“Godstars be damned,” Dex said, stepping past her.

Andi’s eyes widened as she took in the scene beyond the open door, the massive space overflowing with warmth and light and the noises of humanity.

An entire city was hidden inside.

All this time, Queen Nor had been scouring the surface of every planet for those who hadn’t been affected by the Zenith virus. And yet here the Underground was, hidden far below where her drones and droids could reach.

“Welcome,” Soyina said, stretching her arms wide, “to the undercity. Underground headquarters, at your service.”

The cavern was massive, nearly a quarter of the size of Craatia above. But this city was a natural phenomenon, carved out of the belly of the planet itself. Blue rock walls towered as far up as Andi could see, with stalactites and stalagmites hanging down and jutting up every few yards, like the fangs of a humongous creature.

Woven around them were scaffoldings and makeshift structures of iron and rock, wood and bits of what looked like old spaceships from days long past. Workers climbed all around the scaffoldings, swinging across the bars like they’d done it a thousand times, with the ease of those used to such places.

“We hail from all across the galaxy,” Soyina said. “But some of our number are native to Solera, and it’s because of them that we were able to find this place. Eons ago, the old Solerans settled in caverns just like these. Of course, many of the old ruins were destroyed during the Cataclysm, their entrances buried in the rubble of the bombings. This one survived, though, and it’s been the perfect hideout for us. We’re so far below the surface that we’re completely undetectable from above. There’s natural heat, too, thanks to the insulation from the dome overhead. It’s not exactly a summer home, but it stays warm enough.” She motioned for Andi and Dex to stay close as she began the descent into the undercity. “Walk with me.”

And follow they did. As they walked, Andi’s head felt as if it were on a swivel, rotating constantly while Soyina led them into the undercity’s depths. Crackling fires, the flames purple and smokeless like those in the ice pub, were scattered about, serving as the main source of light. Groups sat around them, some with children talking and playing with makeshift toys.

They passed a New Vedan man, his great arms swinging in an arc as he forged a massive broadsword over a fire, the blade easily the size of Andi herself.

Breck, Andi thought, seeing that giant form. Her heart squeezed, thinking of her head gunner. What would Breck have thought, seeing this place? She would have whistled, low and long. She would have sniffed the air and asked about the next meal. She and Gilly would have been fascinated by all the different fashions, hairstyles, makeup looks.