I
considered the finned aluminum box carefully. According to Max’s notes, inside
was a stone which gave off heat. At various times the stone grew to burning
temperatures, but most of the time it was the same as a hot cup of coffee,
pleasant at first, but uncomfortable the longer you held onto it.
The box
acted as a heat sink, dispersing the excess heat so it didn’t build up. Max had
gone through a few variations until he talked to a mechanic that suggested a
finned designed like a radiator.
I held my
hand over it. It wouldn’t burn at the touch, but I still wasn’t going to take
any chances. I used a pair of kitchen tongs to open the lid of the box. Inside,
I saw two halves of a geode. Each half had black, red, and orange crystals in a
variegated pattern. As soon as the lid came up, I could feel more heat, but it
wasn’t uncomfortable, right now.
I looked
closely at the orange crystals, even using a magnifying lens and flashlight to
get a better look at them. I looked back at Max’s notes, confirming. The
original notes made no mention of orange. Before, the crystals had been mostly
red with black at the base. Now the top halves of the crystals were orange, and
a few of them had flecks of yellow on the very tips.
Whatever this thing is, it’s changing. It
looks a little like fire trapped in stone.
I had no
idea what this stone was, or how it could do what it did. I didn’t trust a
geologist enough to analyze it without freaking out about a new discovery to
have it analyzed. At least not yet.
I settled
for a picture. I might be able to get an idea about the composition from the
various colors. I closed the lid again, and then pulled over my insurance
policy. I got one of those fireproof safes, only I intended to use this one in
reverse. I lowered the finned box in with tongs, then sealed it shut, tucking
it into a corner with no flammables nearby. I didn’t relish leaving the item
with the rest of the stash, but it hadn’t flared up for Max, so I hoped it
wouldn’t flare up for me.
I scrubbed
a hand through my hair. The more I delved into Max’s collection, the more
worried I got. It was only a matter of time until I stumbled on something that
would get me killed.
I went to
the next item on the list.