CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Meandering networks of iridescent coral laminated the tunnel in cool natural light. Volka navigated its branching forks deep into Accrakos' crust, following a series of near-imperceptible symbols carved into the basalt. The narrow confines of the subterranean passage widened and the group emerged into a cavern of mountainous proportion. Tucked in between the garden of coral were glittering ore deposits, bathing the surroundings in an animated display of prismatic light. Hung centrally in the vast expanse was an enormous spherical machine, suspended in midair by a triad of colossal chains that bore deep into the basalt. Aiding the chains in defying gravity was a magnetic resonance field that encircled the sphere. Gigantic pipes hung from the orbs underbelly, burrowing deep into the planet's mantle to siphon residual energy from the molten core.

Swallowed by the enormity of the android construction, the hunters were baffled as to how the Cybel had infiltrated the Accran world with such a massive vessel. For a century they had buried themselves in the deepest fathoms of Accrakos, biding their time until the keystones gathered and their great work could be completed.

Without a word from the Pirate-Lord, a floating silver disk approached their position, landing gracefully before them. Volka stepped forward, motioning for the others to follow. With everyone on board, they were levitated to an outstretched pontoon on the spheres' upper half, leading to an opening in the outer shell. The hull was near faultless, constructed of countless octagonal plates intersected by spiraling energy pylons. Soran recognized the technology from the Hyacinth, used for gathering sunlight and extracting usable particles from the surrounding atmosphere. Volka admired the perfection of his craftsmanship, staring in awe as they approached the glowing concentric rings that proceeded the entrance.

“Basilica. The name gifted to our vessel. She carries the weight of the great work on her back. Millions of your kind have been liberated along our journey and now serve to bring our promised future to fruition. Elyssia's offerings to its faithful are bountiful indeed.”

The grand expanse of the Basilica's inner sanctum was revealed through expanding segments of golden light, the concentric rings folding in on one another. Towers of complex machinery shot bolts of energy to specific receptors, loading the atmosphere with the purr of efficiency. Soran caught Ranna looking directly above, and following his line of sight, knew exactly what had him fixated. The octagonal segments that made up the walls of the Basilica were being used as more than just structural support. They housed its crew.

Inside each of the pods resided an android. Plugged into the mainframe in a state of blissful unconsciousness. Their minds untethered from the physical realm and allowed to sail unimpeded through the endless streams of data.

“Our vessel is the only construct that offers respite from the sickness, lessening the burden as our minds connected as one. They can live and think as they did before. Released from the cruelties of their reality.” Volka explained, melancholic as he described the plight of the androids. Soran began to understand why their crew was so numerous.

Most androids that succumbed to the Tetraphage wandered the galaxy blind. Easy prey for slavers and other degenerates, cursed to be subjugated or simply melted down for scrap. As they awaited the culmination of the great work and the spiritual riches that accompanied it, the sanctuary offered by the Basilica was a paradise unto itself. Sympathetic to their predicament, Soran could see how the promise of eternal life could sway even the strongest of minds, no matter the cost. Despite this, he remained steadfast that handing over the keystones to Volka was not in anyone's best interest. For now, all they could do was play along and hope fate was smiling their way.

Volka continued his march through the central walkway which culminated at a much smaller orb located at the ship's core. Most of the energy collected by the outer pylons seemed to be stored here, and a small gaggle of crewmen was performing maintenance on the surrounding consoles.

“Before you descend, I want you to witness a rebirth. The transference chamber that sits before you will extract a soul from its fragile biology, ferrying it to a more durable vessel.” Volka said, grinning as he described the process. Unsure of the demonstration's purpose but morbidly intrigued, the hunters stood anxiously as the outer casing of the orb peeled away. Layers of sculpted steel unfurled to reveal a glassy membrane beneath. Inside the transparent half dome sat two chairs, each draped in restraints. Various hanging contraptions hovered menacingly above the chairs, clearly surgical in their application. The silence of the three hunters' was compounded as they saw a man strapped into the leftmost chair.

It was Teege.

Sharp surgical light flooded his eyes as the blinds were removed from his cage. Teege stared longingly at his audience. Fear had consumed him. He didn't need to ask for help for his expression screamed desperation. No explanation of his situation was required, he knew the fate that awaited him.

Volka scattered the maintenance crew and initiated the sequence at the consoles. His inputs coaxed the equipment in the room to life. The hunters watched on in compelled sympathy as shrieks of protest burst through Teege’s lips. His forehead was clasped by a mechanical arm and held perfectly still. His incessant writhing did nothing but tighten the grip. A second instrument lowered into view and a white-hot light swelled at the tip. Without warning, a concentrated laser burned a small incision along the circumference of Teege's skull. The screams ceased as searing pain overwhelmed his sense. Flung through his pain thresh-hold in a split second, his mouth lay agape and his body twitched violently. With his system in shock, the forehead vice loosened its grip and removed the skull cap, exposing his brain for the final stage of the process. El clasped her hand to her mouth in an attempt to still the bile climbing from her stomach. The laser was replaced with a scanning device connected by several long wires to an uninhabited android husk that occupied the adjacent seat. The device flashed in a strobe-like fashion, filling the room with vibrant green light. With each close of the shutter, a millimeter slice of Teege's brain matter was atomized, instantly transferred to the silicon processing unit stored in the androids head. In its entirety, the process only took two minutes, a lifetime of experience stolen, locked away in an inescapable prison. The Teege they knew was now a brainless corpse, ready to be processed into fuel for the Basilica. And what was once an empty vessel, began to stir.

