Unit 5: Spire

// SURFACE_ROUTINE : SOL_0001
// signal: nominal
// horizon: red_dust
// mission: proceed_to_spire_anomaly

BOOT_SEQUENCE();
CALIBRATE_SENSORS();

if (PLANET.color == RED && ATMOSPHERE.opacity > SAFE_LIMIT) {
LOG("Sky the color of oxidized memory.");
DESCENT_THRUSTERS = FIRING;
}

while (ALTITUDE > 0) {
DUST++;
WIND = LOW_WHISPER;
HEARTBEAT_TRANSMITTER();
}

TOUCHDOWN();

LOG("Surface contact.");
LOG("Dust settling like ancient code.");

SCAN(HORIZON);

OBJECT spire = DETECT_VERTICAL_FORM(distance = FAR, shape = NEEDLE);
OBJECT anomaly = REGISTER_SIGNAL(origin = BELOW(spire), strength = UNKNOWN);

if (anomaly.strength != NULL) {
FLAG curiosity++;
FLAG caution++;
}

ROUTE path = NAVIGATE(spire.coordinates);

while (POSITION != spire.coordinates) {

STEP();
WHEEL_ROTATION++;

if (SOIL.depth > EXPECTED) {
LOG("Ground remembers weight.");
}

if (SENSOR.audio == SIGNAL) {
DECODE();
// result: unintelligible
LOG("Something speaks in static.");
}

if (SHADOW.length > MODEL.prediction) {
LOG("Spire taller than geometry.");
}

TRANSMIT_TO_EARTH(delay = 14_minutes);
}

ARRIVE(spire.base);

DRILL_TARGET = cancelled (spire);

SCAN_SUBSURFACE();

if (SCAN.result == VOID || SCAN.result == MOVEMENT) {
LOG("Anomaly confirmed.");
}

WAIT();

while (UNKNOWN == TRUE) {

if (SUBSURFACE_SIGNAL == RISING) {
LOG("Not geological.");
}

if (GROUND.temperature > NORMAL && NO_SUN_INPUT) {
LOG("Heat from beneath.");
}

LISTEN();

if (DUST.pattern == RESPONSE) {
LOG("Planet acknowledged.");
}

// system hesitation
PAUSE(3.7 seconds);
}

FINAL_LOG:
LOG("monolith. launch unit 9");

SYSTEM_REST_ ERROR
//diagnostics
—SLEEP UNABLE
SKY SCREAMS—