Aeternum, Shard of the Nebula

[Aeternum]

Small streams run down the super-heated crater as the glacier above melts in an expanding circle. As meltwater splashes against the crystal, the liquid metal swells into a disc around

"A necessity... a curious development."

The liquid forms a dozen metal tentacles and pulls the crystal from the bottom. On top of the glacier, in the light of a pale green star, it scans the surrounding icescape and ring of mountains.

"... Where is it? It should be here. She would not -"

Two ships like jagged torpedoes appear above a mountain's peak. As they scream overhead, a palpable wave of electromagnetic radiation fills the atmosphere like a wake. The crystal hums red and the tentacles vibrate excitedly.

"Yes, Mother... I am sure of it."

Aeternum glides along the glacier toward the mountain from whence the starships came.