Ice stalactites, oriented almost horizontally, decorated the superstructure. This place had seen very high winds, exposed as it was.
The closer we got the more detail could be made out. The spire structures had entire scaffolding dedicated to each, now used as a perching spot for snow. The satellite buildings had panels missing, exposing the skeletal underbelly. That said, all my thoughts were circling around how to beat Ankah.
Generally most building architecture would consolidate power into one place, usually in the basent. They called that a transforr room. So whoever found that room first more or less won todays match.
Where things might get interesting was down to the purpose of the building. A fortress would have multiple different transforr rooms, so that if one failed another picked up the slack. A hospital would have a small generator for each wing along with multiple backup generators. And so forth down the list of possible buildings.
Still no clue what the hells this site was built for. And if I didnt know, then neither did Ankah.
You look like you have a plan. Kidra said, clearly overestimating my abilities.
Getting to the basent first would be the obvious.
My rivals trundled forward in the snow at a slow pace, also talking between each other. Planning just like we were. Calem was a brute of a person, built like a bear. The problem was that Ankah had standards for her minions - Calem wasn't just brute muscle, but also smart too, which was the worst kind of combo to be up against. He'd probably point out the transforr room as the goal post, so I could bank on Ankah also going for the basent first. Or co up with a completely different plan depending on if they knew more than we did. Too much we didn't know right now.
"Even if we get to the transforr room first, we cant rest easy." I wrapped up.
You think there might be more sources of power?
Im positive. I pointed at the buildings around the main site. Those satellite structures must each have their own power supply, and thats just starting. Then wed have to dig around to see where the backup generators might be located too.
Backup generators were trickier beasts. They were stored in a way that preserved them indefinitely, at the cost of so efficiency. Had to be very careful not to wake up a sleeping beast, as Id helpfully demonstrated on the last site. Its not extrely dangerous however, most sites are too damaged. If the backup generators were triggered, few things would still be connected.
This site, on the other hand, looked almost preserved. Only the outsides had been harrowed out by the environnt and neglect, but the innards looked functioning.
We discussed strategy over the next few minutes, tossing out different plans and narrowing down what we could and couldnt do. Wed even considered the rits of cutting our own shortcuts by using the occult knife.
Finally, running out of ideas, I suggested splitting up. That did not go down well, for obvious reasons. I placated Kidra by offering to take on the main building.
Knowing that there were five relic knights prowling around inside that building and the clan lord himself, Kidra reluctantly agreed with the plan. Shed take on the surrounding satellite buildings. Once I beat Ankah to the transforr room, theyd bail from the center complex and try to find power cells outside - which Kidra would have already tagged.
The planning session was going rather well until a high pitched motor started up behind . We both turned around just in ti to see a flying drone zoom past us, racing forward to the distant site. Its four propellers looking more like blurred disks fading away in the distance.
Theres only one person rich enough to bring a drone on an expedition.
Ankah had strapped herself to their hoversled, letting her minion carry her forward. In the anti, she was piloting the mini quad-copter.
This might complicate things. Kidra said, while I cursed the gods.
No really, you dont say? If my suspicions were correct, that was a scouting drone. Ankah was probably getting detailed imagery back. Looks like theyd banked spending their hover sleds energy already in exchange for possible early recon data.
Kidra didnt seem bothered. This doesnt change the plan.
No, but it does an theyll find the best entry point before we do. She might even sneak the drone into the building to get a head-start on mapping it.
We will overco this.
Sure we will. By the way, do you know any loan plans available for occult knives? Asking for a friend.
Kidra was unamused.
It was a long half hour walk, each minute watching Ankah get more and more intel on the site.
I tried bringing up the idea of using our own sled and paddling with shovels to pick up speed but Kidra refused that one. Theres no point reaching the site first if the knights werent around to help with any danger.
I could recognize what Ankahs drone had been, from the controller she toyed with. Early fourth era photography drone, before hover technology like these sleds caught on. Deep in the ratshit now, those drones would have excellent caras and could stay up in the air for hours. It would have been great if shed crashed the thing, but no luck. It zood back once we were close enough to the site.
