“Hi, Niva,” Violet replied. “I’ve been instructed to let you know we’re on our way to a planet called Cordal Three. We picked up a distress call. Captain Barnes thinks it would be good if we got your assistance.”
“Allow me to look at the chart.” Niva brought the planet up. They called it System Three Two Two. An uninhabited world on the edge of nowhere. Surveys put it down as a desirable but difficult prospect for exploitation, primarily because of how far off it was from established trade routes. “Who is sending this message?”
“Our people,” Violet replied. “Archaeologists… those are scientists who research old cultures.”
“And let me guess. Your ship is the only one capable of getting there in a reasonable time frame.”
“Correct.”
“One moment.” Niva explained everything to Griel. “They would like our assistance.”
“We were on our way to them anyway,” Griel replied. “Send the coordinates to Authen. Get us there as quickly as possible. I’m glad they’re out here. We can start our hunt for Renz together.”
Niva rolled her eyes. “We’re on our way, Violet. Please let your captain know to expect us in…” She did the calculation. “Roughly twenty minutes after you arrive it appears.”
“Thank you. We’ll talk soon.”
Molush grunted. “There’s nothing wrong with this data. It’s accurate.” He rubbed his eyes. “Are we about to get into another battle?”
Niva shrugged. “I can’t say.”
“I seriously doubt it,” Griel jumped in. “No one’s bothering with this planet. What’s the deal anyway?”
“It’s got potential,” Niva replied. “Mining opportunities and the like, but it’s too far away. Database suggests it may have been the site of ancient cultures. Unfortunately the war has cut off such research.”
“Except for the humans, apparently.” Molush frowned. “I hope they’re okay. Who knows what they might’ve found? Some indigenous culture may be present… creatures descendant from others.”
“Okay,” Griel interrupted, “let’s not speculate about monsters, okay? That’s just… counterproductive. Besides, the survey team didn’t talk about anything dangerous. They probably just broke down out there. You saw their equipment. Before we got involved, it would take them a week to get there from the nearest colony.”
I have a feeling it’s more than that. Niva didn’t know why. Instinct warned her they were walking into something big. I’m not going to be the one to say it. Two ships would be more than sufficient to handle anything they ran up against. Especially at such a remote location.
What culture would send more than a couple vessels? Not us, apparently. Niva went back to her research. No point in speculating. We’ll see soon enough.
***
Niesh stood near the center of the room while his people searched for the maintenance passage. He knew enough about the structures to understand that the doors were always well hidden, concealed as part of the wall. They didn’t stick out, didn’t break up the decorative nature of the temples.
“I think we found it!” A voice drew his attention. “It appears to be locked.”
“Oh?” Niesh stepped close. “Magnetic?”
“Negative. It jiggles enough that it must be a physical obstruction.”
That’s very old. Kahl structures utilized magnetics to secure passages for the last two hundred years. They improved only in how one accessed them and their strength. The only way we’re getting through here is to blast it. He hated the idea of damaging such a priceless find but it could be blamed on those who broke in.
“You three,” Niesh stood back, “take aim and fire along the seam from top to bottom. This is just standard stone. It’ll crack quickly enough.”
The soldiers hesitated albeit briefly before complying with the order. Their weapons barked as they tore into the stonework, tossing tiny pebbles in various directions. A few clattered off Niesh’s armor, even at twenty paces. The process didn’t take long before they drew back.
Molten rock dripped to the floor as the door yawned open. An ancient bolt had been used to lock it. That’s a piece of evidence suggesting they definitely came this way. He waved at the men to enter. “Hurry. Be sure to check for any signs of passage. Use your scanners. We’re heading toward the reactor.”
As his soldiers piled into the hallway, Niesh spoke to Kivda. “We found the maintenance tunnel and are heading in. It was locked from the other side. Which might have been done years ago but I highly doubt it. I’ll report when we reach the command room or the reactor space.”
“Good,” Kivda replied. “We’re making a sweep over the area. We passed over their camp. It does not look big. I suspect we’re dealing with no more than three individuals. The ship itself was pretty small as well. Our forces might even be overkill for taking them down. Though don’t forget, numeric superiority isn’t a guarantee.”
“Understood.” Niesh followed the others into the tunnel. He didn’t like the way Kivda started to sound like General Renz, reminding people of things they clearly knew. The commander spent entirely too much time with the pompous ass. Just because he was the Lord Marshal’s son, he acted like he had divine rights.
Like he should be worshipped. Niesh hated him from the moment he took the position under Kivda. He and his men enjoyed privileges other military personnel did not but that was a small consolation to dealing with the arrogance of their leaders. And of course their insistence that they needed to be personally involved in every operation.
High command like that gets in the way more often than they help.
Those in the front came to a T intersection. Niesh had them halt, checking for scans again. This time, they picked something up. An odd life reading, one he hadn’t seen before but it closely resembled the Prytins. He directed them to take the left to follow them. They definitely went this way.
“Kivda,” Niesh lingered behind the others.
