In some outlying urban areas, buildings not razed by bombing looked like giant skeletons of techno-structures folded in on themselves or other nearby structures.
Something drew attention.
"What is it?" Said the colonel.
At that distance, the city seemed to take on a colorful hue between shades of green and red.
"Enlarge."
Dr. Zhang"s eyes flickered. "No match in the database compared to known life forms."
"It looks like some kind of mammoth coral!" said Captain Schimtz.
"I would say it is a kind of giant climber rather than a coral!"
"Enlarge to maximum resolution."
A greenish, yellow-striped stem appeared, climbing among the remains of the altar buildings. In some areas, the fibrous stems had encompassed the remains of the buildings.
Ugolini felt those alien plants concurred to
