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Nothing more had been said about the tests so Idrias put them from her mind and set about seeing what she could do at the zone. It was proving harder than she had expected to get the writings transcribed right. She could see it fine, but knowing what was the start from that distance turned out to be harder than she thought. In the end she went out to them and marked the starting place. For all she had scared a few of the rangers by shifting, for all she told them and did so in the trees. Even used an illusion so she appeared tan, not white in hopes they wouldn’t connect her to the tiger they were used to seeing. Three of them were still avoiding her. It was strange how they were able to forget what she was until they saw her other from. Oh well, at least they were not trying to stop her.

Then there were the lessons with the readers, they where tricky. It helped a lot once they were able to change the colors of the display, but that had taken a bit of tinkering. The default was just the wrong colors for her eyes to see. That was the first time she knew for a fact that even her human eyes saw at a different range. She had suspected it, but there had never been a reason to really test. However she was only able to see half the details on the reader, making it useless. Now that they had it fixed she was getting it worked out, but it wasn’t fast. There was a lot of data to get straight, but at least it was starting to make sense and she had been able to safely move a couple of vases out to the processes shed. There was more that she felt could be, but she just wasn’t quite sure enough to do it. She didn’t want to make anyone sick. Even though the ones in there were to use protective gear when something new was added they might forget in there eagerness, or take it off to see better, therefore it was best to triple check. She had set a few pieces out of the buildings to let them air and if the readings held she would bring them out today. One she was worried about as it was a chest and she had no idea what was in it, feeling unsafe to open it, but the readings showed it in the safe zone still. Best to see they were warned, for it was risky.

Idrias entered the station and just about left again as there were a lot of new people there. Clearly there was something going on.  Harrold saw her and waved. “I was just going to get one of the boys to go for you Idrias. Don’t let them scare you off, some are here to see how we work here as they are having less luck getting items processed. Then there is some new equipment to test, which I am hoping you will help set up.”

Willow, the lead archeologist said. “I saw you had some items set out, by chance are any from the same place as that large Vase? It is a gold mine, and we are still cleaning it, but it is covered in ruins! I hope there is more from there, it is the best we have yet.”

Idrias nodded. “I could tell there was something on it, so was hoping. A few others look to have carvings as well, and a few I can’t identify. One thing I am too sure of. There is a chest there. It testes fine, but I don’t want to risk opening it, yet that means I can’t test the contents. It is heavy so I am sure there is something in it.  Do you have a way to handle it or should I not bring it out? I hate to risk you but don’t want to risk damaging anything by opening it.”

Willow said. “Bring it, by all means. We will put it in the high contaminate unit, none of the kids are let in. We will be sure to move slowly, there are extra steps for that room. Anything that is throwing spikes goes in there, as do any boxes. You are doing just fine, I know it is scary to bring them out but you have been doing fine.”

Idrias nodded and tried to relax, for all she was feeling strange. “I will check them, then move the ones that still hold steady to the processing rom. There is a good deal more this time, and it all looked good yesterday, but I wanted to leave it out one night first. Let me get them and then I can help set the equipment Harrold. Say can they come up with a less touchy screen fix? It would help if I didn’t have to watch the bumps so much.”

Harrold said. “It is some new distances readers that we need set up, but they have been making some adjustments to the made screen. I will show then the backup reader we fixed for you and see if they think they can get something better. I didn’t even think, but they do need to know of the problem. I doubt if it is only you that can’t see them, just that we are the first to be testing this way.”

Idrias nodded and went to her locker and took out the suite for the edge worke. It was safe for cloth no further than she was going, but it looked better to have a suite on if someone turned up to look at the ruins. The fact that she didn’t have the full helmet would be enough to explain. They didn’t need a kid seeing her there in street clothes. “How far in do you want the new monitors set, sir?” That caused a few to turn and they looked a bit staled. “I am just going to the fist row right now, that far is safe for cloth and paper goods for two hours, but the suite makes it clear to any at lookout that the area is not safe. I guess it does look odd not to have it in a clean room, but such isn’t needed for this. It is still to high for humans to be exposed to for more than thirty minutes, but should be able to red zone the area in another month giving how the readings are.”

One of them nodded. “If there is another suite I would like to go with you and see how you test them. It will help in making improvements to see just how you are using it. There is only one other station testing items at this time and they will not let us in. Said it was unsafe, that the area they were working was to unpredictable. So there was a problem with the screens?”

