They came to a final door, this one not the laboratory-white of the previous entrances. Instead it was age-old, the hinge braces and locking mechanism solid but heavily corroded.

Alex laid a palm against it and grimaced, as it felt like a fist had clenched in his brain. He stepped back.

“Whatever it is, it’s in there.”

“Is it Eli?” Adira asked.

“I think so, but it’s strange, like … he’s different.” Alex pushed at the door. Even though the hinges looked centuries old, they swung smooth and soundlessly.

“Looks like they ran out of money for decorating,” Casey said, grinning.

The air was fetid, and unlike the other rooms, the walls were rough-hewn stone, and more like a cave that had been hacked and chiseled from the surrounding rocks. The ceiling was high above them, and coated in slick moss that hung in glistening green stalactites.

“This place gives me the creeps,” Sam said quietly.

“I’m here for you, big guy.” Casey turned and winked.

“This looks like the original structure that existed below the dome. The new tunnels were recently added. Got to be a thousand years old down here – they probably had to tunnel down to get to it.”

“One thousand two hundred years, five months, three days, and eleven hours.” The voice came from above, below, all around them.

“What the fuck.” Casey spun, gun up.

“Do not be alarmed. I have been waiting for you.” There was a sound of excitement in the voice. “I know all about you.”

“Who are you?” Alex asked.

“Come now; you know me. Did you not come to find me? After all, I know you, Captain Alex Hunter, and you Ms. Adira Senesh, and Casey Franks, Samuel Reid, and even Eli Livnat.” There was a sound like a sigh. “I have been here for an eternity, waiting … in fact, waiting just for you, Alex Hunter, sometimes known as the Arcadian.”

Alex turned slowly, trying to pinpoint the voice. “Why are you producing the bombs?”

“I am not.”

“There are nukes here. I just saw them.” Alex concentrated, an image beginning to form in his mind.

“Yes, you did.”

“This is getting us nowhere.” Casey gritted her teeth. “Come out with hands up, or we’ll find you and drag you out.”

“I cannot, and no you won’t.”

There was a scream, but it only tore through Alex’s mind. It could have been Eli, or could have been some caged animal being tortured.

“Eli,” Alex said, through gritted teeth.

“Eli?” Adira spun. “Where is he? Our friend, you have him.”

“Yes, Eli. But he has joined with us now.”

“The hell he has,” Casey said, her voice turning to a growl. “You got thirty seconds, mister.”

“Hell?” There was a grating sound that could have been a dry laugh. “You have no concept of hell. Hell is to be trapped without seeing my beautiful land for too many centuries.”