Orphans - Kevin Killiany [23]
“There’s nearly a kilometer of metal and rock between the surface and this tunnel,” Pattie said.
“It’s doubtful even quantum torpedoes would have done this level of damage.” She backed toward the opening of the artificial cave, taking in every detail.“No, something inside this mountain shifted.”
“An explosion?” Kairn asked.
“Or a structural failure.”
Stevens looked out over the rolling countryside below them. The cave opening was perhaps a hundred meters above the valley floor, and at this level the curvature of the ship’s interior was not apparent. The ersatz sun had moved a considerable distance during their climb down, and the shadows of trees and ridges stretched toward them across meadows of heather.
“Hard to imagine a structural failure with this level of craftsmanship,” he said.
“An explosion,” Kairn said.
“Perhaps.” Pattie sounded unconvinced.
“A damaged area near the front of an out-of-control vessel,” Stevens said. “If it weren’t so easy, I’d guess we found the control room first try.”
“How human of you,” Tev said dryly.
“Huh?”
“Humans expose their bridge atop the leading section of their vessels,” Tev said, then added without looking toward Kairn, “as do a number of other cultures. But the great majority of spacefaring peoples follow the Tellarite example, placing it sensibly at the center of mass.” He gestured out over the valley. “We can’t pretend to understand the logic of a people who would spend a century building this. The control center could be anywhere.”
“Anywhere including the very front of the ship,” Stevens countered. “We need to check this out.”
“We need to check out every possibility,” Pattie said.
Kairn cut off Tev’s reply. “P8 Blue and Soloman, you will explore the tunnel beyond the rubble.”
“Why them?” Tev asked. “As a generalist—”
“You are less qualified than a structural specialist and a computer specialist to assess damage and evaluate control systems,” Kairn finished. “Also, they can fit through the opening without further excavation.”
Stevens braced himself for pyrotechnics, but to his surprise Tev remained silent. He wondered whether the Tellarite’s restraint meant he recognized Kairn’s wisdom or he remembered that the traditional Klingon response to insubordination was lethal.
Without further ado, two hundred meters of monofilament was affixed to each of the explorers. Lauoc presented them with torches made from stout branches he had flayed with a wicked-looking knife Stevens knew wasn’t Starfleet issue. Tev surprised him again by producing a chemical lighter.
“We knew we were entering a primitive environment,” Tev said in response to Stevens’s startled expression.
Stevens bet himself that Lauoc and Kairn carried flint and steel. If he ever needed a fire, he’d have to find two dry sticks and trust to racial memory.
Pattie went first, without a torch, so all hands would be free as she explored the far side of the rubble pile with only the light of the opening. Stevens held her safety line, letting it play out over his palms as she explored. As it went slack, he pulled it slowly in, hand over hand, so she wouldn’t get tangled on her way back. At last she reappeared and pronounced the climb safe and the floor on the far side solid.
“The air is a little dense,” she added. “A lot of dust. Musty but breathable.”
She took two torches, securing one to her harness, before scurrying down to give Soloman room to follow. He was decidedly less sure of himself as he picked his way up the pile of rocks. Stevens guessed spelunking was not a popular pastime on Bynaus.
“How do you work this lighter?” Pattie called from the other side.
“Grip the safety,” Tev called back. “Depress the gas release with your thumb, then trigger the ignition with your—”
He paused as Pattie’s crystalline laughter cut him off.
“In my case, use more than two hands,” she said. “Back up a second, Soloman. I need the daylight to find a place to prop my torch.”
Soloman backed out of the opening, Lauoc reeling in his line deftly.
“Okay,” Pattie called out. “Got it.”
A great hand swatted Stevens backward.