Return to Dakistee by Thomas DePrima

guard. She hesitated for just a moment before saying, "You're unexpectedly well informed, Doctor."
    "Word of a major new discovery travels quickly. I know the team at Loudescott hasn't been able to open the facility and they contacted Space Command for help. Are you two all they sent?"
    "So far. I can request additional help if we need it."
    "And have you been able to gain access to the facility?"
    "May I look at the cylinder while we talk?"
    "Of course. Help yourself."
    Christa leaned over and lifted the tube from the display stand. It appeared to be a solid, single-piece design. The symbol she was looking for was engraved on one end. The other end bore a letter from the ancient alphabet. There were no other markings. "It's remarkably pristine for something nineteen thousand, four hundred years old."
    "It was sealed in a vacuum container. The container's exterior showed the effects of age, but the contents were as perfect as the day they were sealed inside."
    "What else was in the container?"
    "A timepiece, some letters addressed to the Regional Cultural Headquarters here, and a lengthy list of very prominent individuals."
    "How do you know they were prominent?"
    "There were titles associated with most, such as Minister, Doctor, Professor, etc."
    "I see."
    From the look and weight of the cylinder, Christa guessed was made of Dakinium.
    "Yes, this is what I'm looking for. The symbol is identical to the one I'm trying to identify. Have you seen it anywhere else, Doctor?"
    "No, I haven't. We've been able to identify most of the symbols we've encountered using one or the other of the reference books you and your sisters wrote."
    Christa didn't miss the way Manson emphasized the word 'sisters' and wondered if she had a problem with clones.
    "I wonder if I might borrow this for a short time?" Christa asked.
    "Why?"
    "I don't know, but I feel very strongly that it might help my research."
    "I'm afraid I can't let you take it. It's the property of the Dakistee Archeological Expedition and can't be lent out without approval from the headquarters on Anthius."
    "Then could you show me exactly where it was found on the dig site?"
    "Why?"
    "Call it— curiosity."
    The look Manson gave Christa indicated she was suspicious of Christa's motives for wanting the information, but she turned on a wall monitor and used a laser pointer to identify the general area where the cylinder had been found.
    "You're sure it wasn't more to the left— by say a kilometer?"
    Manson eyes narrowed and she said, "I may be mistaken."
    "Of course. It's impossible to remember where every object has been located."
    "If you have no further questions," Dr. Manson said, standing up behind her desk, "I have another meeting."
    "Thank you for taking the time from your busy schedule to see us today."
    "You're welcome. Goodbye."
    As Carmoody and Christa exited the building and walked towards the shuttle pad, Carmoody said, "You already knew where the cylinder was found?"
    "No, but she said the vacuum canister contained letters written to the Regional Cultural Headquarters. I remembered where the RCH was located from looking at a map of the city that once stood here."
    "Where did you get a map of the city?"
    "The files we got from the computer in the other facility provided excellent maps of the entire planet. Once the Expedition Headquarters had that information, new dig sites were assigned at all the former locations of major cities and many sites were closed down if the area they were excavating had only been a forest or some other rural area. It was just pure chance that Dr. Peterson happened to select a site where the planet's capital city was located, but the maps have since helped him make decisions regarding where his people work within the city's limits."
    "So what now?" Carmoody asked.
    "Now we get the cylinder Dr. Manson has."
    "But she said no. You're not going to steal it, are you?"
    "Of course not. But before we even lift off, I'm going to send a request to the