“Did you feel that?” Talok asked as the small train came to a halt. The three beings had managed to sneak in and get themselves on some sort of convoy of shipments. So far, they had remained undetected, hiding inside crates, boxes and carts on the convoy, avoiding the various organic machines that had inspected each load. The cargo had been mostly organs or boxes full of goo and guts, all of which had disturbed them a little.
“That massive, earth-moving shudder?” Ct’Era tutted. “Yes. All did.”
“Are there normally earthquakes and the like here?” Levik asked. “Before or after the flesh invasion?”
“No. No earthquakes. Only small tremors. Not like that.”
“Felt like something massive hit the planet…” Levik muttered. “And this convoy has stopped. The question is, do we wait for it to get started again or do we get off and walk?”
Ct’Era didn’t wait for anyone else’s opinions and smashed a hole in the side of her cart. She jumped out, landing on solid ground. Somewhat solid. The Banikan grunted as her feet sunk into the gooey surface a little.
“I guess we’re going…” Talok shrugged. Levik helped him to the ground, then climbed out as well. “I mean, I might be able to get it all started again…”
Levik also shrugged. “Ct’Era seems to know where she is going.”
“I do not. But I smell something.”
Talok and Levik both looked around. They were inside a particularly gooey tunnel. The train convoy had been moving at quite a pace, carried along a smooth, round tube on the ceiling. The tunnel though was mainly featureless flesh, apart from a small upper area, only just visible in the gloom.
“What do you smell?” Talok asked.
“I do not know.”
Levik though had spotted something. Movement. “I think that up there is some sort of control room. Because I don’t see any other entrances or exits. This tunnel could go on for ages otherwise.”
Ct’Era and Talok both nodded and followed Levik. They slipped between the train carts and headed towards what looked like indentations in the wall. A small ladder that lead up to the smaller area. It was quite high up, and the indentations were too small for the Banikan to climb up.
“I’ll go…” Talok hesitated.
“I lift you!” Ct’Era smiled. She let Talok climb up her back, then helped him up to the higher indentations. Talok’s little legs wriggled as he climbed into the upper area on his own.
“Is there anything up there?” Levik asked.
“One sec…”
Talok fell silent as he activated a mini torch and shined it across the room. There was a console here, with obvious markings that suggested that they controlled the train. But there was also something else.
“Talok?”
“There is someone in here.”
“Who?”
Ct’Era glanced at Levik. Levik sighed, then climbed up to see what was there.
“It is a Panvok being I think. Not sure. Unconscious though.”
Talok moved out of the way and let Levik through. Levik though quickly gasped.
“Oh fuck…”
“What?”
Levik leaned down, putting his claw along the creature’s head. As he did so, their eyes snapped open.
“Prince Levik…”
“High General Elkay, you are alive!”
“I do not feel alive…” Elkay grunted, struggling to pick himself up. “Nor am I the High General any more… I am very, very thankful to see you though. This place is indescribably horrible. What are you doing here?”
Levik and Talok looked at each other. Levik sighed and decided to be honest. “I am here, sent by the Panelix, to discover what the Allbirther is planning and steal what I can, so she can stop the Allbirther’s plans. Ct’Era down there wants to destroy this place entirely. Or at least the main parts of it. To do so, we are travelling deeper inside this place.”
“Do you need some help?” Talok asked. “You look hurt.”
“I… I am not doing great…”
Again, Levik looked at Talok. “Can you walk?”
“Yes…” Elkay sighed. “I know what you are thinking. I know you cannot simply take me back to your ship. This facility is huge and that train only goes one way.”
“But…” Levik blinked. “You’re injured…”
“It does not matter. I will come with you,” Elkay grunted. “After all, I know where you all need to go…”