Harrold looked at him and then at Idrias. He did need to see it in use, but it would be rough on her. Still she needed to do this as there would be times she was asked to teach others. “There is a suite there, but if Idrias tells you to leave, you leave and don’t touch anything unless she tells you. Ours here is more stable than Vicks, but it is not safe. Idrias he tested to blue, so third row levels, no higher.” Idrias nodded a bit but looked uncertain, she could tell the man wasn’t a shifter or human, but wasn’t too sure just what. “He is not the collage kid that looks to be just a Dragon so ages slower. That said you are in charge over there. He has never been in the zone, unlike you.”

The man started a bit, then smiled. “I should have realized, of course it would be alarming that I asked to enter a zone that is toxic. I promise I will listen. I am not reckless and fully aware that it is not safe.”

Harrold nodded as Idrias handed him the suite. “As you tested that high you should be fine with just the mask, but if you would feel better there is a helmet there. Take a pair of gloves with you, they might not be needed but best to have them. I will see how the toxins react to you, if it looks alright I will take you in a building to show how the readers look inside. However that will increase the danger. The confined area can do strange things to the readings, but yet the levels I see are the same. The differences is one of the dozens things we can’t understand. I don’t see the same, even in human from. I had been thinking it might be the case, but learning to read the screens confirmed it. I could only see half the data on the screens, until they managed to get the colors changed, but it keeps needing to be rest when it gets bumped.”

Another said. “A color changer should be an easy change. Don’t know why I never thought of it. That would make it a lot easier to learn as well, if we color coded the sections. That though will take a bit more, but let me see the other unit and I will see if I can’t get you something stable. As for the testers I want them in as far as I can get them. Ralph can set them on the ground fine up to the mist, but I was hoping to get some higher.” The wolf next to him nodded. “Harrold said you could get them to the temple at least, as there were clothes here?”

Idrias looked at them for a bit. Her father would have a fit, but well the data was needed. “First though let me get these moved. Once we have this done I can shift and then will be able to set them into the mist. I can combine forms so I will be a bit taller than I am now. My brother tells me it is hard to look at, so some of you might want to go out on patrol. I don’t want to give anyone nightmares, but we do need the data, so.” She shrugged and flushed as Harrold and Ralph looked at her, startled. “I don’t like scarring people so tend to keep some things unsaid. However I fist shifted when a toddler, that lets me have more control over it, so I can blend easily. I have learned that is more upsetting than just being a shifter is.” She hoped that sounded alright. Likely the other there would know of the third from, but the data was needed so she would take the risk, for all it was close to showing what she was not allowed to.

Harrold shook his head a bit, upset that she was clearly embarrassed by it. There was no reason the child should be scared of herself.  “I was just glad that you are willing to. I wasn’t too sure what you would be comfortable with, it will be a help. There are some new transmitters we want to test. If you are willing to tosses them we can save the drones for a latter check, as we don’t need new images yet. Thank you, but don’t push further than you are sure is safe.”

Idrias said. “The weather looks good as long as it stays that way it will be fine, I will feel it change well before there is any danger. Ralph do you want to come with us? Getting a feel for the zone in the outer area will let you better identify the bad spots further in. The ground and buildings are not always as stable as they appear to be. Or are you used to the zone?”

Ralph stood up and walked over to her, nodding. The other tec person said. “He has been in the zone a few times, but not around buildings so is glad to come, if you are sure he won’t be in the way. He can’t make human words in that from, we are clan though so I can hear him. Would you mind taking a radio so if he needs to tell you something I can relay it?”

Idrias nodded. “We can try it, but radios are not always reliable in the zone. So if I don’t answer, please know I am not intentionally ignoring you.”

They nodded. “That is another thing we are trying to get fixed. This set has some changes and seeing how it does will help us know what to try next. Just like with the fixed readers.”

Idrias took the radio and they set off. None of them said anything until they were in the zone, then it was the Dragon that spoke. “It is a bit rude of me not to have told you my name, I just was startled. I am known as Arthur among your kin. I m glad that you were not scared off, but startled as I thought my kin were unknown to you here. Most of the rangers have spent time in areas that my kin still visit. So have you? If you don’t mind how did you learn the rules of the zone? Not that I doubt you at all, but it is just starting to me to think that you have been.”

Idrias said. “Dragons are spoken of in the history books, but we are taught that all withdrew from this land. I knew a bit more. It is my families practice to take the children to the old teaching site near our home on their eighth birthday, and have them stay there the night. That was something that my father felt was even more important for me as I would be in the trees more and we have a lot of old ruins here. They are safe, but the old spells need to be treated right, as you know. My father has no problems with us going where the wells take us and lets us visit as we want after that first trip. They taught me of your kin, and took me to lands where some are. So I knew there was some contact still.” She looked at him a bit and nodded. “As I thought, you don’t need the gloves.” He blinked a bit smiling she said in one of the old trade languages. “I can see the toxins and your shield. I don’t know why you find it necessary to pretend, but will let it go. Just wanted to know I know you have more experience here than I do.” He looked shocked, she smiled and changed back. “The Wells have shared a number of the old languages with me. I can read some of the old Dragon ones as well. They seem to be most willing to teach me, for all others say that they are secretive.” She looked around a bit and turned to one of the buildings. “From here this looks safe but go up to the door.”