Found any egress points? Lord Atius asked her, amused at all the bickering happening.
Seven so far, my lord. Ankah said, nimbly catching the loud thing and tossing it back into the hoversled. Ive already planned out a solid entryway that leads down to a lobby. If you need the swiftest entrance, I would be more than happy to share my findings.
The Shadowsong pri took a few glances between his daughter and Atius, to which the old Deathless laughed. I suppose Ill take you up on that offer. Im sure your father would be proud to see the work youve done mapping the site, young lady.
Ankahs Father sheepishly looked away, to which Atius slapped his shoulder heartily.
On my side, things werent so jolly. My heart had sunk like a rock. Ankah had gotten her drone inside the building and was confident enough to boast about it. Which ant she already had major parts of the interior mapped out. Scrapshit, for a spoiled princess, shes annoyingly competent.
The team stopped a few hundred feet away from the site, taking the view in. Half of the site was sunken underground, halting all access to the first floor. Windswept ice encrusted most of the structure, making entry a little treacherous, and pack ice had grown around the sides.
A beat later, so unheard tir hit and all of us brought out the safety equipnt simultaneously. Hard hats, impact resistant plates, the works. It wasnt comfortable to walk in, but it was common sense: Always wear safety gear before diving into an unstable ancient building. Ankah and her minion finished first, their gas monitors blinking green, showing active. If parts of the underground site had a lack of oxygen, those old gas sensors would kick in automatically. That was rare to see happen as most sites were well ventilated due to collapsed walls. This site however might have that issue pop up. All prepared, they climbed up a snowbank that had collapsed into the second floor.
Kidra and I waited for her to vanish into the superstructure with the rest of the relic knights in tow, preparing our own gear and turning on the monitor systems. Okay, now she wont notice the plan.
My sister nodded, then began to hike away from the site. Move like the wind, brother. Tsuya guide your steps.
And Urs witness your trial. Dont worry, this is only a minor setback. Ill find another way in.
Fifteen minutes later, I was swallowing my words and Frostbloom would have tasted better. This hadnt been a minor setback. Despite casing the periter looking for alternate entryways, there wasnt a single way that wasnt filled with rubble. And I wasnt a zippy little drone capable of speeding around to check a few dozen corners in minutes. Kidra had gotten inside her own target building, as she reported ten minutes ago.
The real surprise was an additional companion. Father tagged behind, no explanation offered. Was he worried Id start so trouble in front of the clan lord?
Thats a fair point in hindsight. If I werent so focused on this damn contest, finding a way to be petty would absolutely be in the books.
My salvation ca in the form of a ladder. It stood intact at the side of a wall, going right up to the rooftop. The only drawback was all the ice that clung on the steps, the climb would be difficult. Thankfully the typical scavenger baggage included climbing hooks and rope for a reason.
While preparing for the journey up, Father finally broke the silence. You intend to climb here to the roof?
Uh, yeah. The roofs superstructure will be weak from all the snow that accumulated on top. Im sure theres sections that caved in but are still traversable. Why?
He nodded, stepped forward and picked up. Under my suit, people would describe as a twig. However the suit itself and all my tools added to a good fifty to seventy pounds. Of course, that might as well be a feather to the relic armor.
What are you doin- Before I could finish, he jumped. The leap cleared him up a good ten or so feet up, where his free hand snapped like a jaw against the frozen ladder steps. From there he pulled, again throwing both of us straight up. The ladder groaned and creaked at the stress but sohow didnt collapse. With one last leap up, he cleared the rooftop and landed down into the snow. Wed climbed three whole stories in a matter of seconds.
It was deep here, almost to my hips. Walking was a no-go. Fortunately there was a good way to fix that. Normally hover sleds are brought as carrying equipnt and kept light to not waste the power cell powering it. But as Ankah had demonstrated earlier, there were plenty of uses for these.
Why help ? I asked while getting the equipnt ready. Moving with all this snow around was a right pain, but slow and steady wins the race.
