The volumetric image of Kess and Mimi stood next to the individuals topside, monitoring their actions with quiet assessment. Mimi seemed extraordinarily happy, as usual...but Kess seemed to understand the situation for what it was to normal people.
"I seriously doubt we would be given access to charges of any kind for this type of job" Kess stated blankly. "The pressure hoses would work fine for gradual breaking-down...but it appears the build-up has engulfed them. They were on the catwalk while Peke was here."
Everyone was suggesting, for better or worse, very good ideas for dealing with this messy problem.
---
While elsewhere, up in the cleaner, whiter and much less revolting Grand Atrium, Head Administrator Cassefin Montreal stood triumphantly on her hovering platform as the last of the onlookers filed into the witness the Cirrus Station's first station-wide Vogel jump. Most of the crowed consisted of curious ship personnel and scientists, and only a handful of security members. Cassefin herself was quite ecstatic, smirking widely and wringing her hands with anticipation. A large, detailed virtual representation of the Cirrus and her surroundings hovered delicately in the center of the Gran Atrium, viewable by all those in the area.
"Welcome guests!" Cassefin spoke, her voice amplified to fill the room as her platform fluttered towards the volumetric image. "You are all about to witness not this station's first test of the Mass Vogel Drive, which will displace our new home from Nepleslia Prime's orbit into the exciting new reaches of the Colonial Expanse. From there, we shall continue with our projects among the newest of Nepleslia's colony systems!" Cirrus...initiate the jump!" Cassefin shouted in triumph, throwing our an extended finger for emphasis' sake.
After a few short moment, the station experienced a slight shake as the Vogel drives primed themselves before releasing their energy. The displacement was instantaneous; one moment, the volumetric Cirrus was behind Nepleslia Prime...and the next moment, it was free-floating amongst a cluster of space construction equipment in the orbit of another world. It was very disappointing for anyone but the most fervent of onlookers...Cassefin, of course, absolutely beaming with smug pride as she looked over her staff.
Cassefin suddenly found herself confronted with a small volumetric window as the Cirrus cooled down and settled in. The image of another young woman appeared on the other side of the screen, a look of worried frustration plaguing her attractive brow. Cassefin took her harrowing gaze with speculation.
"Yes, Purina, what is it?" Cassefin said.
"Head Administrator, it is as I predicted; most of the animals on my facility were frightened by the hyperstream jump. Although we may not have felt it, the bio-organics and their higher senses have taken notice to the change." Purina replied, pushing a stray bang of delicate pink hair behind her ear.
"Alright...is the Bio-Organic Research and Containment facility in immediate danger?" Cassefin asked, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"None that I know of," Purina replied with a sheepish smile. "I just thought you would like to know. Any further Vogel jumps will cause a ruckus down here in Bio-Organics."
"I'll keep it in mind."
---
The Vogel jump was not very noticeable by any of Security Squad 35...but something did become apparent. A slight rumble in the pipeline shook the masses of equipment on the ceiling and rattled the catwalks.
"Was that the Vogel jump?" Mimi wondered, her eyebrows furling.
And then, there came a low, grumble. It was faint at first...but quickly grew louder and more prominent as it echoed through the pipeline. The catwalks began to shake violently as the mound of muck quickly exploded with action. A figure, massive in its size, lifted itself from the dam, immediately breaking the catwalk below it as it reached skyward. Another sound filled the pipe once more...a foreign sound, loud and obviously emitting from the creature raised from the pipeline's build-up, like a bubbling roar of anger as it shook itself off, sending wads of goopy horridness flying against the pipe around it.
Back above the sewer grate, the rumbling and roar were quite noticeable by the other members of the security squad. Mimi clasped her hands over her mouth in a gasp...but Kess seemed worried in a more practical sense.
"Mimi."
"Yes, Kess?"
"Tell Popjoy we just found her missing Muck Shambler larvae."
