Page 14 of Spectral Seas (Spectral Worlds #2)

T HE DULLING OF the engines’ hum was the only sign that the Urlk was nearing its destination. The craft was near silent in its glide when, with a roar, the retro jets kicked in, rocking the ship’s passengers in their seats. Before them, the mist dissipated and a rockface materialized. In the center of the mountain wall, at the tip of the Urlk’s bow, was a small triangle of lemon light. As they drew closer, the triangle grew in size; two receding, angled doors opened to reveal a hangar.

When the angled doors to the flight deck were fully opened, the manta-ray floated forward to its resting place.

“Let’s get to it,” Abby said as they rose from their seats.

“Of course,” said Uhggwa. “We will meet with the premier, and he’ll take us to the scene of the incident.”

The admiral placed his fist to his chest and said, “I will remain with the Urlk. May your endeavor prosper.”

Abby returned the gesture. “We thank you for your hospitality.”

They waited for the Viridian soldiers in the rows below to disembark then followed them down to the flight deck, this time by way of a ramp rather than the lift. Most of the soldiers assumed sentry positions surrounding the craft while a smaller contingent bearing the royal insignia of Uhggwa’s Elite Guard proceeded into the semi-circular tunnel at the back of the landing bay.

“You’re feeling better?” Leta asked as they followed their escorts.

“Yes, I am,” said Abby. “The ride over gave my nanites a chance to do their job.” He sucked in a deep breath through his nose then exhaled it out through his mouth, briefly fogging his visor. “Fine as a fiddle. How about you?”

“I’m feeling better too,” she said.

At the end of the tunnel was a large, open, cylindrical lift. A Viridian commando stood to each side of the opening. The captain of the Elite guard entered, and after a quick visual inspection, gestured Uhggwa, Abby, Leta, and the remaining three commandos in their escort to join him.

Leta was dwarfed in the midst of the entourage. “The suit’s suddenly a bit hot,” she said.

“It’s the heat coming up from the tunnels,” said Abby.

“I thought this volcano was extinct.”

“It’s from the crystal gardens.”

“The heat there is substantial,” said Uhggwa. “We circulate water through the depths to regulate the temperature.”

“Let me guess,” said Abby. “The system was the target of the saboteur.”

“Yes, Abernathy Squire. You are correct. With the coolant system in repair, the tunnels are much hotter than they are under usual operating conditions.”

Two concave metal panels slid down at angles from opposite sides of the opening, forming a diminishing triangle in the same fashion as the doors to the flight deck. When the doors fully closed, Viridian numeric symbols signifying the level they were on appeared on the inner surface. As they descended, the symbols rapidly changed, and though the numbers were in Viridian, an augment to the side of Abby’s vision translated them. Over a hundred levels passed by before the lift stopped its descent and the angled panel doors slid open again. When they did, they revealed a sprawling market with tables of fruit, vegetables, and hats—table after table of hats—and a bustling crowd of pale, wax faced humanoids wearing mustard colored jumpsuits and an array of head coverings.

“Oh my,” Leta said as they stepped from the lift. “Syns.”

“Our workforce is composed of humanoid synthetics,” said Uhggwa. “They have no need to purchase the nutrients they require, but as they are pristine gatherers, we’ve found they thrive in the market environment.”

“And the hats?” asked Leta.

“Yes,” said Uhggwa. “They appear to really like hats.”

Uhggwa gurgled a command to the captain of his guard. The captain nodded, gestured for one of the other commandos to stand sentry by the lift, then entered one of the small structures lining side of the market. He returned a moment later with a green suited syn.

The syn’s nose was thin and straight, and his forehead smooth and high and without wrinkle except for the semi-crescent lines above each of his ears. He wore an exaggerated smile that appeared to have been molded in place, and on the top of his oily black hair he wore a gray flannel pillbox hat two sizes too small. The syn faced Uhggwa, but his iridescent yellow eyes poured over Abby and Leta .

“Your Highness,” he said to Uhggwa, his enthusiasm thick with adoration. “We’re so pleased to have you grace us with your presence.”

“Premier Nahl,” said Uhggwa. “You were to meet us at the gate?”

“And so here I am.”

“Yes. Of course. Is the site of the incident secured and ready for inspection?”

“It is, your Highness.”

“Excellent. Please lead the way.”

“Certainly, your Highness,” said Nahl. “May I first ask who it is that I have the honor of escorting.” Nahl leaned closely to Abby, then stooped forward and sized him up, head to toe. When he was finished, he pivoted to Leta to do the same.

“These are esteemed guests from the Alpha Plane,” said Uhggwa. “You shall hold them in the highest regard.”

“My pardon,” said Nahl. “If you’d be so kind as to follow me, guests from the Alpha Plane.”

Nahl stepped back to Uhggwa and repeated. “Your Highness, please follow me.” But he didn’t wait for a response; instead, he spun himself toward the center of the market and began to lead the way.

~*~