Until that moment, the shuttle had remained intact because it had been designed to withstand the most unthinkable stresses, but the opening of the door and the consequent air-water exchange had compromised the structure that would soon give way. At its lowest point, the Atlantis' front was placed at a height of about three meters above the ground. Before lowering himself down, Bryan decided to impress in his mind one last overview of the city seen from above. An immense pink crystal was set in a pool, placed in the center of the city and emanated heat and light so intense to light it almost as the Sun does. The large opalescent stone seemed to pulsate like an immense heart. A longer and more jarring squeak than the previous ones, accompanied by a new vibration, warned Bryan that it was tim
