The Jeco Expedition

Previously

…Her work was invaluable, a meticulous record of a world on the brink of discovery. He also noted Mateo’s quiet vigilance, the way he moved with an almost supernatural awareness of his surroundings. He recognized the same instinct in himself when he was deciphering ancient texts, a deep, intuitive understanding that went beyond mere intellect. As they approached the ridge, the terrain began to change. The dense undergrowth thinned, replaced by a series of rocky outcrops and steep inclines. The air grew cooler, carrying a faint, mineral tang. The silence persisted, a heavy blanket that seemed to press in on them. Then, they reached it. Not a ridge, but a ch