The rescue helicopter had just touched its wheels down on the snow when the earth beneath Julian’s feet trembled at a deafening frequency. The golden map projected by the Stabilizer core suddenly flickered wildly, shifting color from pure yellow to a rapidly pulsing blood-red.
"Julian! Get back from there!" Elara shouted, trying to grab Julian’s shoulder.
Julian didn't flinch. His eyes were fixed on the small chunk of rock he had thought was dead just moments ago. "Kael! Can you still hear me? What’s happening with the map?"
Dr. Kael’s voice exploded through the communicator, this time without static, but filled with pure panic. "Julian, stop where you are! The mass liquidation you performed earlier created an energy vacuum! That Relic didn't break; it’s experiencing an overload because