They did and Ralph backed then backed away glaring at Idrias. Arthur said. “That is odd, it looks fine but it feels soggy. I have not encountered that before. The ones I have seen were caved in on the inside.

 Idrias nodded. “That is just what I meant. That shift you felt as you reached the door is what you need to watch for. That one is safe enough. It just drops an inch so you could get out easy. I know it is spooky, but now you know what it feels like so can avoid it. It is harder to detect than the ones that are crumbled, making it the greater threat so I wanted you to feel it where I know you could get out. Others sink a lot more, and that might on in.” She showed them the screen on her reader, and then moved closer to the house. The levels dropped to the safe reading. “There is no poison here, not even the traces we get in the green zone. Yet clearly it is affected. Everyone is wondering what will happen to it when the toxin clears. That is the only one here, but there are more like it on in.” She took a breath then said. “I am sure that my parents would have told me not to enter the zone, but it never occurred to them that I would. I was scared the first time, but didn’t see that there was a choice. There are beings in the lands here, races that are changed by the poisons and the magic. Some were made before for the wars. It is sad to think.” Arthur nodded, and frowned for he knew what she meant. “Anyway when I was out for a run I came across one of the worst attacking a young one of a gentle race. The child was too young to defend its self. They were in the zone and there was no one near. I couldn’t let the child be harmed further so rushed into help. Not knowing what it would do to me. I saved the child and learned that I could safely enter the zone as I could see the poisons being repelled from me. That first time was enough to make me want to know how far I could go. Then as I encountered more I wanted to learn more. I stayed away from the stations, but started exploring.”

Arthur shook his head. “I don’t know that I would have been so brave as to be able to rescue the child. However I do see how that would lead you to exploring more. It is astounding to me that your parents let you get into a place where you were there to rescue the young one. Mine would never let me be near such a dangerous place. Is that the chest you meant? Just how did you get it out here? I know that shifters are strong, but that is huge.”

Idrias said. “It rolls, but still wasn’t easy to move. I was not looking forward to getting it to the hut, but feel it should be. For all it is a risk, there is something that says it is important. That doesn’t make me feel any better about it. Nothing else has proving to be a danger, but that doesn’t mean it is safe.” She needed them to know that, for it truly did worry her.  “Now if you are willing I will show you what we are going by to judge what is safe to move. So far it is working, but well, it is still an experiment.” The nodded and moved to where they could see. She explained the lines and showed them what she was checking for as she moved it over the chest and the other items. One of the vases spiked to high still, but the rest were fine. “That is why I set them outside over night. This is the fourth I have taken back due to a spike like that. I bet it will read just like these when it is back in the house. I want to get these moved over then we can go in that red one there and you can try the reader. It will bounce all over in there. Some of the items are in the extreme levels but the house is safe. Just don’t touch the contents.”

Arthur nodded and moved to the chest, using a bit of magic to raise it. “I can get this for you, if you tell me where to take it. I lifted just the chest, not the air around it. I am not going to be able to take more than it.”

Idrias grabbed to of the vase and looked at Ralph. “Feel free to look around. The levels inside can change fast so be careful if you enter any. You should be fine, but don’t open anything. There are bits of spells around.” He nodded and so they started taking the items in.

Willow was waiting in full gear and shook her head at the chest. “No wonder he didn’t know how you moved it. That needs to go in there on the red table if you can get it that high. That is a find, and I am glad you didn’t risk opening it. I want to get rubbings of the lock plate, it is likely to brake. Don’t worry Idrias I will get you a full list of what we find. There will be pictures taken every step and tests run. It will be opened as slowly as possible with pauses.”

Idrias nodded. “I know you will not take any foolish risks. I just wasn’t sure if there was a place that it could be examined safely. There are more items to come, about three more trips. However this is the last from that house and none of the others near it look promising.”

Willow nodded. “We all know how it goes, I am just glad to be getting items to work with. The others can just go in the normal room.” It didn’t take long until they had it all moved. Then she took them around to a few houses so Arthur could try the reader in them and get a better idea of what they needed from it. Then they went back to the station.

Idrias got out of the jumpsuit and put it off then looked at the others. “If one of you can take the items to the yellow fence I can pick them up there. How far apart to you want the sensors?”