The Shadowsong pri is helping his daughter inside the ruins. He said.
Of course Ankah was getting the extra assistance. Why not help Kidra? Shes your favorite isnt she?
She can handle herself. You, Im not so certain.
Making sure I dont darwin award myself off the surface? Didnt think you cared that much.
Darwin award?"
"A joke that pops up in old books all the ti. It's about this scientist who studied how creatures evo-"
"Im only fulfilling my duty to keep you safe. I have no need for a scholar story.
Figures. All right, lets see what other use he could be.
How much is the Shadowsong pri helping?
He is keeping a watch for dangers and assisting with navigation.
And I don't get any help either?
Father stared back, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice. There wasnt any reason for to train scavenging. I earned the Winterscar armor before I ca of age to be a scavenger.
Scrambling on top of the hoversled turned out to be a little harder than expected. It slipped away, wiggling in the air. If there wasnt a rope attached, it would have been next to impossible to bring back. You know theres other ways you could help, right?
Im not here to do your work for you.
So why is Shadowsong getting the help and Im not?
Father crossed his arms. I refuse to enable your weakness. You'll get my help once youve earned it.
That made snort. What a liar. And how exactly do I earn it?
When sacrifice calls, I shall answer it. Father quoted.
The oath of duty all knight retainers swear to. It was our caste that put themselves into harms way for the greater good. Our caste who ventured out into the dangerous surface to recover scrap and tech. And thats supposed to make us sohow better than the brilliant people who stayed behind to put that tech to use.
Tell him youre going to follow the Reacher oath of duty instead of the Retainer one. Oaths an oath right?
A mont of adrenaline spiked through at the thought of rebellion. All right, Teed. Lets try your way then. A deep breath and I hardened my resolve. This could end up violent. Once I felt prepared enough, I turned to stare back at that faceless helt of his, my feet firm and planted. What darkness covers, I shall bring to light.
His hand snapped around my collar again and lifted up. Cold fury radiated from his voice. This is not what you swore as a Winterscar. You are not a Reacher. Honor your duty.
My heart pounded as my hands reflexively reached out to grab his forearms. A part of wanted to just fold here, to escape. But I had prepared for this. Fear didnt rule this ti.
One should always respect duty, no matter the rank. Do you disagree with that? Let's see him deny the words of the clan lord himself.
He held in the air for a mont more. So be it. Continue crawling in the mud. Leave your sister to shoulder everything while you cower from your duty. Then he tossed into the sled. The hover sled wobbled dangerously, dipping down and kissing the snow before springing back up and floating further down, with stunned on top. Deep breaths helped calm my nerves.
He hadnt lashed out at physically. Being disappointed wasnt anything new. This I could handle. I took my win and ran with it.
Now situated a few inches off the snow, it was much easier to cover ground by paddling with my hands to the side. It took a few minutes for my heart to stop racing, but the physical movents helped center .
Father followed leisurely behind, as if nothing had happened. The armor simply didnt care about the hundreds of pounds of snow it was plowing through. And our ancestors actually knew how those armors worked once?
Mind boggling. Im used to working with a wide range of different tech levels, but theres a hard limit around the lost tech era. Rumor has it, printers for those could only be found deep underground.
My hunches about the roof had been correct, there were a few caved in sections of roofing. Finding one that faced the right direction, my feet carefully carried down into the collapse. Here the wind wasnt able to pile up snow, and the hallways looked accessible.
Im in. I clicked the comms over to Kidra.
About ti. Whats your entrypoint?
Uh the roof.
The roof?! You do know where basents are located, yes? Are you still competitive for the transforr room with this setback?
Maybe. Its a really big building, ya know? Now let focus on pulling a win here.
Light from the outside only dimly reached here. And once Father and I truly penetrated into the superstructure, it was up to our own headlights to show the way forward. Empty hallways and rooms of various sizes waited in the gloom. There was a feeling of walking on hallowed ground.
As Id expected, this site was far more intact on the inside than most Ive been in, despite the outside appearance.
