Chapter 14

The tunnels continued to wind, but our downward trajectory had leveled out, and the innards of the tunnel system steadily advanced in structure. It was beginning to resemble the lair of evil geniuses you'd expect to see in James Bond films. Henchmen littered the area, carting machinery and carrying vials of mystery liquids. Some drove hovering vehicles, dragging behind them large vats or trolleys. They all wore the same orange chest garment, with the odd exception wearing a blue one instead. The guys in blue tended to be the ones shouting out orders and looking extra grouchy.

They pulled us over on several occasions. Jake managed to talk our way out of every situation, mainly brought on due to our nakedness. It was coming off as simple disobedience and bad behavior. Jake would say we were on our way to getting what we needed.

Of course, that sprang a minor problem: Tobias and Santorelli weren't far behind and looked exactly like us.

This guy says we're on our last warnin', boss, Santorelli reported. Guy's pissed.

Just tell them you're trying to find it, Jake instructed. Act like you lost it, and you're retracing your steps.

Got it!

We wandered past yet another loitering group of grumpy Kelbrids and into the first descending tunnel we'd seen for a while. We still needed to find more information on the base, let alone a way to halt its construction. Jake wanted to find HQ or anywhere with plans for the base's structure and potential weaknesses. He thought that it was further underground, so further underground we went.

The tunnel turned sharply around a couple of deserted corners. More machinery showed up, and we heard new noises echoing further down. The lights were dimming, too.

Then, the color of the tunnel changed very suddenly. What was white abruptly became orange, joined with a buzzing sound and a looming shadow. It disappeared just as snappishly as it arrived.

It happened again. Then some more. With our curiosity piqued, we continued around the long curve of the tunnel until we saw what was causing the disturbance. Six Kelbrids were spread at the dead end of the tunnel. They wore large face masks and the usual orange attire. Strapped over their shoulders were enormous weapon-like machines with long turrets jutting from the front. One of them called out an instruction, and the furthest to the left pulled the trigger on his machine. From the turret shot a thick laser beam. The solid, compressed dirt ahead heated and then vaporized. He circled the beam slowly, forming a neat hole before stopping.

We must be at the end of the base, Jake thought out loud.

There's a right turn just behind them, I noticed. Maybe we should try going down there?

It's worth a shot.

We carefully shuffled over. One of the workers noticed us, turned, but then went straight back to the task at hand. When we arrived at the hidden opening, we discovered a set of shallow steps and a big circular door at the end. Jake voicelessly made the call, and we stepped down toward it.

I reached the door first and placed a cautious hand on its surface. It wasn't on a latch, so the slight pressure my hand applied was enough to open just an inch. The lighting was brighter inside. It was enough incentive, so we pushed ahead into the new room.

This looks more like it, Jake commented.

It was just like an office. There were cubicles arranged in patterns from side to side, front to back. Flashing electrical equipment lined the walls, filling the atmosphere with bleeps and buzzes. The Kelbrids present were too engrossed in colorful screens to take any notice of us, crouched on short, cushioned pillars. One was clearly asleep, head dropped into crossed arms on the desk. They were all wearing green clothing.

What are you thinking? I asked Jake.

I'm thinking we see what's in the computer system. We could find plans for the base. Maybe something better.

I nodded towards the sleeping office worker. You thinking what I'm thinking?

You know I am.

The sleeper was the only one on the right-hand side of the office, and that must have been why he hadn't been caught napping. That gave us the opportunity we needed. Jake reached forward and jabbed him on the shoulder. It took a second jab to finally wake him from his slumber.

Jake spoke something with a stern, disapproving voice. The real Kelbrid stuttered and straightened on his stool, garbling something back.

Then Jake huffed a second line, and the Kelbrid wearily got up. He dragged himself sleepily away and through a door on the far wall.

What did you tell him? I asked.

I said his shift ended an hour ago and that if he didn't leave immediately, I'd make sure he never slept again.

Good one, I complimented. And it looks like he left all his files open…

Jake placed himself onto the stool and gazed up at the three-dimensional Kelbrid computer screen. To me, it was just a creative collection of spinning shapes and illegible, bizarrely patterned scribbles. But Jake watched it all like it made total sense.

You can read all that?

Yeah, he said. It would be great if I understood what any of it actually meant, though. The terminology isn't easy.

I was impressed by the ability of the language chip that Surote had granted the others. Part of me regretted the decision to refuse it, but just the thought of such an implant sent shivers through me.

I didn't entirely trust them. Not yet.

Jake started unscrambling the Kelbrid puzzle, using precise claws to move files around the large screen. I resigned myself to standing on guard, eyes scanning from door to door and through the other cubicles. I also made sure to keep track of the others, allowing Jake the space to concentrate on his efforts.

Where are you guys? I asked them.

Just some big empty box, man, Santorelli replied. It's borin' as all hell. Where did you go?

We went down into an incomplete tunnel. There's a bunch of workers with lasers doing some digging. We're just past them. Do you see a tunnel going downwards?

Yeah. Looks pretty dark.

That's where we went. Just stay up there for now. We shouldn't be seen together.

We'll just wait by this pile of trash. Nobody's goin' near it.

Good idea. Keep in touch.

Time went by slowly with very little activity, and I took to inspecting my nails, leaning up against the cubicle next to Jake's. The other workers in the room barely lifted their heads, so I wasn't too worried about them. The doors were my primary focus.

Got something! Jake spoke victoriously.

Lay it on me.

Base layout, multi-layer. Printing some copies now.

I twisted my body to better inspect his work. Red sheets of card rolled out from beneath the computer screen. Jake was still plodding through files as they came off.

What does it tell us? I questioned.

It tells us a few things. I found some documents describing the base and what it does. It's a fuel supply base for orbiting ships. One of only two. The other's in Australia. The building project is supposed to last another two months. The base itself is pretty small, but it runs under a river just north of here.

Directly under a river?

Jake's Kelbrid morph smiled. Directly under.

Perfect.