“Let’s see if we can work it out.” From the sled he brought an assortment of tools.
“Take it easy,” Rogan eyed these preparations askance.”If it is an explosive, and we do the wrong thing-we’re apt to finish up in pieces.”
“It isn’t a shell,” Kimber repeated stubbornly. “And it’s been here a long time. See that?” He pointed to fresh scars on the cliff face. “That’s a recent break. Maybe the storm tore that down and uncovered this. Now-a little probing.”
They worked gingerly at first, and then, when nothing happened, with more confidence-until they had it out far enough to see that the cone was only the tip of a long cylinder. Finally they hooked a chain to it and used the power of the sled to draw it completely free of the tube.
Six feet long, it lay half in, half out of the water, a sealed opening showing midway in its length. Kimber knelt down before the tube and flashed his hand-light inside. As far as they could see ran a tunnel lined with seamless metal.
“What in the name of Space is it, anyway?” Hogan wondered.
“Some form of transportation, I would say.” Kimber still held the light inside as if by wishing alone he could deduce the destination of their discovery.
Hogan prodded the cylinder with his foot and it rolled slightly. The techneer stooped and tugged at the end in the sand. To his astonishment he was able to lift it several inches above the beach.
“A whole lot lighter than you’d think! I believe we could take it back on the sled!”
“Hmm…” Kimber took Rogan’s place and hoisted.