Teege climbed to his feet in a daze, examining the new body that Volka had gifted to him. The physical sensation of the transference was formidable. Ranna and company watched as he staggered toward them, unable to fully operate the mechanoid limbs. It was like watching an infant take their first steps but instead of celebration and pride, all they felt was pity. Despite his intention to throw them into the darkest dungeon the universe had to offer, -- not before giving them the luxury of spending a few days in Accrakos' finest jail -- sympathy managed to cut through their resentment. Although he no longer had to fear death, the end that would inevitably come for him wore a far more terrifying guise. Upon reaching the transparent boundary of his cage, Teege let out a defiant scream and flung his arms against the glass, rage scarred onto his face.

“Synthetic life often requires a period of adjustment for the recently transferred. I will enroll our friend Teege in orientation training when I return.” Volka said calmly. He had doubtless witnessed these terror-inspired theatrics on several previous occasions. Well aware of Teege's purpose here on Accrakos, the satisfaction of adding an aggressor to his ranks was a victory Volka would savor.

“It's time to proceed. Your role in the great work begins now.” Volka said, descending a staircase to the very base of the sphere. This area was home to yet another strange contraption. A cylindrical pod containing four seats was suspended above an exposed pipe that bore deep into the planet's crust.

“Though many of my brothers have attempted to access the core, the deep magnetic resonance cripples our systems and causes vital aspects of our being to malfunction, irreparably. The Accra we propositioned all declined the calling and thus were of no use to us. The only other human we encountered also chose to decline our prestigious offer, and you just witnessed his consolation prize. This leaves only you.” Volka gestured over to a workbench with four Mag-tech suits pristinely folded on its surface. Soran thought it best not to imagine the fate of their previous owners, and the prospect of wearing something other than the torn rags that adorned his body was all too welcome.

Suited up and ready to go, they advanced across a small boarding ramp suspended over the subterranean void. With Ranna taking the lead, they each took a seat. Immediately, thick belts sprung from various slits around them, strapping the crew in tight. The containment hatch slammed closed, sealing them inside the egg-shaped machine.

“Our scans inform us the keystone is located at the deepest section of the inner core. The tunnel system is almost perfectly linear so the navigation will be simple enough. With heavenly vision guiding you, I have absolute confidence in your success.” Volka gave a farewell nod and a one-fingered tap released the mechanism, sending the hunters into free-fall, cascading into darkness.

With fists clenched to the straps that bound them, the pod careened into the abyss. Deeper and deeper into the planet they fell, the world around them an indecipherable mirage of shifting terrain. Abruptly, their descent was halted by the deployment of the collision foam, encasing them in a spongy tomb. Surrounded by blackness and shaking from the spiked adrenalin, the hunters checked themselves for injury. Despite minor bruising, disorientation, and the unwelcome urge to vomit, they remained unharmed.

“Not much for warnings, those buckets.” Ranna sneered as he removed his belts. He reviled artificial life. Too many good men suckered in by false promises, only to degrade into a mindless husk a few years later.

“Are we gonna talk about that?” Asked El, still shaken from the surgical demonstration. Having been bounced between surveillance and incarceration for so long without the ability to communicate, each hunter harbored their fair share of unresolved trauma.

“Whats to say? Teege’s gone, and right now we just have to get this keystone, get Tugg, and we're out. Don't tell me you feel sorry for him? He got what he deserved.” Ranna replied flippantly as he opened up the containment hatch. He broke through the outer layer of foam to a blast of viscous humidity. The atmosphere of the core was unforgiving. Oxygen was scarce and the heat almost unbearable. Soran quickly shut the hatch and pushed Ranna back down into his seat.

“You stay silent for days and that's the first thing you say? We all saw the same thing. Don’t tell me you think the twins are gonna hand over Tugg and send us on our way. Or are you that stupid?” Soran said in a raised voice. Ranna was perplexed, unable to recognize the commanding presence, and for a brief second forgot that it was he who was in charge.

“We need a plan. If somehow we survive this we need a quick escape once we surface. I know one thing and that's whatever they did to Teege is not happening to me.” The boy crossed his arms, waiting for his Captain's response which was less forthcoming than usual.

“The kids right. He might talk like a saint but we all know what he's capable of. Never mind that Goliath of a brother.” Ranna paused for a second.

“We will have something they want. The keystone will be our leverage so follow my lead and watch my back. Time to hunt our treasure.” He smiled as he exited the pod. El looked at Soran and realized they were both thinking the same thing. Ranna was back.

Their suits would offer them little protection down here. Regardless of their pristine condition, the oxygen stores wouldn't last forever. El tapped her shoulder light into action revealing the graveyard of test pods that had proceeded them. The remains of the four unfortunate volunteers that occupied each vessel had rusted beyond salvation. It was staggering to see how readily the Cybel twins sacrificed their crew in the name of progress. It seemed no price was too high to complete their great work, the mass grave in which they stood was a testament to that.

El took the lead and proceeded further into the tunnel, only a cone of light separating them from absolute darkness. The uncertainty of what lay ahead would have been reason enough to turn back for Soran. But now, with a friend's life in the balance, there was no question. He had to move forward.