Location: From Lima to the restricted area near the Nazca Lines
Time: 01:08:28 — 01:14 a.m. (UTC-5)
Setting: Genevieve and her escort traveling from Callao onto the Carretera Panamericana, continuing toward the Nazca exclusion zone.
The night would be long to endure, and no stops were permitted. Genevieve sat comfortably in the rear seat.
The glasses allowed her to observe the road ahead as if it were daylight. She could see the starry sky in the finest detail, and if she fixed her gaze on a star, its name appeared beside it. The lanes and road edges were clearly visible through the lenses. Genevieve had almost no internal reference points. The route visualization was perfect. Data appeared before her eyes, near the reflective roadside posts.
Virtual reality displayed the time, the speed, and the presence of obstacles along the route.
We are entering the Carretera Panamericana. Proceed along the Panamericana. First deviation expected in 425 km.
Genevieve could clearly see both the current time and the remaining time to reach the destination, as well as the countdown to launch.
Time: 01:18:46
Estimated time to destination: 05:42:18
Countdown: 06:45:22
“We’re gaining something,” Genevieve thought. And then?
Almost as if answering her, the entire left side in front of her lit up, and a beautiful young woman appeared.
“Hello there,” she said, and she seemed to be addressing Genevieve in particular.
Genevieve stared in astonishment. She had never seen such an intense color on a person’s skin. The figure before her continued:
“If you are listening, it means you have been selected for a journey beyond your own imagination. You are part of the crew of the alien spacecraft ‘Quetzal.’ If you have not yet reached the base, you are certainly traveling toward it, and by now you should not be far. In fact, you do not have much time. The countdown has begun, and all phases are irreversible. The fusion engines are loading deuterium, and the D–T phase—deuterium–tritium fusion—cannot be halted once initiated for launch. All systems are operational, and the required solar energy levels for the start-up phase have been reached.
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
Your assignment is…”
The figure before her remained suspended for a few moments, then her credentials appeared on the screen.
ECSS — Environmental Control and Life Support System
“As soon as you arrive at the spacecraft, you are to proceed to your assigned sectors.
I wish you a pleasant journey to the crew boarding station.
Your arrival is expected in five hours and forty minutes.”
The figure on the screen disappeared.
Genevieve still had five hours of travel ahead of her and knew they could not stop. Advanced guidance systems did not completely replace the driver, but the road ahead was straight and uninterrupted. In the event of unforeseen circumstances, the alarm would immediately require the restoration of human control.
Her escort needed rest and, indeed, they fell asleep beside her.
Genevieve could not sleep. She had her carry-on luggage with her, and inside it there was the book.
She decided to take a look. She took it out and, after releasing the book from the metal clasps that held it closed, opened it.
The glasses allowed her to read an ancient language in any other language. Thus, Genevieve could read directly.
“Tethys and the Wounds of Doctor Achille Archiatro, Chief Physician”
The first page reproduced the title text printed on the cover.
On the second page there was an envelope. She opened it and began to read: