She tried not to feel left out, but knowing that he could access an entire world without her? That knowledge left her wrestling with deep loneliness, and she turned her head to rub her face against the top of Aevi’s head. The Pherzul rumbled and scratched with her claws, offering comfort in her way.

They passed through five different tunnels, more locks and heavy doors. With so much water outside, she comprehended the caution bordering on paranoia. If she lived down here, she’d want as many walls as possible between her and the crushing weight of all that water too. As Qalu began to wonder if this procession would ever end, Hertel keyed open a final door and angled an eye stalk forward.

“Welcome to the Vault, our home on Altarion.”

Her senses immediately went haywire because it did seem to be an undersea settlement, though more of a shantytown than a grand city. Yet there was some charm in what they had built as well—in the individual stalls in the marketplace, adorned with shaped bits of broken metal and the swoop of baffles stained with seawater and swirled with mineral paints. Lights had been created from oceanic phosphorescence, a soft yellow-green glow that balanced the harsher orange of artificial illumination. From this large space, more tunnels rayed out like the arms of a starfish, probably leading to other sections of the habitat. In one direction, signs pointed to Research, Hydroponics, Mining and Refinery, while others directed passersby to Domiciles, Recreation, and Health.

In her absorption with new surroundings, she’d missed some of the conversation. Hertel was saying, “And you’ll stay in your usual quarters. I trust you can arrange matters from here, Praxys? You’re familiar with the protocols.”

“I can,” Praxys agreed. “I’ll give the newcomers a short amenities orientation and then see about getting the ship refueled.”

“Let me,” Bojak offered.

[  14  ]

“Which one are you volunteering to handle?” Praxys asked.

Bojak showed his teeth. “The tour, of course. You’d rather look after the ship.”

“True enough. Thank you.” Praxys went toward the mining and fuel operation, flanked by Maglan and Carow.

The assembled party went their separate ways. Some followed Praxys, others went about their own business, while the little droid stayed with Helix, still chattering away via flashes of light. He responded absently, trying not to distract from the information Bojak was providing about their new environment. Talking as he moved, the human showed them around the facility and ended the tour with their accommodations. Visitors were granted a communal resting place, one that didn’t encourage them to stay, Helix imagined. Not that the environs were inviting overall. Praxys had said they couldn’t linger, but the Vault wasn’t a place that would tempt Helix to do so even if they had the leisure to tarry.