A shuttle awaited Tom on the edge of the crater.
The pilot blasted the engines at a breakneck speed. As the shuttle apprached the enormous structure, Which was built into the base of a steep Hill, Tom could see a robot pacing back and forth in front of a entrance.
The shuttle slowed to a stop and the robot scurried over, opened the door for Tom and extended his jointed hand in greeting.
"Have you been briefed on the situation, Tom Gunn?"
"A little," Tom replied as he got out of the shuttle doors.
"Excellent." said the machine with a digitalized smile. "my name is Rex-Com. I am the mine supervisor. This is a terrible business."
"Then you must know time is of the essence," Tom said.
Rex-Com was a rounded stocky robot with a miners helmet built into his large head. He had an air of explosive energy, as if he had tapped into one of the electrical conduits that extended from the mine on the roof of the entrance.
"Yes, I understand. Come. I will shed more light on the situation."
Turning briskly, he led the way down the tunnel entrance.
Tom glanced around at the small plain lobby. "Somehow i expected a larger facility."
