32.3
Kanden couldn't believe his eyes.
Through the vents, lights spilled through the skylight from the conservatory dome. Below, ugly charred soil splotched the ground while the untouched plants basked in the natural luminescence from above. Foragers glanced around in surprise at the sound of Kanden's multi-tool banging on the metal but returned to their tasks after a few moments when they didn't locate the source.
Leaning to one side, Kanden noticed unusual patterns in the rock, forcing him to contort his body to get a better view. A platform jutted outward, concealing a path as the structure camouflaged seamlessly into the rock. Upon closer inspection, Kanden realized the structure formed a hidden route behind a false wall, a small walkway wrapping around the natural rock of the conservatory. From below, no one would notice; the construction was well-built to avoid drawing attention to itself.
Kanden reached through the slats, testing his ability to slip through the narrow openings. His progress stopped at his elbow, but it was enough to touch the bolts holding the grate in place. Careful not to drop his multi-tool, Kanden inspected the different utensils until he landed on an appendage with a blunt, flat head. Then he fit it through the slats and into the bolt, turning slowly to the left.
One at a time, he loosened the screws, keep them in place to prevent them from falling out, but stopped at the top when he felt a tug on his belt.
His breath caught in his throat as his mind whirled in several directions. He wanted to keep going and found out where the hidden path led. Unfortunately, he understood his cable wasn't infinite; sooner or later, it would run out of line, and he'd have to make the choice to remove his belt or turn back. But if he did so before checking in with Rhonin and Marina, he'd be on his own, and this time, no one could help if he found himself stuck.
With a resigned sigh, Kanden slipped his multi-tool into his pockets and removed his earplugs. Much as he wanted to do his own thing, he recalled his training. No matter how mundane the tasks had been, the orders were to not only take away the choice — leadership would never convince him this was a good thing — but because there was wisdom in experience. Kanden didn't want to lose time, but having additional feedback would be more beneficial than literally jumping into the unknown.
When he returned to the pair at the vent's entrance, Kanden sprang to his feet in excitement. "You will never guess what I found in there."
Always reserved and collected in the dullest way possible, Rhonin's eyes widened while Marina held no such inhibitions. She bounced on her feet while squeezing Kanden's hands and squealing like a child receiving more than one piece of fruit in their rations. "You know I hate guessing games. Don't make me smack it out of you."
Kanden laughed at her effervescence. Seeing her smile was like the light in the tunnel: hopeful and unexpected. "The crawl space leads straight to the conservatory. There's a hidden walk-way thing built into the wall, but I've never seen a structure like it. I've stared at the dome in that greenhouse for years — I've never noticed anything different with the walls. You wouldn't even know it's there."
Marina and Rhonin exchanged stunned glances as they both gaped before turning back. Their eyebrows curved in question, and Kanden explained, flapping his arms with each word. "There's an actual staircase or platform attached to that wall, but it's man-made and designed to hide in plain sight."
Did that make sense? He couldn't explain it any plainer.
Unhooking his belt, Kanden let it drop to the floor. He was so excited; he for once didn't notice the pain in his shoulder. He wanted to finish his mission. "I was able to undo the bolts on the screen. I want to see where the path leads."
"Which way does it seem to curve?" Marina mused, resting one hand on her hip while tapping her chin with the other. "Did you see any doors?"
Kanden shook his head. "It's hard to explain, but you wouldn't know it's there unless you're a aware of its existence. However it's built, it's with the conservatory walls in mind. But there's also a ledge at the top where we keep the solar panels. All we'd need is the spare parts, right?"
Marina shrugged and faced Rhonin. "Don't ask me, I make things go boom, not fix them."
Truer words had never been spoken. Marina liked to pick everything apart to see how things worked, but piecing it all back together was a recipe for disaster. Or as she likes to say, a recipe for things that go boom.
Rhonin opened his bag and removed another cable, giving instructions while he worked a knot into the cord attached to Kanden's belt. "I don't know how far this will get you, but it's the only rope we have left. If you can't move any further, come back, and we'll work out a new plan. You don't need to risk your safety with a rash decision."
Donning the belt once more, Kanden waited for Rhonin to finish checking the knot in the cords. When the latter gave an encouraging nod, Kanden re-entered the vent and went back to the grate. He removed the bottom screws first, stuffing them into a cargo pocket, and then the top, holding the metal so it didn't fall.
The vent was heavier than Kanden had expected, almost slipping from his fingers. He caught it though, and held tight as he lowered it, testing the height between the ventilation system and the ground. If correction in his estimation, the surface wouldn't be more than a short drop. It scraped the ground without making so much noise, it drew everyone else's attention far below.
Kanden tugged his rope, and when he felt resistance from Rhonin's end, Kanden lowered himself, using the taut cord to his advantage. Then he released it, hoping Rhonin figured out his impromptu signals.
Before doing anything else, Kanden tilted his head backward and peered at the glass dome. This high off the ground, white shapes floated in the sky, covering a light blue backdrop. A smile crept onto his face as he appreciated the sight.
So close, he thought with giddy anticipation. Soon, he'd breathe his first fresh breath of air, feel the breeze ruffle his hair, and the sun's warmth kiss his skin.
Swiveling his head left and right, Kanden decided to go left first to see where it led. The wall beside him reached almost to his shoulder, and Kanden touched it. Though it was almost identical to the stone it resembled, the texture was smooth and cold on the inside. Even the ground beneath his feet sounded different, like walking on metal instead of sand.
