Before Kaelen could kick off his cloth slippers and slide under his quilted blanket, the stone floor shuddered beneath his cot.
A low, mechanical grinding echoed from the deep chasms of Moon Six.
It was not the sound of artillery or approaching armies. It was the sickening groan of giant iron gears turning against human bone.
Claire Vance appeared at the courtyard archway, her expression darker than cold iron.
“Kaelen,” Claire said, gesturing toward the western shaft. “Mina found something in the lower sub-levels. You need to see this before you close your eyes.”
Kaelen let out a heavy, suffering sigh.
He slipped his feet back into his worn slippers, grabbed his bamboo staff, and followed Claire down the service tunnel.
The tunnel plunged three miles into the core of the satellite.
