
    Using jacks and portable tractor beams, they slowly opened and stabilized the massive doors. Cursory examinations from the entrance revealed the chamber was only the first of an entire elaborate network of rooms and passageways.
    After circulating fresh air into the chambers, the team began their exploration of the newly-discovered complex. They charted extensive mapping so