The platform held strong, displaying no outward signs of erosion or instability, so Kanden swiftly followed the path as it curved around and ascended closer to the dome.
As he ran upward toward the sky, he pondered the tale of Icarus, who'd fallen to his demise in the ocean after flying too close to the sun. The dome reminded him of the sun, and the idea that he represented Icarus in careless haste stole his breath. If he wasn't careful on this mission, that could very well become his own fate.
Sobered by the deep reflection but no less awed by the sky's impressive beauty, Kanden continued forward until he reached the platform. Here, the ground was solid, running a ring around the circumference of the natural cavern's wall. The transparent roof had been expertly fitted to the rock to keep everything out of Overland while providing them with natural light. Further in, panels sat at an angle, facing the sky.
The sky called to him, luring him all the way to the wall, wishing the glass dipped low enough for him to see Overland. It called to him, stronger than ever, beckoning him to return above ground.
Immediately to his left at the path's end, a room with flickering lights and an archway caught his attention. Kanden went inside, stopping to remove his belt when the rope jolted him. He retreated to the doorway and tied his belt to the leg of a table bolted to the ground. He'd need to be careful moving forward, but he couldn't turn back now. Not when he was on the verge of success.
His glow stick barely lit the dark room, but the light from the dome provided enough for Kanden to discern his surroundings. Storage lockers lined the walls, each with a label painted on the doors. Toolboxes sat closed while strong, foreign odors assaulted his senses. Monitors on the walls stared at Kanden from two directions, dust covered the smooth floor, and sterile panels formed the wall.
The door ahead stood ajar, and Kanden stepped through into a hallway similar to the one he and his group had entered upon arriving to their floor. Unlike the other floor though, a web of corridors connected to different rooms. Not wanting to find himself lost, Kanden focused on only moving forward until he reached a set of doors he couldn't open.
Paths opened to the left and right, each with their own temptations and promises to keep the adventurer occupied. Later, he admonished himself. He'd have plenty of time another day, but he still needed to find a way to the floor below.
Back in the first room where Kanden had tied his belt, he opened the lockers and sighed in relief at the supplies and electrical components. Binders with protective film were stacked on the upper shelf of each storage container, outlining everything's purpose. Among them was something about solar panel maintenance and repair, making Kanden fist pump the air.
That's one mystery solved. Now to check the other side of the hidden trail.
Kanden snapped his belt around his waist and descended the path, keeping one hand on the solid wall. The unnatural ground didn't wobble, but Kanden remained cautious. The door to the next floor blended with the conservatory's surroundings, but opened easily when Kanden turned the handle.
Like he'd done on the upper level, Kanden connected his belt to a hook on the wall. The room wasn't large, though Kanden failed to understand its function since it was completely bare except for four long tables set with six chairs each.
A paneled wall, unlike the tiles on the three surrounding sides, formed a vertical crack along the center. Kanden jumped when he touched it and made the wall move with the noise of movement on a track. Looking closer, he realized it wasn't a wall but a divider, folding into an accordion as it revealed an extended room with island counters, stools, and metal doodads sticking out from the middle.
One counter looked like it had recently been disturbed, making Kanden furrow his eyebrows. When he opened the cabinets, he realized why: every single book and binder than should have been stored away was missing, as was anything useful on the bottom floors. This was the one of the first rooms he and Ryker had explored during their previous expedition.
A harsh laugh left Kanden's throat. He'd never considered checking the walls, assuming there had been no door. This whole damn time, the answer to their problems had lain behind a partition he (and apparently others), had failed to notice. That also meant that the path wouldn't have been on the schematics because there had never been a hidden room. Even worse, Kanden never actually needed to go through the vents.
He did the only reasonable thing he could think of and said every swear word he knew under his breath. Irony was such a bitch sometimes.
But that meant Rhonin had also missed this crucial detail, so Kanden decided not to be mortified over it.
Excited, Kanden strode into the main corridor, grinning when he spotted Rhonin and Marina's silhouettes near the vent where Kanden had entered earlier.
Elation filled his chest as he waved his glow stick and called to them. "Over here, you two!"
Rhonin swore while Marina's silhouette bolted toward him. The former soon caught up, and the pair watched him with pure astonishment written across their features in the faint red light.
Marina looked over her shoulder and back again, working her mouth and uttering unintelligible words. Rhonin bluntly asked, "How in the hells?"
Smiling wider than ever, Kanden announced, "We've got a way to the top floor and a way to fix the panels."
Without giving them a chance to ask questions, he ran back to the room with the fake wall and showed them the structure outside. Kanden didn't make it more than halfway through his explanation when Marina yanked him into her arms and squealed. A single tear splashed Rhonin's cheek as he stared heavenward with wonder shining from his eyes.
He turned, grinned, and joined the hug, making a noise between a laugh and a sob. "You did it, Calvorite. We're one step closer to the surface because of you. This is your victory."
Kanden's first reaction was to peel himself away, but he was sandwiched between them both. At the same time, he brushed away the discomfort to soak in their shared joy because this wasn't his victory; it was theirs, Ryker's, Zephyr's and anyone else's achievement for working to make this moment a reality.
Reaching the surface now seemed more attainable than ever. Once they fixed the solar panels and restored the electricity, they could find the exit and rebuild everything.
Kanden had never been so hopeful in his short life.
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