My headlights spent most of the ti picking clear trails to follow on the ground. People have had punctures by falling on debris and its never a fun ti. Im currently the underdog ti wise, but caution was always the priority. And the hallways were strewn with debris that had rotted away, falling from the ceilings or walls.
Finding out what went on in this site would give a better idea on where to dig for tech. I spent more ti on any wall that looked like it might have had pictures or symbols. Eventually I hit a lucky spot. A big blue arrow pointing to Data center 2
Sites dedicated only to data storage were ntioned occasionally in books, but this would be the first ti seeing one. Perhaps data storage was just a side feature?
This architecture is too strange. Kidra said over the comms.
What do you an?
There arent any airlocks, the walls are thin, and occasionally it looked like entire windows had a view directly outside.
Well, that doesnt sound like its up to any building codes. Or common sense. The lack of an airlock could be explained. Would get very windy each ti soone opened the door, but not a deal breaker to a large enough building. But thin walls? And even worse: windows to the outside? Tempered glass could withstand the temperature difference, but considering all the glass Id seen was shattered, that theorys probably out in the snow.
Small cubicle offices lined the sides of the walls and I spent a few minutes inside one. The chair neatly tucked into a desk, drawers and cabinets crusted over with ice. The handles on the cabinet really drew my attention. Office items dont look made for gloves.
I have noticed the sa in my building. Keyboards, switches, every type of instrunt. None of it was created with gloves in mind.
Outside equipnt had to be large to work with these thick gloves. Even Kidras occult blade had been transferred over from its original handle to one almost as large as the knife itself. Relic armor gear was the exception, since their gauntlets were normal sized.
I seriously doubt the office workers who spent their ti here all wore relic armor like it was casual wear.
This place must be really old. Either it was built underground and eventually erged or it was built back when the world was warr.
And it must be huge to have stumped Ankah for this long. Or she was keeping her discoveries quiet.
Who might have lived here then? Kidra asked. If only I knew.
Youre not normally interested in that. Whats with the questions all of a sudden?
Im not, more idle thought as Im exploring. But I suspect finding out the mystery here is all youre thinking about. And you are a chatterbox. I thought Id offer you the courtesy of indulging.
If only other girls of our caste were as considerate. All they not so sneakily ask about is if Im going to inherit the armor or not. A sha really.
What do you tell them about the armor?
Im really vague about it and let them co up with any answer for themselves. So I technically never lied to anyone.
She chuckled darkly, Thats quite the evil plot, dear brother. I didnt think you had it in you.
No argunts from , dear sister. But since all they care about is the armor, I dont feel quite so torn up about it.
We continued talking gossip while the exploration dove further into the superstructure. More and more private offices littered the hallways. Soone was bound to have left a tablet or so information that could be recovered from these rooms, maybe even paper could have survived if it was frozen over.
Alas, Ankah already had a massive head start and distractions couldnt be afforded. The curiosity burned under , kept in check by priorities.
The main hallway, or at least what was left of the hallway at this point, opened up into a larger room. Simple tal tables filled the space, empty and desolate. The ones that werent rimd with frost glinted back our flashlights, as if surprised to see humans walking nearby again.
A ss hall of sorts. I made a ntal note of where this was in relation to the rest of the building. At so point, the kitchen would need to be pilfered. They always had a spare power cell.
Ankahs voice sounded on the local comms. Ive checked over the last stairwell down, all paths underground are indeed blocked, my lord.
Oh. This was a lucky break.
Its not that the place was too big, its too much blockage. Thats why she hadnt gloated about finding the transforr room yet.
Understood. Well have to try a different building. Atius said. Our target isnt in the site itself but further down underground. Any path will work.
If I may be so bold as to make a request from you, my lord. Your occult longblade might be able to cut a path into the flooring for us.
Interesting proposition Ankah. Its worth an attempt. You are welco to follow behind if it works. Your ropes are kept in good condition Im assuming?
Andnt: This was a short-lived lucky break. And now Ankah was probably ten minutes away from finding the transforr room first.
I needed to get real clever, real fast. Or my sister would be paying the price.
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