Chapter 3
A light breeze tickled his nose. The motion brought him aware of other discomforts. His head hammered. Muscles ached from holding one position too long. A strange smell, both organic and dirty, entered his nostrils. Bassan attempted to open his eyes, and lights flashed before him. The world swirled and he curled into a tight ball.
It’s the probe’s code. It’s returned.
“Bassan?”
Familiar yet distant, the voice roused him. He forced his eyes open. The glare from a small, uncovered window shone on his face. Something outside flashed, sending a strobe of pulsating light into the room. Again and again.
Not the code. A light. Nothing more than a light. I’m all right.
He moaned and rolled away from the glow. After its brilliance, everything else remained in shadowy darkness. He bl
